A question for English/UK members

[lerapt78]

I’d have to look on a map. If those cities were closer to Scotland, it would make sense. Many Irish refugees fled into Scotland.

I looked them up on a map - they are both located in the northwest region of England. This seems to tie in with what Triumphguy is offering.

 

[Usbek_de_Perse]

While there is evidence that the author of Shakespeare had Catholic sympathies (especially in the Merchant of Venice), there is no consensus among scholars that Shakespeare was a Catholic. Indeed the great tragedies (Lear, MacBeth, Hamlet) can hardly be said to champion any form of Christian belief.

We know so amazingly little about the Stratford man that we can say very little for certain. We cannot even say that he wrote the plays. Was Edward de Verre a Catholic? Many are persuaded that he was the writer of Shakespeare. Many, but not most.

Many of the more ancient noble families remained Catholic as did many peasant farmers in the north of England. They had to pay fines & keep a low profile.

Check out ‘Recusancy’ in Wikipedia for a detailed map of the densities % of RCs during those harsh Penal Times. Most people now admit that Shakespeare was a closet catholic.