Who famously bequeathed to his wife his "second-best bed"?

In his will Shakespeare famously made only one bequest to his wife, his "second-best bed with the furniture". There is no reference to the "best" bed, which would have been included in the main bequest to Susanna. This bequest to Anne has often been interpreted as a slight, implying that Anne was in some sense only the "second best" person in his intimate life, but this view has been challenged by more recent historical research.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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36 Comments

Julie Allen

In Shakespeare's time, the beds of prosperous citizens were expensive affairs, sometimes equivalent in value to a small house. The bequest was thus not as minor as it might seem in modern times. In Elizabethan custom the best bed in the house was reserved for guests. If so, then the bed that Shakespeare bequeathed to Anne could have been their marital bed, and thus not intended to insult her.

JohnnyRoulette

The best bed, in those times, was usually an heirloom, passed down to the children. Nothing unusual in this.

JohnnyRoulette

Matthew T. Costello, The best bed, in those days, was usually an heirloom, going to any children rather than the spouse.

Margaret White

Perhaps it had "sentimental value".

Peter Robertson

According to the guide at Anne Hathaway's cottage a few years back,if you moved house you took your bed with you,such was the value of that article

docluci

Got it right

larrywagner

tesla alset, Good reply Tesla Keep it up.

jimsclads

He also loved flowers

Jas Newman

Carole Benner, George Oliver Prince's point (with which I agree) is that the "modern research" was mentioned in the answer write-up, so it would be nice to include info about the research, or at least a link to it. [https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/shakespedia/william-shakespeare/second-best-bed/]

Paul Backus

Interesting that this "great playwright" mentioned none of the plays, sonnets, or other writings in his will. Other writers of his time did mention their writing in their wills.

Geoff Millward

Was he married to Anne Hathaway?

Jude P

Ed Bona, no, "bequeathed" means that something was left to a named person in someone's will. A bequest (the thing that was bequeathed) is only made after the owner's death.