Mr. Stevenson’s discovery among the lately calendared Belvoir MSS. of an apparent reference to the poet stirred the Shakespearean world. It encouraged us in the hope that somehow, somewhere, we might some day discover more important facts; but nevertheless it puzzled us. It did not quite seem to fit into the known facts of the poet’s career. There is an indefiniteness, too, about the wording of this entry which makes it different from the ordinary records of the Steward’s book of payments. It is not “for,” but “about an Impreso.” There is no suggestion of the material on or in which the device was worked, nor whether the idea, complete in some material, or only the design of it, was referred to.

The impresa was a private and personal device, as distinguished from the family coat of arms, and was especially used in tournaments and masques when there was some attempt at concealing one’s identity. A coat of arms told a man’s name as clearly as written or spoken words; an impresa, especially when used for the first time, would be known only to the intimate personal friends of the wearer.

The Belvoir impresa of 1613 was about to be used for the first time. Roger, Earl of Rutland, who, in company with the Earl of Southampton, in 1599 “went not to the Court, but only to see plays every day,” had died, and had been succeeded by his brother Francis, who was now preparing for a Court tournament.

There is nothing surprising in the poet’s being employed by the Earl of Rutland, nor in his being able to design a device, nor even in his using his hands in fashioning it. His association with Burbage seems to strengthen the fact. The players of the day knew about preparations for festivities, and all the Burbages seem to have been handy men. We know that the poet was interested in heraldry through the Sonnets and the plays, as well as through his method of securing arms for himself.

The Steward’s account in which the reference to Shakespeare occurs runs as follows:

The name of Shakespeare does not occur again, but, curiously enough, another entry shows Richard Burbage at similar work, at a time very near the close of the poet’s life:

It seemed quite clear that the above entry referred to the poet, and yet many students have an uneasy sense of dissatisfaction, and I have been tempted to mention two alternative theories. The money that was paid him “about my Lord’s impreso” might have been paid him to convey to some one else; or the entry might refer to another “Mr. Shakspeare” altogether. There was one in London at the time. A John Shakspeare married Mary Gooderidge in St. Clement Danes on 3rd February 1604-5. He was a fashionable bit-maker, was in the royal service, and might well be called “Mr.” by the Belvoir Steward. He was probably master of the Loriners’ Company, though we cannot be sure of this, as the early books of the guild are lost. But we know that in St. Clement Danes he was buried: “John Shackespeare, the King’s Bitmaker, 27 Jan., 1633”; and that the King was indebted to him at his death to the extent of £1,692 11s. (See my “Shakespeare’s Family,” p. 147.)

Many entries of payments to him are recorded in the Wardrobe Accounts of Charles as Prince and King, for wares concerning horses, carriages, tournaments, and tiltings—so many that I can only here give limited selections.

In the account of Sir John Villiers, Master of the Wardrobe to Prince Charles—-Exchequer Q.R. 434 (4), 1617—there appear:

In the second account of the same nobleman—Exchequer Q.R. 434 (9), 1617—there occur:

In the third account of Viscount Purbeck, Master of the Wardrobe to Prince Charles—Exchequer Q.R. 434 (14), 1618-19—

The fourth account of Viscount Purbeck still points to the rich work done—Exchequer Q.R. 435 (6), 1620—

In the account of Lord Compton—Exchequer Q.R. 435, 14, 1622—there are varieties:

At the end of the accounts are “abatements” of many kinds, apparently from overcharging. John Shakespeare’s work has never an “abatement” against it, so he evidently either charged fair prices, or had special Court favour.

In a tilting account of Lord Compton’s—Exchequer Q.R. 435 (16)—we find for one quarter in 1622:

“The perticulers of the seconde accompte of Spencer, Lord Compton, Master of the Wardrobe and the Robes to the High & Mighty Prince Charles, Prince of Wales,” etc.—(Exchequer Q.R. 435 (20), 1622-3):

“The Accompt of Lord Compton”—Exchequer 436 (1), 20-21 James I—gives a long list, among which are the items—

In 1624 there is a little variety in Lord Compton’s bill—Exchequer Q.R. 436 (2):

The Earl of Northampton gives his accounts in a great roll, with the sum total of each bill and the name of the workman, referring to the special books. In this occur the name of John Shakespeare and the amount of his bills; but it seems unnecessary to do more than give the reference—Exchequer Q.R. 436 (3). Collier noted some of the entries.

With all this special work on lines associated with tournaments, it is evidently possible that John Shakespeare might be the person referred to in the Belvoir accounts. As there is more than a possibility that this John is the cousin who disappears from Snitterfield, the association with Burbage may be naturally explained. I have not made up my own mind upon the subject, but so many have asked me to put forward the facts that I thought it wise to do so. If there is nothing more in them, they at least prove that there was another contemporary and well-to-do “Mr. Shakespeare” in Court service, engaged in work which might have suggested employment “about my Lorde’s impreso.”

“Athenæum,” 16th May 1908.