SECTION 4 - The Stratford legend

Summary

Well, what are the ascertained and documented facts which connect Shakespeare with Stratford? Excluding transactions in and after 1597, when he was thirty-three, concerning the acquisition of property in the town or near it, they are meagre in the last degree. Except his will, no line in any official record substantiates his identity with the William of London and the stage. We do know that a certain William, son of John Shakespeare, was baptised in Stratford church on April 26, 1564, and it is reasonable to suppose that he was the same William who had children baptised in the same church in 1583 and 1585, and who was buried there on April 25, 1616. The father, John, was presumably the tradesman of that name who held a succession of municipal offices in the borough, ending with that of High Bailiff in 1568. John's wife, Mary, was apparently of the stock of the Ardens, a family of some standing in the county. Of William's education in boyhood and occupation in youth there is no vestige of evidence. He apparently married, but no record of the place or date of the ceremony exists. There is some question whether his wife's maiden name was Agnes or Anne Hathaway or Anne Whateley, and there is no conclusive evidence that she was born or lived at Shottery.