Shakespeare’s french roots are merely a ‘Poisson d’avril’

Listeners to BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme this morning (Thursday 1 April) learned that the most famous son of England, William Shakespeare, was actually half French. However, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust has revealed that the story was merely an April Fool’s joke, and that the Bard remains 100% English!

The story revealed how a locket found at the site of the Dig for Shakespeare at Shakespeare’s last home, New Place, in Stratford-upon-Avon had an inscription from his mother (Mary Arden) in French, in which she signed herself Mary Ardennes, and that the locket is thought to contain a lock of hair from Mary Queen of Scots.

“It was a great and guilty pleasure to take part in BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme April jest,” says Head of Learning and Research at The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Dr Paul Edmondson, who helped the Today Programme devise the story. “Whilst our 'Dig for Shakespeare' represents serious research endeavour as well as being a highly attractive visitor experience, taking part in the April Fool - and especially one which suggested Shakespeare was of French origin - was a case of 'entente cordiale'. In France, the 'poisson d'avril'* is especially popular.”

“We welcome visitors from all over the world, and the 'Today' programme represented a perfect opportunity for us to mention the project and have some fun at the same time.”

The Dig for Shakespeare at New Place in Stratford-upon-Avon is open to the public daily throughout the Easter holiday, and indeed until the end of August, from 11.00am to 5.00pm (last entry 6.00pm during July & August). For more information, please visit www.digforshakespeare.com or call +44 (0)1789 204016.

ENDS

Notes to editors: The ‘Poisson d’Avril’ is the French equivalent of the April Fool’s joke. The Today programme broadcast can be heard at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8598000/8598291.stm

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, founded in Stratford in 1847, is the guardian of the world’s greatest Shakespeare heritage sites, comprising Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Nash’s House & New Place, Hall’s Croft, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and Mary Arden’s Farm. Offering a unique Shakespeare centred experience, The Trust is a truly global brand that has been attracting visitors to the houses since as early as the 17th century.

At the heart of all things ‘Shakespeare’, the Trust is not only at the forefront of academic learning, but also an iconic destination in the UK and the cornerstone of the region’s identity and tourism economy. The five houses offer a multi-layered experience for visitors unlike any other, giving people from all over the world the opportunity to learn about the life of the world’s greatest playwright, discover his work and experience a real sense of the times that influenced him here in Stratford.

The Shakespeare Houses and Gardens are winners of the Gold Award for ‘Best Tourism Experience in the Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards 2009.

For further information about the houses, please visit www.shakespeare.org.uk

Birmingham Archaeology is the commercial arm of the Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity at the University of Birmingham. It comprises three teams; Birmingham Archaeology Heritage Services, the Visual and Spatial Technology Centre (VISTA) and Birmingham Archaeo-Environmental (BAE).

Each of the groups is responsible for the undertaking of commercial projects and services, the development of research projects and the delivery of postgraduate and professional training via taught Masters programmes and Continuing Professional Development workshops.

For further information and press enquiries
please contact: Jay Commins PRO Dig for Shakespeare
Tel: 0113 251 5698
Mobile: 07810 546567
Email: jay@fim.org.uk