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The Shakespeare Deed
March 10,
1613

CLC/522/MS03738, recto

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CLC/522/MS03738, recto
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City of London: London Metropolitan Archives
This item is reproduced with permission from the collections at London Metropolitan Archives. For further information please visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma.

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London Metropolitan Archives has graciously contributed the above image  from their collections to Shakespeare Documented, and retains sole ownership of said image. Visitors may link to and cite the image within Shakespeare Documented in personal research only. Any further use, including, but not limited to, unauthorized downloading or distribution of the image is strictly prohibited. Visitors must contact London Metropolitan Archives to request additional use, via email at: ask.lma@cityoflondon.gov.uk, or through the post at: London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton Road, London EC1R 0HB, United Kingdom

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Title: The Shakespeare Deed
Date: March 10, 1613
Repository: London Metropolitan Archives, London, UK
Call number and opening: CLC/522/MS03738
View online bibliographic record

Item Title
The Shakespeare Deed
Item Date
March 10, 1613
Repository
London Metropolitan Archives, London, UK
Call Number
CLC/522/MS03738

CLC/522/MS03738, verso

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CLC/522/MS03738, verso
Click image to enlarge

Institution Rights and Document Citation

 

City of London: London Metropolitan Archives
This item is reproduced with permission from the collections at London Metropolitan Archives. For further information please visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma.

Terms of use
London Metropolitan Archives has graciously contributed the above image  from their collections to Shakespeare Documented, and retains sole ownership of said image. Visitors may link to and cite the image within Shakespeare Documented in personal research only. Any further use, including, but not limited to, unauthorized downloading or distribution of the image is strictly prohibited. Visitors must contact London Metropolitan Archives to request additional use, via email at: ask.lma@cityoflondon.gov.uk, or through the post at: London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton Road, London EC1R 0HB, United Kingdom

Document-specific information
Title: The Shakespeare Deed
Date: March 10, 1613
Repository: London Metropolitan Archives, London, UK
Call number and opening: CLC/522/MS03738
View online bibliographic record

Item Title
The Shakespeare Deed
Item Date
March 10, 1613
Repository
London Metropolitan Archives, London, UK
Call Number
CLC/522/MS03738

Institution Rights and Document Citation

 

City of London: London Metropolitan Archives
This item is reproduced with permission from the collections at London Metropolitan Archives. For further information please visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma.

Terms of use
London Metropolitan Archives has graciously contributed the above image  from their collections to Shakespeare Documented, and retains sole ownership of said image. Visitors may link to and cite the image within Shakespeare Documented in personal research only. Any further use, including, but not limited to, unauthorized downloading or distribution of the image is strictly prohibited. Visitors must contact London Metropolitan Archives to request additional use, via email at: ask.lma@cityoflondon.gov.uk, or through the post at: London Metropolitan Archives, 40 Northampton Road, London EC1R 0HB, United Kingdom

Document-specific information
Title: The Shakespeare Deed
Date: March 10, 1613
Repository: London Metropolitan Archives, London, UK
Call number and opening: CLC/522/MS03738
View online bibliographic record

Alan H. Nelson and Folger Shakespeare Library staff, "Shakespeare purchases the Blackfriars Gatehouse: copy of bargain and sale signed by buyers, including Shakespeare," Shakespeare Documented, https://doi.org/10.37078/127.

London Metropolitan Archives, CLC/522/MS03738. See Shakespeare Documentedhttps://doi.org/10.37078/127.

In March 1613 William Shakespeare and three associates agreed to purchase the Gatehouse of the former Dominican priory in London known as “Blackfriars” from Henry Walker for the sum of £140. The indenture of bargain and sale is dated March 10. The same group agreed to a mortgage, dated March 11, for the property in the amount of £60, implying that the buyers put up only £80 at the time of sale. For a discussion of these transactions, and a description of the property, see “Shakespeare purchases the Blackfriars Gatehouse.”

The document shown here is the copy of the indenture of bargain and sale signed by three of the four buyers: William Shakespeare, William Johnson, John Jackson. The place set aside for the signature of John Heminges is left blank. The indenture of bargain and sale consisted of two essentially identical copies, written out on a single sheet of parchment and separated along a wavy line. Each party would sign one copy, which was to be kept by the other party as a record of the transaction.

