“Secret Shakespeare: Astonishing Discovery of a Previously Unseen Sonnet Sparks Debate Among Scholars!”
What if I told you that Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 116,” that quintessential ode to love we often hear at weddings, had a royal twist during the English Civil War? Imagine swapping out the romance for a rallying cry for loyalty to the crown! That’s exactly what Leah Veronese, a researcher at the University of Oxford, discovered while rummaging through dusty old manuscripts. Instead of celebrating unwavering love, this altered version emphasizes fealty to King Charles I—talk about a plot twist! It’s a fascinating peek into how art and politics intertwine, especially during turbulent times. So, buckle up as we dive into this unexpected narrative of love reimagined in the service of a king! LEARN MORE.
This version of Shakespeare’s famous sonnet was seemingly altered to invoke loyalty to the monarchy during the English Civil War.

University of OxfordThe handwritten copy of William Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 116.”
While flipping through 17th-century manuscripts at the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries, researcher Leah Veronese stumbled upon a fascinating document: an altered version of William Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 116” that sheds new light on the period surrounding the English Civil War.
This revision of the iconic sonnet, which is often recited at modern weddings, was part of a poetry collection belonging to royalist politician Elias Ashmole. Instead of celebrating eternal romantic love as Shakespeare intended in the poem, this revised version seemingly promoted devotion to the English monarchy, aligning it with royalist politics during a war between King Charles I and Parliament.
Post Comment