Bellott v. Mountjoy
Encyclopedia
The case of Bellott v. Mountjoy was a lawsuit
heard at the Court of Requests
in Westminster
on 11 May 1612 that involved William Shakespeare
in a minor role.
Stephen Bellott, a Huguenot
, sued his father-in-law Christopher Mountjoy, a tyrer (a manufacturer of ladies' ornamental headpieces and wigs) for the financial settlement promised at the time of his marriage with Mary Mountjoy in 1604 — a dowry of £60, which had been promised but never paid, and an additional £200 to be bestowed upon Bellott in Mountjoy's will.
The records of the case were discovered in 1909 by the Shakespeare scholar Charles William Wallace
, and published by him in the October 1910 issue of Nebraska University Studies. The importance of this minor case is that Shakespeare was a material witness in it; his signed deposition of evidence was among the papers. Several of the other witnesses refer to Shakespeare’s role in arranging the betrothal and in the negotiations about the dowry; he had been requested to take on these duties by Mountjoy's wife Marie. The papers supply a roster of persons with whom Shakespeare was personally acquainted: the Mountjoys and their household and neighbors, including George Wilkins
, the playwright, novelist and brothel-keeper who may have been Shakespeare's collaborator on Pericles, Prince of Tyre
. The papers show that in 1604 Shakespeare was a lodger in the Mountjoys' house, at the corner of Silver and Monkwell Streets in Cripplegate
, London
. This is the only evidence yet found of a particular London address at which Shakespeare lived.
In his deposition, Shakespeare admitted that he had played the role as go-between in the courtship of Stephen Bellott and Mary Mountjoy that other witnesses described. However, he said he could not remember the crucial financial arrangements of the Bellott/Mountjoy marriage settlement. Without this key testimony, the Court of Requests remanded the case to the overseers of the London Huguenot church; they awarded Bellott 20 nobles
(or £6 13s. 4p.). A year later, though, Mountjoy still had not paid.
Lawsuit
A lawsuit or "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...
heard at the Court of Requests
Court of Requests
The Court of Requests was a minor equity court in England and Wales. Created at an unknown date, it first became a formal tribunal with some Privy Council elements under Henry VII, hearing cases from the poor and the servants of the King. It quickly became popular due to the low cost of bringing a...
in Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
on 11 May 1612 that involved William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
in a minor role.
Stephen Bellott, a Huguenot
Huguenot
The Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France during the 16th and 17th centuries. Since the 17th century, people who formerly would have been called Huguenots have instead simply been called French Protestants, a title suggested by their German co-religionists, the...
, sued his father-in-law Christopher Mountjoy, a tyrer (a manufacturer of ladies' ornamental headpieces and wigs) for the financial settlement promised at the time of his marriage with Mary Mountjoy in 1604 — a dowry of £60, which had been promised but never paid, and an additional £200 to be bestowed upon Bellott in Mountjoy's will.
The records of the case were discovered in 1909 by the Shakespeare scholar Charles William Wallace
Charles William Wallace
Charles William Wallace was an American scholar and researcher, famed for his discoveries in the field of English Renaissance theatre.Wallace was born in Hopkins, Missouri to Thomas Dickay Wallace and Olive McEwen...
, and published by him in the October 1910 issue of Nebraska University Studies. The importance of this minor case is that Shakespeare was a material witness in it; his signed deposition of evidence was among the papers. Several of the other witnesses refer to Shakespeare’s role in arranging the betrothal and in the negotiations about the dowry; he had been requested to take on these duties by Mountjoy's wife Marie. The papers supply a roster of persons with whom Shakespeare was personally acquainted: the Mountjoys and their household and neighbors, including George Wilkins
George Wilkins
George Wilkins was an English dramatist and pamphleteer best known for his probable collaboration with Shakespeare on the play Pericles, Prince of Tyre. By profession he was an inn-keeper, but he was also apparently involved in criminal activities.-Life:Wilkins was an inn-keeper in Cow-Cross,...
, the playwright, novelist and brothel-keeper who may have been Shakespeare's collaborator on Pericles, Prince of Tyre
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
Pericles, Prince of Tyre is a Jacobean play written at least in part by William Shakespeare and included in modern editions of his collected works despite questions over its authorship, as it was not included in the First Folio...
. The papers show that in 1604 Shakespeare was a lodger in the Mountjoys' house, at the corner of Silver and Monkwell Streets in Cripplegate
Cripplegate
Cripplegate was a city gate in the London Wall and a name for the region of the City of London outside the gate. The area was almost entirely destroyed by bombing in World War II and today is the site of the Barbican Estate and Barbican Centre...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. This is the only evidence yet found of a particular London address at which Shakespeare lived.
In his deposition, Shakespeare admitted that he had played the role as go-between in the courtship of Stephen Bellott and Mary Mountjoy that other witnesses described. However, he said he could not remember the crucial financial arrangements of the Bellott/Mountjoy marriage settlement. Without this key testimony, the Court of Requests remanded the case to the overseers of the London Huguenot church; they awarded Bellott 20 nobles
Noble (English coin)
The Noble was the first English gold coin produced in quantity, having been preceded by the Gold penny and the Florin earlier in the reigns of King Henry III and King Edward III, which saw little circulation....
(or £6 13s. 4p.). A year later, though, Mountjoy still had not paid.