William Shakespeare Timeline
NoSweatShakespeare cannot guarantee the accuracy of this timeline because there is so much we don't know about Shakespeare's life. We have made a gallant effort, however, and this will give you a good idea of the course of Shakespeare's life.
1564
Born in Stratford-upon-Avon to tanner and glove maker, John Shakespeare and his wife, Mary (Arden). His actual birthday is unknown but assumed to be April the 23 rd . His baptism was recorded in the Parish register of Holy Trinity Church on April the 26th.
1571.
If Shakespeare went to school this is when he would have started because children in Stratford began their schooling at the age of seven. He would have gone to the local grammar school.
1582
Shakespeare marries Anne Hathaway November the 27th at Temple Grafton, a village near Stratford.
1583
Susanna, his first child is born.
1585
Judith and Hamnet, twins, are born , February 2nd. Shakespeare goes to London and starts his theatrical career .
1589-1592
Shakespeare establishes his career and begins to make a name for himself.
Writes: The Comedy of Errors, Henry VI, 1,2,3, Richard III, The Taming of the Shrew, Titus Andronicus
1593
Dedicates Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece to Henry Wriothsley, Earl of Southampton - thought to be the beautiful youth of the sonnets.
Writes: Venus and Adonis,
Begins writing: The sonnets , Love's Labour's Lost, Two Gentlemen of Verona
1594
Founding member of the Lord Chamberlain's Men , an acting company.
Published: The Rape of Lucrece
1596-1597
Hamnet dies. Shakespeare purchases New Place , a large house in Stratford.
Writes: Merchant of Venice, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Richard II, Romeo and Juliet
1598-1599
The Globe Theater built on Bankside 1599 - Shakespeare is a shareholder.
Writes: As You Like It, Henry IV,1,2, Henry V, Julius Caesar, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Much Ado About Nothing
1600-1608
1601 Shakespeare's father dies.
1603 The Lord Chamberlain's Men become The King's Men and perform regularly at court.
1607 Susanna Shakespeare marries Dr. John Hall.
1608 The King's Men begin playing at the Blackfriars.
1608 Shakespeare's mother dies.
Writes: All's Well That Ends Well, Antony and Cleopatra, Coriolanus, Hamlet, King Lear, Macbeth, Measure for Measure, Othello, Timon of Athens, Troilus & Cressida, Twelfth Night
1609-1611
1609 the Sonnets published.
Writes: Cymbeline, Pericles Prince of Tyre, The Tempest, The Winter's Tale
1612-1616
Shakespeare retires from the theatre and returns to live in Stratford. Works on new plays with his friend, John Fletcher.
1616 Judith Shakespeare married Thomas Quiney.
Shakespeare dies 23 rd April 1616 (on his birthday) and is buried in Holy Trinity Church.
Writes: Cardenio, Henry VIII, The Two Noble Kinsmen
