Lesley Smith - An Audience with Anne Hathaway - Sun 26th July 4.00pm
At the age of 18, William Shakespeare married a local woman called Anne Hathaway late in 1582 when Anne was 26 years of age, and carrying Shakespeare’s child.
Anne then followed tradition and moved in with Shakespeare and his parents to live in their family home. Interestingly, for such a public figure, very little is known about Anne and William’s relationship. All we can say with certainty is that they married, had three children Susanna, Judith and Hamnet and they remained married until Shakespeare’s death in 1616. Upon his death at their home 'New Place' in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare left his ‘second best bed’ to Anne in his will.
Anne Shakespeare died in 1623 outliving her already famous husband by 7years. The couple are buried inside Holy Trinity Church, Stratford- upon- Avon near each other but not in the same tomb.
Lesley Smith’s vibrant and often amusing talk given in spectacular costume made by a specialist from the RSC, explores the possibilities of their relationship and finally deals with that “second best bed”.
Whilst very little is known about Anne Hathaway, Lesley is able to cleverly pick her way between the facts to give a proper sense of life in the Midlands at that time.
Lesley Smith is a medical historian holding an M.Phil in Tudor medicine, is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, and is also a Member of the Society of Medical Writers. She was awarded an Honorary Masters Degree in 2010 (University of Derby ) for ‘Services to History in the Community’ and has 38 academic publications. A well known broadcaster (150 television appearances in the UK and abroad) she is a former Curator of Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire (retired in July 2024 after almost 25 years). Lesley is also well known for her highly entertaining and informative costumed portrayals of historical characters, which she gave both at Tutbury Castle and still does all across the UK.
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At the age of 18, William Shakespeare married a local woman called Anne Hathaway late in 1582 when Anne was 26 years of age, and carrying Shakespeare’s child.
Anne then followed tradition and moved in with Shakespeare and his parents to live in their family home. Interestingly, for such a public figure, very little is known about Anne and William’s relationship. All we can say with certainty is that they married, had three children Susanna, Judith and Hamnet and they remained married until Shakespeare’s death in 1616. Upon his death at their home 'New Place' in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare left his ‘second best bed’ to Anne in his will.
Anne Shakespeare died in 1623 outliving her already famous husband by 7years. The couple are buried inside Holy Trinity Church, Stratford- upon- Avon near each other but not in the same tomb.
Lesley Smith’s vibrant and often amusing talk given in spectacular costume made by a specialist from the RSC, explores the possibilities of their relationship and finally deals with that “second best bed”.
Whilst very little is known about Anne Hathaway, Lesley is able to cleverly pick her way between the facts to give a proper sense of life in the Midlands at that time.
Lesley Smith is a medical historian holding an M.Phil in Tudor medicine, is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, and is also a Member of the Society of Medical Writers. She was awarded an Honorary Masters Degree in 2010 (University of Derby ) for ‘Services to History in the Community’ and has 38 academic publications. A well known broadcaster (150 television appearances in the UK and abroad) she is a former Curator of Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire (retired in July 2024 after almost 25 years). Lesley is also well known for her highly entertaining and informative costumed portrayals of historical characters, which she gave both at Tutbury Castle and still does all across the UK.
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