The two copies and the enrolled copy all contain essentially with the same text. However, this copy signed by the buyers contains a sentence which has been crossed out and not included in the copy signed by Walker. The cancelled sentence, transcribed below, references William Ireland, who is mentioned elsewhere in the indenture. Evidently the agreement mentioned in the cancelled sentence had lapsed.

This copy is of particular interest because it contains one of six surviving signatures of William Shakespeare. Here, his signature is written on two lines: “William” is written out, and the signature generally conforms to that of his Bellott v. Mountjoy deposition, especially in the placement of the “dot” in the loop of the majuscule “W.” For a further description of Shakespeare’s signature, and those of the other signatories, see “Shakespeare purchases the Blackfriars Gatehouse.”

Samuel Ireland's Mr. Ireland's Vindication of His Conduct (1796) reports that Albany Wallis, a London lawyer, owned this copy as of March 1796. Wallis apparently discovered it and the 1618 indenture among a bundle of deeds of title in the collection of the Rev. Mr. Fetherstonhaugh (pronounced Fanshaw) in 1768. This document was bought at auction by the City of London Corporation in 1841 for £145, disparaged at the time as "a most wasteful and prodigal expenditure" by a member of the Court of Common Council. Long kept in Guildhall Library, it now resides in the London Metropolitan Archives.

Semi-diplomatic transcription

[This transcription is pending final vetting]

[Image 1: CLC/522/MS03738]

