Stratford-upon-Avon Part 3 - The home of Shakespeare's daughter and our final dinner

When we returned from our long trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, we very quickly freshened up and were out the door again for our final dinner. This was held at ‘Hall’s Croft’, a mansion that was originally built over 400 years ago by Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna and her husband Dr John Hall.  They only lived in it for about two years, however. This is yet another of the many museums that have been established to celebrate Shakespeare. The home of his wife, Anne Hathaway, is also open for visitors, as is the home in which Shakespeare lived when he became an adult. 

First we had a very interesting tour of the house and were told many tales of its history. It seems that the Hall family were very proud of their position in their society, and pious and hard-working, though the epitaph to Susanna described her as witty and merry. Shakespeare apparently felt she also was very competent and trustworthy, as he left the management of his estate to her, being well aware of difficulties that would have occurred if he had entrusted the estate to his other daughter. (His son died at the age of 11.) 

John Hall apparently was a very competent doctor as well. There was a museum showing some of the instruments that were used in that period - some were pretty scary, such as the instrument to remove a cataract! I will not go into the gory details. There were also coloured solutions showing the possible different colours of urine associated with different ailments. Apparently John examined the colour and taste of a patient’s urine to help diagnose their illness. (Even today urine is a diagnostic tool used by doctors.) 

 After looking through the house and listening to all the explanations, by which time I must admit I was exhausted, we were taken out to the back garden to watch two Shakespearean actors  present excerpts from vials Shakespearean plays. They were excellent! 

Finally we trotted back inside to have a meal. That was a sad occasion for me. I was going to miss the two delightful friends I made. They were heading off early the next morning, while I was staying on another day to see a full Shakespearean production at the theatre. I also was meeting two delightful young people I met on my ship to Italy, France, etc.  I really was looking forward to that! 

Shakespeare's family tree.

This is a tragic tale of Shakespeare's family. The painting to which this refers is further down. 

This tells what haoeoned to hall;s Croft after it was sold by Susanna and John Hall.

This is a painting that apparently shows the Hall's extended family. They demonstrate their wealth by showing meat on the table, and their piety by their stance. 

John's approach to medicine.

A tribute to Susanna. 

Susanna's epitaph.

The kitchen.

I think this must have been the drawing room or even part pf the kitchen.

I am not sure what the room was used for. 

This was possibly the 'birthing' bed and shows a cradle used at that time.

This is the painting that was described above.

A bedroom and typical clothes of the period for casual use.

This photo and the two following ones show the back of the house.

Part of the garden.

Our Shakespearean actors.