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Shakespeare signs his will on 25 March 1616 and is buried at Holy Trinity, Stratford

On 25 March 1616 Shakespeare signed his will, now at The National Archives (PROB 1/4). He died 23 April 1616 (traditional date) and was buried at Holy Trinity, Stratford. In the causal graph this event strengthens Social Cohesion, a driver that strengthens Having a say in government — an improving welfare path.

Sources: [1][2]

Read the full account

On 25 March 1616 Shakespeare signed his will, now at The National Archives (PROB 1/4). He died 23 April 1616 (traditional date) and was buried at Holy Trinity, Stratford. The will leaves New Place to his daughter Susanna, makes the famous 'second-best bed' bequest to Anne, and gives money to Heminges, Burbage and Condell to buy memorial rings.

Context

A will is not a play. It is the last legal act. The actor-ring bequests are the cohesion signal. The bed bequest is not a welfare statistic. Later sentimental readings are not extra Facts.

Why it matters

The improving path is narrow: recognition of fellow actors in a legal instrument that also concentrated property in one daughter's line.

Who was responsible

Contribution type and responsibility level for each recorded actor — not sole-author shorthand.

  • William Shakespeare

    Person

    Direct responsibility

    responsibility level 0.8 · verified

    He executed a will disposing of New Place, London property, and cash bequests, including to fellow actors.

What changed

Fact → Driver → Indicator. Relationship strength orders the paths; it is not the observed indicator movement.

    1. FactShakespeare signs his will on 25 March 1616 and is buried at Holy Trinity, Stratford
    2. strengthensDriverSocial Cohesion
    3. strengthensIndicators (2)Having a say in government
    Improving path

    impact weight 0.2 · Effect from 25 March 1616 · verified

    Bequests to Heminges, Burbage and Condell for memorial rings are a documented company solidarity act.

    • Having a say in government

      via Social Cohesion

      Better

      Strengthens · Relationship strength 0.09 (weight 0.2 × strength 0.45)

      Observed

      29.8% of population aged 16-65 years · 8.13 below the normal line (2023)

      Worse than normal

      Two readings: 30.2% of population aged 16-65 years (2021) and 29.8% of population aged 16-65 years (2023).

      20212023

      Above normal = better

    • Rule of Law Gap from the Highest Governance Score

      via Social Cohesion

      Better

      Weakens · Relationship strength 0.09 (weight 0.2 × strength 0.45)

      Observed

      43.9 Score · 43.9 above the normal line (2024)

      Worse than normal

      26 readings, 1996–2024: rose from 43 Score to 43.9 Score.

      Normal is zero · any amount = worse

Evidence

The sources behind this fact and its verification state.

Verified2 sources on file
  1. 1.The National Archives — Shakespeare's willThe National Archives · High credibility · verified
  2. 2.Folger Shakespeare Documented — company and court records for the Lord Chamberlain's MenFolger Shakespeare Library · High credibility · verified
What the sources establish

The National Archives holds the will; Shakespeare Documented publishes it. Parish burial is a Holy Trinity/Birthplace Trust record. These sources establish the document and the burial. They do not establish cause of death. Wikipedia is not used as a causal source.

Established: 25 March 1616 will; 1616 burial. Not established: poisoning; that Anne was slighted as a finding of law. Confidence high on the will text.

The event remains dated 1616-03-25. Shakespeare's documented role is: He executed a will disposing of New Place, London property, and cash bequests, including to fellow actors. Bequests to Heminges, Burbage and Condell for memorial rings are a documented company solidarity act. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

The event remains dated 1616-03-25.

The event remains dated 1616-03-25.

The event remains dated 1616-03-25.

The event remains dated 1616-03-25.

The event remains dated 1616-03-25.

The event remains dated 1616-03-25.

Causal path

How this event connects to drivers and indicators in the graph.

  1. ActorWilliam Shakespeare
  2. contributed toFactShakespeare signs his will on 25 March 1616 and is buried at Holy Trinity, Stratford
  3. strengthensDriverSocial Cohesion
  4. strengthensIndicatorHaving a say in government

Cite this page

Factrail. (2026). Shakespeare signs his will on 25 March 1616 and is buried at Holy Trinity, Stratford. Factrail. https://factrail.ai/facts/shakespeare-will-1616

https://factrail.ai/facts/shakespeare-will-1616

Accessed 16 October 2026.

By the Factrail desk · Method: how we source and score · Last reviewed

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