Elizabeth, Lady Bernard (néeHall, formerly Nash) (baptised 21 February 1608 – 17 February 1670) was the granddaughter of the English poet, playwright and actor William Shakespeare. Despite two marriages, she had no children, and was his last surviving descendant.
Elizabeth and her first husband, Thomas NashThomas Nash's coat of arms impaled with those of his wife, Elizabeth.
In 1626, Elizabeth Hall married Thomas Nash, who was a member of the Manor and Lordship of Shottery. Nash was an ardent Royalist, a supporter of Charles I and indeed a donor to the king's cause to the tune of £100.[1] 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.
Second marriageedit
On 5 June 1649, eighteen months after her husband's death, Elizabeth married John Bernard (1604–74) of Abington, near Northampton. Bernard 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.[2]
As a staunch Royalist, Bernard's social position improved dramatically after the Restoration in 1660. He was knighted on 25 September 1661,[3] thus giving his wife the title Lady Bernard. They left Stratford to move into the Bernard family home in Abington. The couple had no children.[2]
In February 1662, Judith Quiney died in Stratford-upon-Avon, making Elizabeth Bernard the last descendant of William Shakespeare. She wrote her will on 29 January 1669, which did not give much to her husband, Sir John Bernard. Elizabeth died at Abington, Northamptonshire on 17 February 1670. There is a memorial plaque in the Church of Saint Peter & Paul, Abington, where she is buried.[2]
The family home of Sir John and Lady Bernard is now a museum, Abington Park Museum, and the grounds are now a park in the town of Northampton.
^Halliwell-Phillipps, James Orchard (1885). Outlines of the Life of Shakespeare. London: Mssrs. Longmans, Green, and Co. pp. Volume II, p. 324. It may be mentioned that amongst "the names of such persons within the burrough of Stratford-upon-Avon who by way of laone have sent in money and plate to the King and Parliament," 24 Sept., 1642, is found as by far the largest contributor,—"Thomas Nashe esqr., in plate or money paid in at Warr:, 100li."
^ abcJoseph Quincy Adams, A Life of William Shakespeare, Wildside Press, 2007 (reprint from 1923), pp. 485–88.
^William A. Shaw, The Knights of England (London, 1906) vol. II, p. 235.
External linksedit
Shakespeare's Family
January 01, 1970
elizabeth, barnard, elizabeth, lady, bernard, née, hall, formerly, nash, baptised, february, 1608, february, 1670, granddaughter, english, poet, playwright, actor, william, shakespeare, despite, marriages, children, last, surviving, descendant, elizabeth, bern. Elizabeth Lady Bernard nee Hall formerly Nash baptised 21 February 1608 17 February 1670 was the granddaughter of the English poet playwright and actor William Shakespeare Despite two marriages she had no children and was his last surviving descendant Elizabeth BernardPortrait of Lady BernardBorn1608Stratford upon Avon EnglandDied17 February 1670 1670 02 17 aged 61 Abington Northamptonshire EnglandSpousesThomas Nash m 1626 died 1647 wbr John Bernard m 1649 wbr ParentsJohn HallSusanna Shakespeare Elizabeth was closely associated with the Royalist cause during the English Civil War Both her husbands were dedicated supporters of Charles I Contents 1 Early life 2 First marriage 3 Second marriage 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksEarly life editElizabeth Hall was born to Susanna Hall 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 First marriage edit nbsp Elizabeth and her first husband Thomas Nash nbsp Thomas Nash s coat of arms impaled with those of his wife Elizabeth In 1626 Elizabeth Hall married Thomas Nash who was a member of the Manor and Lordship of Shottery Nash was an ardent Royalist a supporter of Charles I and indeed a donor to the king s cause to the tune of 100 1 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 Second marriage editOn 5 June 1649 eighteen months after her husband s death Elizabeth married John Bernard 1604 74 of Abington near Northampton Bernard 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 2 As a staunch Royalist Bernard s social position improved dramatically after the Restoration in 1660 He was knighted on 25 September 1661 3 thus giving his wife the title Lady Bernard They left Stratford to move into the Bernard family home in Abington The couple had no children 2 In February 1662 Judith Quiney died in Stratford upon Avon making Elizabeth Bernard the last descendant of William Shakespeare She wrote her will on 29 January 1669 which did not give much to her husband Sir John Bernard Elizabeth died at Abington Northamptonshire on 17 February 1670 There is a memorial plaque in the Church of Saint Peter amp Paul Abington where she is buried 2 The family home of Sir John and Lady Bernard is now a museum Abington Park Museum and the grounds are now a park in the town of Northampton See also editShakespeare s lifeReferences edit Halliwell Phillipps James Orchard 1885 Outlines of the Life of Shakespeare London Mssrs Longmans Green and Co pp Volume II p 324 It may be mentioned that amongst the names of such persons within the burrough of Stratford upon Avon who by way of laone have sent in money and plate to the King and Parliament 24 Sept 1642 is found as by far the largest contributor Thomas Nashe esqr in plate or money paid in at Warr 100li a b c Joseph Quincy Adams A Life of William Shakespeare Wildside Press 2007 reprint from 1923 pp 485 88 William A Shaw The Knights of England London 1906 vol II p 235 External links editShakespeare s Granddaughter and the Bagleys of Dudley Shakespeare s Family Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Elizabeth Barnard amp oldid 1184664645, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
