Shakespeare’s town: Stratford-upon-Avon
We were visiting the English town of Stratford-upon-Avon where the skillfully restored house of William Shakespeare is located, after driving past road signage of Welcome to Warwickshire Shakespeare County. It is just another English house but for its resident who made it extraordinary – this was home to one of the greatest English writer who holds a universal appeal. His plays and poems continue to entice readers and audience, transcending borders of countries and languages. Even after 450 years, his literary work have been imbibed in most school and University syllabus. His legendary works add up to an astounding figure of 37 plays, 154 Sonnets & 5 titled Poems!!
We had already visited Shakespeare’s absorbing stimulating museum and the 16th century Birthplace house with the Birth room & cradle alongwith seeing Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s Bust in the garden!!It was fascinating to discover the ‘Important Visitors signature Birth room window’!
Medieval New Place and Nash house – Shakespeare’s home
Shakespeare’s home-New Place to Nash House
Down the road, we reached the Nash house on the Chapel Street next to the site of the New Place house, Shakespeare’s final home where he spent his last years. During the late 1580’s, Shakespeare left Stratford and by 1592, he became an established playwright and author of at least seven plays, in London. Five years later, he came back to Stratford and purchased the second largest house in the town known as New Place where he lived till his last years. Shortly, Shakespeare became one of the most affluent citizens of Stratford and he often travelled between London and Stratford.
New Place house was demolished in 1759, but its foundations can still be seen. Nash house has been furnished as New Place house, might have been. A 17th century sketch of the New Place shows it to be a big house with a grassy courtyard in front, barns, elm trees and servant quarters at the back of the house. This is believed to the place where Shakespeare penned, many of his illustrious plays – which the world knows him for.
The Old Bank since the year 1810 with Shakespeare’s Logo on it – Today HSBC Bank!
Breaking out of my thoughts, I entered the New Place Gardens that hold an aged Mulberry tree, which is said to have been grown from a ‘cutting’ taken from a tree planted by Shakespeare. Today, it also contains Shakespeare inspired sculpture. Years later, Shakespeare’s grandchild Elizabeth married Thomas Nash, who owned the Nash-house next to her grandfather’s home: The New Place!
1500’s year Schoolroom to Theatre Skill
Medieval Guild hall connected to Shakespeare and his family in many ways
Up ahead we caught view of the remarkable historic Guild Chapel from the 13th century that is part of the Guildhall that holds Shakespeare’s childhood School room where he learnt Latin. We entered the Guild Chapel from the year 1269 to admire the fine Wall murals, expensive Stained glass windows and pay respects.
The Guild hall and Shakespeare’s Grammar school near his Birthplace
Shakespeare’s Grammar school
In the time-machine I witnessed the closure of the Churches & monasteries by King Henry as the Guildhall was handed over to the Stratford Corporation in which John Shakespeare- William Shakespeare’s father was a Bailiff. Soon The Kyng’s Newe Scole – the Guild’s school was established in 1553 and years later in the 1560’s Shakespeare was educated here. It continues to be King Edward VI School, where I stood for photographs!!
Writer at Shakespeare’s childhood 16th century Grammar School room
Further, it was a trend for the travelling Theatre players to perform at the Guildhall in the 1500’s. One can imagine young Shakespeare getting the principal experience & skill of professional theatre right here in his childhood!
Hall’s Croft down the Centuries
Gallery -Croft Hall
As we proceeded to the Holy Trinity Church we came upon the Hall’s Croft enveloped in foliage, a house built in 1630 by Shakespeare’s son-in-law John Hall, a physician married to Shakespeare’s daughter, Susanna. This could be the reason for the representation of the doctors in Shakespeare’s plays as in the ‘The Merry Wives of the Windsor’. The gardens of Hall’s-Croft contained a range of fresh medicinal plants which are believed to have been grown by John Hall himself.
Hall’s Croft – the 16th century home of Shakespeare’s famous Physician son-in-law
We were informed that the oldest part of this timber-framed house goes back to 1613-14! After being a residence & School for years it had been bought back by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust since 1949!
15th century Dower House & Shakespeare connection
We stepped past a large floor slab engraved with remarkable information as we were passing Dower house whose oldest parts go back to the 15th century! The Staircase of New Place– Shakespeare’s home that we had visited earlier had been transferred to Dower house in the 1700 years by John Clopton and is still there! Also, it was the home of Thomas Reynolds whose son William was remembered in Shakespeare’s Will!
Harvard House- the home of Shakespeare’s close friend whose grandson established the Harvard University- years later in America!!
Up ahead we caught the first view of the tranquil scenic 12th century Holy Trinity Church surrounded by greenery. We walked forward keenly to visit the place where Shakespeare was baptized as a new-born and buried later! We walked along the banks of the equally enchanting ancient River Avon to enter the Church from the other side. After the Church, we further decided to explore Shakespeare’s wife-Anne Hathaway’s cottage nearby and find out how they met and romance grew!
Shakespeare Grammar school in Stratford upon Avon town
Visitors at Shakespeare’s School