Once upon a time...In the year 1564, in the English town of Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare was born. Although his actual birthday remains a mystery, we do know that he was baptized on the 26th of April 1564 and this is often referenced as his official birth date.
William grew up to become a world renowned poet, play writer and actor and referred to as ‘England’s national poet’ and the ‘Bard of Avon’. Through his work the English language was enriched with the introduction of many new words including dauntless and radiance. |
Family life |
William grew up in a middle class family in Stratford-upon-Avon. He was the third born of eight children and the oldest surviving son.
His mother Mary was the youngest of Robert Arden’s eight daughters. The Arden family had been prominent in Warwickshire since before the Norman Conquest. Richard Shakespeare, William’s grandfather, was a tenant farmer on land owned by Mary’s father in Snitterfield. Richard and his son John, William’s father, worked together as farmers until 1551. John then moved to Stratford where he set up a business trading in wool, corn and malt and later became the mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon. In 1557, when Mary was 20 years old, she married John Shakespeare. Although Mary gave birth to eight children, the couple did not have good luck. Their first daughter, Joan, born 1558 died, the name was used again for their third daughter. Their second daughter, Margaret, also died in infancy. It is believed that William Shakespeare attended King Edward VI School, an all-boys grammar school in Stratford. Life at the grammar school would’ve been very hard and strict with constant repetition of classes and subjects. It is a wonder how such a strict, repetitive schooling could create (or not destroy) such a brilliant, creative mind. In 1582, at the age of 18, William married 26 year old Anne Hathaway. Together they had three children, Susanna (the eldest) and twins Hamnet and Judith. Hathaway outlived Shakespeare by seven years and died in 1623. At some point between 1610 and 1613, Shakespeare retired. He returned to Stratford-upon-Avon and he died in 1616. He was buried in Holy Trinity Church, where his grave can be visited. The memorable inscription on the grave reads: Good friend, for Jesus' sake forebeare
To digg the dust enclosed heare; Bleste be the man that spares thes stones, And curst be he that moves my bones |