The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Volunteering Information Pack
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Introduction
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
We currently have a range of volunteering opportunities available and hope to
accommodate everyone interested in offering us support.
This information pack contains:
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A summary and brief description of all the volunteering roles currently available
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Volunteer information with regards to expectations and benefits
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Information about:
o
o
o
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The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
The Shakespeare Houses
William Shakespeare
A location map for the Shakespeare Centre and Houses
Once again, thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Trust.
Volunteer Information Pack
2
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Volunteer Task Descriptions
Mary Arden’s Farm
Mary Arden’s Farm was the childhood home of Shakespeare’s mother, Mary Arden. It is
now open to visitors as a Tudor working farm, complete with animals and costumed
Tudors. Visitors can step back in time and enjoy the sights and sounds of a farm as it
would have been during Shakespeare’s childhood. Volunteers can help our staff present
living history, look after the farm, or assist visitors in the shop/reception area.
Depending on their role, volunteers will report to either:
Operations Manager, Retail and Reception Manager or Farm Manager
Volunteers are needed 7 days a week.
Volunteer Tasks – Period Demonstrator and Public-facing
All the roles below will involve volunteers wearing costume and they will need to develop
and research their own individual Tudor character.
As many of the roles overlap and not all are available every day, volunteers will begin
with basic Tudor tasks and work towards their specific interest.
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Volunteer Information Pack
House Servant (Female)
To interact with the visitor, while demonstrating everyday
Tudor farmhouse life.
To partake in the day to day running of the house, cooking
on an open fire, fetching buckets of water, washing-up,
laying the table, housework using Tudor methods. Guiding
the visitor with hands on activities.
A friendly and outgoing personality, an interest in history
and cookery, willing to learn new skills, be physically fit.
Tudor Gardener (Male or female)
To interact with the visitor, while demonstrating period
gardening.
To tend to the vegetable, fruit, and herb gardens, ensuring a
rotation of vegetables for the house throughout the season,
planting seeds, weeding, watering, digging and preparing
beds while using period tools. Guiding the visitor with hands
on activities.
Friendly and outgoing personality, some gardening
knowledge, an interest in history, willing to learn new skills,
be physically fit.
Woodman (Male)
To interact with the visitor, while demonstrating wood
chopping and or other wood related skills.
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Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
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Volunteer Information Pack
To cut and split wood for the house fire, keep wood store
stocked, make faggots for the bread oven, make simple
wooden tools, use a flint and steel to demonstrate fire
lighting. Guiding the visitor with hands on activities.
A friendly and outgoing personality, an interest in history,
willing to learn new skills and be physically fit.
Rat Catcher (Male)
To interact with the visitor, while demonstrating the role of a
rat catcher.
Talk to visitors about the role of rat catcher and equipment
used. Guiding the visitor with hands on activities.
A friendly and outgoing personality and an interest in
history.
Stockman (Male)
To interact with the visitor, while caring for the pigs, sheep,
cattle in the Tudor yard.
To ensure the stock are fed and watered, clean out pens.
Guiding the visitor in hands on activities.
A friendly and outgoing personality, an interest in history,
some experience of working with farm animals is desirable,
willing to learn new skills and be physically fit.
Dairymaid (Female)
To interact with the visitor, while demonstrating Tudor
dairying.
To make butter and cheese and keep the dairy clean.
Guiding the visitor with hands on activities.
A friendly and outgoing personality, an interest in history
and butter/ cheese making, willing to learn new skills,
physically fit. Training is available.
Meet and Greet (Male or female)
To welcome the visitor on arrival.
To welcome the visitor in a warm friendly manner and
entertain queuing visitors.
A friendly and outgoing personality, an interest in history
and be willing to learn new skills.
Washer Woman. (Female)
To interact with the visitor, while demonstrating Tudor
laundry.
Demonstrate a Tudor washday and making lye. Guiding the
visitor with hands on activities.
A friendly and outgoing personality, an interest in history,
be willing to learn new skills and be physically fit.
Wool Crafts (Female)
To interact with the visitor, while demonstrating working
with wool.
To work with wool, tozing, carding, spinning and using a
drop spindle. Guiding the visitor with hands on activities.
A friendly and outgoing personality, an interest in history
and be willing to learn new skills. Experience of spinning is
desirable, but not essential as training is available.
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Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
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Thresher, (Male)
To interact with the visitor, while demonstrating threshing
and winnowing of grain.
To keep the barn clean and tidy, thresh and winnow grain,
use a quern to grind grain. Guide the visitor with hands on
activities.
A friendly and outgoing personality, an interest in history,
willing to learn new skills and be physically fit. Training is
available.
Musician (Male or female)
To interact with the visitor, while playing period Tudor
music.
To provide period music for dancing using period
instruments. Guiding the visitor with hands on activities.
A friendly and outgoing personality and have an interest in
history. Must have a sound knowledge of period music and
own a period instrument.
Goose Girl (Female)
To interact with the visitor, care for the fowl in the Tudor
yard, coordinate the egg hunt and meet the animals tour.
Ensure that the fowl are fed, watered and houses are clean,
coordinate the egg hunt, hiding eggs about the yard, walk
the geese. Guiding the visitor with hands on tasks.
A friendly and outgoing personality, must like birds, have an
interest in history, willing to learn new skills and be
physically fit. Previous experience in working with animals is
desired, but not essential.
Seamstress (Female)
To interact with the visitor, while demonstrating period
sewing.
To make hand sewn period clothing, demonstrate Black
Work embroidery. Guiding the visitor with hands on
activities.
Must have some experience of sewing and embroidery, a
friendly and outgoing personality and have an interest in
history.
