Introducing Shakespeare: A Graphic Guide - Nick Groom, Piero 2013

London Life

We know very little of Shakespeare’s life in London or anywhere. John Aubrey said he was “the more to be admired q [quia: because] he was not a company keeper lived in Shoreditch, wouldnt be debauched, & if invited to writ; [that] he was in paine”. John Manningham, an Elizabethan law student, noted an anecdote about Shakespeare’s sexual exploits in his diary for 1602. After playing the title in Richard III, Richard Burbage (Shakespeare’s leading actor, 1567-1619) was met by a young lady and arranged to visit her at her lodgings, using the codename “Richard III”.

He seduced her with his fine phrases and was “at his game” before Burbage arrived.

I OVERHEARD THESE ARRANGEMENTS, WENT EARLY TO THE LADY’S HOUSE, AND DECLARED MYSELF “RICHARD III”. WHEN BURBAGE APPEARED AND SAID THAT “RICHARD III” WAS NOW AT THE DOOR, SHAKESPEARE SENT DOWN A MESSAGE THAT WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR HAD COME BEFORE RICHARD III.