[Excerpts from "Shakespeare's Sonnet Story, 1592-1598" by Arthur Acheson, 1922] [excerpted by Mark Murphy, 15 Jun 2005] p. 81 ...some time before September 1592....Shakespeare's suspicions and inferences in 'Love's Labour's Won' reflect the actual facts, brought him in contact for the first time with Mistress Anne Davenant, the hostess of the Tavern adjoining the Crosse Inn..... p. 123 Recalling the gossip reported by Anthony Wood, John Aubrey and others, regarding Shakespeare's alleged relations with the handsome and sprightly wife of the dour and taciturn John Davenant, the host of the Crown Tavern at Oxford in 1604, and later, I also advanced the theory that Avisa, the "dark lady", and Mrs. Davenant were one... p. 133 If Anne, daughter of William Bird, became Mistress Davenant in 1591-2, why was Davenant's wife known as Jane Davenant in 1604, and later? There is palpably only one reason possible, i.e. that Davenant was married twice; first in 1591-2 to Anne- daughter of Mayor Bird- who succumbed to the temptations of her calling as the hostess of a popular Elizabethan tavern or inn- as they are depicted by Roydon- and who died sometime before 1600; Davenant marrying again at about the latter date; his second wife being named Jane,... p. 134 There can now be little doubt, however, that Anne, daughter of William Bird of Bristol, was the original for Avisa and for Shakespeare's "dark lady", and that she married Davenant sometime between 1590 and 1592..... Anne, daughter of Mayor William Bird of Bristol, ... was the Avisa of Willobie his Avisa...her birth in October 1574...St. Nicholas the Bishop, her father's parish church... p. 141 ...Willobie his Avisa [published] in September 1594... p. 142 Visitation of Gloucester, made in 1623... Anne, Dau. of William Bird, Alderman of Bristow [married John Dowell] William Bird had two families-legitimate and illegitimate- he had two daughters named p. 143 Mary and two named Anne, and bequeathed money to all of them. [will not executed, was arbitrated]. ....will changing from time to time over seven years... p. 156 The remarkable fascination and charm of her [Marie Sachfeilde's] sister Anne- who married Davenant, and who, if Roydon reports truly, was more sinned against than sinning- are fully attested by Roydon even in satire, and by Shakespeare, inferentially, in his plays, and directly in his Sonnets....It is doubtful if any woman that ever came into his life had so much influence in creating his basic feminine ideal as Anne Sachfeilde. Much of this woman's remarkable fascination must have been inherited from her mother, of whom William Bird writes so frequently and solicitously in his will... p. 157 In "The Apologie" to the new edition of Willobie his Avisa in 1596, Roydon, referring to the alleged Peter Colse, writes: "Now therefore the latine word of a Birde being Avis, and the Author (perchance) alluding unto that, did the rather call, his victorious mounting victory of Vertue, by the name of Avisa, as alluding to his own allusion..." p. 626 Appendix III William Bird, Mayor of Bristol, and His Family ...Over a hundred years before William Bird, the father of Anne Sachfeilde, attained to the mayoralty of Bristol, a namesake and evidently one of his forebears held the same office; a William Bird having been Sheriff of Bristol in 1469-70 and Mayor in 1476. A critical reading of the will of Mayor Bird, which was written at intervals between 1583 and 1590, reveals the fact that in addition to his legitimate children he acknowledges the paternity of five natural children who are, evidently, Richard Smith, William Lavington, and William, Mary and Anne Sachfeilde. It also appears that his wife, Anne Bird, and her elder son Edward seem to have resented his relations with Anne Sachfeilde, senior, the mother of the children mentioned, his other legitimate children and his son-in-law, Miles Jackson, appear to have preserved his goodwill by keeping to themselves whatever objections they may naturally have held.... In the estimation of his fellow-townsmen no apparent discredit seems to have attached on this account to the free-living but generous and public-spirited Mayor. As one of the founders of Queen Elizabeth's Hospital he was p. 627 buried in St. Mark's of the Gaunts-later known also as The Mayor's Chapel- and in the most prominent place in the chancel, from which the stately chain-armoured effigies of the original Norman founders, Maurice de Gaunt and Robert de Gournay, as well as the supposed effigy of Henry de Gaunt, the first Master of Prior of St. Mark's, were moved to make room for his ornately carved, coloured and canopied Elizabethan monument. At later time restorations the Mayor's tomb was moved twice, and is now immediately on the inside to the left of the entrance of the chapel, where it is less incongruously conspicuous in the architectural scheme. The following inscription appears at the back of the tomb, the "Progeniemque" of the last line apparently bearing a tolerantly inclusive significance: Translation [from Latin] William Bird died October 8 in the year 1590. (He was) Illustrious, wealthy, wise, careful for the flock of Christ, administering his household with liberality and piety. He sleeps in his tomb, but his spirit has ascended to the skies. Bristol has hardly in these days produced his equal whether you consider his intrepid virtue or his other qualities. He was chivalrous to his country, delightful to his friends, and of gracious memory to the kindred he left behind. Mayor Bird had four illegitimate children- Marie, Edward, William and Anne. Marie married Miles Jackson, Gentleman, of Combhay in Somerset...Edward, his elder.... p. 628 ...no provision made for him in the