Facts About William Shakespeare

• Battle of Shrewsbury fought in 1403.
• “Henry IV, Part I” published 1598.
• Theaters reopen, from a Plague shut down, 1594.
• 1599 Globe Theater built.
• 1604-1605 Shakespeare named as one of James’ King’s men.

In many of his plays, William Shakespeare chose to write about historical events. In many cases, these events were important to the English in defining who they were. These plays were known as historical plays, because they stood in place of a formalized history lesson on the corresponding subject matter.

Shakespeare’s notoriety rose alongside with the playhouse’s popularity. In the years following the reopening of theaters in 1594, William’s acting troupe became one of the most well known. Plays became popular because they were to be enjoyed by everyone; common folk and the monarchy alike partook in the playhouse. Given Shakespeare’s popularity, modern students of his works can gauge the general views held by the English concerning their history. By no means are his plays historically accurate; they draw on commonly held myths at the times of their writing.