The Players

It was another great English poet, John Donne, who said "No man is an island." These biographies represent some of the family, friends, colleagues and associates who influenced the personal and professional life of William Shakespeare.

Click a name for full biography...

[Arden - Hathaway] [HenryVIII - Mary Queen of Scots] [Poley - Walsingham]

Edward Arden The head of William's mother's family

James Burbage Actor and builder of the world's 1st purpose-built theatre

Richard Burbage Son of James, leading actor in Shakespeare's company

Edmund Campion Gifted scholar and Jesuit missionary

William Cecil (Lord Burghley) Secretary of State

Robert Dudley, The Earl of Leicester Close personal friend of the Queen

Elizabeth I The Queen of England

Earl of Essex Nobleman, trouble-maker and rebel

John Fribbling An entirely fictional device

Anne Hathaway The wife of William Shakespeare

[Arden - Hathaway] [HenryVIII - Mary Queen of Scots] [Poley - Walsingham]