After Queen Elizabeth died, James I rose to become king of England on July 25, 1903. He was a strong supporter of Shakespeare’s company and called them to perform for the court thirteen or more times a year. On account of King James’s robust advocacy of the company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men changed the company’s name to The King’s Men (Chrisp and Teague 48). The King’s Men performed at the Blackfriars Theatre in winter and at the Globe Theatre in summer (Boyce 351). The main reason for this semiannual changing of location was the fact that the Globe was an open air theatre, and it was more convenient for actors and their spectators to convene at the Blackfriars instead during the harsh winter months of England (Chrisp and Teague 34 - 35).
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Prior to Shakespeare’s death, his daughters Judith and Susanna ran into marital problems. First, Susanna Hall was accused of adultery in June 1613. This issue was quickly cleared up in favor of the Shakespeare family; however, three years later, Judith Shakespeare had married Thomas Quiney, a vintner in Stratford, and the couple was excommunicated from the church for attempting to marry during the Great Lent without a legal license to do so. It was later revealed that Quiney was responsible for the impregnation of a Margaret Wheeler, who died in childbirth. He was consequently summoned to court on charges of “carnal copulation” to which he admitted and was fined for. Some scholars have suggested that the stress caused by these occurrences may have weakened Shakespeare’s health and have hastened his death. Following Thomas Quiney’s appearance in court for fornication, William Shakespeare had his last will and testament amended to “protect Judith and to impose conditions on her husband” (Wood 337). Numerous historians point out that Shakespeare’s signature on his will was weak and shaky, a sure sign of his collapsing health (Wood 336 - 337). Shakespeare summoned his lawyer, Frances Collins, to write up his final will and testament in the January before his death on April 23, 1616, exactly fifty-two years after his
Prior to Shakespeare’s death, his daughters Judith and Susanna ran into marital problems. First, Susanna Hall was accused of adultery in June 1613. This issue was quickly cleared up in favor of the Shakespeare family; however, three years later, Judith Shakespeare had married Thomas Quiney, a vintner in Stratford, and the couple was excommunicated from the church for attempting to marry during the Great Lent without a legal license to do so. It was later revealed that Quiney was responsible for the impregnation of a Margaret Wheeler, who died in childbirth. He was consequently summoned to court on charges of “carnal copulation” to which he admitted and was fined for. Some scholars have suggested that the stress caused by these occurrences may have weakened Shakespeare’s health and have hastened his death. Following Thomas Quiney’s appearance in court for fornication, William Shakespeare had his last will and testament amended to “protect Judith and to impose conditions on her husband” (Wood 337). Numerous historians point out that Shakespeare’s signature on his will was weak and shaky, a sure sign of his collapsing health (Wood 336 - 337). Shakespeare summoned his lawyer, Frances Collins, to write up his final will and testament in the January before his death on April 23, 1616, exactly fifty-two years after his