A University of Bristol academic has unearthed intriguing revelations about an enigmatic figure long overshadowed by her famous brother, William Shakespeare. By scrutinizing digital copies of a rare 17th-century Italian religious text, the academic has uncovered that a long-lost document, previously attributed to William Shakespeare’s father, actually belongs to his lesser-known sister, Joan. Discovered by a bricklayer hidden in the rafters of the Shakespeare House in Stratford-upon-Avon around 1770, the document—a religious tract affirming a devout Catholic stance amidst societal disapproval—was initially presumed to belong to William Shakespeare’s father, John. However, subsequent analysis by Professor Matthew Steggle from the University’s Department of English reveals that it belongs to Joan Shakespeare, born in 1569 and living until 1646. Joan, five years younger than William, lived a relatively quiet life in Stratford-upon-Avon, marrying a tradesman and bearing four children. Despite being William’s only significant living relative in his later years, Joan’s existence remained largely obscure, with only seven surviving documents mentioning her by name. This discovery offers a rare glimpse into the life and beliefs of a woman overshadowed by her brother’s towering legacy. Thanks to digital archives and internet resources, Professor Steggle pieced together evidence indicating Joan as the document’s author, debunking previous assumptions and shedding light on her historical significance. The document, a testament of faith and gratitude addressed to God and various saints, including St. Winifred—a patron saint revered by women—reflects Joan’s devout Catholicism and her desire for control over her final moments. This unprecedented insight into Joan’s life underscores the importance of digital resources in uncovering lost voices of history and challenges traditional narratives. As Virginia Woolf famously wrote, figures like Joan symbolize the countless silenced voices of early modern women, now given a chance to be heard through meticulous archival research. Joan’s testament serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of personal expression and the significance of preserving diverse narratives from the past, ensuring that voices like hers are not lost to obscurity.
