-
Period: 1533 to
Rulers During Shakespeare's Time
There were two monarchs during Shakespeare's time. When Shakespeare was born in 1564, Queen Elizabeth 1 had been on the throne for six years. Queen Elizabeth 1 was the queen of England for 45 years. Her reign ended on 24 March 1603. King James took the throne in 1603,13 years before Shakespeare's death. King James reign ended in 1625. -
Apr 26, 1564
William Shakespeare is born
William Shakespeare was born in Startford-upon-Avon, a market town. Shakespeares family was prosperous. His father eventually became Bailiff of Startford. -
Apr 26, 1564
William Shakespeare is Baptized
William Shakespeare is christened at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford. -
1569
Shakespeare Goes to School
Shakespeare enters King's New School, an excellent grammar school in Stratford attended by the sons of civil servants like his father. Boys mainly enter the school around the age of five, but since there are no official records, its impossible to know exactly when Shakespeare started his education. -
Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway Marry
In 1852 Shakespeare who at the time was 18 married Anne Hathaway who was 26. On this day they paid a 40 pound bond for their marriage license in Stratford-upon-Avon. -
First Child Born
Six months after their marriage, the Shakespeare's first child, Susanna, is born and baptized. -
The Birth of Shakespeare's Twins
Twin children were born to Anne and William. They were named Hamnet and Judith. Hamnet died of unknown causes at the age of 11. Little is known about Judith's life. -
William Shakespeare's First Play
Around 1590 William Shakespeare writes his first play Henry IV Part 1. Henry IV Part 1 is the story of Prince Hal a fifteenth century wild child who carouses with criminals and commoners, helps his loser chums rob his father's treasury, and spends all his time in seedy bars. -
Shakespeare Becomes a Playright
William began his career as a playwright in London. He was a managing partner in The Lord Chamberlain's Men Acting Company. Several of his early plays were sold and produced at this time. -
The Plague Closes Theaters
London theaters close because of a bubonic plague that eventually kills about 5% of the city's residents. Shakespeare then writes a poem about the break. -
Theaters Reopen
In the spring of 1594, the London theaters reopen to the public. Over the next five years Shakespeare's troupe called the Chamberlain's Men, becomes one of the most popular acting groups in London. They also accepted frequent invitations to perform in the royal court of Queen Elizabeth I. -
Death Of Hamnet
William and Anne bury their only son, Hamnet, who dies at the age of 11 of unknown causes. -
Romeo and Juliet
The play which is set in Verona is a story about a long feud between the Montague and Capulet families. This feud causes tragic results for the main characters in the play, Romeo and Juliet.
This was one of Shakespeare's most famous play. -
New Home
Because Shakespeare was wealthy thanks to his theater work and shrewd investments, Shakespeare bought New Place, the second-largest house in Stratford. -
The Globe Theater
Shakespeare built his own theater on the south bank of the Thames River, called The Globe Theater. By this time, his most important historical plays, such as Richard II and Herny VI were written at his time. -
Queen Elizabeth 1
Elizabeth made at least 25 progresses during her reign. However, Elizabeth's reign was one of considerable danger and difficulty for many, with threats of invasion from Spain through Ireland, and from France through Scotland. -
King James Becomes Ruler
Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth I, King James becomes the ruler of England and Ireland. The Chamberlain's Men change their name to the King's Men and perform before King James eleven times between 1 November 1604 and 31 October 1605. -
The Globe Theater Burns Down
During a play, a cannon fire during the performance of "Henry VIII" ignited a fire that burned the Globe Theater to the ground. -
The Death Of William Shakespeare
Shakespeare died in his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon at the age of fifty-two. The cause of Shakespeare's death is a mystery. -
The Burial of William Shakespeare
Shakespeare was buried at Church of the Holy Trinity, Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom
