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 70 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 number twelve in a series of articles featuring a picture and story from my historic buildings collection. I hope you like it.

1 High Street

Often overlooked, Number 1 High Street is thought to have once been occupied by an important Shakespeare family member. Sitting on the corner of High Street and Bridge Street, opposite the Market Cross, it was a prime business site, so as well as a residence it has probably always had a commercial use. Like many in the town, it has had various makeovers from the original c15th timber framed building. It was for some time known as the “Cage”, alluding to an attached lock-up for local miscreants. The Shakespeare Distillery now has a shop here. Their name and that of the first floor “Judith’s” tasting room may be nods to the past. The distillery trade is also a coincidental connection.

Judith Shakespeare was William and Annes’ youngest daughter. She was the twin sister of Hamnet who, if you’ve seen the movie you’ll know, died at the age of eleven. Judith had a tragic childhood and, it seemed, her life was never particularly easy.

In March 1616, at the age of 31 and shortly before her father’s death, Judith married Thomas Quiney. The Quiney’s were a local family of vintners (spotted the distillery connection?) and Thomas acquired Number 1 High Street mainly as business premises. It is however likely that it also became the marital home. The marriage did not have the best start. Firstly, it was declared unlawful by the Church, having taken place in the prohibited season. Payment of a fine solved that problem but then Quiney confessed in court to an affair with a young woman who had subsequently died in childbirth.

William Shakespeare was not pleased with Mr Quiney’s behaviour and changed his will, almost from his deathbed, to include bequests to Judith to enable her to have some financial independence. Despite this, my picture imagines William and his imminent son-in-law, near the ghostly Market Cross, sampling the wine for the wedding breakfast!

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.