When and where was Shakespeare baptized?
As the other educator pointed out, church records indicate that Shakespeare was baptized at Holy Trinity Church in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon on April 26, 1564.
Many experts believe that the record of Shakespeare's baptism was a transcription. In 1598, the well-worn church registers at Holy Trinity Church were replaced with newer registers. Accordingly, entries for births, baptisms, and deaths from 1558 onward were transferred into these new registers.
So, some speculate that important information could have been lost or recorded improperly. Despite that speculation, historians generally believe that the record of Shakespeare's baptism is genuine. They cite the fact that all new entries were signed and verified by the vicars and wardens of Holy Trinity Church.
Historians use Shakespeare's purported baptism date to calculate his birth date as April 23rd, 1564. Although the Book of Common Prayer (1559) advised parents to baptize their infants on Sunday or the next holy day following the birth, few did so. Shakespeare himself was baptized on a Wednesday.
Where and when was Shakespeare born?
Shakespeare was born in England in April of 1564 in the small town of Stratford of Avon. Interestingly, we have many legal and business records about Shakespeare showing his marriage, the birth of his children, property he owned, his will, business documents concerning the Globe theater, records of other places his plays were performed, and, of course, early copies of his plays and poems.
The frustrating aspect of Shakespeare's biography is the lack of information that has come down to us about his personal or interior life: we have no personal letters, for example, that he wrote to friends or family, and no diaries or journals that he kept. Therefore, we have very little idea what he was thinking when he was writing his plays. We have, for instance, no direct evidence of his religious beliefs, his politics, or what most drove him to achieve. Therefore, scholars scour his plays and poetry for hints of what he might have been like. This has led to many conflicting theories, such as that he was a secret Catholic sympathizer—others will argue he was a fervent Protestant. As there is no real way of knowing, the debates about will no doubt continue. If someone were to find a personal letter, say, that he wrote, that would be an event of extraordinary importance in the literary world.
Where and when was Shakespeare born?
Technically, we don’t know the exact date of Shakespeare’s birth in Stratford-on-Avon, because birth records were not kept in England in 1564; what we have is a christening date, or baptism date (April 26, 1564), and scholars have deduced that his birth was probably less than a week earlier, judging from the habits of the time. In addition, putting his birth date at April 23rd coincides with the date of his death 52 years later, on April 23, 1616.
So we celebrate his birthday as April 23, 1564; many cities recite all his sonnets in a group reading on this date each year, or perform key scenes or famous soliloquies from his plays.
Further Reading
Where is Shakespeare's hometown?
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, in 1564 to his parents, John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. It is debated what date Shakespeare was born; some claim it was April 23rd—the day of St. George, the patron saint of England—but it is hard to fully historically determine the date since early moderns in England used the Julian calendar (the Gregorian calendar was not used until 1582). Shakespeare was sent to the Stratford free grammar school, King's New School, most likely starting at age seven. In the late 1580s, Shakespeare left Stratford for London to pursue his now famous career in theater.
Currently, Stratford-upon-Avon has various tourist sites dedicated to Shakespeare, including his childhood home and the home of his wife, Anne Hathaway, along with three other family homes. Additionally, a recreation of the Globe Theatre, the Swan Theatre, stands in the town, where you can see performances of Shakespeare's plays.
When and where did Shakespeare die?
William Shakespeare was born on an undetermined date in April of 1564 and lived until April 23, 1616 (which several scholars believe was also the day of his birth). The only primary source records of his life are his plays, poems, and sonnets, as well as various official records, such as court and church documents. Because of this, much has to be inferred about Shakespeare's life. Over time, he became prominent as an actor, playwright, and manager for the London acting company the Lord Chamberlain's Men, and bought the second-largest house in Stratford-upon-Avon. His investments in real estate brought him extra income and gave him time to focus on his writing.
The cause of Shakespeare's death is unknown. His brother-in-law had died a week earlier, so there may have been a disease spreading. However, that is only a possibility.
One of the things that interests people about Shakespeare's death is his will. In it, he leaves most of his estate to his eldest daughter, Susanna. Many note that he left his wife, Anne, the "second-best bed." Some see this as a slight; Shakespeare married her when he was 18 and she was 26 and pregnant, and so he may have resented her. Still, others argue that the second-best bed would be the marital bed (the best bed being reserved for guests) and so the request was sentimental, not spiteful. Like much of Shakespeare's life and thoughts, we can only guess about the truth.
Who caused Shakespeare's death? Did he die on his birthday?
There's a conspiracy theory right there! No-one really knows how Shakespeare died, but, as there's nothing in the civil and legal documents telling us it was a murder, it seems unlikely that he was killed. He probably just died of old age.
Some scholars think that the signatures on his will, which he signed on March, 25, 1616, tell us he was sick. That seems a little bit of a stretch to me, though it's not been entirely discredited by scholars. John Ward - a Stratford vicar - wrote in his diary some fifty years after Shakespeare's death that "Shakspear Drayton and Ben Jhonson had a merry meeting and it seems drank too hard for Shakespear died of a feavour there contracted." This is just a rumour though - and written after, long after, the event.
But most likely is that he just died of old age.
Shakespeare was buried on April 25, 1616 in Holy Trinity Church, in Stratford (you can visit his grave, even today!) which is where had been baptised some 52 years earlier. Shakespeare was baptised on April 26th 1564, and entered into the register. It was common to baptise children three days after birth, so it seems likely that Shakespeare was born on April 23rd. And that is also the date he died.
Hope it helps!
Where and when was William Shakespeare born?
The actual date of Shakespeare's birth is not certain, though it may be April 26, 1564. It is more traditionally celebrated on St. George's Day, April 23rd.
He was born in Stratford, in England, and baptized in the Holy Trinity Church. Law required that parents have their children baptized on the Sunday following the child's birth (unless unable and could provide reason), so this is how scholars have arrived at the date above (from the baptismal records of the Church).
When was Shakespeare's birthday and what was his age at death?
William Shakespeare is thought to be the best most talented playwright ever, though parts his life remain are still very mysterious. His life spanned the reign of Elizabeth I and that of James I and he brought in countless sayings, new words and descriptions that we still use today.
He was born in Stratford on Avon in the English county of Warwickshire and we know he was baptised a couple of days later (26 April 1564.) Shakespeare's father, John, was both a glove maker and a wool merchant. His mother (Mary Arden) was daughter to a landed gentleman from south of the county. It is thought he attended King Edward VI school which was a grammar school in Stratford.
After a prolific life of writing and fame,he went home from London, spending the last years of his busy life back at Stratford. His death occured on 23 April in the year 1616. He was 52. William Shakespeare was buried at Holy Trinity Church,Stratford. He bequeathed his property to the male heirs ( those of his daughter, Susanna who was the oldest.) He left his second-best bed to his wife but we don't know why - they had mostly lived apart for 20 years of their marriage.
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