will...Margery and Anne...L150 apiece...L200 and the residue of his estate to his wife Anne Bird... The Mayor's younger son, William, who inherited the largest share of the estate, died in 1597 leaving L200 apiece to his three sons, William, Thomas and John, and L200 to each of his two daughters, Anne and Mary, and the residue of the estate to his wife Marie, whom he appointed sole executrix. The Mayor's younger legitimate daughter, Anne Bird, ...married John Dowle (Dowell), Gentleman, of Over, a lawyer....... p. 629 Mayor Bird's widow outlived all of her children, and one of her sons- in-law, dying in May 1617, a few months after the death of Miles Jackson, bequeathing her small remaining property to her own grandchildren by her two sons and younger daughter.... p. 631 Mayor Bird died in October 1590. On or after 1st June 1590 he bequeathed L300 to Anne Sachfeilde, L100 to her son William and L200 to each of her daughters Anne and Marie, making a total of L200 [nuncuperative will- later arbitrated to L200 total]. p. 634 (P.C.C 71 Drury) 1. Will of William Birde, Mayor of Bristol In the name of God Amen And in the secunde daie of the moneth of Marche 1583 and in the 26th year of the raigne of our soveraigne Lady Elizabeth by the grace of God of England Fraunce and Irelande, Queene Defender of the faith, etc. This is to witnes that I William Birde of the Cittie of Bristoll in the parish of St. Nicholas the Bishoppe wollen draper being wholle and of perfect memorie make this my last will and Testament in manner and form followinge. Firste I committ my speritt into the handes of thallmightie God my creator and redeemer whoe hath lente me the same here to use for a tyme, my bodie to the yearth to be used by the discretion of my overseers. Item I give and bequeath to Edward Birde my eldest sonne fyve hundred pounds in readie money to be put downe by my Overseers either to delyver the said somme unto him within two yeares after my naturall deathe or to devise somme order to put the same somme to somme good and profitable use to paye unto the said Edward duringe his natural life tenne pounds in the hundred by the yeare or otherwise at theire good discretion taking good and sufficient assurance for the trewe performance of this my gift and meaninge otherwise I charge them uppon theire conscience as they will answere before the Tribunall Seate of God. (The above paragraph or "staff" is cancelled. Then p. 635 follows:) Altered this staffe in all points the second day of Februarie 1587 WILLIAM BIRDE. Item I give to William Bird my youngest sonne eight hundred pounds in ready {The house I now dwell in money to be delyvered unto him either at the day of his marriage or at the age of xxiij yeares. Item more I give all the yeares to come in one lease which I {More, one greate cheste in hold from St Warburge church in Bristoll or any other righte or title which I the gallery and one in the holde or ought to have in right with all the chestes in the shopp and warehouse newe chamber the best and stayned clothes and all the drapery work above staires with table bordes stooles and chaires. Reserving alwaies to my wife anything given to her by this my will or otherwise howsoever. Further I will that this saide stocke be {800L put to some good use at eight pounds in the hundred and not above with good assurance for his maintenance. Item I give and bequeath unto Anne Bird my youngest {to her daughter six hundred pounds in readie money to be delyvered at the day of her marriage or at the age of twenty yeares And the said somme to be put out at the good discretion of my Overseers towards her good maintenance and bringing upp at tenne pounds the hundred or viij poundes in the hundred according as they thinke best and convenient Allwaies forseeing that they take such good assurance that the said portion may be {600L holden for certain according to my trust committed. Item I give and bequeath to William Sachfeilde mercer and to Anne his wife 300L in readie money to be delyvered unto them within two {He is all paied and lost yeares next after my buriall if the said Anne lyve so longe and if not then I long sithence give (This is cancelled but continues) the said William one hundred poundes only and no more to be delyvered Item more I give to his two daughters {To Anne 150L and to Anne and Marie to either of them one hundred poundes currant money of Mary 150L saied Sachfeildes England to be delyvered to theire father within two yeares next after my two daughters buriall or naturall death Provided allwayes that theire said father shall put in good and sufficient assurance for p. 636 trewe payment as shal be thought good to the rest of my said Overseers {500L as they will answere before the Tribunall Seate of God. {Buriall Item I give to Richard Smyth draper one hundred poundes {500L currant money of England to be paid unto him within one yeare next after my buriall. Item more I give unto Elizabeth Smyth his natural daughter a hundred {Buriall poundes currant money of England to be delyvered her said father within two yeares next after my buriall putting in good and sufficient assurance for the {My will is that he paie all trewe payment of the said somme to the said Elizabeth either at the daye of such monies which he her marriage or at thage of eighteene yeares yeelding and payinge to the use oweth me as by books and of his said daughter fower poundes by the yeare towardes th encrease of her bonde may appeare 200 said stocke. Item I give and bequeath to Miles Jackson and to my daughter Marie his wife three hundred poundes of currant money of England if the said Mary my daughter lyve so longe if not then I give the said Miles one hundred poundes and no more to be delyvered either