Sir Thomas More manuscript (Hand D)

What it is

This manuscript of the play Sir Thomas More was written by several playwrights, including Anthony Munday, around 1600–1604. One section, known as 'Hand D', is believed by many scholars to be in William Shakespeare's own handwriting. It is held by the British Library.

Why it matters

If the attribution is correct, this is the only surviving literary manuscript believed to be written by Shakespeare himself, rather than printed after his death. It gives scholars a rare direct glimpse of how he may have drafted and revised his writing, including crossed-out words and corrections.

Look closer

• Why is the identification of 'Hand D' as Shakespeare's handwriting still debated by scholars?
• What can deletions and marginal notes on a manuscript page tell you about how a writer worked?
• Why do you think so few of Shakespeare's handwritten documents survive?