麻豆APP

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Shakespeare鈥檚 Birthplace

Birthplace of William Shakespeare (23 April 1564), Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon. Photo by Wikimedia Commons.

Shakespeare鈥檚 birthplace is situated in Henley Street, Stratford, Warwickshire in England. The place is currently used as a museum that is visited by very great, and popular people and it is owned and managed by the Shakespeare鈥檚 Birthplace Trust.

The place is relatively simple considering the current development but during its construction, in the 16th century, the structure was outstanding among other buildings.

The plan of the house was just a simple rectangle. The house was half-timbered using a local ark from Arden and blue-grey stones from Wilmcote.

After the death of Shakespeare, the house was handed over to William. Top ten amazing facts about Shakespeare鈥檚 birthplace since its construction in the 16th century

1. Shakespeare鈥檚 Birthplace was Simple

Birthplace of William Shakespeare (off Henley Street), Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. WIKIMEDIA

Shakespeare鈥檚 birthplace was simple in its construction, structure and architecture. The house plan was a simple rectangle where the ground floor consisted of a fireplace; the adjacent room consisted of a large open hearth and a room which John Shakespeare used as a workshop.

The house was constructed using both timber and stones, the fireplace consisted of a combination of stones and brick while the ground floor being stone- flagged.

A set-apart single bay was later constructed in the northwest of the house and the present kitchen was also added with a chamber above it.

2. It faced Demolition Threats

After the death of the court鈥檚 widow in 1846, the whole construction was put on sale after the rise in the interest to have the premises.

P.T. Barnum who was an American showman made a proposal to buy the entire premises and ship it 鈥渂rick by brick鈥� to the United Stated thus demolishing the entire structure.

A committee which was named (Shakespeare鈥檚 birthplace trust) was established and together with other donors including Dickens, managed to raise some money and bought the entire premises the following year.

3. Currently the Birthplace is used as a Small Museum

The mansion.

After the Shakespeare鈥檚 birthplace was purchased by the committee, there was a major restoration of the premises that is currently used as a museum. The museum has been an exciting site that attracts huge numbers of tourists with the rich history of Shakespeare.

The birthplace shows the life during the time of Shakespeare together with the furniture used during the period. There is a glass window that is inscribed with the visitor’s signature over the years with the construction consisting of some of John Shakespeare鈥檚 workshops.

At the back of the house, there is a garden containing flowers and herbs that would have been known during Shakespeare鈥檚 time. The museum does not only show the display of Shakespeare but also access to the birthplace.

4. Shakespeare鈥檚 Birthplace had been Neglected

File:Phoebe Dighton, Shakespeare’s Birthplace. WIKIMEDIA

When the premises were bought for the nation in 1847, it looked sorry for itself because the maintenance of the premise had been neglected and the earlier drawings seemed to have been changed.

What was previously Shakespeare鈥檚 living room was used for selling meat. The other adjacent room where John Shakespeare used to do his entire Glover and wood dealer was being used as an inn called Swan and Maidenhead.

5. It was later Restored

Garden at the rear of the house (photo 2006). Photo by Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia

After the birthplace committee acquired the building, it had the task of restoring the premises by reinstating the fabric of the premises and thus needed more funds.

A new birthplace came into being after restoration, nearing the end of 1855 with a welcoming windfall. The main purpose of restoration was to return the house to the state it appeared before in regards to the old drawing and secure it from fire destruction.

6. The Birthplace Dates Between the 16th and 15th Century

The history of Shakespeare鈥檚 birthplace is argued to be between the 16th and 15th centuries. However, John Shakespeare was living in the house in the year 1552.

At the moment, John did not entirely own the house but was renting it before purchasing the house after some years. The house was inherited by his son William Shakespeare and later handed to his daughter.

By the time William Shakespeare died in 1616 the house was owned by his widowed sister Joan Hart. The house returned to its family Hart after which it fell into disrepair till the 18th century.

7. Part of the House was used for Business

The rented house was divided into two parts where one was used as a dwelling place and the other was used for his glove-making business. There was the workshop house and the attic space where John kept his illegal wool and other apprentices in the glove-making business.

The family is believed to have kept livestock from the sited animal skins and liming pits together with a stable and a barn. It formed part of John Shakespeare’s business of making wool products.

8. Shakespeare鈥檚 Birthplace faced Fire Threats

The first fire threat was experienced in 1554 when the part of Stratford was burnt down but Shakespeare鈥檚 birthplace was saved because of the creek that was near the house. In 1555 there was another incidence of fire but his house remained unharmed.

9. It was Designed in a Traditional Tudor Plan

The house was made following the traditional Tudor plan. The workshop was separated from the central hall by a small passage.

The parlour was on the ground floor where the family gathered to have a talk and entertain guests. Above it were three bedrooms and attic space.

The kitchen was built separately and the brewing room as well. An additional outhouse was used by John for making his gloves and wool.

10. It was Bought by Shakespeare鈥檚 Birthplace Trust (SBT)

Garden at the rear of the house (photo 2006). Photo by Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia

Shakespeare鈥檚 birthplace was hereditary from Jonh to William Shakespeare’s daughter. After which the house remained in the Hart family until it was left in disrepair.

The house was then bought by Shakespeare Birthplace Trust which came to being in 1847. It is the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust that helped preserve the house as a national memorial to date.

Shakespeare’s birthplace holds the history of the life he lived from his birth and growth. Currently, it鈥檚 an international historic site. It is preserved for tourists to learn the history of William Shakespeare’s childhood home.

The house honours the Life of an iconic legend and gives a sense of what it could have been growing up in such a house back in time. The centre contains gardens to explore and walk in while viewing the stone floor that he did in his childhood life.