Early Life and Family
Anne Hathaway was born in England in 1556. Her father was a yeoman farmer and held a good reputation in Shottery. When he died, Anne inherited some money that she could use to get married; her brother Bartholomew then bought the house and farm from his father.
The Hathaways were tenants of a small farmhouse on 90 acres of land in Shottery, close to where Shakespeare was born and raised. The family lived in the cottage for 13 generations until Shakespeare’s Birthplace Trust bought it in 1892 and turned it into a museum.
Marriage to William Shakespeare
Anne Hathaway married William Shakespeare in 1582 when she was around 26 years old and William was only 18. We’re not sure of Anne’s exact date of birth, but we do know that she was pregnant at the time of their marriage.
In those days, couples sometimes participated in a handfasting ceremony on Lammas Day (August 1st) as a sort of official engagement. This ceremony included exchanging vows in front of witnesses and then consummating the marriage, all before the couple’s official church wedding.
William applied to the Bishop’s Court in Worcester to speed up proceedings and avoid scandal, as it was important for the wedding to take place before signs of the pregnancy became too obvious. Guarantors accompanied William to court in order to ensure the validity of his marriage. If not, they would be required by law to pay the sum of £40.
Following their wedding, Shakespeare’s family home on Henley Street became Anne’s new home.
Children and Family Life
Anne and William’s first child, a daughter named Susanna, was born in 1583, just half a year after the couple tied the knot. In 1585, they had twins: Judith and Hamnet. Sadly, Hamnet died of the Plague at the age of 11.
Susanna later married a local doctor called John Hall, while Judith married a vintner named Thomas Quinney.
Not much is fully understood about Anne and William’s relationship. All we can be sure of is that they got married, lived together for part of their lives, and raised three children.
Anne in Stratford vs. Shakespeare in London
Anne Hathaway never went to London while her husband, William Shakespeare, worked as an actor and playwright there, or at least, as far as anyone knows. He would visit frequently, but she always remained in Stratford, living at the Henley Street house with her in-laws.
Life in Stratford was not easy. Anne Hathaway’s home life was just as demanding as her husband’s work life in London. Managing a household in Elizabethan England was much harder than it is now, and expectations for women were high.
Education and Role of Women
In Elizabethan England, girls were rarely given a formal education and often weren’t taught to read at home. Although some families encouraged their daughters to read, most men did not see the importance. For example, Sir Thomas More’s decision to teach his daughters was considered unusual and even controversial at the time.
Even Queen Elizabeth received a first-class education only because she was heir to the throne.
Anne Hathaway herself was expected to be a good wife and mother, even though she likely could not read or write. Her daughters, too, would not have been formally educated.
Later Years and Death
Anne and William remained together until Shakespeare’s death in 1616. In his will, he bequeathed to her his “second best bed”, a detail that has been the subject of much speculation ever since. Some see it as a slight, while others argue it was a sign of affection, as the “second best bed” was often the marital bed.
Anne Hathaway lived for seven more years after William’s death. She died in 1623, and today she is buried alongside him in the chancel of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Legacy
Anne Hathaway is remembered not only as the wife of William Shakespeare but also as a woman who represents the role and expectations of wives in Elizabethan England. Her family home in Shottery, now known as Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, remains one of the most visited literary landmarks in England.
Although much about her personal life remains uncertain, Anne’s story continues to spark curiosity and debate. Historians still question how much influence she had on her husband’s career, but what is clear is that she shared in the life of one of the world’s most famous writers, leaving behind a legacy that endures centuries later.
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Link will appear as Hanson, Marilee. "Anne Hathaway, Wife of William Shakespeare" https://englishhistory.net/shakespeare/anne-hathaway/, October 26, 2022