As the nation prepares to celebrate Shakespeare, 400 years on from his death, this book looks at the man behind the plays using original documents and historical artefacts. Items reproduced include the entry in the parish register that records Shakespeare's birth on 26 April 1564, a document from 1552 fining his father John Shakespeare for making a refuse heap in the street (he was a glove-maker and may have been using waste to soften the leather) and part of the first printed edition of Hamlet in 1603. There is also the famous page from Shakespeare’s will leaving his wife Anne his second best bed, and an explanation as to why he might have done that! With contemporary paintings and drawings plus photographs of statues and buildings it’s attractive to look at and full of fascinating insight. ~ Andrea Reece
The National Archives: Shakespeare Unclassified Synopsis
Welcome to the world of William Shakespeare. See what influenced his work, whether he really did write the famous works that we associate with his name, and be prepared to be taken on a journey behind the scenes. Amazing artifacts and original documents provided by the National Archives help readers build a real account of the man behind the name.
Nick Hunter has written more than 50 books for young people. He has a degree in modern history and specializes in writing about history and social studies. Before becoming an author, Nick worked in children's publishing for many years. He lives in Oxford, UK with his wife and two sons.
