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1558
Elizabeth the 1st
Elizabeth the 1st ruled over England and Ireland from 1558 to 1603. She was the queen most of Shakespeare's life. -
Apr 23, 1564
Birth
William Shakespeare is born in Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom. He was born on April 23, 1564. -
Apr 26, 1564
Baptizing
William Shakespeare was baptized three days after his birth, on April 26, 1564. -
1569
Enters School
Little is known about Shakespeare's life before 1592, but the school he first went to in Stratford was call "Kings new school". It was a grammar school and boys usually started going at the age of five. His years before 1592, are known as "The lost years". -
1582
Childhood & Family (1564-1582)
William's family was prosperous as his family was a glove-maker and wool trader. He also eventually became Baliff of Stratford. In his childhood he attended school and learned to read, speak, and write Latin. Unfortunately he left school at the age 15. -
"Just Married"
William Shakespeare is married to his bride, Anne Hathaway, on November 28, 1582. -
First Child
William Shakespeare and his wife had their first child together, Suzanna. Suzanna was born on May 26, 1583. -
Twins
William Shakespeare and his wife have twins, Hamnet and Judith, in January 1585. -
First Play
Shakespeare wrote his first play Henry VI, Part One around this time. -
Greene attacks Shakespeare
Shakespeare gets critiqued and shamed by a fellow playwright, Robert Greene, who called him a upstart crow who does not belong. Now it is known that Shakespeare became so successful to make all of them jealous. -
Plague!
The scary bubonic plague breaks out and the London theaters eventually have to close. Unfortunately about 5% of the cities population parishes. Alongside this plague and the sudden closing of the London theaters, Shakespeare uses this time to write more poetry. -
Theaters Reopen
In 1594, the London theaters open back up to the public. Shakespeare's troupe, the Chamberlains Men becomes very popular over the years again in London. -
Death of his only son, Hamnet
William and his wife bury their only son, Hamnet. He died at the age of 11 of unknown causes. -
Globe Theater Built
The Chamberlains Men build the First Globe, made of wood. Many of Shakespeare's most famous plays were performed in this place. -
James the 1st
James the 1st ruled from Elizabeth the 1st death in 1603, until his death in 1625. He ruled the remaining years of Shakepeare's life. -
Shakespeare returns to Stratford
After many years in London, Shakespeare finally returns back to Stratford in about 1611-1613 where his wife and daughters live. -
Final Plays of Shakespeare
Shakespeare composed his final plays in the remaining years of his life. Some of them were: Henry VII, Two Noble Kinsmen, Cardenio, and more. -
Death
William Shakespeare dies from an unknown illness on April 23,1616. He was 52 years old. -
Burial
Buried in Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon. Same church that he was baptized in. -
First Folio Published
John Heminge and Henry Condell, Shakespeare's friends of the King's Men, collected 36 of their friends plays and published them together in a volume now known as the First Folio.
