Robert Arden made his will 24th November 1556, and died before 17th December following. He left his wife Agnes, as we have seen, a life interest in the shares of all his daughters at Snitterfield, and a place of residence in the copyhold of Wilmecote, to be shared “peaceably” with his daughter Alice, under a penalty. Mary was to inherit Asbies, an independent farm of over 60 acres in Wilmecote, and she and Alice were to be joint executors of their father’s will. This shows that they were both grown up, though still unmarried, and suggests that Arden had had some disappointment in his second marriage, thus to pass over his wife to leave things in charge of his daughters.
John Shakespeare must shortly after have married Mary Arden, though no record of the marriage has as yet been found.[2] Hugh Porter, one of the feoffees, died in 1557, leaving Adam Palmer alone as trustee.
On 21st May 2 Eliz. (1560), Agnes Arden granted to her brother Alexander Webbe of Bearley, husband of her stepdaughter Margaret, a lease[3] for forty years, at 40s. a year, of the Snitterfield estate, two messuages, a cottage, and a yard and a half of arable land, etc., “in the occupation of Richard Shakespeare, John Henley, and John Hargreave,” in presence of John Somerville and other witnesses (Birthplace Deeds, 429).
No one has noted how seriously this may have affected Richard Shakespeare. He may have been an aged man, ready to resign his life-work, or he may not. It is not likely that Webbe’s removal from Bearley to Snitterfield could have taken place before November of that year; possibly another year’s grace was granted. But we do know that either in December 1560 or January 1560-1 Richard Shackspere of Snytterfield died, and his goods were administered by his son John, then called “Agricola” 10th February 1560-1 (see Worcester Probate Registry, “Testamenta”).
There is proof that Alexander Webbe did leave Bearley and settle down on his lease farm at Snitterfield, a share of which would revert to himself, through his wife Margaret, on the death of his sister Agnes. He strengthened his position when, on 12th February 11 Eliz. (1568-9), Thomas Stringer of Stocton in the county of Salop, yeoman, let to Alexander Webbe of Snitterfield, husbandman, and Margaret his wife, the third part of one messuage, etc., with a yard of land, etc. now in the occupation of the said Alexander, with all the interest he has in another tenement and half yardland now in the occupation of John Henley, to hold, after the decease of Agnes Arden, for the term of twenty-one years. Webbe was to pay to Thomas Stringer and his heirs 6s. 8d. at the two terms of the year. If Alexander Webbe failed to pay, the Stringers might eject him. “Witnesses, John Shakespere, Henry Russell, Richard Boyse, and James Hilman, this writer” (Misc. Doc., ii, 15, not signed by the Stringers). A bond is also drawn up between them that if Thomas Stringer does not fulfil his agreement, he should forfeit £7; same date, with same witnesses (Misc. Doc., ii, 78).
Alexander Webbe was buried at Snitterfield 17th April 1573, and “John Shackspere” was the overseer of his will. His widow Margaret shortly afterwards married Edward Cornwell. The first reference I have found to him is in a deed of exchange (Misc. Doc., vii, 41), which has not been noted, between Bartholomew Hales, Lord of the Manor, and certain freeholders in Snitterfield, i.e., “Sir John Spencer; Thomas Feryman, ‘clarke,’ Vicar of the Parish Church; Edward Graunt, gent.; John Pardy; Robert Maydes; John Tombes and Elizabeth his wife; John Walker; Edward Cornewell and Margaret his wife; Thomas Stringer; Thomas Palmer; William Perckes and Marjory his wife, Thomas Harding, and Edward Watersonne, freeholders of and within the said manor, 23rd January 17 Eliz. (1575).”
There had been certain exchanges of the common lands between the farmers and the manor, but they were unsure in law. By this indenture it is covenanted that Bartholomew Hales and Mary his wife and their heirs shall grant to the freeholders and their heirs, by way of exchange, all the lands, meadows, commons, pastures, and feeding commodities now in the tenure of Edward Grant in Rowley Field; and the “four yarde land,” late in the occupation of Bartholomew Hales, lying in Gallow Hill Field, Rowley Field, and Brookfield (except as reserved for certain tenants in beast pasture and three-horse pasture during their several terms); and all the lands in the common called Griswold or Bushe Field, and all the meadow ground with the “hades” in Aston Meadow and Errymarsh Meadow. And the Lord agreed that after the hay is mown and carried away from the common meadow called Broad Meadow, the customary tenants, without let, shall enjoy the aftermath of the said parcel of meadows for ever: And as there are so many conies in Rowley Field, to the annoyance of the tenants, they shall be allowed to kill and destroy or take the said conies wherever their corn shall grow. He further grants that one “hade land” (10 ridges) being in Coplowes next Parsons, otherwise called Burges Hedge there, and shooting down into the way after Luscombe Hedge, shall be for ever a common way to bring, lead, or carry hay out of Aston Meadow with horse, cart, or “wayne.” The freeholders grant in exchange certain ground called Common Fields or Wallfields, one close called the Parkepitt, one field called the New Lessowe or Brunthill, a pasture called Coplow and a meadow, a parcel of ground called Hollowe Meadowe, and one Lammas Close near the house of Margery Lynsycombe; also the Common Leys lying between Hollow Meadow and Ingon Gate, shooting up by Stratford Way Pit to the ground of William Cookes, containing by estimation 200 acres; and certain ground lying in the Hillfield where the windmill standeth, and the parish meadow, and all other commons, woods, furzes, etc., of the said freeholders. If either party break the agreement, the other may enter into the possession of the old lands so exchanged.
A long series of deeds follow this, most of which were known to Halliwell-Phillipps. On 12th October 18 Eliz. (1576), Edward Cornwell of Snitterfield, husbandman, and Margaret his wife, assigned to Robert Webbe, husbandman, their interest in two messuages with a cottage, and the lease granted by Agnes Arden to his father (see Birthplace Deeds, 429). The witnesses were Gualterus Roche, Nicholas Knolles, clerk, and Thomas Nycolls (Birthplace Deeds, 430).
On 16th October 18 Eliz. (1576), Thomas Stringer of Stockton, co. Salop, and his sons John and Arden Stringer, bargained and sold to Edward Cornwell and Margaret his wife all the reversion which was the inheritance of Agnes, late wife of Thomas Stringer, and daughter of Robert Arden, deceased. A curious complexity comes in here, for they also sell, as if they had bought it, “the residue of the said tenements which late were the inheritance of Thomas Edkyne and Katharine his wife, in the right of the said Katharine.” The Stringers sell this double share for £68, to be paid beforehand, and they agree that at Christmas term next they shall sue out a fine of the parcel of the premises of the said Thomas Edkins and his wife Katharine, “if the said Katherine do so long live.” They have full power to sell all, except the life interest of Agnes Arden. They set their hands and seals to this, in the presence of the same witnesses as last deed (Misc. Doc., ii, 10).
Another important step was taken on 20th November 21 Eliz. (1578), when Edward Cornwell of Snitterfield, yeoman, and Margaret his wife, sold to Robert Webbe their moiety of three messuages in Snitterfield for £100. This seems to refer back to the last two agreements. Witnesses, John Dafferne, Nicholas Knolles, Thomas Chamberlayne, Hastings Aston, Will Cookes, Henry Talbot, and Thomas Nicholson (Birthplace Deeds, 431). The bond from Edward Cornwell to ensure the performance of the covenant was signed the same day, before the same witnesses (Wheler Papers, i, 34).