Dance Teacher (Male or female)
To interact with the visitor, while teaching period Tudor
dances.
Work with the period musicians, teaching the visitor period
Tudor dances.
An interest in Tudor period dancing, a friendly and outgoing
personality, an interest in history and be physically fit.
Wise Woman (Female)
To interact with the visitor, while demonstrating the making
of herbal remedies, simple home cures.
To demonstrate herbal cures, use an alembic in distilling,
make salves, talk about herbs and cures. Guiding the visitor
with hands on activities.
An interest in herbal remedies and Tudor health is essential,
knowledge of herbs, a friendly and outgoing personality,
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The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
have an interest in history and be willing to learn new skills.
Some training is available.
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Volunteer Information Pack
Baker, (Male or female)
To interact with the visitor, while demonstrating Tudor bread
making.
Bake bread, bolt flour, and keep workstation clean and tidy.
Guiding the visitor with hands on activities.
A friendly and outgoing personality, some bread making
experience, have an interest in history, willing to learn new
skills and be physically fit.
Brewer (Male or female)
To interact with the visitor, while demonstrating period ale
making.
To provide the house with ale, keep stock of malt and yeast,
demonstrate traditional Tudor brewing. Guiding the visitor
with hands on activities.
A friendly and outgoing personality, have an interest in
history and home brewing, be willing to learn new skills and
be physically fit. Training available.
Games Master/Mistress (Male or female)
To interact with the visitor, while demonstrating Tudor
period games.
Guide and encourage the visitor with hands on Tudor
games. Develop and research your character.
A friendly and outgoing personality, have an interest in
history, be willing to learn new skills and be physically fit.
Scribe (Male or female)
To interact with the visitor, while demonstrating Tudor
handwriting.
Demonstrate secretary hand, make ink and cut a quill pen.
Guiding the visitor with hands on activities.
A friendly and outgoing personality, have an interest in
history and be willing to learn new skills.
Textiles, knitting, weaving, braids (Male or female)
To interact with the visitor, while demonstrating making
woollen textiles.
Make knitted garments, weave on a loom, use a lucett,
make finger braids. Guiding the visitor with hands on
activities.
Some knitting and weaving skills are desirable. A friendly
and outgoing personality, an interest in history and be
willing to learn new skills.
Life on a Tudor farm tour guide (Male or female)
To give booked groups a guided tour of Palmers Farm.
Meet and greet the group, guide the group around the yard
and the rooms at Palmers Farm, answer questions.
A friendly and outgoing personality, have an interest in
history and be willing to learn new skills.
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Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
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Ploughman (Male)
To interact with the visitor, while demonstrating ploughing
and harrowing.
To work with a horse or team of oxen, demonstrating period
ploughing and harrowing, using a breast plough. Guiding the
visitor with hands on activities.
Experience of working with horses and cattle. A friendly and
outgoing personality, have an interest in history, be willing
to learn new skills and be physically fit and strong.
Storyteller (Male or female)
To interact with the visitor, while storytelling.
To tell stories suitable for a range of different age groups.
Guiding the visitor with hands on activities.
A friendly and outgoing personality, have an interest in
history and be willing to learn new skills.
Candle maker (Male or female)
To interact with the visitor, while demonstrating candle
making.
To make candles using tallow or beeswax, making rush
tapers. Guiding the visitor with hands on activities.
A friendly and outgoing personality, have an interest in
history and be willing to learn new skills. Training is
available.
Shoemaker/Leatherworker (Male or female)
To interact with the visitor, while demonstrating shoemaking
or leatherwork.
To make and repair period shoes using period tools, making
simple leather bags, belts etc. Guiding the visitor with hands
on activities.
A friendly and outgoing personality, have an interest in
history, be willing to learn new skills and training is
available.
Player (Male or female)
To interact with the visitor, while performing short plays.
To work with other members of the cast, delivering short
plays. Guiding the visitor with hands on activities.
A friendly outgoing personality, works well as part of a
team, a interest in history, willing to learn new skills and an
interest in acting or amateur dramatics.
Volunteer Tasks – Non-costumed
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Volunteer Information Pack
Farm Assistant (Male or female)
To assist the farm manager with animal care and farm work.
To assist the farm manager in caring for stock, feeding,
watering, cleaning out animal pens, maintaining hedges and
fences.
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The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Requirements/skills:
Please note:
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Please note:
To work well as part of a team, some previous experience of
working with animals would be great but is by no means
essential, some of the tasks require physical fitness.
The farm assistant role can be either costumed or noncostumed depending on individual volunteer preferences.
House Attendant, public-facing, (Male or female)
To support the house guide at Mary Arden’s.
To support the house guide, help manage large groups,
acting as an usher, guiding the visitor to other areas at busy
times.
A friendly and outgoing personality, an interest in history,
willing to learn new skills.
Ticket Area Assistant, public-facing, (Male or female)
To interact with the visitor, directing the visitor.
Guiding the visitor through the entrance area, giving out
trail sheets and start point directions, giving the visitor
information about the site and events occurring that day,
encourage the visitor to fill-in customer surveys.
A friendly and outgoing personality.
Shop Assistant, public-facing, (Male or female)
To assist in the shop area.
To help the customer with queries, keep the shop clean and
tidy during opening times, help with stock control, water
plants that are for sale, wrap goods purchased.
A friendly and outgoing personality, willing to learn new
skills, no till work or cash handling.
Tailor, dressmaker or seamstress (Male or female)
To make hand sewn period clothing.
To make hand sewn period clothing such as doublets,
breeches, gowns, kirtles, coifs, partlets, aprons, sleeves,
sheets and table linen.
