SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHPLACE

SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHPLACE
William Shakespeare not only grew up in this building but was associated with it all his life. It is quite likely that he and his wife lived there for some time after their marriage in 1582. He certainly inherited the house when his father died in 1601 and bequeathed it on his own death to his eldest daughter. The Birthplace is one of the very few surviving objects that unquestionably belonged to him.
Several documents exist to show that John Shakespeare, the dramatist's father, acquired the property on this site in two separate transactions, the main part being purchased in 1556, probably shortly after it had been built. In his son's day the family home was a fairly spacious property, reflecting John Shakespeare's relative affluence; besides his craft as a glovemaker, he was for some years a dealer in wool on a considerable scale and also involved in some money-lending. Over a long period he was a prominent member of Stratford's town council, serving as bailiff (mayor) in 1568. From the time of Shakespeare's death until the early 19th century the house retained a connection with his family. His sister Joan lived in part of the building until her death in 1646, and it was subsequently owned or occupied by her descendants until 1806. In 1847 the house was sold at auction and passed to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust for preservation as a national memorial.
Scale 1:125
Dimensions: 156mm long 110mm wide 720 high


Closer Look.....