by Charles Bryce

SUCH A SHAME, but now proved beyond reasonable doubt. The much vaunted Bard of Avon wrote nothing. William Shakspere, gentleman of Stratford, penned not a single line of the Shakespeare plays and sonnets that enrich world literature. Two learned literary detectives have finally cracked the mystery which baffled academics for 400 years.

The Shakespeare Debate has raged fierce and wide, so who was he (or she?). An unlettered country lad from Stratford upon Avon could never have the familiarity of court, knowledge of European places and languages, and the life experiences evident in Shakespeare's comedies, histories and tragedies. Many candidates have been suggested as the true author against vigorous defence from Stratford believers who have theorised the many ways young Wil came to own such erudition in so many diverse areas.

Over the years the main Shakespeare aliases have included the Earl of Oxford, Sir Francis Bacon, Christopher Marlowe, the Countess of Pembroke, the Earl of Derby, the Earl of Rutland and Sir Henry Neville. The last named is the true creator of the famous works, according to seemingly irrefutable evidence. This is recently published in Sir Henry Neville Was Shakespeare, by Professor William D. Rubinstein and Dr John Casson. So far (meaning my last google search) it has not been challenged.

With Bard of Avon ideology now convincingly demolished, methinks England's tourist promoters will have to create a new profile for the genius author.

Until they do, Stratford on Avon is sure to lose much of the glitter that annually draws tourists from all over the world to ‘the birthplace of Shakespeare’. Is a new idol (perhaps the Bard of Berkshire) now going to supplant the Bard of Avon because Neville was born in a small village between Maidenhead and Reading and ten miles from Windsor?

Must the appeal of Stratford on Avon fade before the thrill of treading the ancient lanes of Waltham St Lawrence (population 1500)? Should Anne Hathaway Cottage bow out to a totally different heritage, such as The Bell pub or Neville Community Hall? Or tourists spurn ‘Shakespeare’s tomb’ at the Stratford Holy Trinity Church in order to seek Neville’s grave at St Lawrence Church?

It is a serious issue for Stratford on Avon, the economy of which centres around Shakespeare and five million tourists a year. In contrast, Waltham St Lawrence is off the tourist map, although not without minor fame as a television clone site for episodes of Pie In The Sky, Rosemary and Thyme and Midsummer Murders.

It is hard to imagine what Stratford can do to retain the town’s reputation and prosperity. Doubtless the pro-Stratfordians are desperately seeking how to respond to the Casson/Rubinstein evidence. They face a difficult task.

Arguments against Neville being the Shakespeare writer have been made before, ever since author Brenda James nominated him in 2005. In fact, eight previous books have explored the Neville qualifications. However, none has been as thorough and overwhelming as the Casson/Rubinstein findings. Both wrote previous books on Neville as Shakespeare, but now their teamed talents combine in what I would call absolute proof.

Dr Casson, now retired, is a psychotherapist specialising in psychodrama – which includes how an individual uses language. He is also an expert on ancient documents.

Professor Rubinstein is a historian with enormous experience and scholarship, a Royal Historical Society member whose work is well known internationally and highly regarded.

They solve the Shakespeare puzzle by comparing undisputed chronology of the famous works with events in the life of Sir Henry Neville of Waltham St Lawrence and that of William Shakspere of Stratford, actor, theatre manager and property investor.

Also, they detail scribbles and annotations by Neville in books recognised as source material for many Shakespeare plays. They compare Neville’s letters with words and phrases used at a later date by Shakespeare. Handwriting too. They point out a change of genre in the plays, from comedy through history to tragedy, as Neville’s parliamentary career progressed to imprisonment in the Tower of London when linked to the Essex Rebellion of 1601.

They explain why Neville chose to write secretly – his head was at risk. They show how Shakespeare had Neville family members in his histories, and how he often twisted facts to turn historical Neville baddies into goodies.

Most enlightening, they insist Shakespeare was not just writing for fun or profit. They identify themes coinciding with dangerous ideas about dethroning an English monarch.

As for Shakespeare’s sonnets, these are analysed to show motive and relationship with Neville’s Tower of London accomplice.

This book is well produced by Amberley Publishing, with extensive endnotes and a massive bibliography. It is so convincing that I declare the Bard of Avon to be well and truly dead. Long live Wil Shakespeare of Waltham St Lawrence.

At the age of 15, Neville matriculated from Merton College, Oxford and toured the Continent with his tutor. He was Member of Parliament for New Windsor (1584, 1586, 1593), Sussex (1589), Liskeard (1597) and Berkshire (1604, 1614). His father (also Sir Henry) took custody of Mary Queen of Scots 1584-1585 before her beheading in 1587.

Neville succeeded his father as High Sheriff of Berkshire in 1595. He owned a business that made cannons. He was Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire in 1596 and knighted in 1597. Appointed Ambassador to France, he returned to became involved with the 1601 rebellion against Queen Elizabeth by the Earl of Essex. Confined to the Tower, he was released 1603 when James of Scotland succeeded to the throne.

Like all writers, he used biographical experience in his fiction, leaving an uncanny trail to be brilliantly exposed only 400 years after his death. Ironically, the truth is revealed in the very year England holds 400^th anniversary shows, events and celebrations to honour a Bard of Avon who never was.