Edmund Shakespeare was the eighth and youngest child of John Shakespeare, glover, of Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, and his wife Mary Arden.[1]
He was baptised on 3 May 1580 at Holy Trinity, Stratford, and entered in the parish register as "Edmund sonne to mr John Shakspere."[2][3] He was possibly named after his uncle, Edmund Lambert.[1]
He followed his brother William to London and became a professional actor in one of the playing companies. Almost nothing is known about his theatrical career, which suggests it was not especially noteworthy.[1]
He possibly fathered a son out of wedlock in 1607. Edward, the child, was probably baptised at St Leonard, Shoreditch, on 12 July 1607.[4] He died in infancy and was buried at St Giles, Cripplegate on 12 August 1607.[1] He is described in the register of burials as:
Edward, sonne of Edward Shackspeere, Player : base borne.[5]
Edmund died at age 27 and was buried in the church of St Saviour, Southwark, on 31 December 1607.[6][7] The parish church's monthly accounts record:
Dec. 31. Edmund Shakespeare, a player, buried in the church. with a forenoone knell of the great bell ..... 20s[5]
It was an expensive funeral and ten times the cost of a simple burial in the churchyard. It is speculated that his prosperous brother William might have paid for the burial.[1]
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Categories: Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire | Holy Trinity Church, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire