Childhood

Little is known about Shakespeare’s childhood. He lived in a time when children were molded into adulthood at a very young age. The first known account of William was near the time of his birth, at his baptism. His actual birthday is unknown, however it is presumed, by some, to be the 23rd of April, 1564. This date is six days before his recorded baptism; it was customary for that period to be christened and officially named within six days after the birth of a child. He was born and spent his childhood in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. The next authenticated record concerning William Shakespeare is his marriage license on November 27^th, 1582, at the age of eighteen. The years between his birth and his marriage have been widely written about. These writings are based on presumptions about the time period, what was known as fact about his parents, as well as educated assumptions based upon his writings in later life.

Siblings

William was the third of five children. John and Mary Shakespeare gave birth to their first child, daughter Joan in 1958. She died of the plague a few months later. Their second child, Margret, was born in 1562 and died one year later, also from the plague. The Shakespeare’s fourth child Gilbert was born in 1566. He had a long successful life in London as a haberdasher. He died in 1612 at the age of 46.In 1569 their fifth and final child, another girl, named after the first born, Joan, was born in 1569. Joan lived to the age of 77, a remarkable feat for the times.