Dressmaking skills are essential for making costume, but
basic sewing techniques are adequate for the simpler items.
To volunteer from home.
Home Knitter (Male or female)
To make hand knitted socks and hats.
To make hand knitted period socks, hats and gloves.
Must be an accomplished knitter, happy to work from home
and wool and period patterns will be provided.
This role can also be undertaken on the farm site.
Administrative points:
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Training will be provided as necessary
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Volunteers undertaking the Farm Assistant role should wear sturdy footwear
(safety boots preferred) and clothes they don’t mind getting dirty.
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Costumes will be provided for those undertaking costumed roles
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Please come prepared for all weathers
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You should be up to date with your tetanus, as unfortunately tetanus can be
transmitted easily through the simplest of accidents.
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Volunteer badges will be provided as appropriate
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Smoking is not allowed on site
Volunteer Information Pack
8
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302

Food and drink should only be consumed in set areas
Authorised by:
Title:
Vicky Cain
Operations Manager
Authorised by:
Title:
Joe Moore
Farm Manager
Authorised by:
Title:
Date:
Linda Mullan
Retail and Reception Manager
December 2010
Volunteer Information Pack
9
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Dig for Shakespeare at Nash’s House
‘Dig for Shakespeare’ is an archaeology project run by the Trust and Birmingham
Archaeology. The project began in 2010 and will run until October 2011. The
archaeologists, assisted by volunteers, are excavating the remains of New Place,
Shakespeare’s final home which was demolished in the 18th Century.
Volunteers are needed Monday and Thursday (morning and afternoon shifts available),
Saturday and Sunday (afternoon only) AND for our reserve list (to cover holiday,
sickness etc)
Role Title:
Reports to:
Purpose of role:
Responsibilities:
Volunteer Archaeologist
Archaeology - Birmingham Archaeology staff
Health and Safety – Operations Manager, Nash’s House
To volunteer as amateur archaeologists, supporting the
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust as it excavates the remains of
Shakespeare’s house and rubbish pits at his final home in New
Place, Stratford upon Avon.
To be guided through the archaeological process by Birmingham
Archaeology staff, gaining some experience of archaeological
excavation and recording, photography, surveying, finds work
(including processing, washing and marking) and on-site
illustrations and planning.
To talk to visitors about the archaeological process and answer
questions.
To sieve the excavated archaeological deposits by passing them
through one or more screens or sieves either suspended in water or
washed through with running water. You may also need to
supervise members of the public in sieving and explain its
importance in archaeology.
To remove archaeological spoil from the excavation area and make
sure it is stored safely and securely.
Help backfill the soil once the project is over.
NB. Each activity will be tailored to match the fitness and experience of individual
volunteers.
Requirements / skills:
 No archaeological experience is required, however some interest in archaeology or
Shakespeare would be useful.
 You should have good people skills and be happy to talk to visitors to the site.
 You should be up to date with your tetanus, as unfortunately tetanus can be
transmitted easily through the simplest of accidents.
Commitment:
A regular commitment would be advantageous; either a morning, afternoon or full day
per week would assist us with planning the project. However we can accept volunteers
for a period of time e.g. a week or fortnight, or one day per fortnight etc.
You should indicate how much time, the frequency or the dates you can volunteer on the
Volunteer Registration Form.
Length of project or placement:
Monday 11th April to Sunday 6th November 2011
Volunteer Information Pack
10
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Administrative points:
 Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes or boots, and clothes that they don’t mind
getting dirty.
 Please come prepared for all weathers i.e. suntan lotion or wet weather gear, as
well as plenty of non-alcoholic drinks as digging can be thirsty work whatever the
weather!
 Smoking is not allowed anywhere on site.
 If you would like to bring your own trowels, you can as long as they are WHS
4/5inch pointing trowels, otherwise Birmingham Archaeology will loan you the
relevant equipment.
 Please note that due to supervision and health and safety considerations,
volunteer numbers for each day are strictly limited to 5. Places must therefore be
booked in advance and are available on a first come first served
basis. Unfortunately it will not be possible to accept anyone who does not have a
place booked and simply turns up on the day.
Nash’s House
Nash’s House was owned by Thomas Nash, husband to Shakespeare’s grand-daughter,
and adjoins the site of New Place, where Shakespeare lived for the final years of his life.
The house contains period furniture and displays ‘finds’ made during recent ‘Dig for
Shakespeare’ excavations. There are also objects relating to some of the main themes
covered in Shakespeare’s works, for example ‘Love and Lusting’ and ‘Death and
Mourning’. Volunteers can help bring all these displays to life for our visitors.
Volunteers are needed 7 days a week.
Role Title:
Reports to:
Purpose of role:
Room / Exhibition Host
Operations Manager, Nash’s House
To interact with visitors to the exhibition at Nash’s House and
monitor the paintings on display.
Responsibilities:
To engage our guests in conversation about the current exhibition.
To monitor capacity numbers within exhibition space.
To monitor the safety of the exhibits and guests.
To aid in H&S and evacuation of the exhibition should it be needed.
To let our guests know what else they will experience at the other
Shakespeare sites and how to reach them.
Requirements/skills:
 A friendly and outgoing personality
 An interest in history
 Willingness to learn new skills
 Ability to ensure health and safety guidelines are followed and to be responsible
for your own personal health and safety
Commitment: A regular commitment would be advantageous; either a morning,
afternoon or full day per week would help us during the busier summer months.
You should indicate how much time, the frequency or the dates you can volunteer on the
Volunteer Registration Form.
