Stratford-on-Avon
From the Earliest Times to the Death of Shakespeare

This illustrated 1890 work draws on archival material to provide a history of Stratford up to the time of Shakespeare's death.

Sidney Lee (Author), Edward Hull (Illustrated by)

9781108048187, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 17 May 2012

322 pages, 45 b/w illus. 1 map
21.6 x 14 x 1.8 cm, 0.41 kg

Sir Sidney Lee (1859–1926) was a lifelong scholar and enthusiast of Shakespeare, but is also remembered as the 'sub-editor' recruited by Sir Leslie Stephen when he was embarking on the project of the Dictionary of National Biography, and whose editorial and organisational skills were vital in keeping the publication programme close to its planned schedule. His own contributions to the Dictionary included an account of the life of Queen Victoria and (in Volume 51, 1897) William Shakespeare. This study of Stratford-on-Avon was first published in 1885, and the greatly enlarged version, reissued here, in 1890. (In 1898 Lee produced his biography of Shakespeare (also reissued in this series), regarded for much of the twentieth century as the most reliable account of Shakespeare's life.) This illustrated work draws on the archival material then available to provide a history of the town of Stratford up to the time of Shakespeare's death.

Introductory
1. The origin of the town, and its relations with the see of Worcester
2. Agricultural life
3. Mediaeval trade, markets, and fairs
4. John, Robert, and Ralph of Stratford
5. The Church of the Holy Trinity
6. The Guild
7. Sir Hugh Clopton's benefactions
8. The Reformation at Stratford
9. The growth of self-government
10. John Shakespeare in municipal office and in trade
11. The Stratford industries and population
12. John Shakespeare's first settlement in Stratford - the streets
13. The construction and furniture of the houses - the gardens
14. The sanitary conditions of the town
15. Plagues, fires, floods, and famines
16. Domestic and school discipline
17. The occupations of Stratford lads
18. The players at Stratford
19. Rural sports
20. Charlecote House - poaching in the park
21. Indoor amusements
22. Christenings and marriage
23. Shakespeare at Stratford in later life
24. The Gunpowder Plot - Combe's death - the attempt to enclose the Welcombe Fields
25. Shakespeare's death and his descendants.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: general [DSB]