Could William Shakespeare have tied the knot in Worcester?

Experts will put the marriage of William Shakespeare and its connections to Worcester under the spotlight during a special event at The Hive.

The University of Worcester panel discussion on Tuesday, December 2 from 6.30pm-8pm, focuses on Shakespeare’s marriage bond, which is held at The Hive, and whether he may have visited or even married in Worcester.

Experts will also review newly uncovered documents that challenge what we thought we knew about the Shakespeares, including details of their living arrangements after the marriage.

The University’s Professor of Shakespeare Studies, Nicoleta Cinpoeş, will be joined by Rev Dr Paul Edmondson, Local Studies Specialist at The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, and Professor Gary Watt, Professor in the School of Law at the University of Warwick, for the free event.

There’ll also be a chance to tour the Worcestershire Archive at The Hive beforehand and see the famous document.

Professor Cinpoeş will be making the case for Worcester being one of the likely venues for Shakespeare’s marriage.

The marriage bond, dated 1582, was issued by the Bishop of Worcester to facilitate Shakespeare’s marriage to Anne Hathaway. It had been produced to secure the marriage licence, which is now lost. The three speakers will explore why a licence was needed, and the possibility that Shakespeare may have come to Worcester to obtain it.

They will also examine two newly discovered documents. One challenges what we thought about where Anne lived after their marriage. The other raises fresh questions about the family’s religious background.

“The event is unique because it brings together religious, local, and legal perspectives to explore the marriage document and its context,” said Professor Cinpoeş. “And you get the chance to see the original artefact for yourself.”

“It’s difficult to separate the man from his plays,” she said. “We’re putting aside those debates to focus on the man himself. New discoveries about his life and movements are helping reshape our understanding.”

The discussion is free, but booking is required. Archive tours are available for £5.

Find out more and reserve your place