1564- (23 April) William Shakespeare was born.

1567- Richard Burbage, the greatest tragedian of the age, who would eventually portray Hamlet, Lear, Othello and all Shakespeare's great parts born

1576- James Burbage (father of Richard) obtains a 21 year lease and permission to build The Theatre in Shoreditch

1577- The Curtain, a rival theater near The Theatre, opens in Finbury

1582- (28 November) Shakespeare marries Anne Hathaway

1583- (26 May) Their first child, Susannah, was born and baptised

1583- The Queen's Company is formed in London

1585- (2 February) Their 2nd and 3rd children, (twins), Hamnet and Judith, were born and baptised

1589- Shakespeare starts writing his first plays, Henry IV part 1, 2, 3

1592-1594- First outbreak of plague

1596- (11 August) Hamnet, aged 11, died (from the plague)

1598-1599- The first Globe Theatre was built

1601- John Shakespeare, shakespeares father, died

1603-1604- There was another outbreak of the plague.

1607- Susanna (daughter of Shakespeare) married Dr. John Hall

1608- Shakespeare's mother dies

1609- Publication of the Sonnets

1613- (29 June) The Globe Theatre burnt down

1614- The Globe was rebuilt and reopened

1616- Judith Shakespeare married Thomas Quiney

1616- (25 March) Shakespeare signed his will

1616- (23 April) Shakespeare died

1616- (25 April) Shakespeare was buried at the Holy trinity Church, Stratford. He left his wife his 2ND BEST BED

1623- Anne Shakespeare died.