New Insights Reveal Shakespeare’s Sister as Author of Historic Family Manuscript

A newly analyzed centuries-old document, previously believed to have been penned by William Shakespeare’s father, is now credited to his sister, Joan Shakespeare Hart, according to a recent peer-reviewed publication in Shakespeare Quarterly. This discovery challenges prior assumptions about the Shakespeare family’s religious background and uncovers the intellectual footprint of a woman long absent from historical narratives.

Dr. Matthew Steggle of the University of Bristol spearheaded this investigation, employing digital archival techniques and literary forensics on a manuscript known as the “Spiritual Testament,” which was discovered in the 18th century. It was traditionally ascribed to John Shakespeare, linking him to secret Catholic sympathies during England’s Protestant era.

However, Steggle’s detailed textual analysis found that the manuscript's source, an obscure Italian devotional work, did not appear in England until after John Shakespeare’s death. This timeline nullifies his authorship and instead points to a surprising new figure: Shakespeare’s younger sister.

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Uncovering a Forgotten Manuscript and Opening New Doors

The manuscript first surfaced in 1757, when Joseph Moseley reportedly uncovered it amid repairs on the Shakespeare family home in Stratford-upon-Avon. It quietly circulated among literary enthusiasts before becoming a point of contention in religious and historical discussions.

The document is distinctly Catholic, featuring prayers to the Virgin Mary and mentions of Saint Winifred, which supported the idea of Catholic endurance in a Protestant household. Biographers used it to link John Shakespeare with clandestine Catholic circles of late 16th-century England.

Nevertheless, Steggle pinpointed a critical detail: the manuscript adapts Il Testamento dell’Anima, published in 17th-century Italy and not known in England until well after 1601, the year John Shakespeare died.

This crucial dating excludes John Shakespeare as the author and directs attention to Joan Shakespeare, who remained in the family home until the 1640s.

Introducing Joan Shakespeare: The Overlooked Intellectual

Joan Shakespeare Hart, born in 1569, stayed in Stratford throughout her life. Married to a local hatter and mother of four, she lived at the family residence until her passing in 1646. The scant historical record mentions her only seven times.

If Steggle’s findings hold true, Joan could be credited with the earliest known writing by a woman in the Shakespeare family. The Spiritual Testament transcends mere Catholic doctrine, expressing a deeply personal spiritual commitment, possibly reflecting quiet defiance.

Her invocation of the Virgin Mary as “principal executor” of her soul subtly challenges contemporary gender norms. At a time when women lacked legal rights to execute wills, this phrase asserts a unique form of spiritual self-authorship.

The manuscript’s feminine tone and theological sophistication imply Joan was creatively engaging with, not simply transcribing, devotional material, preserving religious ideas marginalized in public discourse.

Implications for Shakespearean Scholarship and Gender Studies

Reassigning the Spiritual Testament to Joan Shakespeare reshapes interpretations of both Shakespeare family life and early modern women’s intellectual contributions.

This discovery enriches perceptions of the Stratford household, revealing a network of religious contemplation beyond William Shakespeare’s well-known genius. The presence of a literate and spiritually expressive sister complicates the narrative often confined to her brother’s shadow.

Importantly, it underscores how historical neglect often results from erasure rather than absence. Women like Joan were not voiceless but were constrained by societal limitations, expressing themselves in private writings and concealed manuscripts.

As Dr. Steggle notes in Shakespeare Quarterly, “Even as a modest devotional work, it challenges our assumptions about who was writing and why. It represents a form of authorship rarely visible in the archive.”