William and Anne

Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway in December 1582. It was a very hasy marriage because Anne was expecting a child and was three month pregnant. There was eight years difference between the two. Anne was 26 and William was 18. Since the age of consent was twenty one, Will's father had to sign the documents. It was still legal for them to get married though. The legal marrying age for boys was 14 and for girls it was 12.

Since the marriage was so hasty, it was probably a small event. Marriage invitations were never sent out anyways because the towns and communities were so close nit anyways, everyone always knew what was happening. Usually the bride would wear her best dress as would her bridesmaids and everyone would go to the church and then the two families would have a sort of luncheon together.

After the marriage, Anne went to live with Will's family and six months later, she gave birth to their daughter Susanna. Two years later twins were born to the young Shakespeare family, Judith and Hamnet (who died when he was 11). One to six years later, Shakespeare left to London to act with a troupe of actors.

Shakespeare lived in London and occasionally came home to be with his wife and children. Shakespeare was becoming more and more famous. He was starting to be noticed by noblemen and he occasionally got to perform his plays for Queen Elizabeth. Shakespeare bought a the second best house in his town and some land and Anne and her family moved there.

In 1616 William wrote the first draft of his will. In february of that year, his oldest daughter Susanna got married to John Hall, a man in the medical profession.In april of that year, Shakespeare died and left the bulk of his forture to Susanna and three hundred pounds to Judith in her own name. He also left his second best bed to his wife. Under law though, Anne was entitled to one third of his forture and life residence in his house.

"Anne Hathaway Biography". William Shakespeare Site Map. May 22, 2010 .