Elizabethan and Jacobean Court plays and the First Folio 1623 authorship deception. This new book sheds light on doubts about Shakespeare's First Folio authorship "Shakespeare Unravelled" delves into the rich history and controversy surrounding William Shakespeare's First Folio of 1623. The book argues that the plays in this publication were brought together because of their significance for the Sidney-Herbert family, patrons of poets and playwrights over many generations. Pauline Black, researcher and co-author says: A key point here is that these plays were produced for Elizabethan and Jacobean court entertainment not the popular stage. These thought-provoking dramas were written for the intelligentsia by well-educated writers --certainly not by the attributed author, Shakespeare. Playwrights commissioned by aristocratic patrons. The book launch coincides with William Shakespeare's 400-year Anniversary throwing new light on a highly contentious issue subject and opens up new avenues for debate. The book looks into the reasons which prompted the concealed authorship, principally the fear of Spanish domination at the time because of the impending royal marriage of Crown Prince Charles and a Spanish Princess. This outcome could incur severe repression of English freedom of expression. The Protestant aristocracy, led by William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke, were determined to preserve their literary and historical heritage. This included the Tudor royal legitimacy dramatized in the history plays and the continuance of the royal line rested upon this version of history. The deceased Shakespeare was chosen to avoid potential punishment of writers and editors (the duty of patrons) since he was beyond retribution for heresy or unorthodox writing by a tyrannical power. "Shakespeare Unravelled" presents a detailed portrait of William Shakespeare and the period. Shakespeare's parents were illiterate, so were his children. The Bard had limited local schooling and no higher education. Yet Shakespeare, a tradesman's son, wrote almost entirely about royalty and the courts of Europe.He also displayed detailed knowledge of aristocratic life, the law and without visiting Italy was aware of the country's history, geography and language. Shakespeare's comprehension of classical texts is another mystery. For centuries there has been doubt about the true authorship of the First Folio of 1623. Alongside the profile of Shakespeare, the play-broker, money lender and theatre shareholder this book throws a new spotlight upon popular theatre and its unruly audience.
About the Author: Pauline and Michael Black are a retired couple living in Eastbourne, Sussex, England and as independent historians have spent more than a decade researching the Shakespeare authorship question. They are both avid readers of history and novels set within their historical context. Pauline, a keen painter in oils of landscape and still life, enjoyed a career in Graphic Design at several advertising agencies. Michael's business occupation was in Marketing Communications consultancy. Both spent their entire working lives in London and became over the years keen theatre-goers and followers of the Royal Shakespeare Company.