Plaque

The Bell, Carter Lane

Inscription

Upon this site formerly stood "The Bell", Carter Lane, from whence Richard Quiney wrote the letter to William Shakespeare dated the 25th October 1598. This is the only letter extant addressed to Shakespeare and the original is preserved in the museum at his birthplace, Stratford upon Avon.
This tablet was placed upon the present building by leave of the Postmaster General 1899.

From: the Devere Society: "1598 October - In the only letter ever discovered addressed to Shakspere at Stratford, one Richard Quiney writes a letter from the Bell Inn in Carter Lane, London, asking Shakspere for a £30 loan. It is written "To my Loveinge good ffrend & contreymann mr wm Shackespre" who "shall ffrende me muche in helpeing me out of all the debettes I owe in London I thancke god & muche quiet my mynde which wolde nott be indebeted". The letter, found in Quiney's papers after his death, was never sent to Stratford. (Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Records Office, MS. ER 27/4). "

For photographs of the letter and a full transcription see the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Site: The Bell, Carter Lane (1 memorial)

EC4, Carter Lane, 43

When The Bell, then number 9, was demolished in 1889 this plaque was put on the wall of the Victorian Post Office building erected in its place. The plaque has carefully been preserved through at least one demolition and now adorns the current building, indeed is the only adornment on any of the buildings in our photograph - sometimes modern architect makes us want to . . . Yawn.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
The Bell, Carter Lane

Subjects commemorated i

The Bell, Carter Lane

From this inn, on 25 October 1598, Richard Quiney wrote a letter to William S...

Read More

Richard Quiney

Quiney wrote the famous letter to William Shakespeare dated the 25th October ...

Read More

William Shakespeare

Born and died in Stratford-upon-Avon. His birth date is usually given as the ...

Read More

This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
The Bell, Carter Lane

Created by i

Joseph Newbon

Founded the United Wards Club and fought to have the Bell Inn plaque erected....

Read More

Nearby Memorials

DNA at Kings

DNA at Kings

WC2, Strand, King's College

Near this site Rosalind Franklin, Maurice Wilkins, Raymond Gosling, Alexander Stokes and Herbert Wilson performed experiments that led to...

6 subjects commemorated, 2 creators
Garrick Theatre

Garrick Theatre

WC2, Charing Cross Road

Theatreland - heart of the performing arts in London. Garrick Theatre Built for W S Gilbert in 1889, the Garrick Theatre has continue...

3 subjects commemorated, 2 creators
BBC Television Centre - Bill Owen

BBC Television Centre - Bill Owen

W12, Wood Lane, BBC Television Centre - Star Terrace

The plaque on the brick wall in the picture reads: The BBC Star Terrace, "Bring me fun, bring me sunshine, bring me love" Sylvie Dee. De...

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
William Penn - Rickmansworth

William Penn - Rickmansworth

WD3, High Street Rickmansworth, 46, Basing House, The Three Rivers Museum

Here William Penn (1644 - 1718) Quaker statesman and man of vision, founder of Pennsylvania and planner of Philadelphia, friend of the In...

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Church House - opened

Church House - opened

SW1, Deans Yard, Church House

The four plaques are located as follows: To the left of the entrance - 1937 foundation,To the right of the entrance - opened 1940 (can be...

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators