William Shakespeare [antikvár]

PARENTAGE AND BIRTH William Shakespeare was born in the house preserved as his Birthplace (see next page) in Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, on or about 23 April 1564. The record of his baptism in the register of Holy Trinity Church is as follows: April 26: Gulielmus filius Johannes Shakspere At that time Stratford-upon-Avon was a prosperous, self-governing market town with impressive streets and buildings; it was well known for its markets and fairs and had appreciable contacts with the outside world. Contrary to impressions given in some of the older biographies, Shakespeare came from good middle-class parentage on both sides. His mother, Mary Arden, was one of the eight daughters of Robert Arden, a substantial yeoman farmer of Wilmcote, where the Arden farmstead may still be seen (see opposite)', his father, John Shakespeare, formerly of Snitterfield, another village a few miles from Stratford, was a whittawer and a glover by trade, who is also described as a yeoman and wool-dealer. William was the eldest son and third child of the marriage and at the time of his birth John Shakespeare was a prosperous, respected tradesman, who took an active part in municipal affairs. Between 1557 and 1561 he held various offices under the Court Leet and served as Chamberlain in 1561 and 1562; three years later he was chosen an Alderman and in 1568 he held the important office of Bailiff of Stratford-upon-Avon. There has been much speculation as to John Shakespeare's religion and his decline in fortune in later years is thought to have been associated with his adherence to the Catholic faith. Nevertheless, he received a grant of arms from the College of Heralds in 1596 and it seems likely that by this time the poet had come to the financial assistance of his family.