Length of project or placement: 1st November 2010 – 1st November 2011
Volunteer Information Pack
11
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Administrative points:
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Training will be provided

Volunteers to wear own smart clothing
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Volunteer badges will be provided
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Smoking is not allowed on site.
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Food and drink should only be consumed in set areas.
Authorised by:
Title:
Date:
Chloe Malendewicz
Operations Manager, Nash’s House
7 October 2010
Volunteer Information Pack
12
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Shakespeare’s Birthplace
Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the childhood home of William Shakespeare, is furnished with
both original and replica items similar to those which would have been present when
Shakespeare was a boy. The Shakespeare Centre, adjacent to the Birthplace, stages
regular exhibitions of items from the Trust’s collections. Volunteers can choose to be
based inside the Birthplace itself and/or the current exhibition, welcoming and informing
our visitors.
Volunteers are needed 7 days a week.
Role Title:
Reports to:
Purpose of role:
Exhibition Host
Senior Guide & Operations Manager, Shakespeare’s Birthplace
To interact with visitors to the temporary exhibitions
Shakespeare’s Birthplace
Responsibilities:
To engage our guests in conversation about the exhibitions.
To monitor capacity numbers within exhibition space.
To monitor the safety of the exhibits and guests.
To aid in H&S and evacuation of the exhibition should it be needed.
To let our guests know what else they will experience on their visit
to the Birthplace.
To let our guests know what else they will experience at the other
Shakespeare sites and how to reach them.
To help with entry and exit of wheelchair users via the chair lift
from the garden.
To encourage our guests to fill in customer feedback forms
at
Requirements / skills:
 A keen interest in works of art and museum objects
 Good people skills with the ability to talk confidently to both individuals & groups
of people
 Good team worker
 Ability to learn background information about the exhibition, the Birthplace and
the other Shakespeare Houses
 Ability to ensure health and safety guidelines are followed and to be responsible
for your own personal health and safety
Commitment: A regular commitment of 4 hours or above would be advantageous;
either a morning, an afternoon, an evening or a full day a week would assist us in
planning the exhibition.
Length of project or placement:
The exhibition will run from approximately:
6th June – 4th Sep (9am – 7pm)
5th Sep – 30th October (9am – 6pm)
31st October – sometime in 2012 (10am – 5pm)
Some dates and times are still to be confirmed
Other exhibition times (such as evening events) will be confirmed at the time of planning
events.
Administrative points:
 Volunteers to wear own smart clothing
 Volunteer badges will be provided
 Smoking is not allowed on site
Volunteer Information Pack
13
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302

Food and drink is not allowed within the exhibition area
Role Title:
Reports to:
Purpose of role:
Room Host
Senior Guide & Operations Manager, Shakespeare’s Birthplace
To interact with visitors to Shakespeare’s Birthplace
Responsibilities:
To engage our guests in conversation about Shakespeare, the
Birthplace and the objects on display.
To monitor the flow of visitors as they progress through the
Birthplace rooms
To monitor the safety of the objects and guests.
To aid in H&S and evacuation of the Birthplace and Garden should
it be needed.
To let our guests know what else they will experience on their visit
to the Birthplace.
To let our guests know what else they will experience at the other
Shakespeare sites and how to reach them.
To help with entry and exit of wheelchair users to the downstairs of
the Birthplace.
To encourage our guests to fill in customer feedback forms
**In time, if they wish, volunteers may progress to leading guided
tours of the Birthplace.
Requirements / skills:
 A keen interest in the works, life and times of Shakespeare, historic buildings and
museum objects
 Good people skills with the ability to talk confidently to both individuals & groups
of people
 Good team worker
 Ability to learn background information about the exhibition, the Birthplace and
the other Shakespeare Houses
 Ability to ensure health and safety guidelines are followed and to be responsible
for your own personal health and safety
 Some availability to volunteer evenings based on bookings of evening
tours/events would be an advantage
Commitment: A regular commitment of 4 hours or above would be advantageous;
either a morning, an afternoon, an evening or a full day a week would assist us in
planning.
Length of project or placement:
1st April 2011 onwards (no foreseen end date)
Birthplace opening times:
1st April – 27th May (9am – 6pm)
28th May – 4th Sep (9am – 7pm)
5th Sep – 30th October (9am – 6pm)
31st October – 31st December (10am – 5pm)
Other times such as evening events will be confirmed at the time of booking
Administrative points:
 Volunteers to wear own smart clothing
 Volunteer badges will be provided
 Smoking is not allowed on site
 Food and drink should not be consumed within the public areas
Volunteer Information Pack
14
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Birthplace volunteers can also lead ‘Cradle to Grave’ guided walks, helping visitors
experience the journey of Shakespeare’s life from his Birthplace to his final resting place
at Holy Trinity Church.
Volunteers are needed 5 days a week.
Role Title:
Reports to:
Purpose of role:
Volunteer Cradle to Grave Host
Senior Guides & Operations Manager, Shakespeare’s Birthplace
To deliver a 2 hour SBT branded guided tour through Shakespeare’s
Birthplace, Nash’s House, the town and Shakespeare’s Grave at
Holy Trinity Church
Responsibilities:
To enhance the customer experience of all that the Trust has to
offer by engaging the group in a 2 hour long guided tour.
To monitor the safety of the group at all times whilst on Trust
property and within the town environment.
To aid in H&S and evacuation of the group should it be needed
where ever occurring during the tour.
To advise our guests on what else they will experience on their visit
to the other houses not included in the walk.
To help with entry and exit of wheelchair users or those with poor
mobility to the downstairs and gardens of the houses/church.
