-
William Shakespeare was born in Statford-Upon-Avon to John and Mary Arden Shakespeare.
-
Shakespeare went to King's New School, which is an excellent grammar school in Statford.
-
18-year old Shakespeare marries 36-year old Anne Hathaway
-
Six months after their marriage, their first child (Susanna) was born.
-
Anne Hathaway, his wife, gives birth to their twins (Hamnet and Judith).
-
Shakespeare writes his first play "Henry VI, Part One". The precise year of the authorship is unclear. Around the same time, Shakespeare leaves Stratford to begin work as a playwright and actor in London.
-
Shakespeare is believed to have written Henry VI, Part Two and Henry VI, Part III between 1590 and 1591.
-
Playwright Robert Greene critiques Shakespeare, calling him an "upstart crow" who doesn't belong with Greene's university-educated dramatist crowd. This shows that Shakespeare has gained enough popularity to make his peers jealous.
-
London theatres are closed due to an outbreak of bubonic plague.
-
Shakespeare publishes "Venus and Adonis" which was his first long published poem. This poem was dedicated to his patron Henry Wriothesley, the Earl of Southampton.
-
In the spring of 1594, the London theatres reopen to the public. Over the next five years Shakespeares troupe, the Chamberlain's men, becomes one of the most popular acting groups in London.
-
Shakespeare publishes "The Rape of Lucrece". This poem was also dedicated to the Earl of Southampton.
-
Richard II, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Romeo and Juliet are composed this year.
-
Shakespeare and his wife bury their only son Hamnet, who dies at age 11.
-
Writer Francis Meres publishes a glowing review of Shakespeare's work. This indicates that Shakespeare has become a noted playwright.
-
Shakespeare is believed to have written "Much Ado About Nothing" between 1598 and 1599.
-
The Chamberlain's Men build the Globe in London. Many of Shakespeares most famous plays are performed for the first time here.
-
Shakespeare's father dies and his patron Earl Southamton is sentenced to death for his role in the Essex rebellion. It is belived that Shakespeare's father's death, motivates Shakespeare to write Hamlet around this time. Moreover, Shakespeare's plays take a dark and brooding tone over the next few years.
-
When Queen Elizabeth I dies, King James ascends the throne. The Chamberlain's Men change their name to the King's Men and perform for him eleven times between 1 November 1604 and 31 October 1605
-
Shakespeare is believed to have written "King Lear" between 1604-1606
-
Shakespeare writes Macbeth. Furthermore the first recorded performance of "King Lear" takes place as a private performance for James I at Whitehall.
-
The King's Men take on the Blackfriars theatre, an indoor theatre that played to more affluent audiences
-
Shakespeare is believed to have returned to live in Stratford.
-
Shakespeare writes "King Henry VIII"
-
Shakespeare composes his final plays "Henry VIII, Two Noble Kinsmen. The Globe catched fire during a performance of Henry VIII and burns to the ground.
-
William suffered from an unknown illness, and died on his 52nd birthday.
