Shakespeares early years.

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Shakespeare’s birth place

SHAKESPEARE’S EARLY YEARS

William Shakespeare was born in the year 1564 and died in 1616.  It has been agreed from historical evidence of Shakespeare that he was born on 23rd April 1564.  According to the church parish register, he was baptised on the 26th, three days after birth, custom in that time.  

The 23rd April 1564 being St. George’s day made Shakespeare’s birth date legendary.  

The entry is in Latin and says, “Guiliamus filius Johannes Shakspere”, in other words, “William son of John Shakespeare”.

He was born to middle class parents who lived on Henley Street, Stratford.  His father, John Shakespeare, a local businessman was a glove maker who owned a leather shop.  He was well-known in that area and was a respected man who held several important positions to do with the government.  Some of these positions are as follows; Borough ale-taster, bailiff, the highest public office in Stratford.  Other jobs include; local council member, constable, chamberlain, alderman and ‘high’ bailiff.

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William’s mother, Mary Arden was the daughter of a local farmer, a very wealthy family.  William’s parents – Mary Arden and John Shakespeare, were married in 1557, seven years before William’s birth.  William being the first child to survive birth was the eldest child in the family.  William was the third of eight children.  He was educated in the local grammar school; ‘The Kings New School’.  

Shakespeare later wrote a scene in the play, ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’.  This could have been what inspired him to go on to be an English dramatist and poet!  

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