Stratford

Shakespeare’s life was spent between the bustling London and quaint Stratford-upon-Avon, having been born and spending his latest years in Stratford. After spending time in both London and Stratford, I noticed the immense differences between the two locations immediately. For one, the surroundings are polar opposites—with London being fantastically encroached with skyscrapers and the population alike, while Stratford is littered with lush greenery and picturesque storefronts. It’s not difficult to see why Shakespeare lived between the two.

With many of the British exhibits we’ve visited, the idea of wealth has shown through (specifically in paintings and portraiture). But I also noticed this theme becoming present in the home we toured today as a group, where Shakespeare spent the first 18 years of his life. When walking through the second-floor bedroom, the tour guide mentioned the painted canvas wall coverings as being both functional and aesthetically preferred. The harsh England winters, which were exponentially more frigid than they are today, demanded that families find ways of utilizing warmth. The wall coverings apparently helped to insulate homes, however they were not available to everyone. Our tour guide expressed that you were considered wealthy if you your family was able to hang these coverings in your home. Luckily for Shakespeare, his family was just that—very wealthy.

Our first tour guide, in the tanning portion of the home, expressed these sentiments by informing us that Shakespeare’s father was so wealthy that he could afford for William and Anne Hathaway to move in after Anne became pregnant. In addition, she explained the differences in the mittens and gloves that differentiated from class to class based on coloration and stitching. It wasn’t expressed which gloves Shakespeare preferred, but based on his status I would say he probably wore the most lavish.

He continued the material expression of this lifestyle and bought the New Place, which according to the exhibition was one of the largest houses in town. The home included orchards, barns, and fields—features of living outside of the city that London does not offer. The site was Shakespeare’s home for the last 19 years of his life until he died under its roof in 1616. Another example of wall art is present upon entering the home. A tapestry hangs over the immense open fireplace that dates from the 16^th century, according to our tour information.

Admittedly, the size and magnitude of The Knot Garden impressed me. Until I researched it, I wasn’t aware that it was created somewhat modernly. Despite this, the amount of land needed for this garden is indicative of how wealthy Shakespeare was when purchasing the home. The garden is Elizabethan style and is filled with seasonal flowers, many of which are mentioned in Shakespeare’s writings. Through Shakespeare’s first and last home, details and size undoubtedly illuminate how the wealthy may have lived in Stratford during Shakespeare’s time.