Requirements / skills:
 A keen interest in the works, life and times of Shakespeare
 Excellent people skills with the ability to deliver a talk/walk to large groups (30
people max)
 Good team worker
 Ability to learn a script of historical information about Shakespeare and the
various other properties included in the walks
 Ability to lead a 2 hour walk and keep to a strict time frame
 Ability to ensure health and safety guidelines are followed and to be responsible
for your own personal health and safety
 Be available to attend training sessions in delivery of Cradle to Grave Walks
 A foreign language would be a bonus
Commitment: A regular commitment of a minimum of 3 hrs would be advantageous;
either a morning or an afternoon would assist us in planning the walks.
Length of project or placement:
Private Group Bookings Walks
1st April – 31st Oct 2011
Days: Mon – Thurs only
Times: up to 3 walks per day, times dependant on number of groups booking
General Public Walks
6th June – 29th Aug 2011
Days: Fri only
Times: 9.30am – 11.30am & 3.00pm – 5.00pm
Training will be provided
Administrative points:
 Volunteers to wear own smart clothing and all weather protection
 No smoking on site or during a walk
 No food to be consumed during a walk
 Volunteer badges will be provided
Volunteer Information Pack
15
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Authorised by:
Title:
Date:
Samantha Young
Operations Manager, Shakespeare’s Birthplace
31st March 2011
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
The childhood home of Shakespeare’s wife Anne is an intimate, timber-framed building
full of romance and displaying objects from a variety of periods, including the ‘Hathaway
Bed’. If you are interested the romance of Shakespeare, plays or poetry these could be
the volunteer roles for you.
Volunteers are needed 7 days a week.
Role Title:
Reports to:
Purpose of role:
Room Host
Operations Manager, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
To interact with visitors to the Cottage providing information on the
upstairs rooms and ensuring health and safety guidelines are
adhered to.
Responsibilities:
To help bring the Cottage and Gardens to life by providing
information on Anne Hathaway, the Cottage and exhibits with
particular reference to the ‘romance of Shakespeare.’
To monitor numbers within the Cottage.
To monitor the safety of the exhibits and guests.
To aid in the evacuation of the Cottage in the event of an
emergency.
To assist visitors who request aid up and down the staircases.
To advise our guests on what else they will experience at the other
Shakespeare sites and how to reach them.
Requirements / skills:
 A friendly and outgoing personality.
 An interest/knowledge of Shakespeare, his works and the times he lived in.
 Ability to learn background information about Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare, the
Cottage and the objects displayed, and the other Shakespeare Houses.
 Good team worker.
 Ability to ensure health and safety guidelines are followed and to be responsible
for your own personal health and safety.
Commitment: A regular commitment would be advantageous, either a morning, an
afternoon, or a full day a week would assist us in planning.
Length of project or placement: 1st March – 31st October
Administrative points:
 Volunteers to wear own smart clothing
 Volunteer badges will be provided
Volunteer Information Pack
16
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302


Smoking is not allowed on site
Food or drink should not be consumed within the Cottage
Role Title:
Reports to:
Purpose of role:
Costumed Actor/Greeter
Operations Manager, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
To welcome visitors to the site and to portray the romance of
Shakespeare through performing sonnets and scenes from the
plays and hand-fasting ceremonies in the Cottage Grounds.
Responsibilities:
To warmly greet visitors and act as an information point providing
information regarding the site and facilities.
To learn and perform Shakespeare’s sonnets and scenes from his
romantic plays bringing Shakespeare to life and adding enjoyment
to the visitor’s experience.
To develop a ‘portfolio’ of scenes/sonnets tailored to differing age
groups and nationalities.
To rehearse with other members of the team and continually
fine-tune performances.
To research, demonstrate and, where requested, conduct handfasting ceremonies.
To advise our guests on what else they will experience at the other
Shakespeare sites and how to reach them.
Requirements / skills:
 Experience of acting and or/training in the performing arts.
 Ability to learn lines and perform scenes/sonnets in a convincing and engaging
manner.
 A friendly and outgoing personality.
 An interest/knowledge of Shakespeare, his works and the times he lived in.
 Good team worker.
 Ability to ensure health and safety guidelines are followed and to be responsible
for your own personal health and safety.
Commitment: A regular commitment would be advantageous, either a morning, an
afternoon, or a full day a week would assist us in planning.
Length of project or placement: 1st March – 31st October
Administrative points:
 Costumes will be provided
 Volunteer badges will be provided
 Smoking is not allowed on site
 Food or drink should not be consumed within the Cottage
Authorised by:
Title:
Date:
Abi Moore
Operations Manager, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
December 2010
Volunteer Information Pack
17
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Hall’s Croft
For a few years Hall’s Croft was the home of Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna and her
husband, Dr John Hall. The life of a prosperous medical practitioner is reflected in the
displays of textiles, furniture and paintings. The current exhibition at Hall’s Croft, 'A
History of the RSC in 50 Objects’, opened in April. It explores the history of the Royal
Shakespeare Company (1961 – present) through 50 objects selected from the collections
of The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Volunteers
can help bring Hall’s Croft’s exhibitions to life for our visitors.
Volunteers are needed 7 days a week.
Role title:
Reports to:
Purpose of role:
Room/Exhibition Host
Operations Manager, Hall’s Croft
To interact with visitors at Hall’s Croft for the 50 years of RSC
Exhibition and monitor the items on display.
Responsibilities:
To engage the visitors in conversation about the current exhibition
To monitor capacity numbers within exhibition space.
To monitor the safety of the exhibits and visitors.
To aid in health and safety and evacuation of the exhibition should
it be needed.
To let the visitors know what else they can experience at the other
Shakespeare properties and how to reach them.
