William Shakespeare Birth date assumed to be April 23, 1564 Records of births and marriages kept only by the church at this time Born in Stratford-upon-Avon

Shakespeare Parents were well-to-do Father was important in community. He was a high baliff (like a mayor). Shakespeare married Ann Hathaway: He was 18; she was 26. They had 3 children.

Shakespeare Began writing plays but wrote poetry when the Bubonic plague hit from 1592-1594. When plague ended he formed the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (London’s acting company)

Queen Elizabeth placed his company under her protection Queen Elizabeth placed his company under her protection. Puritans were trying to shut it down. King James I continued protection, but the company’s name was changed to The King’s Men.

His theater was called THE GLOBE-half of the roof was covered.

All kinds of theater goers: rich and poor Groundlings were poor people who sat on the ground—threw fruit at the actors if they got bored. Actors were men only In 1613 it burned down by a spark set from a cannon used in a play.