Ann Hathaway's
Home
This quaint 17th century cottage, the home of William
Shakespeare's wife attracts thousands of visitors each year. The
house remained in the family until 50 years ago when it was sold
the the British national historical society .Originally many of
the family heirlooms and artifacts decorated the cottage, but
the cottage was robbed of those priceless artifacts. Still the
collage with its classic thatched roof offers a glimpse into life
in the 1600s. |
The Garden at the Hathaway Homes
Visitors are amazed by the beautiful gardens, which reflect
the original cottage gardens, much as Anne would have grown
them.
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William's Birth Place
In sharp contrast to the country cottage, William's
birth place is on the main drag in Stratford. Also drawing thousands
of world travels who come to see the bard's home, it has been
carefully preserved and renovated to reflect what the home might
have looked liked in early in the 17th century. Known for his
fine leather craft, William's father made a good living for
his family.
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Holy Trinity Church
Buried in the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford
on Avon, Shakespeare is surrounded by other family members.
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His Grave
Fearful that someone might rob his grave and sell
his bones or that perhaps he might be displaced for another body,
as was the custom to dig up the bones of deceased to make room
for the next body, Shakespeare cursed his grave with this pronouncement:
Good friend,
for Jesus' sake forebeare
To digg the dust enclosed heare;
Bleste be the man that spares thes stones,
And curst be he that moves my bones
It is well to note that he also buried 13 feet deep to discourage
grave robbers. |
The Globe
A trip to London is not complete until the tourist
has visited the Globe theatre. Once the center of entertainment
and culture, the New Globe theatre still attracts both locals
and tourists who pack the open air theatre to experience Shakespeare's
best (and worst) works. Built on the original location of the
16th Century Globe, the New Globe is as exact a replica as possible.
Though it does have some modern modifications: restrooms, a sprinkler
system for the thatched roof, and an electronically controlled
platform that serves many purposes during the production. It might
be the castle wall that Lady Macbeth paced, or dining table where
Titus Andronicus fed stew to the Queen of the Goths made up of
her sons who had raped and mutilated his daughter. Whatever the
play, audiences leave the New Globe enriched. |
