Births on February 2

Judith Quiney, William Shakespeare's youngest daughter (d. 1662)

Judith Quiney (baptised February 2, 1585 – died February 9, 1662), born Judith Shakespeare, was a pivotal figure in the immediate family of the renowned playwright William Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway. As their younger daughter, she held a unique place within the Shakespeare household in Stratford-upon-Avon. She was also the fraternal twin of their only son, Hamnet Shakespeare, who tragically passed away at the tender age of eleven in 1596. This profound loss left the family with two surviving daughters, Susanna and Judith, shaping the future of Shakespeare's legacy and estate planning.

Judith Quiney's Marriage and its Controversies

On February 10, 1616, just a few months before her father's death, Judith married Thomas Quiney, a respected vintner operating within Stratford-upon-Avon. A vintner in 17th-century England was a merchant who dealt in wine, a common and essential trade for daily life. However, the circumstances surrounding their marriage quickly became embroiled in controversy. Thomas Quiney's pre-marital misconduct, specifically his involvement with another woman named Margaret Wheeler, with whom he fathered an illegitimate child who died shortly after birth, brought him before the Consistory Court. He was charged with fornication, fined, and excommunicated, a severe social and religious censure at the time.

This scandal, occurring so close to the period when William Shakespeare revised his will, is widely believed by scholars to have profoundly influenced the playwright's testamentary decisions. The original intent for Judith's inheritance appears to have been altered to protect her financial future from her husband's potential mismanagement, legal entanglements, or potential disrepute.

Shakespeare's Will and the Safeguarding of Judith's Inheritance

William Shakespeare's will, meticulously drafted and subsequently revised, clearly reflected his concerns regarding Judith's marriage. While Thomas Quiney himself was entirely excluded from the will, Judith's inheritance was carefully structured with specific provisions designed to safeguard her assets. She was initially bequeathed a dowry of £100, a substantial sum in that era, and a valuable silver-gilt bowl. An additional £150 was contingent on her relinquishing any claim to a copyhold estate in Rowington. Crucially, the will stipulated that her inheritance would be passed directly to her children upon her death, or to her elder sister Susanna if her children died young, thereby bypassing Thomas Quiney completely. This intricate arrangement ensured her financial security without granting her husband direct control over her assets.

In stark contrast, the significant bulk of Shakespeare's extensive estate, including his prominent family home, New Place, was bequeathed in an elaborate legal arrangement known as a "fee tail" to his elder daughter, Susanna Hall (née Shakespeare), and her "heirs male of her body lawfully issuing." This legal mechanism ensured that the estate would remain within the lineage of Shakespeare's eldest daughter through her male descendants, reflecting a common practice among gentry of the period to preserve family wealth and lineage through the male line, while simultaneously protecting Judith's portion through a different, albeit secure, structure.

Judith Quiney's Later Life and Depiction in Fiction

Despite the complexities of her marriage, Judith and Thomas Quiney had three children: Shakespeare Quiney (baptised November 23, 1616, died May 8, 1617), Richard Quiney (baptised February 9, 1618, died February 6, 1639), and Thomas Quiney Jr. (baptised January 23, 1620, died January 28, 1639). Tragically, Judith outlived all three of her children by many years, a common yet heartbreaking reality in an era of high child mortality. This personal sorrow likely marked her later life profoundly.

Judith Quiney lived to the age of 77, outliving not only her children but also her husband, Thomas, who died in 1662. Her longevity, coupled with the scant historical records detailing her life beyond key family milestones, has made her a compelling figure for speculative historical fiction. She has frequently been depicted in various literary works, such as Maggie O'Farrell's acclaimed novel Hamnet, serving as a lens through which authors attempt to reconstruct and imagine the often-unknown, private facets of her famous father's life and the intricate family dynamics that shaped him.

Frequently Asked Questions About Judith Quiney

Who was Judith Quiney?

Judith Quiney, born Judith Shakespeare, was the younger daughter of the celebrated playwright William Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway. She was also the fraternal twin of their only son, Hamnet Shakespeare.

What was the significance of her marriage to Thomas Quiney?

Her marriage to Thomas Quiney, a vintner, became controversial due to his pre-marital misconduct, which included fathering an illegitimate child. This scandal is widely believed to have influenced William Shakespeare's will, leading him to structure Judith's inheritance with provisions to protect it from her husband's potential financial missteps or legal troubles.

How did William Shakespeare's will treat Judith Quiney compared to her sister Susanna?

While both daughters received inheritances, Judith's portion was specifically provisioned to safeguard it from her husband, ensuring it would pass directly to her children or sister. In contrast, the bulk of Shakespeare's estate, including his primary residence, was left in a "fee tail" to his elder daughter Susanna Hall and her male heirs, a legal mechanism to maintain the estate within the family's male lineage.

Did Judith Quiney have children?

Yes, Judith and Thomas Quiney had three sons: Shakespeare, Richard, and Thomas Jr. Sadly, all three died young, and Judith outlived them by many years.

Why is Judith Quiney often featured in fiction?

Due to the limited historical information available about her personal life and the private affairs of the Shakespeare family, Judith Quiney has become a popular subject in historical fiction. Authors use her as a figure to explore and imagine the lesser-known aspects of William Shakespeare's life and the intimate dynamics within his family.