SHAKESPEARE TIMELINE

1558

Elizabeth II, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, is crowned queen.

1564

William Shakespeare is born in Startford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England.

1568

Richard Burbage is born. He will become one of the greatest tragic actors of his age and will eventually portray Hamlet, Lear and Othello in Shakespeare’s productions.

1582

Shakespeare is married to a local farmer’s daughter, Anne Hathaway.

1583

Shakespeare’s first child, his daughter Susanna, is born. The Queen’s Company, an acting troupe, is founded.

1585

Shakespeare’s wife gives birth to twins, Judith and Hamnet.

C.1587

Shakespeare leaves his family in Stratford-upon-Avon to establish himself in London as an actor and playwright.

1588

The English naval fleet, headed by Lord Howard of Effingham, defeats the invading Spanish Armada of nearly 150 ships, sent by Philip II, King of Spain. The English are helped by fierce storms that scatter and sink the Spanish ships. This was one of the more dramatic episodes in England bitter war with Spain, which lasted from 1585-1604.

1591

Shakespeare begins to court the patronage of the royal family and dedicates his poem Venus and Adonis to Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton. Henry is possibly the young man addressed in his Sonnets, which Shakespeare is believed to have started in writing about this time. Henry dies in 1593.

1592

The plague sweeps through London, leading to the closure of many of the city’s playhouses for the next two years.

1594

Shakespeare becomes a founding member of the acting group the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. The company performs at the Theatre, north London. Shakespeare both acts with and writes for the troupe. Over the next two years, he begins to gain recognition as the leading playwright in London.

1596

Shakespeare’s son Hamnet dies at the age of 11. John Shakespeare, Shakespeare’s father, reapplies successfully for a family coat of arms.

1597-1598

Shakespeare purchases the New Place residence in Stratford-upon-Avon. It is around this time that Shakespeare begins to reach artistic maturity.

1599

The Globe Theatre is built in Bankside, London, from the timbers of the old Theatre. As a shareholder, Shakespeare gets about ten per cent of the profits.

1600

The Fortune theatre opens in London.

1601

Shakespeare’s father dies.

1603

Elizabeth I dies and James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England. The plague sweeps through London once again. The Lord Chamberlain’s Men become the King’s men, who are soon the favourite acting company at the royal court.

1605

Gunpowder plot to kill King James.

1607

Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna marries Dr John Hall.

1608

The King’s Men begin to play at Blackfriars. Shakespeare’s mother dies.

1609

The Sonnets are published.

1612

During the next few years, Shakespeare gradually retires from London and moves back to Stratford-upon-Avon. Although he buys a house in Blackfriars in 1613, he does not spend much time there.

1613

The Globe Theatre is burned down when the thatched roof catches fire.

1616

Shakespeare’s daughter Judith marries Thomas Quiney. Shakespeare becomes ill and revises his will. A month later, on April 23, he dies and is buried at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon.

1623

Shakespeares’s First Folio is published by his fellow actors. It contains 36 of the playwright’s dramas.