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William
Shakespeare was born on 23 April 1564, six years after
Elizabeth I became Queen. He was born in the upstairs
of a half-timbered building at Henley Street in
Stratford-upon-Avon and was one of eight children.
The
house consisted of two separate properties: one being
the Shakespeare family's home, and the other a shop or
warehouse adjointing used by John Shakespeare, (William
Shakespeare's father), in connection with his trade.
Stratford
wasn't a busy place, but on fair days farmers,
weavers,dyers, carpenters and shoemakers would bring
their goods into the town to sell to locals and
passers-by .
The
town that Shakespeare knew would not seem very
urban to us today. It was full of orchards, gardens and
trees - in 1582 there were nearly a thousand elms
in and around the borough. Trees have given place to
houses now, but still a good deal of the 16th century
remains.
The
birthplace is preserved as a memorial and is visited by
tourists from all over the world.
In
spite of the restoration, the essential features of the
property remain, as ilustrated in this picture. |
