William Shakespeare’s New Place: investing in, or inheriting a legacy? William Mitchell Project Archaeologist. The Centre of Archaeology, Staffordshire University 11351 Words (References; 1071Words) William Mitchell Department of Humanities and Performing Arts, Staffordshire University, Flaxman Building, College Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2DE.
[email protected] 01782 295823 1 William Shakespeare’s New Place: investing in, or inheriting a legacy? By WILLIAM MITCHELL SUMMARY: New Place is the name of the house that William Shakespeare purchased in 1597 and the place in which he died in 1616. The house was constructed in Stratford-upon-Avon over a century previously but had disappeared by 1759 leaving only an empty gap in the street frontage. How much time Shakespeare spent there has long been debated but recent excavation and analysis of the surviving evidence has led to the notion that New Place was carefully chosen by Shakespeare to be his primary residence and the place to live with his family and compose much of his later writing. The importance of Hugh Clopton, the former owner and builder of New Place, and the welcome associations which his name brought to the property, is also debated here. Shakespeare’s motives, his pursuit of status, desire for investment and obligation to his family are all explored through the use of archaeological data and the historical evidence for the house. INTRODUCTION Buildings, through their occupants’ practice of everyday activities and ingrained habits of mind, are imbued with symbolism and expectations that carry social weight, which in turn inform and mediate the actions undertaken within and around them.