My book presents striking new evidence which shows that William Shakespeare was the pen-name of William Stanley, younger son of the Earl of Derby, born 1561. He was educated at Oxford, travelled for three years abroad, and studied Law in London, mixing with poets and playwrights; in 1592 Spenser recorded that he had written several plays. In 1594 he unexpectedly inherited the Earldom--hence the pen-name. In 1601 he became a Knight of the Garter, eligible to bear the canopy over King James at his coronation anointing, prompting Sonnet 125's Wer't ought to me I bore the canopy?; he is the only...
My book presents striking new evidence which shows that William Shakespeare was the pen-name of William Stanley, younger son of the Earl of Derby, bor...
