Amelia Bassano Lanyer - She knew Shakespeare / myLot

United States

February 13, 2024 1:56pm CST

I recently learned that my ancestral aunt Amelia Bassano Lanyer was the first published female poet in England. She was a contemporary of William Shakespeare. How well did she know Shakespeare? There is no firm consensus on this matter. Some historians say they were lovers, though most believe this is unlikely. Some say they may have known each other. There is some conjecture that Amelia was Shakespeare's muse and the inspiration for his Dark Lady sonnets. Some say they may have met, but it was probably just in passing when Shakespeare's acting troupe visited the Royal Court in London, which is where Amelia lived. I mentioned Amelia in a tweet recently and in one of the replies I learned the author Jodi Picoult's next book is about her. It will be out in August. Yes, I've pre-ordered the book.

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9 responses

The Horse

@TheHorse (220245)

• Walnut Creek, California

13 Feb

Sounds interesting. I had trouble reading Shakespeare "back in the day" I always read a summary before going to a Shakespeare play. I had not heard of Lanyer.

4 people like this

DW Davis

@DWDavis (25805)

• United States

14 Feb

I don't think many people have heard of my Aunt Amelia

, but more will after Jodi's book comes out.

3 people like this

DW Davis

@DWDavis (25805)

• United States

23 Feb

@TheHorse Lee was a very conflicted person. Had Lincoln not blockaded VA and NC before they seceded, and not threatened to invade the states farther south through VA, Lee may have accepted his offer to lead the Union Army. How differently things might have turned out?

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The Horse

@TheHorse (220245)

• Walnut Creek, California

14 Feb

@DWDavis Cool story. I am very distantly related to Robert E. Lee. But they're taking his statues down. I blame myself.

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Ron Rybs

@Ronrybs (19585)

• London, England

13 Feb

On Radio 4, the other day, was an interesting discussion in which they pondered if there really was a Shakespeare and the Dark Lady cropped up, but I didn't catch the name of who they thought it might be

4 people like this

DW Davis

@DWDavis (25805)

• United States

13 Feb

The Bassanos were from the mountains northwest of Venice but there is some evidence that some of the wives may have been of Middle Eastern descent, thus lending a complexion not as pale as that of most Londoners of the time.

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Ron Rybs

@Ronrybs (19585)

• London, England

14 Feb

@DWDavis Even them London was quite cosmopolitan

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (342100)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 Feb

Jodi writes an amazing book. She does a tremendous amount of research into whatever subject she writes about.

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DW Davis

@DWDavis (25805)

• United States

14 Feb

I am currently reading her first novel, Songs of the Humpback Whale, and it is obvious she did an incredible amount of research on the whales and several other aspects of the book.

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (342100)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 Feb

@DWDavis It seems she does the same amount of research on every book. They are iincredibly detailed and every one is quite different in subject matter. At least, that's how I've found her so far.

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Anindita Sengupta

@aninditasen (16503)

• Raurkela, India

14 Feb

What a creative family lineage you have. Do you write poetries too?

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DW Davis

@DWDavis (25805)

• United States

14 Feb

I have written some poetry, but primarily short stories and books.

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Hanni Harel

@Hannihar (130213)

• Israel

14 Feb

@DWDavis People here have read Jodi's books. I have not, but heard about her through others. That must be exciting that her next book will be about your ancestor.

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DW Davis

@DWDavis (25805)

• United States

14 Feb

I had never read any of her books when I "met" Jodi on Twitter through our mutual friend, a Shakespeare professor at William and Mary. I am currently reading her first novel, Songs of the Humpback Whale. She is an incredibly talented writer.

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Hanni Harel

@Hannihar (130213)

• Israel

15 Feb

@DWDavis I heard that people here like her writing. I never read her books.

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LindaOH

@LindaOHio (181690)

• United States

13 Feb

Fascinating. You'll have to give us a review of the book! I hope you're having a good day.

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popciclecold

@popciclecold (39512)

• United States

13 Feb

Interesting.

2 people like this

Judy Story

@jstory07 (139976)

• Roseburg, Oregon

13 Feb

You are going to enjoy reading the book.

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DW Davis

@DWDavis (25805)

• United States

14 Feb

I am hoping she might send me an advanced, autographed copy, but not holding my breath. We are now mutually following each other on Twitter, though, thanks to a common connection with the Shakespearean professor I know who reviewed her manuscript for accuracy regarding the Bard and the times.

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Thelma

@thelme55 (77167)

• Germany

21 Feb

Wow! That is very interesting to know. I have not heard of Amelia Bassano Lanyer. Thanks for the heads up.

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DW Davis

@DWDavis (25805)

• United States

23 Feb

I only recently learned about her when reading an article on Shakespeare that claimed he had a female co-writer believed to be my ancestral aunt.

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