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Period: 1550 to
Plagues Ravage England
Though only the Black Death and Great Plague of London are often talked about, several other plagues came in waves from around 1500 to 1665, when the Great Plague of London broke out. -
1558
Elizabeth I Becomes Queen
In November of 1558, Queen Mary Tudor (Bloody Mary) died, leaving her half sister to take the throne. Elizabeth I would rule for 45 years, from 1558 to 1603. -
1564
William Shakespeare is Born
Though the exact date is unknown, William Shakespeare is born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564. At the time of his birth Elizabeth I was already in power. -
Apr 26, 1564
William Shakespeare is Baptized
Even though his exact date of birth is unknown, historians have discovered that Shakespeare was baptized on April 26th, 1564. -
1576
The Theatre is Built
In 1576, James Burbage, later a friend of William Shakespeare, built the Theatre, the first playhouse in London. -
1579
William Shakespeare Leaves School
At the age of fifteen, Shakespeare left school in 1579. -
William Shakespeare Marries
In 1582, William Shakespeare marries Anne Hathaway. -
Suzanna Shakespeare is Born
Suzanna Shakespeare was the first of William Shakespeare's three children. She was born just six months after William and Anna Hathaway married. -
Suzanna Shakespeare is Baptized
On May 26th, 1583, Suzanna Shakespeare was baptized. -
Anne Hathaway Gives Birth to Twins
Sometime in January of 1585, William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway had their second and third children, which they named Hamnet and Judith. -
Judith and Hamnet are Baptized
On February 2nd, 1585, the Shakespeare twins are baptized. -
Period: to
William Shakespeare Lives in London
From about 1590 to 1613, William Shakespeare moved to London to live and work, and it was here that he really began his career as a playwrite. -
Period: to
William Shakespeare Writes his First Play
In 1590, Shakespeare began writing his first play, Henry VI part one. He did not finish until 1591, and he wrote part two to the same play in 1592. -
William Shakespeare Becomes Part of the Lord Chamberlain's Men
In 1594, Shakespeare had become a major benefactor to the theatre company, Lord Chamberlain's Men, which would be later called the King's Men. -
Hamnet Shakespeare Dies
At the young age of 11, William Shakespeare's only son dies of an unknown cause on August 11th, 1596. -
Queen Elizabeth I Dies
On March 24th, 1603, Elizabeth I passes away, and rule of England falls to James I, who is the son of Mary, Queen of Scots. James I will be the king until 1625, after Shakespeare's death. -
Period: to
William Shakespeare Writes his Last Play
In 1612, William Shakespeare began writing what was likely his last play, The Two Noble Kinsmen, and finished in 1613. -
William Shakespeare Dies
On April 24th, 1616, the legendary playwrite William Shakespeare passes away, and will be buried in the Holy Trinity Church in his hometown, Stratford-upon-Avon. -
Anne Hathaway Dies
After outliving her husband for seven years, Anna Hathaway passed away on August 6th, 1623 -
James I Dies
James I, or James VI, passed away on March 27th, 1625 at the age of 58. He had a very interesting time in power, since he was the first monarch to rule both Scotland and England.
