William Shakespeare Quill Pen

Product Description: This William Shakespeare Quill Pen is made from a real feather attached to a ribbon covered pen that has a biro nib. There are 5 different colours available, blue, purple, black, pink and red. The quill pen measures approximately 30-35 centimetres long, however lengths will vary as the feather is a natural product. The quill is supplied with a colourful information card. On the front there are images of William Shakespeare, quotes from his plays, his signature and seal. On the back is historical information about the quill pen, how the Tudors wrote with a quill and information about William Shakespeare. The quill and card are held in a clear hanging bag.

Information: The writing Quill pen came into use in the seventh century. It was the main writing instrument until the introduction of metallic pens and pen nibs that took over in the 1800’s. Some of the best quill pens were made from the flight feathers of geese. The word pen comes from the Latin word “Penna” which means feather.

After plucking the wing feathers, the barrel or the shaft needed to be carved. To cut the pens a sharp knife was needed, hence the word “penknife”.

The Tudors would write with feather pens called quills. One of the most famous Tudors was the dramatist and poet William Shakespeare who was born in 1564 in Stratford Upon Avon. He part owned the Globe theatre in London and wrote his plays with a feather quill.

William Shakespeare’s quotes such as “To be, or not to be, that is the question” (Hamlet), “A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!” (Richard III) and “O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?” (Romeo and Juliet) form some of literature’s most celebrated lines. Shakespeare wrote 37 plays, which have been traditionally divided into comedies, histories and tragedies. These plays contain vivid characters of all types and from many walks of life. Kings, pickpockets, drunkards, generals, hired killers, shepherds and philosophers all mingle in Shakespeare’s work.