John Shakespeare and Mary Arden

John was a glover and wool dealer who became bailiff of Stratford in 1568 and died in 1601. Mary came from a farming family in Wilmcote and died in 1608. William was their third child and eldest surviving son.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway was born around 1556 and married Shakespeare in late November 1582. Later fiction has often filled gaps in the marriage with unsupported stories. The documents tell us that she remained in Stratford, inherited under his will and was buried beside him after her death in 1623.

Historic photochrom of Anne Hathaway's thatched cottage at Shottery
Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Shottery. Unknown photographer; Library of Congress photochrom, c.1890s. Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.

Susanna, Hamnet and Judith

Susanna married the physician Dr John Hall in 1607. The twins Hamnet and Judith were baptised in 1585; Hamnet died at 11, while Judith married Thomas Quiney on 10 February 1616.

The last direct descendant

Susanna and John Hall’s daughter Elizabeth lived from 1608 to 1670. She had no children and was Shakespeare’s last direct descendant.

A simple family tree