Much Ado

Among the many mysteries about Shakespeare is the derivation of his surname. Were his ancestors men who shook spears? Facile, but true in part! Thomas Shakespeare, elder brother of William's grandfather was one of a number of men arraigned and fined for a disturbance outside St Botolph's Church in Warwick in 1460 (the reason for the protest is lost in time). Thomas and his cohorts were said to have shouted profanities and waved weapons in the air, including hayforks, catapults and spears.