In 1598, William Shakespeare's name appeared on a list of hoarders. This list named people who were illegally holding, or hoarding, corn and malt during a shortage. Shakespeare is listed as having 10 quarters of corn, or 80 bushels.

Grain was in short supply and the government wanted to know who had private supplies of corn and malt. This was to be sure everyone had enough to eat.

Shakespeare's name appears second to last.

The survey reads:

"The noate of corne and malte taken the iiij.th of Februarij, 1597, in the xl.th yeare of the raigne of our moste gracious soveraigne ladie Queene Elizabethe, &c."

Copyright © ProjectExplorer 2003-2006
Text: Jenny M. Buccos
Image: Courtesy of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Records Office