Elizabeth Barnard
| Elizabeth Barnard | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Lady Barnard
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| Born |
21 February 1608 Stratford-upon-Avon, England |
| Died | 17 February 1670 (aged 61) Abington, Northamptonshire, England |
| Parent(s) | |
Elizabeth, Lady Barnard (formerly Elizabeth Nash, née Elizabeth Hall) (baptised 21 February 1608 – 17 February 1670) was the granddaughter of the English poet and playwright William Shakespeare. Despite two marriages, she had no children, and was his last surviving descendant.
Elizabeth was closely associated with the Royalist cause during the English Civil War. Both her husbands were dedicated supporters of Charles I.
Elizabeth Hall was born to Susanna Shakespeare and Doctor John Hall. She was baptised in the Holy Trinity Church of Stratford-upon-Avon, England. She was the only grandchild William Shakespeare ever knew, because her three cousins were born after his death in 1616.
In 1626, Elizabeth Hall married Thomas Nash, who was a member of the Manor and Lordship of Shottery. Nash is known to have been an ardent Royalist, a supporter of Charles I and indeed a donor to the king's cause to the tune of £100. In July 1643 the queen Henrietta Maria stayed with the Nashes at New Place.
Thomas made his will on 25 August 1642, in which he left his house in Chapel Street and two meadows to Elizabeth. However, he left the bulk of his fortune to his cousin, Edward Nash. On 4 April 1647, Thomas died, leaving Elizabeth a widow.
On 5 June 1649, eighteen months after her husband's death, Elizabeth married John Barnard (1604–74) of Abington, near Northampton. Barnard was a widower with several children. It is not known how they met, since he did not live near Stratford, but it was most likely through Elizabeth's Royalist connections. Like Nash, he had been a strong supporter of the Royalists in the Civil War. Five weeks after the marriage, Elizabeth's mother Susanna died. As a result, Elizabeth inherited the Shakespeare family property. The couple moved to Stratford, to live in New Place.
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