This Indenture made the Tenthe day of Marche, in the yeare of our Lord god (according to the Computacion of the Church of England) one
thowsand six hundred and twelve, and in the yeares of the reigne of our Sovereigne Lord Iames by the grace of god king of England, Scotland, ffraunce, and Ireland, defender of the faithe  &c (that
is to saie) of England, ffraunce, and Ireland the tenth, and of Scotland the six and fortith; Betweene Henry Walker Citizein and Minstrell of London of th'one partie, And William Shakespeare of
Stratford Vpon Avon in the Countie of Warwick gentleman, William Iohnson Citizein and Vintener of London, Iohn Jackson, and Iohn Hemmyng of London gentlemen of th'other partie. Witnesseth
that the said Henry Walker (for and in consideracion of the somme of one hundred and fortie poundes of lawfull money of England to him in hande before th'ensealing hereof by the said William Shakespeare well and trulie
paid, whereof, and wherewith hee the said Henry Walker doth acknowledge himselfe fullie satisfied and contented, and thereof, and of every part and parcell thereof doth cleerlie acquite and discharge the saide
William Shakespeare his heires, executours, administratours, and assignes, and every of them by theis presentes) Hath bargayned & soulde and by theis presentes doth fullie, cleerlie, and absolutlie bargayne and sell vnto the
said William Shakespeare, William Iohnson, Iohn Jackson, and Iohn Hemmyng their heires, and assignes forever, All that dwelling house or Tenement with th'appurtenaunces situate and being within the Precinct, Circuit
and Compasse of the late black ffryers London, sometymes in the tenure of Iames Gardyner Esquiour, and since that in the tenure of Iohn ffortescue gent, and now or late being in the tenure or occupacion of one William
Ireland, or of his assignee or assignes; abutting vpon a streete leading down to Pudle wharffe on the east part, right against the Kinges Maiesties Wardrobe; part of which said Tenement is erected over a great gate leading
to a Capitall Mesuage which sometyme was in the tenure of William Blackwell Esquiour deceased, and since that in the tenure or occupacion of the right Honourable Henry, now Earle of Northumberland; And also all that
plott of ground on the west side of the same Tenement, which was lately inclosed with boordes on two sides thereof by Anne Bacon widow soe farre, and in such sorte as the same was inclosed by the said Anne Bacon, and not
otherwise, and being on the third side inclosed with an olde Brick wall; Which said plott of ground was sometyme parcell
and taken out of a great peece of ^voyde ground lately vsed for a garden; and also the soyle wherevpon
the said Tenement standeth; and also the said Brick wall & boordes which doe inclose the said plott of ground; With free entrie, accesse, ingresse, egresse, and regresse in, by and through the said greate gate and yarde there vnto
the vsuall dore of the said Tenement; And also all and singuler Cellours, ^sollers, romes, lightes, easiamentes, profittes, Commodities, and hereditamentes whatsoever to the said dwelling house or Tenement belonging, or in any wise apperteyning;
And the reversion and reversions whatsoever of all and singuler the premisses, and of every parcell thereof, And also all rentes, and yearlie profittes whatsoever reserved, and fromhensforth to growe due and paiable
vpon whatsoever lease, dimise, or graunt, leases, dimises, or grauntes made of the premisses, or of any parcell thereof; And also all th'estate, right, title, interest, propertie, vse, possession, clayme, and demaund whatsoever which
hee the said Henry Walker now hath, or of right may, might, should, or ought to have of, in, or to the premisses, or any parcell thereof; And also all and every the deedes, evidences, Charters, escriptes, minimentes, and writinges
whatsoever which hee the said Henry Walker now hath, or any other person or persons to his vse have or hath, or which hee may lawfullie come by without suite in the lawe, which touch or concerne the premisses onlie,
or onlie [dittography?] any part or parcell thereof; Togeither with ^the true Copies of all such deedes, evidences and writinges as concerne the premisses (amounges other thinges) to bee written and taken out at the onlie costes and charges of the
said William Shakespeare his heires, or assignes. Which said dwelling house or Tenement, and other the premisses above by theis presentes mencioned to bee bargayned and soulde the said Henry Walker
late purchased and had to him, his heires, and assignes forever of Mathie Bacon of Graies Inne in the Countie of Midd’ gentleman by Indenture bearing date the fifteenth day of October, in the yeare of our Lord
god one thowsand six hundred and fower, and in the yeares of the reign of our said Sovereign Lord King James of his Realmes of England, ffraunce, and Ireland the second, and of Scotland the eight & thirtith.
To have and to holde the said dwelling house or Tenement, shopps, Cellors, sollers, plott of ground and all and singuler other the premisses above by theis presentes mencioned to bee bargayned
and soulde and every part and parcell thereof with th'appurtenaunces, vnto the said William Shakespeare, William Iohnson, Iohn Iackson, and Iohn Hemmyng their heires, and assignes forever; To th'onlie & proper
vse and behoofe of the said William Shakespeare, William Iohnson, Iohn Iackson, and Iohn Hemmyng their heires, and assignes forever. And the said Henry Walker for himselfe, his heires,
executours, administratours, and assignes, and for every of them doth Covenaunte, promisse, and graunt to and with the said William Shakespeare his heires, and assignes by theis presentes, in forme following (that is to saie)
That hee the said Henry Walker his heires, executours, administratours, or assignes shall and will cleerlie acquite, exonerate, and discharge, or otherwise from tyme to tyme, and at all tymes hereafter well and sufficientlie
save and keepe harmles the said William Shakespeare his heires and assignes, and every of them of, for, or, and concernyng the bargayne and sale of the premisses, and the said bargayned premisses, and every part and
parcell thereof with th'appurtenaunces of and from all and almanner [=all manner] of former bargaynes, sales, guiftes, grauntes, leases, statutes, Recognizaunces, Ioyntures, dowers, intailes, lymittacion and lymittacions of vse and vses,
extentes, Iudgmentes, execucions, Annuities and of and from all & every other charges, titles and incumbraunces whatsoever wittinglie and wilfullie had, made, committed, suffered, or donne by him the said Henrye
Walker, or any other vnder his aucthoritie or right before th'ensealing and deliuerye of theis presentes; Except the rentes and services to the Cheefe Lord or Lordes of the fee or fees of the premisses fromhensforth for or
in respecte of his or their seigniorie or seigniories onlie to bee due and donne. And also excepte one lease and  dimise heretofore made and granted vnto William Ireland Citizen and Haberdassher of London
by the said Henry Walker of the premisses by an Indenture bearing date the twelveth day of December in the yeare of our Lord one thousand six hundred and four and in the years of the reigne of our
said Soverigne Lord King James of his Realme of England, ffraunce and Ireland the second and of England and of Scotland the eight and thirtieth for the terme of twenty and five yeares from the feast of the birthe
of our Lord God next coming after the date of the same last recited Indenture of lease wherevpon the yearely rent of Seven pounds of lawfull money of England is reserved And further the saide
Henry Walker for himselfe, his heires, executours, and administratours, and for every of them doth Covenaunte, promisse, and graunt to and with the saide William Shakespeare his heires, and assignes by theis presentes in forme
following (that is to saie) That for and notwithstanding any acte or thing donne by him the said Henry Walker to the Contrary, hee the said William Shakespeare his heires and assignes shall or lawfullie may peaceablie &
quietlie have, holde, occupie, and enioye the said dwelling house or Tenement, Cellours, sollers, and all and singuler other the premisses above by theis presentes mencioned to bee bargayned and soulde, and every part and parcell
thereof with th'appurtenaunces, and the rentes, yssues, and profittes thereof, and of every part and parcell thereof to his and their owne vse receave, perceave, take, and enioye fromhensforth forever, without the lett, troble, eviccion, or
interrupcion of the said Henry Walker his heires executours, or administratours, or any of them, or of or by any other person or persons which have, or maye before the date hereof pretend to have any lawfull estate, right,
title, vse or interest in or to the premisses, or any parcell thereof by, from, or vnder him the said Henry Walker. And also that hee the said Henry Walker and his heires, and all and
every other person and persons, and their heires which have, or that shall lawfullie and rightfullie have or clayme to have any lawfull and rightfull estate, right, title, or interest in or to the premisses, or any parcell thereof by,
from or vnder the said Henry Walker [...] shall and will from tyme to tyme &
at all tymes fromhensforth for and during the space of three yeares now next ensuing, at or vpon the reasonable request and at the costes, and charges in the lawe of the said William Shakespeare his heires and assignes, doe make,
knowledge, and suffer to bee donne, made and knowledged all and every such further, lawfull, and reasonable acte and actes, thing and thinges, devise and devises in the lawe whatsoever for the conveying of the premisses bee it by
deed or deedes, inrolled or not inrolled, inrolment of theis presentes, fyne, feoffament, recoverye, release, confirmacion or otherwise with warrantie of the said Henry Walker and his heires against him the said Henry Walker, and
his heires onlie, or otherwise without warrantie, or by all, any or asmany of the wayes, meanes, and devises aforesaid, As by the said William Shakespeare his heires or assignes, or his, or their Councell learned in the lawe
shalbee reasonablie devised or advised: ffor the further, better, and more perfect assurance, suertie, suermaking [=sure-making], and conveying of all and singuler the premisses, and every parcell thereof with th'appurtenaunces vnto the saide
William Shakespeare his heires, and assignes forever to th'use, and in forme aforesaid. And ^further that all and every fyne and fynes to bee levyed, recoveryes to bee suffered, estates, and assurances at any tyme or
times hereafter to bee had, made, executed or passed by or between the said parties of the premisses, or of any parcell thereof shalbee, and shalbee esteemed, adiudged, deemed, and taken to bee to th'onlie and proper
vse and behoofe of the said William Shakespeare his heires, and assignes forever, and to none other vse, intent, or purpose. In witnesse whereof the said parties to theis Indentures Interchaungablie have
sett their seales. Yeoven the day and yeares first above written.
William Shakspere Wm Johnson Jo: Jacksonn (blank) [signed on the seal-tabs]

