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1564
Galileo Galilei is born
In 1564, the famous Galileo Galiliei is born. He was an Italian philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician. This man would forever be associated with the Scientific Revolution. He made known discoveries of the telescope, and revolutionized astronomy. Galilei's beliefs weren't necessarily favored during his time, so he was put under house arrest. Once the Scientfic Revolution started to grow, and people started questioning, they realized Galileo was right.
Source: (history.com) -
1564
The plague in London
A devastating plague hits London in 1564. The plague is a deadly one, and over the years, it only got stronger. It was very hard to avoid, because it affected almost anyone, and almost everyone. Many people got sick, and many died. Finally, it ends in 1594, but sadly, this wont be the last plague to take London.
Source: (Levi 21) -
Apr 23, 1564
William Shakespeare is born.
William Shakespeare was believed to be born on April 23rd, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, UK. There are no birth records or certificates for Shakespeare, but it is known that he was baptized on April 26th, 1564. This day marked the day when the preforming arts would later be revolutionized. He would be known for remarkable works, and up to this day, Shakespearean plays would still be preformed and loved. Yet still his life still remains a mystery.
Source: (biography.com) -
1580
New lyric poetry from Italian influence
Around the late 1580's to the 1590's, a new type of lyric poetry was being introduced. This was all based off of the Italian influence on English music. Shakespeare was fascinated by this style of poetry. This is what influenced Shakespeare for some of his dramatic writing. Even though this is a very small event that happened during Shakespeare's life, it really left an impact. It's possible that without this influence, his writing could have been vastly different.
Source: (Levi 47) -
Shakspeare marries Anne Hathaway
On November 18th, 1582, Shakespeare is married to 26-year-old Anne Hathaway. Although they were together until death, Shakespeare spent an amount of time not living with Anne. This was do to him travelling with a theatre company, writing, and other things. After Shakespeare's death, she was alive for another seven years. During their long lasting relationship, they had three children, Susanna (1583-1649), Hamnet (1585-1596), and Judith (1585-1662).
Source: (galegroup.com) -
Shakespeare's "Lost Years"
From 1585 up until 1592, there were no records whatsoever of Shakespeare. These seven years were, and are, a complete mystery to all. These years started right after the birth of his twins. There are multiple theories to what he did during these lost years. Some include, working as an assistant schoolmaster, and even horse attending at some of London's finer theatres. These years could've been what shaped Shakespeare to become a major part in theatre.
Source: (biography.com) -
Britain defeats the Spanish Armada
On July 29, 1588, Britain defeats the Spanish Armada. Spain's armada was supposedly "invincible", but that title was broken. A little after midnight, England came up with an ingenious idea. They sent eight ships into a very crowded harbor in Calais. This doesn't sound like anything out of the ordinary, except the ships sent were on fire. The Spanish scrambled to sail to sea. They were out of formation, and very unorganized, therefore, when the English attacked, they won.
Source: (history.com) -
Lord Chamberlains's Men
In the early 1590's, when there is evidence of Shakespeare, he becomes a managing partner of Lord Chamberlain's men. This was an acting company located in London. For most of his long career, he was actively part of this company. It had a large part in Shakespeare's life and really helped him throughout it. This troupe was also considered the most important of it's time, which is a very amazing thing to be called since theatre wasn't a very common-liked thing.
Source: (biography.com) -
Evidence of being an actor and playwright
1592 marked the end of Shakespeare's "Lost Years". It was then, when there was finally any evidence of Shakespeare. He was known to being an up-and-coming actor and playwright in London. On September 20th, in an edition of "Stationers' Register", Robert Green talks about Shakespeare. This, already popular, London playwright writes that that Shakespeare was "reaching above his rank". This article helps in starting up Shakespeare's rise to fame, and 1592 is just the beginning.
Source: (biography) -
13 of Shakespeare's 37 plays are published.
By 1597, 13 of Shakespeare's 37 plays in total were published. Some of these plays include Romeo and Juliet, Henry IV, and A Midsummer Night's dream. These works started to change the reputation of plays. Shakespeare managed to get his plays published as common literature. This was a big step to theatre because theatre culture in the 16th century England was not very liked by many. Therefore, Shakespeare having his works published were a giant step for the preforming arts.
Source: (biography) -
The Globe Theatre is built.
In 1599, the Globe Theatre goes up. Shakespeare and his business partners build a theatre on Thames River. This theatre greatly boosted Shakespeare's career. It actually earned him 60 pounds a year. It's also believed that this theatre being built gave him time alone to write more of his wondrous plays. This theatre played such a large role in his life, and really helped theatre as a whole.
Source: (biography) -
Japan enters the Tokugawa period
In 1603, Japan enters the Tokugawa period. This time is believed to have the most stable and powerful government in Japanese history. This was a very significant time in Japanese history for many reasons. One was because it included the rise of a new merchant class. Another was that it lasted all the way until 1867. This period lasted longer than the United States has been a nation, just to put it in perspective.
Source: (study) -
The Crowing of King James I
James Charles Stuart steps up to the English throne on March 24, 1603. He was previously the King of Scotland as King James VI. When he takes the English crown, he becomes King James I because he was the first Stuart King of England. He takes his first throne at just one year old, and takes the English throne when Queen Elizabeth I dies. During his 22-year-long reign in England, he conflicted with Parliament a lot but overall, his reign was eventful and would be remembered.
Source: (Britannica) -
Jamestown, Virginia is established.
In 1607, the first permanent American settlement is established. This English colony is Jamestown Virginia. People wanted to settle onto the "new land", and England happened to be one. It was named after Queen Elizabeth I, the "virgin queen". This settlement would be the start to a new government, revolution, and eventually a new, and independent country.
Source: (history) -
Shakespeare's sonnets are published
In 1609, Shakespeare's sonnets are published. And you thought he was done there. Nope. He couldn't just have extremely long, detailed plays and confusing poetry? No, not at all. But it's okay, because his sonnets were legendary. He would come to, supposedly, write 154 sonnets. Keeping in mind that most of his life is questioned extremely. There would be forever known quotes from these sonnets like "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?.." and "Love that is not love."
Source: (goodreads) -
Shakespeare's end
Shakespeare's life comes to a closing in 1616. There's a theory that he died on his 52nd birthday. Shakespeare became a legend. His name would always be associated with theatre and plays. He's left a huge impact on the world of preforming arts, even though most of his life is a mystery. There's even a rumor that he didn't even exist! But that's besides the point. These shows and poems would leave behind incredibly emotional stories, and inspire millions of people.
Source: (biography)
