Joan, William Shakespeare's sister, has recently emerged from obscurity through the discovery of long-forgotten writings, providing new insights into her life.

In 1757, nearly a century and a half after the death of William Shakespeare, a pamphlet was found hidden in the rafters of his childhood home. The handwritten document, signed by a 'J. Shakespeare,' revealed a fervent Catholic declaration of faith, vowing to die a devout Catholic. This secret note was concealed during a time when the Protestant Church of England was at odds with Catholicism, making its discovery a grave risk—one that could have led to torture or even death.

For years, experts believed that this pamphlet was authored by John Shakespeare, William’s father, using it as evidence of the Shakespeare family's likely secret Catholic beliefs. This led to the assumption that William may have been raised in a household that quietly adhered to Catholicism, despite the tensions of the time.

However, new investigations into the pamphlet challenge these long-held assumptions. Research on a 1790 reproduction of the original document, along with additional texts from the same period, suggests that the pamphlet was not written by John Shakespeare, as previously thought. Instead, the evidence points to William's younger sister, Joan, as the true author.

The title 'The Last Will and Testament of the Soul' refers to an Italian text, which has now been identified as an incomplete translation.

Professor Matthew Steggle from the University of Bristol conducted extensive research, using online archives to piece together timelines that confirmed the document must have been written by Joan. The text, an incomplete translation of 'The Last Will and Testament of the Soul,' was shown to have originated after John Shakespeare's death in 1601. Since Joan was the only other 'J. Shakespeare' alive at the time, the pamphlet’s authorship can only be attributed to her, making it her only surviving written work.

Steggle’s groundbreaking discovery clarifies an important chapter in the history of the Shakespeare family. While this revelation shifts our understanding of William Shakespeare’s religious life, showing that Joan’s beliefs may not reflect those of their childhood home, it also opens a window into the mystery surrounding Shakespeare’s sister.

Who exactly was Joan Shakespeare Hart?

Not much is known about Joan Shakespeare Hart. Born in 1569, five years after her famous brother William, she was the sole surviving sibling at the time of his death. Joan married William Hart, a hatter, and together they had four children. She lived in a cottage on the Shakespeare estate, and while her legacy has been somewhat overshadowed by her brother’s fame, her descendants are now considered his closest living relatives. However, details about Joan as a person remain scarce, and the 'Spiritual Testament' offers a rare glimpse into her voice and thoughts.

"I, [Joan] Shakespeare, declare that I will accept death willingly, in whatever form it may come, aligning my will with that of God," she writes. "I accept it as atonement for my sins and give thanks to His divine majesty for the life He has granted me."

Joan further names Saint Winifred as her patron saint, hoping that she will offer comfort in her final moments. This reference is another significant clue pointing to Joan as the author, as Saint Winifred’s story, centered on fending off unwanted suitors, was especially cherished by women.

The term 'Shakespeare’s Sister' refers to Joan Shakespeare, whose identity and life have been largely overlooked until recent discoveries.

Steggle believes that Joan Shakespeare Hart’s symbolic role as William Shakespeare’s sister adds significant weight to his discovery.

"There are only seven surviving documents from Joan’s lifetime that even mention her by name. Virginia Woolf famously explored this in her essay, 'Shakespeare’s Sister,' discussing how figures like Joan had no opportunity to become writers or have their works preserved. Joan has thus become a symbol for the silenced voices of early modern women. While her brother’s words fill volumes, until now, nothing from her has survived," Steggle reflects.

Women like Joan have largely been erased from history, with only minimal records confirming their existence. However, Steggle’s research has altered this narrative: Joan’s bold dedication to her faith has endured through the centuries, standing alongside her brother’s plays.