Shakespeares Life

Queen Elizabeth's Reign

1558

England flourished during her reign so it is called the Golden Age of Elizabeth. She reigned from 1558-1603.

Shakespeare's Birth

Apr 23, 1564

Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564.

William Shakespeare is Baptized.

Apr 26, 1564

William Shakespeare is baptized on April 26, 1564 at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford.

Shakespeare goes to school.

1570

Shakespeare enters King's New School, an excellent grammar school in Stratford attended by the sons of civil servants like his father.

Shakespeare Marries

Nov 28, 1582

The Bishop of Worcester issues a marriage license to "William Shakespeare" and "Ann Hathaway," formalizing the marriage of 18-year-old William Shakespeare and 26-year-old Anne Hathaway.

Shakespeare's First Child is Born

May 26, 1583

Six months after their marriage, the Shakespeare's first child, Susanna, is born and baptized.

Twins are Born

1585

Anne Hathaway gives birth to twins, son Hamnet and daughter Judith. The babies are named after Shakespeare's close friends, Hamnet and Judith Sadler.

First Play

1590

Around this time, Shakespeare writes Henry VI, Part One—his very first play. Like all of Shakespeare's plays, the precise year of its authorship is now unclear. Also around the same time, Shakespeare leaves Stratford to begin work as a playwright and actor in London.

"Venus and Adonis"

1593

Shakespeare publishes "Venus and Adonis," his first long published poem. It is dedicated to his patron Henry Wriothesley, the Earl of Southampton.

"The Rape of Lucrece"

1594

Shakespeare publishes "The Rape of Lucrece," also dedicated to the Earl of Southampton. Shakespeare purchases shares in the Chamberlain's Men.

Death of Hamnet

Sep 11, 1596

William and Anne bury their only son, Hamnet, who dies at the age of 11 of unknown causes.

Globe Theater Built

1599

The Chamberlain's Men build the Globe, a wooden theater in London. Many of Shakespeare's most famous plays are performed for the first time here.

Hamlet

1601

Shakespeare's father dies and his patron Earl Southampton is sentenced to death for his role in the Essex rebellion. It is believed that his father's death motivates Shakespeare to write Hamlet around this time. Shakespeare's plays over the next few years take a dark, brooding tone.

End of Queen Elizabeth's Reign

Mar 24, 1603

Queen Elizabeth died on 24 March, 1603.

James VI and I Reign

Mar 24, 1603

King James ruled both England and Scotland at the same time as a powerful monarch. He ruled as almost as absolute as Queen Elizabeth.

Sonnets Published

1609

Publisher Thomas Thorpe prints a collection of 154 of Shakespeare's sonnets.

Final Plays

1613

Shakespeare composes his final plays— Henry VIII, Two Noble Kinsmen (possibly written in 1614), and the now-lost Cardenio—in collaboration with John Fletcher, replacement playwright for the King's Men. The Globe catches fire during a performance of Henry VIII and burns to the ground.

Last Will

Mar 25, 1616

An ailing Shakespeare calls his lawyer to revise his will, making some odd changes that include leaving his "second-best bed" to his wife and £10 to the poor.

Shakespeare Dies

Apr 23, 1616

Suffering from an unknown illness, William Shakespeare dies on his 52nd birthday.

King James Dies

Mar 27, 1625

James left a period of turmoil for his son.