William Shakespeare is a genius of the word, but even he had curious moments! He left his wife in a will only a second bed – and this is not a joke, but a real fact. IA EAOMEDIA analyzes why this valuable thing in those days meant more than it seems.
Shakespeare in the will surprised everyone. Instead of wealth or jewelry, he left his wife Anna only the second bed. In the XVII century, it was not just furniture, but an expensive and status thing – the best that could be given.
In those days, the bed was worth a fortune, a wooden frame, mattress, fabric – everything was done manually. The second bed could be a spare or the best in the house, which made it a symbol of comfort and wealth.
There are versions that it was irony or even resentment, because their marriage with Anna was not perfect, and such decisions could reflect personal relations. But without letters or diaries you can’t say for sure.
