That Shakespeare Life
@thatshakespeare.bsky.social
Cassidy Cash, historical map illustrator | Podcast about turn of the 17th century the way Shakespeare would have lived it | New episodes every Monday | Shakespeare history club on Patreon http://www.patreon.com/thatshakespearelife
NEW EPISODE: Before GPS or Amazon trucks, commuting + deliveries in the 16thC involved several animals & a lot of mud. Despite the lack of modern infrastructure, there was a surprising array of transportation options. Let's explore everyday travel in Shakespeare's England. www.cassidycash.com/ep409
February 16, 2026 at 3:03 PM
NEW EPISODE: Before GPS or Amazon trucks, commuting + deliveries in the 16thC involved several animals & a lot of mud. Despite the lack of modern infrastructure, there was a surprising array of transportation options. Let's explore everyday travel in Shakespeare's England. www.cassidycash.com/ep409
Perfume in Shakespeare’s time wasn’t romantic — it was medicinal.
In a world that feared “bad air,” scent meant survival. New Saturday episode explores why fragrance mattered in Shakespeare’s London. youtu.be/IY8BPNw36IE
In a world that feared “bad air,” scent meant survival. New Saturday episode explores why fragrance mattered in Shakespeare’s London. youtu.be/IY8BPNw36IE
February 15, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Perfume in Shakespeare’s time wasn’t romantic — it was medicinal.
In a world that feared “bad air,” scent meant survival. New Saturday episode explores why fragrance mattered in Shakespeare’s London. youtu.be/IY8BPNw36IE
In a world that feared “bad air,” scent meant survival. New Saturday episode explores why fragrance mattered in Shakespeare’s London. youtu.be/IY8BPNw36IE
Mending and repairing clothes—including shoes—was a normal part of daily life in Shakespeare’s England.
We explore how reuse actually worked in Ep 408 of That Shakespeare Life:
www.cassidycash.com/ep408
We explore how reuse actually worked in Ep 408 of That Shakespeare Life:
www.cassidycash.com/ep408
February 13, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Mending and repairing clothes—including shoes—was a normal part of daily life in Shakespeare’s England.
We explore how reuse actually worked in Ep 408 of That Shakespeare Life:
www.cassidycash.com/ep408
We explore how reuse actually worked in Ep 408 of That Shakespeare Life:
www.cassidycash.com/ep408
Before “fast fashion,” clothes were repaired, altered, and reused—often by women working at home.
We explore the hidden labor behind secondhand clothing in Shakespeare’s world.
🎧 Ep 408: www.cassidycash.com/ep408
We explore the hidden labor behind secondhand clothing in Shakespeare’s world.
🎧 Ep 408: www.cassidycash.com/ep408
February 12, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Before “fast fashion,” clothes were repaired, altered, and reused—often by women working at home.
We explore the hidden labor behind secondhand clothing in Shakespeare’s world.
🎧 Ep 408: www.cassidycash.com/ep408
We explore the hidden labor behind secondhand clothing in Shakespeare’s world.
🎧 Ep 408: www.cassidycash.com/ep408
Shakespeare used "Prithee" over 200 times in his works. Do you know what it means? Let's find out, right now on #WeirdWordWednesday
February 11, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Shakespeare used "Prithee" over 200 times in his works. Do you know what it means? Let's find out, right now on #WeirdWordWednesday
Shakespeare’s England had no thrift stores—but it did have peddlers selling secondhand goods straight from baskets and their own arms.
🎧 Secondhand clothing, pawn shops & street trade in Ep 408:
www.cassidycash.com/ep408
🎧 Secondhand clothing, pawn shops & street trade in Ep 408:
www.cassidycash.com/ep408
February 10, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Shakespeare’s England had no thrift stores—but it did have peddlers selling secondhand goods straight from baskets and their own arms.
🎧 Secondhand clothing, pawn shops & street trade in Ep 408:
www.cassidycash.com/ep408
🎧 Secondhand clothing, pawn shops & street trade in Ep 408:
www.cassidycash.com/ep408
NEW EPISODE: Secondhand clothing, pawn shops, and everyday reuse in Shakespeare’s England—with historian Kate Kelsey Staples. @KateKStaples
🎧 www.cassidycash.com/ep408
🎧 www.cassidycash.com/ep408
February 9, 2026 at 3:03 PM
NEW EPISODE: Secondhand clothing, pawn shops, and everyday reuse in Shakespeare’s England—with historian Kate Kelsey Staples. @KateKStaples
🎧 www.cassidycash.com/ep408
🎧 www.cassidycash.com/ep408
Did Shakespeare think roses meant love?
Not in the way we do today. 🌹
New Saturday episode explores how roses were really understood in Shakespeare’s world — and why Juliet’s famous line is far more radical than romantic. youtu.be/vp4cnZMzVYM
Not in the way we do today. 🌹
New Saturday episode explores how roses were really understood in Shakespeare’s world — and why Juliet’s famous line is far more radical than romantic. youtu.be/vp4cnZMzVYM
February 8, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Did Shakespeare think roses meant love?
Not in the way we do today. 🌹
New Saturday episode explores how roses were really understood in Shakespeare’s world — and why Juliet’s famous line is far more radical than romantic. youtu.be/vp4cnZMzVYM
Not in the way we do today. 🌹
New Saturday episode explores how roses were really understood in Shakespeare’s world — and why Juliet’s famous line is far more radical than romantic. youtu.be/vp4cnZMzVYM
When Henry Wotton arrived in Venice in 1604, England had not maintained a permanent ambassador there for decades—his post helped re-establish England’s diplomatic presence in one of Europe’s most powerful republics. www.cassidycash.com/ep407
February 6, 2026 at 3:03 PM
When Henry Wotton arrived in Venice in 1604, England had not maintained a permanent ambassador there for decades—his post helped re-establish England’s diplomatic presence in one of Europe’s most powerful republics. www.cassidycash.com/ep407
Are you enjoying the images and tidbits about Henry Wotton that I've been sharing here this week? See all the artifacts, documents, and portraits for this week's show inside That Shakespeare Society. Bonus content is live now and there's so much more to explore! www.patreon.com/posts/148721...
February 5, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Are you enjoying the images and tidbits about Henry Wotton that I've been sharing here this week? See all the artifacts, documents, and portraits for this week's show inside That Shakespeare Society. Bonus content is live now and there's so much more to explore! www.patreon.com/posts/148721...
While serving as England’s ambassador to Venice, Henry Wotton operated without direct instructions for weeks at a time—making decisions that could prevent war or provoke it, long before messages could cross Europe. www.cassidycash.com/ep407
February 5, 2026 at 3:04 PM
While serving as England’s ambassador to Venice, Henry Wotton operated without direct instructions for weeks at a time—making decisions that could prevent war or provoke it, long before messages could cross Europe. www.cassidycash.com/ep407
Shakespeare may have invented the word "seamy" but it is incredibly literal. Find out what he meant when he uses it in his play. #WeirdWordWednesday
February 4, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Shakespeare may have invented the word "seamy" but it is incredibly literal. Find out what he meant when he uses it in his play. #WeirdWordWednesday
Shakespeare was 4 years old when Henry Wotton was born. Wotton would grow up to shape the entire world of diplomacy for England, not only a poet himself, but trained to read, interpret, and survive the dangerous politics of early modern Europe. www.cassidycash.com/ep407
February 3, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Shakespeare was 4 years old when Henry Wotton was born. Wotton would grow up to shape the entire world of diplomacy for England, not only a poet himself, but trained to read, interpret, and survive the dangerous politics of early modern Europe. www.cassidycash.com/ep407
For each show, there's background research beyond what fits in our conversation. If you would like to see the extras, come Inside That Shakespeare Society, where I share the maps, documents, artifacts, and other visuals you can look at while you listen. www.patreon.com/thatshakespe...
February 2, 2026 at 8:04 PM
For each show, there's background research beyond what fits in our conversation. If you would like to see the extras, come Inside That Shakespeare Society, where I share the maps, documents, artifacts, and other visuals you can look at while you listen. www.patreon.com/thatshakespe...
