Did Shakespeare have a secret sister? Long-lost document reveals

William Shakespeare's family history takes a surprising turn with the revelation of a long-lost sibling, Joan Shakespeare, who was five years younger than the renowned playwright.

This secret emerged in a study led by Professor Matthew Steggle from the University of Bristol.

In contrary to the general opinion, Joan is vividly presented in aconstituting document of the so-called The 'Spiritual Testament,' to which she is known as the author although it was once thought to be written by her father, John Shakespeare.

The finding gives to us a new truth that changes the past strongly and reveals the Joan who was in the shadows of the Shakespeare family.

While she was a blissful civilian in Stratford-upon-Avon, Joan's thread was woven with her brother's now-renowned signature. However, her contributions went unnoticed until now. 

Mary does not only show her compatibility with her husband by getting married and bearing children but also makes it evident that her passion for writing lies behind her adaptation of ‘The Last Will and Testament of the Soul,’ which reveals her literary interests.

The resolution of the peculiar enigma of the Spiritual Testament is a result of Professor Steggle's expert research, thereby elucidating its authorship and historiographical value. 

Study traces back early editions of the text, which proves that, Joan is in fact the genuine creator therefore nullifying misinformed suppositions about Shakespeare’s lineage. 

Joan's femininity could have been a hindrance because her literary greatness became obscured and was behind her brother's imposing literary achievement.

The papers publication in Shakespeare Quarterly, being a landmark itself, is on top of this list while filling in the gaps in our knowledge about societal norms during the period of Shakespeare.