In Shakespeare’s Footsteps with Howard Linskey

Submitted: 29th January 2025

In Shakespeare’s Footsteps with Howard Linskey

Shakespeare

Howard Linskey

What’s not to love?

A Serpent in the Garden Howard Linskey

Book of A Serpent in the Garden

William Shakespeare, the protagonist in my new book, is most obviously associated with Stratford Upon Avon. It’s a beautiful market town that has never been shy of publicising his links to the place. The home of the Royal Shakespeare Company has links to the Bard, through old Tudor buildings and visitor attractions. If you want to watch Shakespeare’s plays performed or learn about his life, then Stratford is perfect.

Book of A Serpent in the Garden

But Stratford was not the most important location in Shakespeare’s life. He was born there, married Anne Hathaway and had children there, but spent most of his time in London. The city would help forge him into the most famous writer of all time. His plays were staged at the aptly named, ‘The Theatre’, in Shoreditch. Later they would be performed at ‘The Globe’ on the other side of the River Thames in Southwark.

Old Globe Theatre in Shakespeares time (c) H Linskey

This better-known theatre was built from the timbers of the first one. It was dismantled following a long dispute with, Giles Allen, the leaseholder of the land upon which it stood. Will and his partners took the many pieces of that building across the river on barges. The newer building was erected in 1599 and became the model for the incredible project to recreate the Globe. This used traditional materials, close to its original site and was completed in 1997. Audiences can sit in wooden galleries or stand in ‘the Pit’ before the stage, with the rest of the ‘Groundlings’. This is a theatrical experience close to how it would have been in Elizabethan times.

Book of A Serpent in the Garden

Globe Theatre today (c) H Linskey

Most of my research involved reading biographies of Shakespeare and books about Elizabeth the first. I did make several visits to the Globe Theatre though. I watched plays there, went on tours and even watched sword fighting demonstrations. It really helped to get a feel for the times and the atmosphere of Elizabethan London.

London Bridge in Shakespeares time (c) H Linskey

If you have never visited the Globe, then please do check it out. As well as the stage there is a great gift shop, a café and a really nice bar. It occupies a marvellous spot right by the River Thames. The many volunteers who work there are really helpful, and the tour guides have so much knowledge. Seeing a play performed as it used to be, by a company of incredibly talented actors, is a fabulous experience. It’s also incredibly good value. It only costs a tenner! A ticket for live theatre anywhere else in the capital is likely to cost you a hundred quid. The Globe will let you watch something for the price of a programme elsewhere.

Book of A Serpent in the Garden

Shakespeare’s House, Stratford (c) H Linskey

So why write about Will Shakespeare and put him in a historical crime novel? I have always been fascinated by the man. How did he understand so much about the human condition? I figured he must have lived a pretty interesting life. Then I learned there are seven years completely unaccounted for. Even the most eminent Shakespearean scholars can only guess at what he was up to. At 21, he was basically penniless. Shortly after those ‘Lost Years’ he had amassed enough money to become a partner in a theatre company. No one knows how he did this.

Book of A Serpent in the Garden

That’s a fantastic place to start a story from. Throw in a series of true events and real characters from that period and the story starts to take shape. Will is tasked with investigating the mysterious death of the Earl of Southampton’s cousin, in exchange for patronage. Things do not go according to plan and soon his life is danger. I’ve pitched Will into a world of spies, traitors, criminals and courtiers. I’ve also given him an Elizabethan murder mystery to solve and an almost impossible situation to dig himself out of. It was great fun to write and I really hope you enjoy reading it too.