New research has confirmed that the Elizabethan history play *Edward III* was primarily written by William Shakespeare and that he collaborated with Christopher Marlowe on parts of the work, shedding new light on the early careers of both playwrights. The play, published anonymously in 1596, had long been suspected to include contributions from Shakespeare, but the latest study provides stronger evidence of his authorship alongside Marlowe.

The findings were reached through computer-assisted textual analysis, which divided the script into segments and compared linguistic patterns with works by ten contemporary dramatists active between the late 1580s and mid-1590s. This method examined stylistic markers such as word repetition and the spacing of words within sentences. For example, linguistic features like the frequent use of the word “martial” proved indicative of Marlowe’s style, while other segments aligned closely with Shakespeare’s known writing.

According to the researchers, Shakespeare is credited with the majority of the text, authoring 23 of the identified segments, while Marlowe contributed to nine segments. Notably, Shakespeare’s hand was found in scenes involving the Countess, while Marlowe’s influence was detected in the concluding sections, which depict the capture of King Jean and Prince Charles and the French surrender at Calais.

Dr. Rory Loughnane, a co-author of the study and expert in Early Modern studies at the University of Kent, stated that the discovery challenges traditional views of Shakespeare’s early career. He emphasized that the young playwright worked within a collaborative theatrical environment, engaging with other dramatists like Marlowe, from whom he learned and competed. This approach contrasts with the later image of Shakespeare as a solitary literary genius.

The research was conducted by Dr. Loughnane, who also serves as the general editor of the Oxford Marlowe editorial project, together with Brett Greatley-Hirsch, professor of Renaissance Literature and Textual Studies at the University of Leeds. Loughnane had previously edited *Edward III* for the 2016 New Oxford Shakespeare edition, which first suggested partial Shakespearean authorship.

Marlowe’s early death in 1593, at the age of 29, cut short what Dr. Loughnane described as a "fruitful series of collaborations" between the two playwrights. Earlier studies have also proposed Marlowe’s involvement in co-authoring Shakespearean works such as the Henry VI plays.

Greatley-Hirsch noted that the analysis uses multiple independent linguistic tests to differentiate Marlowe’s writing from Shakespeare’s within the same play, reinforcing the credibility of the findings. The full research will be published in the November issue of *Shakespeare Quarterly*.