[Endorsed:

Sealed and deliuered by the said William Shakespeare
William Johnson, and John Jackson in the presence
of (signed) Will: Atkinson
(signed) Robert Andrewes Scrivener
(signed) Henry Lawrence servant to the same Scrivener
(signed) Ed: Ouery
 

For more about Shakespeare’s purchase of the Blackfriars, please see Alan H. Nelson and the Folger Shakespeare Library staff’s essay.

Co-written by Alan H. Nelson and Folger Shakespeare Library staff

Sources
James Orchard Halliwell-Phillips, Outlines (1887): 1:238-40, 2:37-41.
James Orchard Halliwell-Phillips, Outlines (1889): 2:37-41.
E.K. Chambers, William Shakespeare: a Study of Facts and Problems (1930): 2:154-9, 168.
J. Leslie Hotson, Shakespeare’s Sonnets Dated, and Other Essays (1949).
B. Rowland Lewis, Shakespeare Documents: 2:435-48, 467-71, 531-4.
Samuel Schoenbaum, William Shakespeare: A Documentary Life: 220-6.
Samuel Schoenbaum, William Shakespeare: Records and Images: 39-48.
Robert Bearman, Shakespeare's Money (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016): 166-71.
Lois Potter, The Life of William Shakespeare: A Critical Biography (Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2012): 408-409.
Frederick C. Wellstood, Catalogue of the Books, Manuscripts, Works of Art, Antiquities, and Relics Exhibited in Shakespeare’s Birthplace. (Stratford-upon-Avon: Trustees and Guardians of Shakespeare’s Birthplace, 1937): 38-39.
London Metropolitan Archives. Shakespeare and London: A Free Exhibition at London Metropolitan Archives from 28 May to 26 September 2013... (London: London Metropolitan Archives, 2013 ): 3-4.

Last updated January 27, 2020