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Apr 26, 1564
William Shakespeare is Born
On April 26th, 1564, William Sheakespeare was born to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden in Stratford-upon-Avon. It is remarkable that William Shakespeare survived to adulthood, as shortly after his birth, 1/7 of Stratford died from the bubonic plague. Only 1/3 of the children in Stratford survived childhood. -
Apr 26, 1579
William Shakespeare Quits School
William Shakespeare had to quit school at either 14 or 15. He had studied at King's New School, but his father pulled him out because of "narrowing circumstances," and because he needed William to help out at home. Most likely, William Shakespeare had to help his father with glovering, as his father was a glover (someone who cures or prepares white or soft leather.) In Shakespeare's day, boys usually finished grammar school at 15 or 16 and then went on to a university. -
William Shakespeare Gets Married
In 1582, Shakespeare got married at age eighteen. He married Anne Hathaway from Stratford. The episcipopal registry at Worcester had a bond dated November 28th, 1582. It was executed by two yeomen of Stratford as a security to the bishop for the issue of a marriage license between William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway. -
Shakespeare Begins His Career in Theater
In 1592, William Shakespeare left his home in Stratford-upon-Avon and began working in theater. We know this because Robert Green wrote a book called the Groatsworth of Wit. In his book, he complained about Shakespeare and called him an "upstart crow." Later on, his editor, Henry Chattle, made a public apolagy to Shakespeare for the Groatsworth of Wit. -
Shakespeare Becomes Principal Writer For Lord Chamberlain's Men
In 1594, William Shakespeare became the principal writer for the Lord Chamberlain's Men. Lord Chamberlain's Men was a a successful company, and it was one of the two leading companies for actors. For this company, Shakespeare wrote many plays, including The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and As You Like It. -
William Shakespeare's Son Dies
In 1596, William Shakespeare's son, Hamnet, died at the age of eleven. He died while William Shakespeare was on tour in Kent. The cause of death was unknown, but plague and famine were very common in Stratford at that time. This was significant because Hamnet was the last male child in William and John Shakespeare's line. -
Shakespeare Becomes Part of the King's Men
In 1603, King James became the patron of the company Shakespeare was part of, the Lord Chamberlain's Men. The name of the company changed to the King's Men. Also, the flag of the King's Men now flew over the Globe Theater. -
William Shakespeare's Sonnets are Published
In 1609, Shakespeare's sonnets were published. They are dedicated to a Mr. W. H., whose identity still remains unknown. The subjects of many of these sonnets are the famous "dark lady," as well as the unfaithful friend. Even if Shakespeare had only written these 154 sonnets, he still would have become a celebrated English poet. -
William Shakespeare Makes His Will
On March 25th, 1616, William Shakespeare made his will. His will is a long and detailed document. He left his property to the male heirs of his oldest daughter Susanna. He gave his "second best" bed to his wife as an afetrthought. The testators' signatures to the will are shaky, as Shakespeare might have already been ill. -
William Shakespeare Dies
On April 23rd, 1616, William Shakespeare died at the age of 52. His cause of death is unknown, He is buried at the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon. On his tombstone, there is a poem beleived to have been written by Shakespeare that warns about moving his bones.
