William Shakespeare is generally seen as among the greatest writers of the English language, writing approximately 38 plays and 154 sonnets, as well as a diversity of other poems. Shakespeare is considered to be England's national poet.

Conway Stewart is proud to celebrate the life of William Shakespeare with a special limited edition.

Shakespeare was born on 23 April, 1564 and raised in the picturesque Tudor market town of Stratford-upon-Avon. During the sixteenth century, Stratford-upon-Avon was an important agricultural centre and market town, licensed by Richard I in the twelfth century.

Shakespeare's mother, Mary Arden was a daughter from an upper class family while his father produced and sold leather goods such as purses, belts and gloves as well as being a dealer in agricultural commodities. Mary Arden took a step down the social ladder of the Elizabethan Age as her husband was of the yeoman class, a notch or two below the gentry. With hard work, John Shakespeare successfully served in Stratford government and during his career was a member of Council, Constable, Chamberlain, Alderman and a High Bailiff, which is equivalent to a Town Mayor. William Shakespeare was their first son out of eight children.

In November 1582 at the age of 18, Shakespeare married a local farmer's daughter, Anne Hathaway. She was eight years his senior and three months pregnant with his child. It is rumoured he was forced into a shotgun wedding by Hathaway's family. On 26 May 1583, their daughter Susanna was baptised, followed by twins, Hamnet and Judith who were baptised on 2 February 1585.
Image of William ShakespeareUnfortunately Hamnet died eleven years later in 1596.

Shakespeare lived in London writing and performing his plays, while Hathaway remained in Stratford. He worked hard on becoming a successful playwright and actor and was associated with several acting companies, the most notable of which was 'Lord Chamberlain's Men' which later became known as the 'King's Men' after receiving royal patronage.

During 1592, theatres closed for about two years because of the London Plague. This was devastating for the professional acting companies. During this time, Shakespeare turned to writing book-length narrative poetry and sonnets. His most notable works of this period were "Venus and Adonis" and "The Rape of Lucrece," both of which were dedicated to the Earl of Southampton.

When the theatres reopened, Shakespeare invested the money earned froStatue of Shakespeare in Leicester Square, Londonm writing poetry to establish himself within the revival of the acting companies. By the time the Lord Chamberlain's men were performing his work publicly, Shakespeare had become a part owner/manager sharing the profits from his plays. Shakespeare became the company's principal playwright, producing an average of 2 plays per year until his retirement to Stratford around 1611 to 1612. During his time the Chamberlain's Men had become the most popular acting company in London. Shakespeare's work flourished and with the profits earned in 1599 he became part owner in the most prestigious public playhouse in London, the Globe.

Shakespeare was an exceptionally practical individual, known as a shrewd businessman in theatrical, commercial and real estate circles.

William Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, and was buried three days later, exactly 52 years after his baptism. He is buried in the chancel of Holy Trinity Church where he had been baptised exactly 52 years earlier. April 23 is also the traditional date England celebrates their patron Saint, St. George.

There is a monument on the wall nearest his grave featuring a bust showing Shakespeare posed in the act of writing. The grave is covered by a flat stone that bears an epitaph which has traditionally been ascribed to Shakespeare himself:

"Good friends for Jesus sake forebeare,
To dig the dust enclosed heare
Blest be y man y spare thes stones,
And curs't be he y moves my..."

Shakespeare's works have been translated into countless languages and his plays are repeatedly performed all around the world. He is probably the most quoted writer in literature. The Conway Stewart Shakespeare is a fitting tribute to this greatest of English writers, featuring a scene from one of his most memorable works, Romeo and Juliet on the barrel, while the cap is adorned with the likeness of Shakespeare himself, taken from the famous engraving in the First Folio of Shakespeare's works.

The Conway Stewart Shakespeare Limited Edition has been created using the art of airbrush and hand painting to evoke scenes from one of his earliest theatrical triumphs, and is thought to be the classic but tragic love story.

The Conway Stewart Shakespeare is a fitting tribute to this greatest of English writers, featuring a scene from one of his most memorable works, Romeo and Juliet on the barrel, while the cap is adorned with the likeness of Shakespeare himself, taken from the famous engraving in the First Folio of Shakespeare's works.

Our renowned airbrush artist executes this artwork with painstaking care and attention to detail. The technique used allows for a combination of fine detail and beautiful, flowing spreads of colour.

As with all Conway Stewart writing instruments, the solid 18-carat gold nib is available in a choice of eight grades, from Extra Fine to Extra Broad, Italic Fine, Italic Medium and Italic Broad.

The Shakespeare Limited Edition uses the reliable cartridge converter filling mechanism and is packaged in our deluxe packaging.

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