Welcome to Suzie's
Shakespearian Connection
William Shakespeare is undisputedly one of the World's greatest poets and playwrights.
On 4th July 1806 my great, great, great,
great grandfather, Thomas Court purchased
the property in Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon,
known as Shakespeare's Birthplace .....
for the paltry sum of £210.
Obviously the significance of the property as part of our National heritage was not recognised at that time! .
Thomas Court was a butcher and used part of the house
as a butcher’s shop. The other part was an inn -
"The Swan & Maidenhead" which was run by Ann, his
wife and later his daughter in law, Elizabeth. Her son,
Leonard, my great, great grandfather was born in the house,
probably in the very same room as Shakespeare!
The room thought to be where Shakespeare was born.
After the
death of Thomas's wife the importance of the property was
recognised and it was sold at auction (16.9.1847) for £3,000.
The money was raised, on behalf of the nation, by public
subscription.
Thomas Court’s eight surviving granchildren, including
Leonard, were the beneficiaries. As a matter of interest he also
owned Harvard House (which now houses an American museum),
and the adjoining Garrick Inn from 1801 until 1810.
William Shakespeare
For more than 350 years, William Shakespeare has been the world's most popular playwright. On the stage, in the movies, and on television his plays are watched by vast audiences. People read his plays again and again for pleasure. Students reading his plays for the first time are delighted.
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~ Romeo and Juliette ~
Shakespeare's continued popularity is due to many things. His plays are filled with action, his characters are believable, and his language is thrilling to hear or read. Underlying all this is Shakespeare's deep humanity. He was a profound student of people and he understood them. He had a great tolerance, sympathy, and love for all people, good or evil.
While watching a Shakespearean tragedy, the audience is moved and shaken. After the show the spectators are calm, washed clean of pity and terror. They are saddened but at peace, repeating the old saying.... "There, but for the grace of God, go I."
A Shakespearean comedy is full of fun. The characters are lively; the dialogue is witty. In the end young lovers are wed; old babblers are silenced; wise men are content. The comedies are joyous and romantic....."If music be the food of love play on....".
Boyhood in Stratford.
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in 1564. This was the sixth year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He was christened on April 26 of that year. The day of his birth is unknown. It has long been celebrated on April 23, the feast of St. George. He was the third child and oldest son of John and Mary Arden Shakespeare. Two sisters, Joan and Margaret, died before he was born. The other children were Gilbert, a second Joan, Anne, Richard, and Edmund. Only the second Joan outlived William.
Shakespeare's father was a tanner and glovemaker. He was an alderman of Stratford for years. He also served a term as high bailiff, or mayor. Toward the end of his life John Shakespeare lost most of his money. When he died in 1601, he left William only a little real estate. Not much is known about Mary Shakespeare, except that she came from a wealthier family than her husband.
Warwick Castle
Stratford-upon-Avon is in Warwickshire, called the heart of England. In Shakespeare's day it was well farmed and heavily wooded. The town itself was prosperous and progressive and very proud of its grammar school. Young Shakespeare went to it, although when or for how long is not known. He may have been a pupil there between his 7th and 13th years. His studies must have been mainly in Latin. The schooling was probably good. All four schoolmasters at the school during Shakespeare's boyhood were graduates of Oxford University.
Nothing definite is known about his boyhood. From the content of his plays, he must have learned early about the woods and fields, about birds, insects, and small animals, about trades and outdoor sports, and about the country people he later portrayed with such good humor. Then and later he must have picked up an amazing stock of facts about hunting, hawking, fishing, dances, music, and other arts and sports.
The Globe Theatre in London
Among other subjects, he also must have learned about alchemy, astrology, folklore, medicine, and law. As good writers do, he must have collected information both from books and from daily observation of the world around him.
(Information from Compton's Encyclopaedia)
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