John Shakespeare - Career and Municipal Responsibilities

Career and Municipal Responsibilities

John Shakespeare moved to Stratford-upon-Avon in 1551, where he became a successful businessman involved in several related occupations. From 1556 to 1592, several official records identify him as a well-to-do glovemaker, which was probably his primary trade, as tradition remembers him as following that trade even in his old age, but the records of his real estate purchases and legal expenses indicate an income much higher than that of a small-town tradesman. The administration of his father's estate in 1561 names him as a farmer, and he inherited and leased agricultural lands and is on record as selling timber and barley. Court records also document him as a "brogger", an unlicensed—and therefore illegal—wool dealer. In addition, he bought and leased out houses, and he was twice taken to court for violating the usury laws that prohibited charging interest higher than the legal limit of 10 percent.

By 1552 he was residing in a house on Henley Street, which is traditionally referred to as the birthplace of William (now called Shakespeare's Birthplace), and on 2 October 1556, he purchased the house to the east and joined the two together. That same year he was elected borough ale taster, the first of several key municipal positions he was to hold in Stratford. In that position he was responsible for ensuring that weights and measures and prices were observed by innkeepers and publicans within the borough, and also by butchers, bakers and town traders. In 1558 he was appointed borough Constable — a position similar to an early police constable.

In 1559 John became an affeeror, an officer responsible for assessing fines for offenses carrying penalties not explicitly defined by existing statutes. This role led on to his becoming a burgess, then a chamberlain. He would have been known as a 'Goodman', a title that recognised his growing social status within Stratford. By 1564, John was an alderman, a member of the Common Hall of Stratford, and it was in this year William was born. In 1568 John was appointed High Bailiff, the present-day equivalent of mayor.

In 1569 John had applied for a coat of arms, which after a long period of dormancy was granted on 20 October 1596. Most historians believe that his son, William, re-opened the application following his literary and financial success in London.