Introducing Shakespeare: A Graphic Guide - Nick Groom, Piero 2013

Born on St George’s Day

23 April 1564, St George’s Day: William Shakespeare is born in Stratford-upon-Avon. The National Poet arrives on the day celebrating the canonization of the patron saint of England - or did he? Historical facts have been massaged to support national or cultural interests. The only reliable evidence is that Shakespeare was baptized on 26 April 1564, so he could have been born on the 21st, or the 22nd, or the 23rd - it was later “Bardolaters” (worshippers of “The Bard”) who agreed that Shakespeare’s birthday was St George’s Day, marrying the nation to his verse.

AND LOCAL LEGEND HAS IT THAT 23 APRIL IS THE DAY THAT THE FIRST NIGHTINGALE SINGS IN STRATFORD.. ENTRY IN PARISH REGISTER… 1564, APR. 26 GULIELMUS FILIUS JOHANNES SHAKSPERE.

He was the eldest son of John Shakespeare, a glovemaker, who had married the Catholic girl Mary Arden in about 1557.

THEY HAD EIGHT CHILDREN…

FOUR SONS AND A DAUGHTER SURVIVED CHILDHOOD. WILL HIMSELF WAS ESPECIALLY LUCKY. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF THIS BIRTH, AN EPIDEMIC OF BUBONIC PLAGUE SWEPT DOWN ON STRATFORD.