A collection of documents relating to the life of William Shakespeare has been recognised for its international cultural significance.



The 90 documents, which relate to the bard’s baptism, burial, family matters, property records, legal actions and business dealings, and include rare examples of his signature, have been listed on the Unesco International Memory of the World register.

Their inclusion on the register gives them the same status for documents as the Egyptian pyramids have among built heritage. The documents join the likes of the Gutenberg Bible, Magna Carta, Bayeux Tapestry and the films The Battle of the Somme and The Wizard of Oz on the register.

They were nominated for inclusion by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in partnership with the National Archives, Worcestershire Archives and Archaeology Service, the College of Arms, the British Library and London Metropolitan Archives in the UK, and the Folger Shakespeare Library in the US, who between them hold the documents.

Amy Hurst, collections archivist at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, in Stratford-upon-Avon, said: “The documentary trail left by Shakespeare provides a rich narrative of his life, giving unique insight into his personal circumstances and how these may have influenced his creative work.”