-
Apr 23, 1564
Shakespeare is born
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, a town which is about 100 miles northwest of London. Since birth records were not kept as diligently in the 16th century, April 23 has been assigned as Shakespeare's birthday by tradition, and not necessarily by historical accuracy. April 23rd had long been considered an ideal date to assign to prominent English poets, as this date had been associated with St. George, the patron saint of England. -
Apr 26, 1564
Shakespeare is baptized in Stratford's Holy Trinity Church
In the 16th century, it was a common custom to baptize babies a few days after birth - possibly due to high infant mortality rates. Church records provide Shakespeare's actual date of baptism, which enables historians to make an educated guess on his date of birth. -
Shakespeare marries Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway was the daughter of Richard Hathaway of Shottery. She was eight years older than Shakespeare and three months pregnant at the time of their wedding. -
Shakespeare's daughter Susanna is baptized.
Two years later, Shakespeare and his wife also had two twins named Hamnet and Judith. -
The theatres of England reopen
The theatres had been closed a year before due to an alarming number of plague deaths. -
Shakespeare writes Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare wrote this play about the starcrossed lovers in late 1594 or early 1595. -
Hamlet is written
This was also the year that Shakespeare's own father died, leading many critics to consider "Hamlet' as Shakespeare's most personal play. -
James VI of Scotland become the King of England
Following Queen Elizabeth's death, King James VI initiates the Jacobean Age. -
Shakespeare retires
Shakespeare gives up his craft shortly after "The Tempest" was first performed. It is interesting to note that in the play, the character of Prospero also gives up his craft. -
Shakespeare dies
Shakespeare was buried in the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon. This was the same place where he was baptized. His grave marker 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"
