# Ralph Hubaud assigns Shakespeare a half-share of Stratford tithes

Date: 1605

## The fact

In July 1605 Ralph Hubaud of Ipsley assigned to [Shakespeare](/people/william-shakespeare) a lease of a half-share of the great tithes of Old Stratford, Welcombe and Bishopton, and lesser tithes of the parish, for £440. This is a completed assignment of a parish tax-like stream.

## Context

Tithes were a legally enforceable share of produce. Holding them made Shakespeare a creditor of local agriculture. That is why the 1614 enclosure threatened his income and why he contracted with Replingham. The 1605 assignment is the root of that later conflict.

## Evidence and sources

The assignment is a standard document in Shakespeare Documented and Birthplace Trust commentary. It establishes parties, scope, and price. It does not establish that he personally collected in kind at every barn. Wikipedia is not used as a causal source.

## Significance

Inequality is direct: a player-landowner buys the right to a slice of parish output. High confidence on the legal act.

## What is established and what is not

Established: 1605 tithe assignment for £440. Not established: that he invented the tithe system; that he was uniquely harsh. Confidence high on the lease, medium on collection practice.

The event remains dated 1605-07-24. Shakespeare's documented role is: He bought a leasehold share of parish tithes, an income stream taken from local agrarian produce. Tithe income is a legal claim on others' harvests; buying the lease concentrates that claim. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

The event remains dated 1605-07-24. Shakespeare's documented role is: He bought a leasehold share of parish tithes, an income stream taken from local agrarian produce. Tithe income is a legal claim on others' harvests; buying the lease concentrates that claim. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

The event remains dated 1605-07-24. Shakespeare's documented role is: He bought a leasehold share of parish tithes, an income stream taken from local agrarian produce. Tithe income is a legal claim on others' harvests; buying the lease concentrates that claim. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

The event remains dated 1605-07-24. Shakespeare's documented role is: He bought a leasehold share of parish tithes, an income stream taken from local agrarian produce. Tithe income is a legal claim on others' harvests; buying the lease concentrates that claim. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

The event remains dated 1605-07-24. Shakespeare's documented role is: He bought a leasehold share of parish tithes, an income stream taken from local agrarian produce. Tithe income is a legal claim on others' harvests; buying the lease concentrates that claim. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

The event remains dated 1605-07-24. Shakespeare's documented role is: He bought a leasehold share of parish tithes, an income stream taken from local agrarian produce. Tithe income is a legal claim on others' harvests; buying the lease concentrates that claim. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

The event remains dated 1605-07-24. Shakespeare's documented role is: He bought a leasehold share of parish tithes, an income stream taken from local agrarian produce. Tithe income is a legal claim on others' harvests; buying the lease concentrates that claim. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

## People

- William Shakespeare: https://factrail.ai/people/william-shakespeare

## Drivers

- Income Inequality: https://factrail.ai/drivers/income-inequality

## Sources

- https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/shakespedia/william-shakespeare/
- https://shakespearedocumented.folger.edu/

## Methodology

https://factrail.ai/methodology

Canonical: https://factrail.ai/facts/shakespeare-tithes-hubaud-1605