As a result of Shakespeare’s persistent and powerful influence on literature the amount of text devoted to studying, not just the works themselves, but the life of the man and how that might have affected his works is, to say the least, vast. And when that large a number of scholars devote that great an amount of time to studying one subject it is not surprising that they should disagree. Indeed, most of those interested in Shakespeare will have encountered theories that he did not write the works attributed to him. Those who hold this belief are in the minority, which is not to say they are wrong.
However, it would undoubtedly be best to err on the side of caution and side with the majority. Here are the facts of Shakespeare’s life as most agree on them, presented in the order in which they are understood to have occurred.
1564
William Shakespeare was christened in Stratford on April 26th; it is therefore exceedingly likely that this was the year of his birth, judging by known traditions of the time, and just as likely that he was born within a few days of his baptism. He was to have many siblings but only his sister Judith, who died after him, and four brothers lived to adulthood. William’s father was a reasonably successful business man who would seem to have been involved in several trades. He also had a seat on the town council. Little is know about his mother but it is thought that she inherited some of her father’s (Shakespeare’s grandfather’s) estate upon his death.
It is difficult to comment on where Shakespeare was educated but it is known that the King’s New Grammar School was near by and intended for use by boys like William. So if he can be said to have gone to school it is most likely that he went there.
1582
There is a certificate of marriage recording his marriage to Anne Hathaway, who was eight years his senior and already pregnant with Susanna. There are also baptisim records for twins Judith and Hamnet in 1952. Hamnet died age eleven, Shakespeare’s play Hamlet is widely believed to be a tribute to his son. Others still, suggest that his son was in fact called Hamlet. While Shakespeare was to leave for London Anne spent her whole life in Stratford.
1596
There is a recording in the books of the College of Heralds that William Shakespeare had requested a coat of arms, the college acquiesced
1597
Experts mostly agree that, despite his young age, by this point, he would have written a little less than half of his plays. This goes some way to explaining how he procured the second largest house in all of Stratford.
1599
He became one of the joint owners of the Globe Theatre. This was as much a venture of business as any thing else.
1605
There is a record of William’s appearance in a London court; the case was between William’s Land Lord and his brother-in-law
Also occuring in this year was his greatest financial success, perhaps the influence of his father’s tendency towards business. William bought the leases to real estate in Stratford. This was a substantial investment but is known to have generated a generous sixty pounds per annum, more than enough to allow him to devote himself to his writings.
1609
Some of Shakespeare’s sonnets were published without his permission, most experts agree that these were poems that meant a great deal to him personally and he would have considered them private.
This was also the year that Shakespeare returned home, having visited only rarely for roughly twenty years.
1616
Shakespeare died on April 23rd.The words written on his grave stone were :
Good friend, for Jesus´ sake forbeare
To digg the dust enclosed here!
Blest be ye man that spares thes stones
And curst be he that moves my bones.
He was buried in the chancel of Holy Trinity Church, where he had been baptised
1623
The first folio was published by Henry Condell and John Hemminges who were Shakespeare’s friends and fellow actors. This was the first time any of his works had been published in a medium grander than a pamphlet and was without doubt instrumental in the preservation of the plays.