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

Date: 1616

## The fact

On 25 March 1616 [Shakespeare](/people/william-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.

## Evidence and sources

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.

## Significance

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

## What is established and what is not

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

## People

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

## Drivers

- Social Cohesion: https://factrail.ai/drivers/social-cohesion

## Sources

- https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/museum/item.asp?item_id=21
- https://shakespearedocumented.folger.edu/

## Methodology

https://factrail.ai/methodology

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