Will at centre of legal battle over Shakespeare’s home unearthed after 150 years

18 days ago

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A lost will from 1642, central to a legal battle over William Shakespeare’s final home, New Place, was found in an unlabelled box at the National Archives.
The will was made by Thomas Nash, Shakespeare’s granddaughter’s husband, bequeathing New Place to his cousin Edward Nash.
Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna Hall and granddaughter Elizabeth contested the will, claiming Shakespeare’s own will granted them the property.
A chancery court case ensued, with Edward Nash suing Elizabeth to claim New Place.
The will was rediscovered by Dr. Dan Gosling in an unmarked box of 17th-century chancery documents.
Shakespeare bought New Place in 1597; it was a grand property with 10 fireplaces and large grounds.
Thomas Nash may have made the will expecting to outlive Susanna and Elizabeth, but he died young in 1647.
Elizabeth argued in court that the property was granted to her and her mother by Shakespeare’s will.
The outcome of the case is unclear, but Edward Nash never owned New Place.
Elizabeth’s will in 1670 promised Edward the right to acquire New Place, but it passed to the Clopton family and was demolished in 1702.
The rediscovery of the will is significant for Shakespeare scholars, as it had been missing for over 150 years.

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