Ye Olde Oxfam Shoppe

Yesterday I published the first in an occasional series of Shakespeare's Hidden Stratford; today is the second.

It is always assumed that the Shakespeare family had plenty of money judging by the size of their properties and the fact the Shakespeare Senior was once High Lord Mayor of Stratford. Actually the family hit hard times and Mr Shakespeare was declared bankrupt. This was before young Will was a famous playwright of course; he was a mere actor in a travelling troupe, the King's Men.

It was during that time that this shop became so important to the family. They bought most of their clothes here, plus any books or DVDs they needed (the Oxfam Book Shop in Sheep Street had not opened at that time).

I have included an inset detail showing the beams at the entrance to the shop. I'm not sure if the face was modelled on John Shakespeare who felt he had a great weight upon his head.

Part II of 'Shakespeare's Hidden Stratford' series.