Elizabeth Barnard
Elizabeth Bernard | |
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Born | 1608 |
Died | 17 February 1670 Abington, Northamptonshire, England | (aged 61)
Spouses | |
Parents |
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Elizabeth, Lady Bernard (
Elizabeth was closely associated with the Royalist cause during the English Civil War. Both her husbands were dedicated supporters of Charles I.
Early life
Elizabeth Hall was born to Susanna Hall and Doctor John Hall. She was baptised in the Holy Trinity Church of Stratford-upon-Avon, England. She was the only grandchild William Shakespeare ever knew, because her three cousins were born after his death in 1616.
First marriage
In 1626, Elizabeth Hall married
Thomas made his will on 25 August 1642, in which he left his house in Chapel Street and two meadows to Elizabeth. However, he left the bulk of his fortune to his cousin, Edward Nash. On 4 April 1647, Thomas died, leaving Elizabeth a widow.
Second marriage
On 5 June 1649, eighteen months after her husband's death, Elizabeth married John Bernard (1604–74) of Abington, near Northampton. Bernard was a widower with several children. It is not known how they met, since he did not live near Stratford, but it was most likely through Elizabeth's Royalist connections. Like Nash, he had been a strong supporter of the Royalists in the Civil War. Five weeks after the marriage, Elizabeth's mother Susanna died. As a result, Elizabeth inherited the Shakespeare family property. The couple moved to Stratford, to live in New Place.[2]
As a staunch Royalist, Bernard's social position improved dramatically after the
In February 1662, Judith Quiney died in Stratford-upon-Avon, making Elizabeth Bernard the last descendant of William Shakespeare. She wrote her will on 29 January 1669, which did not give much to her husband, Sir John Bernard. Elizabeth died at Abington, Northamptonshire on 17 February 1670. There is a memorial plaque in the Church of Saint Peter & Paul, Abington, where she is buried.[2]
The family home of Sir John and Lady Bernard is now a museum, Abington Park Museum, and the grounds are now a park in the town of Northampton.
See also
- Shakespeare's life
References
- Halliwell-Phillipps, James Orchard (1885). Outlines of the Life of Shakespeare. London: Mssrs. Longmans, Green, and Co. pp. Volume II, p. 324.
It may be mentioned that amongst "the names of such persons within the burrough of Stratford-upon-Avon who by way of laone have sent in money and plate to the King and Parliament," 24 Sept., 1642, is found as by far the largest contributor,—"Thomas Nashe esqr., in plate or money paid in at Warr:, 100li."
- ^ Joseph Quincy Adams, A Life of William Shakespeare, Wildside Press, 2007 (reprint from 1923), pp. 485–88.
- ^ William A. Shaw, The Knights of England (London, 1906) vol. II, p. 235.