Stratford-on-Avon and the Shakespeare Connections

I'm often asked to take people on guided tours around Stratford-on-Avon to see William Shakespeare's birthplace and the other properties with the Shakespeare connection.  The timber-framed Tudor style house in Henley Street, pictured on the left, was where the bard was born in 1564.

We do not know the exact date of William's birth but the church register (a copy of which can be seen in Holy Trinity church) records his baptism as being on 26th April 1564.  It's generally accepted that his birthday was 23rd April, three days before he was baptised, which was the tradition in those days.  The birthplace is a fascinating place to visit and it's furniture is typical of the period.  You'll see all the rooms including John Shakespeare's workshop, the downstairs room on the far right of the photograph, and the room  where William was born.

Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-Upon-Avon

A walk to Holy Trinity Church passing the Royal Shakespeare theatre is highly recommended.  In the church, so long as there's no important event taking place, you'll be able to visit the chancel to see Shakespeare's grave as well as the curse he'd had written on the stone to stop people from removing his bones.  You'll also see the font, pictured on the right, in which William Shakespeare was baptised.  Notice the wooden display case alongside where you'll see the parish records of  26th April 1564 and 25th April 1616 which show Shakespeare's baptism and his burial.  From these records we can assume that he was born on 23rd April and died on the same day 52 years later.

After leaving Holy Trinity Church in Stratford's Old Town, we'll pass Hall's Croft, where William Shakespeare's eldest daughter lived following her marriage to Dr John Hall.  The walk will continue to the 15th century Guildhall.  Historian Michael Wood describes it as ‘one of the most atmospheric, magical and important buildings in the whole of Britain’, alongside is the King Edward VI Grammar School.

William's father John Shakespeare a glover and wool dealer, held the office of town bailiff of the borough, so as a child, William would have been entitled to a free place at Big School, as it was known then.  It was here that William's education would have included Latin, Greek, English History and Bible Studies.  We get the feeling that he found the school day long and arduous because included in his description of the Seven Age of Man in 'As You Like It.' He refers to ...the whining schoolboy, with his satchel, and shining morning face, creeping like snail unwillingly to school.

At the moment the school room isn't open to the public except on special occasions, but funding has been secured to restore the Guildhall and it's hoped to open both the hall and Shakespeare's classroom next year for the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death.

Plans for the Guildhall Restoration

Nash's House and New Place, Stratford-Upon-Avon

The picture on the right shows piles of earth in a garden.  This is the site of New Place, the house where William Shakespeare died. The site looks like this at the moment after an archaeological dig to try and discover more about the bard. For 2015 The site of New Place and Nash's House alongside, named after Thomas Nash the first husband of Shakespeare's granddaughter Elizabeth, is closed for essential conservation work, including structural repairs. The site will reopen as a contemporary heritage landmark in 2016, in time for the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death.  See the photo of the model on display in Harvard House.  Plans for New Place

Harvard House, 26 High Street, Stratford-Upon-Avon