Requirements/skills:
 A friendly and outgoing personality
 An interest in history and in Shakepeare
 Willingness to learn new skills
 Ability to ensure health and safety guidelines are followed and be responsible for
your own health and safety.
Commitment: a regular commitment would be advantageous; either a morning,
afternoon or full day per week would help us during the busier summer months.
You should indicate how much time, the frequency or the dates you can volunteer on the
Volunteer Registration Form.
Length of placement: End of March to 31st December 2011
Administrative points:
 Training will be provided
 Volunteers to wear own smart clothing
 Volunteer badges will be provided
 Smoking is not allowed on site
 Food and drink is only to be consumed in the set areas
Authorised by:
Title:
Date:
Marie Dufaud
Operations Manager, Hall’s Croft
January 2010
Volunteer Information Pack
18
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Education
The Heritage Education team works with schools, children and families to engage and
inspire at each of our sites. Volunteers are needed to support staff in the delivery of
both formal and informal learning.
Volunteers are mainly needed Monday – Friday, between 9.30am – 3.30pm. Occasional
weekend help may be required.
Role Title:
Reports to:
Purpose of role:
Volunteer Heritage Helper
Heritage Education Officer
To support the Heritage Teachers and Assistants in the delivery of
formal (school groups) and informal (children and families visiting
at weekends and during school holidays) learning. Learning
sessions will take place in The Shakespeare Centre as well as in all
the historic houses and gardens of The Shakespeare Birthplace
Trust.
Responsibilities:
Assisting Heritage Team in delivering formal programmes:
Escorting children to and from different parts of the
building
Assisting the session leader with practical demonstrations
Making up Tudor lunches
Knitting garters and repairing/mending clothes/artefacts
Some directed archive research
Packing, checking and handing out Nature Walk bags
Setting up and maintaining discovery settings in the Houses:
Creating/assembling visual displays
Setting out, tidying and maintaining paper, pencils,
crayons, scissors etc
Restocking supplies as/when necessary
Assisting with clerical and practical tasks:
Preparing mailshots
Photocopying and laminating
Collating teachers’ packs
Overseeing educational supplies cupboard
Organising, distributing and collecting loans from the
cupboard to the historic houses
Creating and/or making ‘Blue Peter style’ (samples made
earlier) and demonstrating simple skills/techniques eg
making pomanders
Requirements/skills:
 A friendly personality.
 Experience of working with children
 An interest/knowledge of Shakespeare, his works and the times he lived in.
 Good team worker.
 Some tasks require physical fitness
 Ability to ensure health and safety guidelines are followed and to be responsible
for your own personal health and safety.
Commitment: A regular commitment would be advantageous, either a morning, an
afternoon, or a full day a week would assist us in planning.
Length of project or placement: Ongoing
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19
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Administrative points:
 Volunteers to wear own practical clothing
 Volunteer badges will be provided
 Smoking is not allowed on site
 Food or drink should only be consumed in designated areas
 This role requires a Criminal Record Bureau check
Authorised by:
Title:
Date:
Susan Walker
Children's Heritage and Education Manager
December 2010
Volunteer Information Pack
20
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Gardens Department
Volunteer gardening enthusiasts are needed to help the gardeners at the five
Shakespeare Houses. The gardens vary from site to site and include vegetable patches,
rose gardens, formal borders, hedging, lawns, cottage style beds, fruit trees and much
more.
Volunteers are needed Monday – Friday, across all 5 Shakespeare properties.
Role Title:
Reports to:
Purpose of role:
Volunteer Gardens Assistant
Resident Gardeners
To help support the gardeners across all the properties managed by
the Trust.
Responsibilities:
To support the resident gardeners with the day-to-day maintaining
of the gardens.
Help maintain floral displays to the highest standards
To help plant seasonal bedding & vegetable displays.
Propagate plants both by seeds and cuttings.
To help prune shrubs and climbers at appropriate times of year.
To stake and support plants at appropriate times of year.
Inform the visitor about the gardens & plants.
To help the customer with queries.
Requirements/skills:
 A friendly, outgoing personality and good communication skills
 An interest in gardening
 A willingness to learn new skills
 Ability to carry out manual work and be prepared to work outdoors.
 A basic knowledge of gardening would be an advantage
Commitment: A regular commitment of 4 hours or above would be advantageous;
either a morning, afternoon or full day per week would help us during the busier
spring/summer months.
You should indicate how much time, the frequency or the dates you can volunteer on the
Volunteer Registration Form.
Length of project or placement: Early April to late September 2011, although all year
round can be arranged.
Administrative points:
 You can volunteer for shifts of 4 hours or more, preferably between 10.30am 4pm
 Training will be provided, where appropriate.
 Smoking is not allowed on site.
 Food and drink should only be consumed in set areas and at set times
 Volunteers to wear own outdoor clothing with good hardwearing boots (safety
boots preferred)
 Volunteer badges will be provided
 You should be up to date with your tetanus, as unfortunately tetanus can be
transmitted easily through the simplest of accidents.
Authorised by:
Title:
Date:
Nick Jackson
Acting Head Gardener
December 2010
Volunteer Information Pack
21
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Events and Promotional Roles
The Trust is keen to engage with the community. This involves letting people know what
we can offer and how they can get involved and support our work. Volunteers can help
promote volunteering and/or our Friends organisation and other fundraising products.
Human Resources
Role Title:
Reports to:
Purpose of role:
Volunteer Events Assistant
Helen Cook, Community Engagement Coordinator
To help promote the volunteering opportunities offered by the Trust
at events held within the Shakespeare Centre and Houses and also
at external events.
