The Life of William Shakespeare (Senior Thesis)
The Life of William Shakespeare William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564. Contrary to popular belief, many believe that William was born on the 23rd of April because of records of his Christening three days later on April 26th. This is because of the popular Elizabethan tradition of Christening children three days after their birth. Despite this tradition, William’s actual birth date remains uncertain because of missing records. In 1559, a new prayer book was made and it stated to have the christening of a child performed before the first Sunday or holy day following the birth ‘unless upon a great and reasonable cause declared to the curate and by him approved’. The 23rd of April landed on the Feast Day of St. George. April 23rd of 1564 also landed on a Sunday, four days after the feast day of St. Alphege and two before the feast day of St. Mark, which was a holiday that was considered ‘unlucky’. The day could’ve been avoided with the permission of the curate (H...