Professor of Early Modern History at the University of Roehampton, Glyn Parry, uncovered 21 previously unknown documents concerning the father of William Shakespeare in The National Archives.
Thoughts about William's upbringing have been based on records discovered thus far of his father, John Shakespeare, and his business affairs including accusations by professional informers of illegal money-lending and wool-dealing.
The newly found documents show that John Shakespeare's financial and legal continued through until William was nineteen. These include debts and writs against him amongst which is one for £132—£20,000 in today's currency.
Prevalent Court intrigue and sweeping corruption which motivated widespread informing together with young William's study of the literature of the late Roman Republic and early Empire which denounced such activity and his father's experiences of it will have informed the playwright’s position on politics.
Heather Wolfe, curator of manuscripts at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington DC and curator of the online repository Shakespeare Documented, said, "Professor Parry's research shows that the renewed focus on non-literary archives and manuscripts will continue to lead to new discoveries and to a deeper understanding of Shakespeare's family background and life."
The documents uncovered by Parry will be available at Shakespeare Documented, an authoritative collection of primary-source materials documenting the life of William Shakespeare.