There is an interesting article about William Shakespeare in the January 2016 College of Arms Newsletter about a new Shakespeare website:
"Shakespeare Documented: this significant online Shakespeare resource launched on 20 January 2016, aiming to be 'the largest and most authoritative resource for learning about primary sources that document the life and career of William Shakespeare.' This free and publicly accessible online exhibition is curated by Dr Heather Wolfe of the Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C., and includes images, descriptions, and transcriptions of all known references and allusions to Shakespeare and his works during his lifetime and shortly thereafter, as well as additional references to his family. More than 30 institutions have contributed to the project.
"Six documents in the archive of the College of Arms are included. Three of these relate to the grant of Arms by William Dethick, Garter King of Arms, to John Shakespeare, father of William; whilst three relate to the actions of Ralph Brooke, York Herald, in contesting twenty-three grants of Arms made by Dethick, including that to John Shakespeare. Illustrated right is the defence by Garter and Clarenceux Kings of Arms against Brooke's accusations, dated 1602. College reference: Coll Arm Ms WZ f.276v."
This is the website:
http://www.shakespearedocumented.org/
Along the same lines, there is a bit about Shakespeare's coat of arms at The Shakespeare Blog:
http://theshakespeareblog.com/2011/11/the-facts-about-shakespeares-...
http://theshakespeareblog.com/2011/11/the-mysteries-of-emblems-mott...
