Hello readers, as The Stratford Artist my favourite subjects are the historic buildings of Stratford-upon-Avon. A few years ago, I started a project to draw and paint all the town's structures that are on Historic England's "listed buildings" schedule. There are over 350 in the town centre alone of which I have dealt with 60 or so.

To add unique interest to my work I do a little research into the history of each building looking for a quirky story, be it fact or fable, which I then illustrate with my little characters.

This is the number four in a series of articles featuring a picture and story from my historic buildings collection. I hope you like it.

Holy Trinity Church and The Curse of Shakespeare’s Grave!

The Church of the Holy Trinity, Stratford-upon-Avon, is a Grade I building alongside the River Avon. William Shakespeare was baptised here in April 1564, worshipped here and was buried here in April 1616. Annual celebrations are therefore held this month in the town and around the world.

The following macabre story surrounds Shakespeare’s grave. The inscription on the tombstone, drafted by the Bard himself, reads:

“Good friend for Jesus’s sake forbeare,
To dig the dust enclosed here,
Blessed be the man that spares these stones,
And cursed be he that moves my bones.”

In the autumn of 1794, during a boozy dinner party for notable gentlemen in Ragley Hall near Alcester, someone wondered aloud whether the bust of Shakespeare in Holy Trinity Church was a good likeness. A guest, Dr Parr, exclaimed, “Best dig him up to see!”. The conversation then turned to the Jubilee of 1769 when Mr Horace Walpole said, perhaps in jest, that he would give 300 guineas to anyone who delivered to him Shakespeare’s skull.

This discussion led another party guest, Dr Frank Chambers, to recruit three local rascals to join him in a night-time raid and dig up the valuable item. My picture imagines the scene as they arrive in the churchyard.

It is alleged that the deed was done but as a get rich quick scheme, maybe due to the curse, it failed badly. Horace Walpole didn’t want to know, Dr Parr was horrified and insisted that the skull be returned to the grave. The story gets very complicated from here but there remains doubt as to whether the Bard’s skull was ever returned and if in fact it is in the grave. The official website of Holy Trinity Church refuses to confirm or deny the story!

Originals or prints from my historic buildings collection are often available and I welcome commissions for portraits of your home or other favourite building. Email me at ken.morgan96@yahoo.com for details.

© Ken Morgan

Ken Morgan, aka The Stratford Artist, is a professional artist working from his studio close to the River Avon in Stratford-upon-Avon. His favourite subjects are the historic buildings and structures in and around his hometown. He works in ink and watercolour. Architectural accuracy is important, but his style brings life to the pictures, often helped by the addition of humorous or quirky characters.

Another thing...can you find the little blackbird which appears in all Ken's pictures?

See more of Ken Morgan's work on Instagram @thestratfordartist.