Stratford-Upon-Avon

The first leg of my trip will be spent staying in Stratford-Upon-Avon. From what I've read, it's very touristy and centered around a very specific part of its history. Like Salem, MA is obsessed with the witch trials, Stratford is crazy about Shakespeare.

If you're a subscriber to the camp that believes Shakespeare really wrote the works of Shakespeare (some people believe it was Edward de Vere, Duke of Oxford or Francis Bacon), his humble beginnings come as a surprise. He was the son of a glovemaker who probably attended The King's School, a local grammer school for boys where he would have read the works of Plato, Homer, and other classic authors. It was his only education. He was married at 18 to Anne Hathaway, who was nearly twice his age. They had three kids, a girl and a set of twins. In Stratford, the home Anne lived in before her marriage is preserved (seen on the left).

The period between his marriage and his appearence in London's blossoming theatre scene is undocumented, but there is some suggestion he was banished from Stratford for deer poaching (huh?!) or that he moved to London for work.


He moved back and forth between London and Stratford during his life. He bought a home for his family in central Stratford. It's called New Place and its foundation and gardens are still in Stratford (the building was torn down in the 1800s). He moved home for the last years of his life and died in Stratford, where he's buried in the local church, Holy Trinity Church. Funny enough, he didn't get burial there because he was famous, but because of a share he bought in the Church. He was also baptised in the church and his wife and eldest daughter are buried beside him. His grave carries a curse against moving his bones (a common practice at the time to clear space for more recently disceased folks!) There was a memorial bust built of him at the site while Anne Hathaway was still alive, so it's thought to be an accurate image of him (not quite Joseph Fiennes in "Shakespeare in Love," sadly! haha).

Besides sites related to Shakespeare and the Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford is home to a lovely river that is very popular. The River Avon is a popular place for boating and relaxing, and RSC's main theatre complex is located on its banks. The river is seen below, with Holy Trinity Church in the background.




Just one day less than a month until I leave now! How exciting! More fun facts and info about the area to come....

Best,
Nat