Responsibilities:
Represent the Trust on stalls at different events, for example
special events at Mary Arden’s Farm, busy days at the Houses and
external events such as the Stratford River Festival.
Give out information/leaflets about the Trust and volunteering to
event attendees
Act as an advocate for the Trust and inspire others to want to get
involved
Requirements / skills:
 Outgoing, friendly, likes dealing with the public
 Good people skills with the ability to talk confidently to attendees at the events
and to give relevant information
 Experience of volunteering within one of the other SBT departments or sites
would be an advantage.
Commitment: You will be part of a small team of volunteers. Events will take place
intermittently. Some events will be a shorter time of 1 hour, while others may be all day
events.
Length of project or placement: Ongoing
Administrative points:
 Moving boxes and setting up the stall may be required on occasions.
 Volunteers to wear own smart clothing
 Smoking is not allowed on Trust sites
Authorised by:
Title:
Date:
Helen Cook
Community Engagement Coordinator
23 May 2011
Development Department
Role Title:
Reports to:
Purpose of role:
Volunteer Friends and Fundraising Assistants
Rachel Hudson (Head of Development), Jessica Hill (Fundraising
Coordinator)
To help promote fundraising products (e.g. Friends memberships,
Adopt the Animals) at events within the Shakespeare Birthplace
Trust
Volunteer Information Pack
22
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Responsibilities:
Represent the Development department on stalls at different events
from Festivals at Mary Arden’s to lunchtime lectures at the
Shakespeare Centre and on busy days at some of the Houses.
Give out information and leaflets about various fundraising
products available to attendees at the event
Act as an advocate for the Trust and inspire others to want to join
Requirements / skills:
Essential
 Outgoing, friendly, likes dealing with the public
 Confidence to speak to attendees at the event and give relevant information
Desirable
 Have personal knowledge of any of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust fundraising
products (for example, through being a current member of the Friends)
Commitment: You will be part of a team of volunteers who run a stall at various events
throughout the year. Some events will be a shorter time of 1 hour, while others may be
all day events.
Length of project or placement: Ongoing
Administrative points:
 Moving boxes and setting up the stall may be required on occasions.
 Volunteers to wear own smart clothing
 Smoking is not allowed on Trust sites
Authorised by:
Title:
Date:
Jessica Hill
Fundraising Coordinator
23 May 2011
Other Opportunities
Do you have other skills to volunteer?
We would be happy to accommodate volunteers with any relevant skill that you think the
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust could need including:
 Media skills e.g. photography, photoshop, filming, editing, html
 Art/drawing
 Database – entry and creation
 Public Relations and Marketing
 Event management including ideas, hospitality and helping at the event
 Leaflet distribution
 Administration and data capture
There is room for everyone so please feel free to complete a Volunteer Registration Form
and identify any relevant skills and experience which you think the Trust could utilise.
Volunteer Information Pack
23
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Volunteer Expectations and Benefits
Volunteers are an important and valued part of The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. We
hope that you enjoy volunteering with us and feel a full part of our team.
This information sheet tells you what you can expect from us, and what we hope from
you. We aim to be flexible, so please let us know if any adjustments need to be made
and we will do our best to accommodate them.
We will:
 Introduce you to the organisation and your role and provide you with any training
you may need to meet the responsibilities of this role.
 Provide a named person to whom you will be responsible and who will meet with
you regularly to discuss your volunteering.
 Respect your skills, dignity and individual wishes and do our best to meet them.
 Provide adequate insurance cover for volunteers whilst carrying out volunteering
roles which have been approved and authorised by us.
 Provide appropriate training in support of our health and safety policy
 Ensure that all volunteers are dealt with in accordance with our diversity policy.
 Seek to resolve fairly any complaints or difficulties you may have while you
volunteer with us.
We ask you as a volunteer to agree to:
 Follow the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust’s policies and procedures, including
health and safety, diversity and confidentiality
 Meet the time commitments and standards which have been mutually agreed to
and to give reasonable notice so other arrangements can be made when this is
not possible
 Provide referees as agreed who may be contacted
Additional benefits:
We will also:
 Reimburse your travel costs between your home address and the place you
volunteer at either the ‘fuel only’ rate of 10p per mile up to a maximum of a 25
mile round trip or £2.50 per day, or 40p per mile, including vehicle ‘wear and
tear’, up to an £10 daily maximum. Volunteers travelling by train or bus may also
claim up to an £10.00 daily maximum.
 Invite you to a variety of special events, trips and skills workshops.
 Invite you to volunteer meetings to keep you updated on the work of the Trust.
 Provide you with copies of Trust Weekly (the Trust’s weekly newsletter) via email.
And after 50 hours of volunteering, you will be eligible for:




Free entry to the Shakespeare Houses for yourself and a guest
15% discount in the Trust’s shops including the Bookshop excluding plants
Free access to those lectures given as part of the Trust’s ‘Shakespeare Days’
Programme or to Lunchtime and Evening Lectures so long as these are not
fundraising events.
Discounts at a variety of shops and service providers in Stratford-upon-Avon
Volunteer Information Pack
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Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Background to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
The Trust
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was formed following the purchase in 1847 of the
house in which Shakespeare was born. Since then four other historic houses in
Stratford, associated with Shakespeare and his immediate family, have been purchased.
The Trust is unique in that it is the only charity that cares for Shakespeare’s heritage. It
operates under an Act of Parliament, the latest revision being in 1961.
