It appears to be the find of a lifetime. Shakespeareans worldwide were electrified earlier this year by the announced discovery of a previously unknown source—or inspiration—for many of the works of William Shakespeare.

Researcher Dennis McCarthy and colleague June Schlueter made the case that the Bard drew repeatedly from a manuscript written in the late 1500s by a courtier of Elizabeth I. Using plagiarism-detecting software, they identified unique storylines and ideas in both the earlier document and Shakespeare’s works.

McCarthy walks through his and Schlueter's work in a discussion of their book A Brief Discourse of Rebellion & Rebels by George North: A Newly Uncovered Manuscript Source for Shakespeare's Plays. His presentation is part of the McMeel Family Shakespeare Series in collaboration with the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival.