Shakespeare Gent.

Explicit Title Page

2. Master William Shakespeare gentleman

Explicit title page omitting no important connection to the man from Stratford. The playwright was entitled to be referred to as “Gent.” - “M.” - or “Mr.”, a title that would apply to an individual whose family was entitled to bear arms. “M. William Shak-speare: his True Chronicle Historie of the life and death of King Lear and his three Daughters. With the unfortunate life of Edgar, sonne and heire to the Earle of Gloster, and his sullen and assumed humor of Tom of Bedlam. As it was played before the Kings Maiestie at Whitehall vpon S. Stephans night in Christmas Hollidayes. By his Maiesties seruants playing usually at the Gloabe on the Banckeside.” A “Gent.” in deed.

‘M. William Shak-speare: his True Chronicle Historie of the life and death of King Lear and his three Daughters… As it was played before the Kings Maiestie at Whitehall vpon S. Stephans night in Christmas Hollidayes. By his Maiesties seruants playing usually at the Gloabe on the Banckeside.’

Every element of this title page—the name, the title, the company, the venue—connects to a single documented individual. Only one William Shakespeare held a gentleman’s title during the period the plays were published. No Doubter has ever identified a second candidate.

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616, Plays in print, Print, British Library, 1600s, Shakespeare’s name printed on the title page or dedicatory leaf of his work in his lifetime, King Lear DOI: doi.org/10.37078/599 https://shakespearedocumented.folger.edu/resource/document/king-lear-first-edition

Stationers’ Registry entry for King Lear https://shakespearedocumented.folger.edu/resource/document/stationers-register-entry-king-lear

← Back to the Prima Facie Case