). 6. Shanke's petition (August 7). 7.
Pembroke's final decision.)[154]

Burbage, Shakespeare, Condell, Hemings had been housekeepers with four
shares each. These originally died with the owner, but in later years
could be inherited. Shakespeare's income therefore arose from:

1. Possibly some small sum allowed him by Richard Field and the
publishers for various editions of his poems, as well as the liberality
of the Earl of Southampton on their account.

2. Direct payments by the proprietors for altering and writing plays.
Shares in their publication he never seems to have had.

3. His share as a player of the money taken at the doors.

4. His share as a partner in the house of the money taken in the
galleries, etc.

5. His share of royal largesse in performances before the Queen, or
similar gifts from noblemen.[155]

6. His share of performances in various performing tours.

And thence he acquired money enough to buy New Place; to appeal to the
heralds for his father's coat of arms, and to pay the costs; to contest
the Lamberts' claim through successive applications for Asbies; and to
buy land and tithe leases. The death of his only son Hamnet did not
deter him in his earnest efforts to regain social position, and to
restore the fortunes of his family. An almost exact parallel may be
found in the efforts and aims of Sir Walter Scott. But Shakespeare,
having borne the yoke in youth, had acquired the experience and prudence
necessary to steer himself past the dangers of speculation and the
rashness of exceeding his assured income, which proved fatal to the less
severely-trained novelist.

In May, 1602, he purchased from the Combes for L320 about 107 acres of
land near Stratford-on-Avon, of which, as he was not in the town, seisin
was granted to his brother Gilbert. On September 28, 1602, Walter Getley
transferred to him a cottage and garden situated in Chapel Lane,
opposite the lower gardens of New Place, quite possibly intended for the
use of his brothers. It appears from the roll that he did not appear at
the Manorial Court in person,[156] then held at Rowington, there being a
stipulation that the estate should remain in the hands of the lady of
the manor, the Countess of Warwick, until he appeared to complete the
transaction with the usual formalities. On completing these, he
surrendered the property to his own use for life, with remainder to his
two daughters, a settlement rearranged afterwards in his will