Shakespeare's Birthplace
Shakespeare's Birthplace
- Attraction
- Culture
- Education
- Landmark
Visitors can see the house where Shakespeare was born, and where he lived for the first five years of his marriage with Anne Hathaway.
As his father, John Shakespeare, was the mayor of the town, his family were wealthy enough to own the largest house on Henley Street and because of his father’s status, William was able to attend grammar school and begin his education.
William inherited the house as the eldest surviving son before leasing out part of the property as an inn until 1847. When William Shakespeare passed away, his daughter Suzanna inherited the house, which was then passed down to her daughter Elizabeth. As Elizabeth didn’t have any children, Joan Hart, a descendant of William’s sister inherited the house and eventually, the family sold it to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in 1847.
Today, the Trust looks after the house and has opened it as a small museum for the public. The director from 1945 to 1989, Dr Levi Fox had pushed for the Shakespeare Centre to be constructed next to Shakespeare’s house.
Key Points
- Stratford-upon-Avon was hit by the plague at the time of Shakespeare’s birth, he was fortunate to survive it but it was believed his son Hamnet succumbed to the disease and died.
- Before becoming the mayor, John Shakespeare was a glove maker who created fashionable pieces enjoyed by the upper class.
- William Shakespeare’s life is a mystery between the years 1585 and 1592; this is the period leading into how Shakespeare became a prominent Londoner.
- Shakespeare was buried in a church of the town he was raised. There was an epitaph promising bad luck to anyone who moves his bones and blessings to those who spare them, this was believed to be a measure to countering grave robbers from his time.
Location
Shakespeare's Birthplace
Shakespeare's Birthplace
- Attraction
- Culture
- Education
- Landmark
Visitors can see the house where Shakespeare was born, and where he lived for the first five years of his marriage with Anne Hathaway.
As his father, John Shakespeare, was the mayor of the town, his family were wealthy enough to own the largest house on Henley Street and because of his father’s status, William was able to attend grammar school and begin his education.
William inherited the house as the eldest surviving son before leasing out part of the property as an inn until 1847. When William Shakespeare passed away, his daughter Suzanna inherited the house, which was then passed down to her daughter Elizabeth. As Elizabeth didn’t have any children, Joan Hart, a descendant of William’s sister inherited the house and eventually, the family sold it to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in 1847.
Today, the Trust looks after the house and has opened it as a small museum for the public. The director from 1945 to 1989, Dr Levi Fox had pushed for the Shakespeare Centre to be constructed next to Shakespeare’s house.
- Stratford-upon-Avon was hit by the plague at the time of Shakespeare’s birth, he was fortunate to survive it but it was believed his son Hamnet succumbed to the disease and died.
- Before becoming the mayor, John Shakespeare was a glove maker who created fashionable pieces enjoyed by the upper class.
- William Shakespeare’s life is a mystery between the years 1585 and 1592; this is the period leading into how Shakespeare became a prominent Londoner.
- Shakespeare was buried in a church of the town he was raised. There was an epitaph promising bad luck to anyone who moves his bones and blessings to those who spare them, this was believed to be a measure to countering grave robbers from his time.