SHAKESPEARE’S ROOM

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 286, 29 August 1931, Page 22

SHAKESPEARE’S ROOM

Discovery in Oxford Everything and anything in the form ,of a Shakespearean relic is sacred, so few are' the traces, outside his plays, of this elusive genius. ’ Mr. Harry Shepherd, of Hataitai, an old Oxonian, who has just beeii on a visit to his native city, states that one of the most important discoveries appertaining to Shakespeare’s connection with Oxford was made there three years ago, and lie had the pleasure of inspecting it during his recent visit. The find was the quarters where Shakespeare resided during his frequent visits to the place, between IoD2 and 1614, when he was always the guest of John Davanant, a local vintner. Aubrey, the historian, tells how the Bard “was wont to go into Warwickshire, once a yeare, and did' in his journey lye at this house in Oxon, where he was exceedingly respected.” The house is now part of the premises of the Hookham firm, at 3 Cornmarket Street, of whom Mr. E. W. Atwood is a member, and it was while stripping an old room of a covering of canvas and some six layers of paper, that workmen discovered that it was riclilv panelled, and painted .in a beautiful design in black and white. After it was cleaned it showed up with great brilliancy, while over the slope of the open brick fireplace were carved the letters 1.H.5., expressed in the style of fine fourteenth century. Running round the upper border of the panelling are texts such as: “In the morninge earlye serve God devoutlye,” and “Fence God above all thvnge.” ... and the “Kynge. Mural decorations of this kind were common in Tudor days. , , There does not seem to be the least doubt that this was the room which housed the illustrious one during his visits to the house of Davanant, for it has been accepted as a show place, mid once a month a Shakespearean society meet for discussion in the room under an arrangement with Mr. Atwood. Mr. Shepherd brought back several illustrations of the room some of which are signed by the discoverer, Mr. Atwood, whom Mr. Shepherd met.