William shakespeare the life of the bard

Life of Shakespeare

By s1917
  • Nov 17, 1558

    Queen Elizabeth I

    Queen Elizabeth I
    The reign of Queen Elizabeth I begins.
  • Apr 23, 1564

    Birth of William Shakespeare

    Birth of William Shakespeare
    Although people are unsure when exactly he was born, William Shakespeare was born around this date.
  • Apr 26, 1564

    Baptism

    Baptism
    William Shakespeare is baptized as a baby.

  • Marriage

    Marriage
    18-year-old William Shakespeare marries 26-year-old Anne Hathaway.

  • First Child Born

    First Child Born
    6 months after marrying Anne Hathaway, Susanna, Shakespeare's first child is born.

  • Birth of Twins

    Birth of Twins
    Anne Hathaway gives birth to twins Hamnet and Judith, Hamnet being a boy and Judith being a girl. They are named after Shakespeare's close friends, Hamnet and Judith Sadler.

  • Henry VI

    Henry VI
    Shakespeare writes his first play, Henry VI, Part One, but the exact date is unclear.

  • Bubonic Plague

    Bubonic Plague
    The bubonic plague causes London theaters to close, and Shakespeare uses this break to write poetry

  • Theaters Reopen

    Theaters Reopen
    London reopens the theaters to the public, and Shakespeare's acting troupe, "Chamberlain's Men," become very popular and are frequently invited to perform in front of Queen Elizabeth I.

  • Hamnet Dies

    Hamnet Dies
    Shakespeare's only son, Hamlet, dies at the age of 11 due to unknown causes.

  • Romeo and Juliet

    Romeo and Juliet
    Shakespeare writes one of his most famous tragedies, Romeo and Juliet, and was one of the most performed plays during his time.

  • A New House

    A New House
    Shakespeare buys and moves into New Place, the second largest house in Stratford, which shows how wealthy he was.

  • The Globe

    The Globe
    Shakespeare's acting troupe, Chamberlain's Men, build The Globe, a wooden theater in London.

  • Death of Father

    Death of Father
    2 years after being reinstated into the town council, John Shakespeare dies.

  • King James I

    King James I
    Following Queen Elizabeth I's death, King James I comes to power.

  • Death of Queen Elizabeth I

    Death of Queen Elizabeth I
    Queen Elizabeth dies on this day due to sepsis and her reign ends.

  • A Midsummer Night's Dream

    A Midsummer Night's Dream
    A Midsummer Night's Dream is a comedy about the marriage of Theseus to Hippolyta.

  • King Lear

    King Lear
    Shakespeare writes King Lear, a tragedy based on the gradual madness of King Lear.

  • Hamlet

    Hamlet
    Hamlet is a tragedy about the revenge Prince Hamlet will bestow upon his uncle Claudius with his father's ghost.

  • Death of William Shakespeare

    Death of William Shakespeare
    William Shakespeare dies leaving no record of his death.