The Shakespeare Coat of Arms History and Symbolism

The Shakespeare coat of arms is a distinguished piece of English heraldry granted to John Shakespeare, a glover from Stratford-upon-Avon, in 1596. This heraldic achievement was subsequently used by his famous son, the playwright William Shakespeare, and other descendants of the family.

History of the Grant

The journey to obtaining a coat of arms began around 1575 when John Shakespeare made initial inquiries. It is believed he may have met Robert Cooke of the College of Arms during Cooke's visit to Warwickshire. While a pattern may have been designed at that time, economic difficulties likely prevented the formal grant, as such applications were expensive.

In 1596, the application was renewed. This second attempt was likely made by John or by William on behalf of the family. As the eldest son, William had the financial means and the social connections—including support from influential figures like Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, and Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex—to see the process through.

Two drafts of the grant document, written by the herald William Dethick, have survived. Some scholars, including palaeographer Charles Hamilton, suggest these drafts were written in William Shakespeare's own hand, providing a rare example of the playwright's handwriting.

Family Tragedy and the Arden Connection

The approval of the coat of arms was marred by personal tragedy. Hamnet, William and Anne's only son, died just a few months before the grant was finalized. This left the family without a male heir to inherit the honor, a theme of loss and "fruitless crowns" that William later explored in his play Macbeth.

In 1599, there was a request to combine (impale) the Shakespeare arms with those of the Arden family, the higher-ranked family of John's wife, Mary. While this would have elevated the family's status, the combined version was never used, possibly because William preferred the aesthetics of the original design or because the combined grant was never officially finalized.

Challenges and Disputes

The grant was not without controversy. In 1602, Ralph Brooke, a rival of William Dethick, challenged the validity of the Shakespeare arms, claiming the family did not qualify and that the design was too similar to existing arms. However, the dispute was resolved in Dethick's favor, upholding the grant.

Description and Symbolism

The 1596 drafts define the coat of arms as follows: Gold, on a bend sable (black diagonal bar), a spear of the first (gold), steeled argent (silver head). The crest features a silver falcon with wings displayed, standing on a wreath of the family's colors and supporting a gold spear with a silver head, all set upon a helmet with mantles and tassels.

Symbolic Meanings

• The Spear: A direct allusion to the family name "Shakespeare." Some scholars also suggest it resembles a silver-tipped golden pen, nodding to William's profession.
• The Falcon: May refer to an interest in hunting or potentially a connection to the coat of arms of Henry Wriothesley, which features silver falcons.
• The Colors: Some suggest the gold and black colors imply a history of crusading knights within the family.

The drafts also include the motto Non Sanz Droict, old French for "Not without right." Interestingly, an early version of the motto was written as Non, Sanz Droict ("No, without right"), which was later corrected.