Today is the day that traditionally marks the birth of the Bard, William Shakespeare, that famous Elizabethan playwright and actor in 1564. It is not known on what date Shakespeare was actually born but he was baptised at Stratford-upon-Avon on the 26th April 1564 and baptism usually took place around three days after birth.

William Shakespeare also died on this day in 1616. He was buried at the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon, in the chancel with the epitaph:-

“Good frend for Iesvs sake forbeare,
To digg the dvst encloased heare.
Bleste be ye man yt spares thes stones,
And cvrst be he yt moves my bones.”

or in modern English:-

“Good friend, for Jesus’ sake forbear,”
“To dig the dust enclosed here.”
“Blessed be the man that spares these stones,”
“And cursed be he who moves my bones.”

You can find out more about William Shakespeare in my article “William Shakespeare”, but please do share in the comments section below your favourite Shakespeare quotation.