1. Shakespeare’s Times

2. William Shakespeare 26 April 1564 (baptised) 23 April 1616 (died)
Wrote approximately 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other poems.
His plays have been translated into every major modern language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.

3. Shakespeare was born and brought up in Stratford-upon-Avon
Shakespeare was born and brought up in Stratford-upon-Avon. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith.
Shakespeare’s wife
NOT Shakespeare’s wife

4. Only 70 years before in 1492 Christopher Colombus had “discovered” the Americas. Before that sailors didn’t go too far to sea in case they fell off the end of the world (because the world was flat)

5. Queen Elizabeth I

6. The Spanish Armada 1588
England was a superpower in the world with the best navy.
It beat the attacking 180 ships of the Spanish fleet (the Armada). The King of Spain wanted to take over England.

7. Tobacco had just been discovered in America and was brought back to England. It was used as snuff and to smoke.

8. The Great Plague ( ) was a massive outbreak of disease in England that killed 75,000 to 100,000 people, up to a fifth of London's population. The disease is generally believed to have been bubonic plague. The theatres were shut down to dissuade people from gathering together.

10. Who was William Shakespeare. - Where and when was he was born
Who was William Shakespeare?   - Where and when was he was born? - Was he married? If so, to whom? - Did he have children? - Name 5 of his famous plays. - What else did he write, other than plays?   The times he lived   - Who was Queen of England at the time? Find 5 things about life at the time, that are different to today.