NEW EPISODE: Henry Wotton helped invent modern diplomacy—surviving exile, espionage, and Venetian politics while Shakespeare was writing Othello. This story is wild. 🎭 www.cassidycash.com/ep407
February 2, 2026 at 3:03 PM
NEW EPISODE: Henry Wotton helped invent modern diplomacy—surviving exile, espionage, and Venetian politics while Shakespeare was writing Othello. This story is wild. 🎭 www.cassidycash.com/ep407
Some of the harshest winters in England occurred during Shakespeare's lifetime. Did these cold winters and snow events impact the travelling playing companies? Let's find out right now on YouTube youtu.be/WCcGGvln-xQ
February 1, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Some of the harshest winters in England occurred during Shakespeare's lifetime. Did these cold winters and snow events impact the travelling playing companies? Let's find out right now on YouTube youtu.be/WCcGGvln-xQ
Banbury cakes is an example of a recipe from the 17thC you can easily recreate at home. www.cassidycash.com/ep406
January 30, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Banbury cakes is an example of a recipe from the 17thC you can easily recreate at home. www.cassidycash.com/ep406
If you love listening to That Shakespeare Life each week, That Shakespeare Society is where the history goes even deeper. Members have access to behind-the-scenes research, special Society events, and historical details not shared anywhere else. patreon.com/thatshakespearelife
January 29, 2026 at 8:02 PM
If you love listening to That Shakespeare Life each week, That Shakespeare Society is where the history goes even deeper. Members have access to behind-the-scenes research, special Society events, and historical details not shared anywhere else. patreon.com/thatshakespearelife
Fish were a food often given as Lenten gifts. One will from 1537 stipulated that a barrel of white herring were to be given to the poor of Essex to help them through the fast. www.cassidycash.com/ep406
January 29, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Fish were a food often given as Lenten gifts. One will from 1537 stipulated that a barrel of white herring were to be given to the poor of Essex to help them through the fast. www.cassidycash.com/ep406
In Shakespeare’s world, palmy described a time of success, prosperity, and flourishing fortune. More than simple wealth, it evoked triumph and abundance at one’s peak. In this short, we explore how the word captures moments of glory—and why it still resonates today.
January 28, 2026 at 3:04 PM
In Shakespeare’s world, palmy described a time of success, prosperity, and flourishing fortune. More than simple wealth, it evoked triumph and abundance at one’s peak. In this short, we explore how the word captures moments of glory—and why it still resonates today.
One widespread custom in the 16-17thC was the funeral dole: Bread was given to the poor via bread tokens which were redeemable for food. In this way, funeral feasting functioned as social mourning, but also religious duty and public identity. www.cassidycash.com/ep406
January 27, 2026 at 3:03 PM
One widespread custom in the 16-17thC was the funeral dole: Bread was given to the poor via bread tokens which were redeemable for food. In this way, funeral feasting functioned as social mourning, but also religious duty and public identity. www.cassidycash.com/ep406
There's a great deal of research behind every episode of That Shakespeare Life. To see this bonus content, come Inside That Shakespeare Society, where I have maps, documents, artifacts, and other visuals that let you see the history you learn about on the podcast. www.patreon.com/thatshakespe...
January 26, 2026 at 8:01 PM
There's a great deal of research behind every episode of That Shakespeare Life. To see this bonus content, come Inside That Shakespeare Society, where I have maps, documents, artifacts, and other visuals that let you see the history you learn about on the podcast. www.patreon.com/thatshakespe...
NEW EPISODE: Our guest this week, Samantha Bilton, has just published her latest book, Much Ado About Cooking where she explores the history of foods mentioned in Shakespeare's plays and how you can recreate them in the 21st century. Let's dive in! www.cassidycash.com/ep406
January 26, 2026 at 3:03 PM
NEW EPISODE: Our guest this week, Samantha Bilton, has just published her latest book, Much Ado About Cooking where she explores the history of foods mentioned in Shakespeare's plays and how you can recreate them in the 21st century. Let's dive in! www.cassidycash.com/ep406
Shakespeare has Romeo refer to his name as a "bullet" that would harm Juliet. Would Shakespeare have had guns--or even hand guns--in the 16th century? Let's find out right now on YouTube youtu.be/6DWe-IqzaEs
January 25, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Shakespeare has Romeo refer to his name as a "bullet" that would harm Juliet. Would Shakespeare have had guns--or even hand guns--in the 16th century? Let's find out right now on YouTube youtu.be/6DWe-IqzaEs
Inside That Shakespeare Society, members can explore portraits of the Rosencrantz & Gyldenstierne families, maps of Anglo-Danish trade routes, images of Wittenberg University, and Elsinore Castle—If you love the history behind the plays, you’ll feel at home here. www.patreon.com/posts/148056...
January 23, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Inside That Shakespeare Society, members can explore portraits of the Rosencrantz & Gyldenstierne families, maps of Anglo-Danish trade routes, images of Wittenberg University, and Elsinore Castle—If you love the history behind the plays, you’ll feel at home here. www.patreon.com/posts/148056...