the greater somme of the lesser within two yeares next after my buriall I meane over and above his marryage {Instant money at this Instant not paid which is full three hundred poundes in money. Item I give and bequeath to Anne Bird now my wife seaven hundred poundes in readie money to be paied unto her in three yeares by equall porcions by my overseers I say three yeares next after my buriall. {Not worthie by desert Item more I give unto her so longe as shee shall remaine widdow and unmarryed the howse which I now dwell in payinge the Lords rentes which is three poundes tenne shillings by the yeare with the use of all the whole ymplementes given to my sonne William Birde putting in good and sufficient assuraunce to leave all things given unto him in as good forme and order as they are or shalbe at the daie of delyvering them into her power and keepinge. Item more I give unto her thone halfe of all my householde stuffe being valued and pryzed and not allready geven my whole p. 637 plate only excepted which I will to be prized with the rest of my stuffe and {to enjoy so to be put in generall accompt of my debte and wares. And if shee marry then the same to come and to be thuse of my said sonne William presently And if my said wife happen to enjoy my said howse then I will that she shall be charged with the reparacion. Item nowe my will is changed in this pointe in all things that my {1587 said wife shall have and enjoye my said howse that I nowe dwell in for terme of her naturall life payinge the rente/ Item I give and bequeath to my brother {700 John Birdes children late of London I say one sonne and one daughter to either of them tenne poundes apeece to be delyvered within one yeare next after my buriall with two mourninge garmentes of good black And if it happen any one of them to die and departe this mortall life then the whole to remaine and be to the survivor And if they happen both to departe then I {20L will theire portions to be given to the poore by the good direction of myne Overseers. Item I give to my cozen John Bird at the pall in Huntley in readie monie twenty poundes to be paid him within one yeare next after my buriall Item more I give to his two daughters towardes their marriage twentie poundes to be delyvered unto them within fower yeares next after my buriall And if any one of them die the whole to the survivor And if they happen both to departe then I give the whole to their father and to his use. {40L I will that theire father make them an assurance for payment. Naught. Item I give William Birde his brother and Marie Birde theire {To William and Marie 300L sister tenne poundes to either of them to be paid within one yeare next after my buriall And if it happen any one of them to die or theire portion be receaved then I will that the survivor shall have and enjoye the whole. Item I give to the poore people in Huntley twenty poundes to be paid to them in fower yeares, viz. five and p. 638 twenty shillings the quarter And I will that my Overseers shall make a good assurance to William Fowle and to my cozen Jn Birde of the said somme And that my Overseers derect some good course for the {20L distributing of my gift charginge them to use all things to the use of the poorest sorte and not partially. Item I give to be imployed uppon the highe waies between Huntley and Gouc twenty poundes which I will be delivered to William ffowle and my cozen John Birde of the pale to be bestowed by them uppon the said highwaise within two yeares next after my buriall and if they do not employ the same according to my meaninge then I will that my Overseers employ the same to theire owne good discretion where they seeme best. Item I give to the poore people of the town of Newent in the countie of Glous. I say the towne only and not the parish tenne poundes warrant money to be delivered to my cozen John Birde of le pale within two yeares next after my death and he to deliver the same to two trusty persons of the foresaid towne to give and deliver the same to the most needy persons in the same within two yeares next after the {by xxv 10L receipt thereof by xxv the quarter. 1587. If so happen that I shall not be able to newe make this my will then I give to Anne Sachfeilde widdowe three hundred poundes in readie money with all her household stuffe now in her possession and {Post scripta to William her son one hundred pounds. I make sole executors of this my testament and las will Myles Jackson gent and my sonne William Bird charging them to deal trewly and faithfully in all things herein comprised. The first of June 1590. William Bird draper. Item I give and bequeath to the poore people of the almshouse in Longe Rewe in the parish of St Thomas in p. 639 Bristoll one hundred poundes in warrant money to be put out by my Overseers at eight poundes in the hundred and so to pay them forty shillings the quarter until such time as some purchase may be made by the good discretion of Mr Major the Alderman and common {100L to the hospitall townsfolk Also I will the the said gifte shall beegyn at the end of two yeares next after my buriall and not before. Let good assurance be had. Item I give to the poore people of Tuckers Hall in Bristoll XL to be paied in fyve yeares by Xs the quarter and to begyn the next (10L to the hospitall quarter after my buriall Item I give to the poore people of the Weavers hall Bristoll tenne poundes to be paied to them in forme aforesaid. {10L to the hospitall All this I have disposed to the hospitall 1590. Item I give to the poore people in the Almes House without Temple Gate tenn {10L to the hospitall poundes warrant money to be paied unto them in forme aforesaid. Item I give to the poore people of Temple parish St Thomas