by Kimberly Napier

Created on: August 07, 2011   Last Updated: August 09, 2011

William Shakespeare was born to John and Mary Arden Shakespeare. John’s father was Richard, a tenant farmer with many plots of land. Some of the plots were owned by Mary’s father, Robert Arden of Wilmecote. John would help his father with the farming in the early years, so had several opportunities to meet Mary. There would have been concerns in their courtship as Mary’s family was aristocracy and John’s were not. Robert Arden died in 1556, so that any difficulties he may have had, died with him. Mary and John were married in 1557.

One thing that both shared was their religion, both were staunch Catholics in a predominantly Protestant England. However, this did not prevent John from becoming a prominent citizen of Stratford. The Shakespeares’ home was on Henley Street. John was a money-lender then later became the ale taster for the Borough of Stratford, then eventually Mayor. 

John and Mary began their family in 1558 with the birth of Joan, who died of the plague soon after her birth. In 1562, Mary gave birth to another daughter, Margaret. Margaret lived for one year. William was their third child and first son. He was born on St. Georges Day, the Patron Saint of England, April 23, 1564. 

John became Alderman of Stratford in 1665 which meant his children could be educated at the local grammar school for free. This was a good thing as their family began to grow. Gilbert was born in October, 1566, then another daughter named Joan, in 1569, Ann in 1571 and Richard in 1574. In 1579, eight year old Anne died. In 1580, the Shakespeares had their final child, Edmund. By this time John’s financial situation had taken a downturn and they had to pull the children out of school, so they could help support the family.  At the age of 70, John, the father passed away in the year of 1601. He was followed seven years later by Mary.

Gilbert Shakespeare was born two years after William. He was baptized at Holy Trinity of October 13, 1566. Gilbert followed in one of the occupations of his father and became a glover. He also lived on Henley Street in Stratford. At one time he contracted, and survived, the plague. He eventually went to London as a haberdasher. Gilbert never married and died, in Stratford, on February 3, 1612.

The second daughter named Joan was born in 1569. She never had the opportunities to read or write. Girls at this time, other than nobility, seldom received an education. Joan married William Hart, a hatter.

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