Tag Archives: Shakespeare’s Birthplace

Securing Shakespeare’s Birthplace for the nation and the world

16 September 1847 is a date that all those interested in Shakespeare should know. On that date an auction was held at the Auction Mart in London at which Shakespeare’s birthplace, described on the sale poster as “The Truly Heart-stirring … Continue reading

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Shakespearean replicas then and now

A few weeks ago at a local book fair I bought a collection of engravings of Shakespeare’s Birthplace all dating from the nineteenth century. Shakespeare’s Birthplace was a major tourist attraction, and one which changed in appearance several times, the … Continue reading

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The Battle of Waterloo: a Shakespeare connection

2015 is a good year for centenaries. 800 years on, Magna Carta is probably the most important of these, and towards the end of October we’ll be celebrating 600 years since the great victory of Agincourt. Both of these have … Continue reading

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“The best bit of Shakespeareana ever penned” Washington Irving and Stratford

3rd April 1783 was the birthday of the great American writer Washington Irving,  one of the first tourists to Stratford-upon-Avon to describe his visit in detail. While living in England he made several visits to the town to see the sites … Continue reading

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Early American visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon

Americans have visited Stratford on the Shakespeare trail since the very earliest days. Many thousands visited in the years between the Garrick Jubilee that began the popularisation of Stratford and the purchase of Shakespeare’s Birthplace in 1847. Between 7 and … Continue reading

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Shakespeare connections: Stratford-upon-Avon and Birmingham

During Shakespeare’s lifetime Birmingham was a town of a similar size to Stratford. But while Birmingham grew into a great centre of industry and innovation, Stratford remained a small country town. By 1851 nearly a quarter of a million people … Continue reading

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Shakespeare at New Place: making the house a home

You can tell a lot, can’t you, about people from the inside of their houses, and what they choose to put there?  The TV programme Through the Keyhole is jokily based on the idea that it’s possible to deduce the … Continue reading

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Farewell to the majestic cedar

It’s sad to report that the Cedar of Lebanon tree which stands in the garden of Shakespeare’s Birthplace has to be taken down later this week. It’s a real focal point of the garden, forming the backdrop for countless photographs, … Continue reading

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Ira Aldridge, Shakespearean actor and gentleman of colour

The black actor Ira Aldridge is now recognised as one of the most remarkable interpreters of Shakespeare’s leading roles. He first appeared on the London stage as Othello in 1825, and remained associated with the role for the rest of his … Continue reading

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