Timeline of Shakespeare's life and times
Explore our interactive timeline of Shakespeare's life and times.
1594
1592
1582
1564
1585
1574
1593
1590
1583
1575
1571
1564
William Shakespeare was born. Eldest son of John and Mary Shakespeare. Baptised at Holy Trinity Church on 26th April 1564.
1571
Attended Grammar School. William Shakespeare began his education at the age of seven at the Grammar School a short walk from him home.
1574
Lord Leicester's Men visit the town. Young William may have enjoyed some of the best professional theatrical performances of the day when the Lord Leicester's Men visted the town.
1575
Queen Elizabeth I visted Kenilworth Castle. In July 1575 the Queen was a guest of Robert Dudley for three weeks of celebrations at nearly Kenilworth Castle.
1582
William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. On the 28th November 1582 the Bishop of Worcester approved the marriage of William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon to Anne Hathaway of Shottery.
1583
Susanna Shakespeare was born. Susanna was baptised on 26th May 1583.
1585
Twins John and Hamnet Shakespeare were born. Shakespeare’s twins, Judith and her brother Hamnet, were baptised on the 2nd February 1585. It is believed William Shakespeare left Stratford-upon-Avon for London shortly after this date.
1590
Shakespeare believed to be working in London. 1590-1591 Shakespeare is thought to have written The Two Gentlemen of Verona and The Taming of the Shrew around this time.
1592
First mention of Shakespeare as a playwright in London. Shakespeare was described as an "upstart crow".
1593
London theatres closed because of the plague. Theatres closed for more than a year. Players travelled around the country to perform.
1594
Shakespeare known to be an actor and playwright with the Lord Chamberlian's Men. This acting troupe performed at Court for the Queen as well as at the Globe Theatre from 1599 and other venues in London and around the country.
1595
Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream. 1594-5 Shakespeare wrote two of his most famous plays.
1596
Shakespeare's only son, Hamnet, dies aged 11. William Shakespeare lost his son. Later that year, on 20 th October, he obtained a coat of arms for his father, John Shakespeare.
1597
Shakespeare bought New Place in Stratford-upon-Avon. William Shakespeare purchased the second largest house in town as his new family home. He turned in into a house suitable for a gentleman and his family.
1599
The Globe Theatre opened in London. William Shakespeare and the Lord Chamberlain’s Men opened the theatre at Southwark in London, probably with a performance of Julius Caesar.
1601
John Shakespeare, Willaim's father, died. Shortly afterwards, in 1602, William bought land near Stratford-upon-Avon.
1603
Death of Elizabeth I and accession of James I. James VI of Scotland was crowned James I of England. Sometime afterwards Shakespeare’s company became The King’s Men.
1608
Shakespeare's granddaughter Elizabeth Hall born. Elizabeth was the only child of Susanna Shakespeare and her husband, the physician John Hall. In the same year, Shakespeare’s mother Mary died and the River Thames in London froze over.
1609
Shakespeare's Sonnets were published. 154 sonnets were gathered together and published as one book or ‘Quarto’.
1611
The Tempest was first performed. Performed at the court of King James by The King’s Men.
1613
The Globe Theatre burnt down. During a performance of Henry VIII a cannon was fired and accidently set fire to the thatched roof. The theatre burnt to the ground.
1616
William Shakespeare died. Shakespeare died at the age of 52 and was buried on 26th April at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon. He is recorded as ‘William Shakespeare, Gent’.
1623
The First Folio was published. Fellow actors Heminges and Condell published ‘Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories and Tragedies’ in a collection known as the ‘First Folio’. Without the book many of Shakespeare’s plays would have been lost.