Information on all aspects of the Trust’s work can be found on its website at
www.shakespeare.org.uk
The Trust’s Visitor Attraction Business
As an independent charity the Trust receives no central government funding and it is,
therefore, required to be self-financing. In 2009 the income from admissions to the
Historic Houses amounted to £3.49 million and turnover in the gift shops was £1.70
million, the total gross income of £5.19 million representing 75% of the Trust’s total
income of £6.90 million. 755,000 visitors visited the Houses in 2009.
The Shakespeare Houses
The Trust owns and cares for five Shakespeare houses, each of which gives visitors an
insight into life and society in Shakespeare’s time. With the help of bequests, other
properties, together with land, have been purchased by the Trust over the years to
provide long-term protection and control of the immediate environs of the historic
houses.
Shakespeare’s Birthplace was the childhood home of William Shakespeare. The house
has been authentically furnished and includes both original and replica items similar to
those which would have been present in the property when Shakespeare was a boy. The
house incorporates a reconstructed workshop, the kind that would have been used by
Shakespeare’s father, a glover by trade.
To the rear of Shakespeare’s Birthplace is a country garden containing many traditional
plants, herbs and flowers mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays. The original garden would
have been cultivated mainly for useful household produce, and this is reflected today by
an emphasis given to herbs, fruit trees and fruit bushes that were common in
Shakespeare’s day.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, purchased in 1892, was the childhood home of
Shakespeare’s wife and was occupied by descendants of the Hathaway family until 1899.
The cottage contains many rare items of furniture original to the house, some dating
back to Anne’s time, including the 17th century finely carved oak “Hathaway bed”.
The quintessential English cottage garden contains a growing Willow Cabin, inspired by
“Twelfth Night”, allowing visitors to listen to Shakespeare’s sonnets read by famous
actors. To the rear of the property is the orchard and Sculpture Garden.
Nash’s House, owned by Thomas Nash, husband to Shakespeare’s grand-daughter,
adjoins the site of New Place, where Shakespeare lived the last eighteen years of his life.
The house contains notable period furniture. Trust ownership was confirmed by the1891
Act of Parliament.
Volunteer Information Pack
25
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
The foundations of New Place are preserved as a garden space including an Elizabethan
Knot garden containing plants familiar to Shakespeare. The Great Garden contains an
ancient mulberry tree, and is lined with box and yew hedges.
Hall’s Croft was, in 1949, the last of the houses to be purchased by the Trust. For a
few years it was the home of Shakespeare’s daughter Susanna and her husband, Dr John
Hall. The domestic and professional life of a prosperous medical practitioner of the
period are reflected by the displays of fine textiles, furniture and paintings. There is also
an exhibition on medical practices of the day.
The grounds of Hall’s Croft contain herbaceous borders, an ancient mulberry tree and a
formal bed containing many of the herbs mentioned in Dr Hall’s medical notes.
Mary Arden’s House and Glebe Farm: In 2000, newly discovered documentation,
supported by tree-ring dating and architectural appraisal, confirmed the true dwellingplace of Mary Arden’s family to be the property formerly known as Glebe Farm.
Purchased by the Trust in 1968, Glebe Farm and its outbuildings are adjacent to the 16th
century farmhouse which, since the 18th century, has been traditionally known as ‘Mary
Arden’s House’. This has now been renamed Palmer’s Farm after Adam Palmer its 16th
century builder and owner, who was a close friend of the Arden family. The Trust bought
Palmer’s Farm in 1930.
Volunteer Information Pack
26
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
William Shakespeare: an Outline of his Life
More is known about Shakespeare than any other professional dramatist of his time.
Some of the established facts are detailed below, and further information may be found
in the standard biographies.
Birth
William Shakespeare was born in 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon. Located in the centre of
England, the town was (and still is) an important river-crossing settlement and market
centre. The register of Stratford’s Holy Trinity Church records Shakespeare’s baptism on
26 April. He is traditionally said to have been born on 23 April.
Parents/family
His father, John, trained as a glove-maker and married Mary Arden, the daughter of
Robert Arden, a farmer from the nearby village of Wilmcote. John and Mary set up home
in Henley Street, Stratford, in the house now known as Shakespeare’s Birthplace.
John Shakespeare was a prominent citizen, serving on the town council for many years
and becoming Bailiff, or Mayor, in 1568. Besides his craft as a glover, he traded as a
wool dealer and was also involved in money-lending.
John and Mary lost two children before William was born. They had five more children,
another of whom died young.
Education
As the son of a leading townsman, William almost certainly attended Stratford’s ‘petty’ or
junior school before progressing, perhaps at the age of seven, to the Grammar School,
which still stands. The grammar school’s curriculum was geared to teaching pupils Latin,
both spoken and written. The classical writers studied in the classroom influenced
Shakespeare’s plays and poetry; for example, some of his ideas for plots and characters
came from Ovid’s tales, the plays of Terence and Plautus, and Roman history.
Marriage
It is not known what Shakespeare did when he left school, probably at the age of
fourteen, as was usual. In November 1582 he married Anne Hathaway, the daughter of
Robert Hathaway, a local farmer. Her home, now known as Anne Hathaway’s Cottage,
still stands in the village of Shottery, a mile from Stratford. At the time of their marriage
William was eighteen and Anne was twenty-six. Their first-born child, Susanna, was
baptised on 26 May 1583. Two years later twins followed, Hamnet and Judith.
The ‘lost years’
We do not know when or why Shakespeare left Stratford for London, or what he was
doing before becoming a professional actor and dramatist in the capital. There are
various traditions and stories about the so-called ‘lost years’ between 1585 and 1592, a
period for which there is virtually no evidence concerning his life. One tale tells how he
was caught poaching deer in Charlecote Park, near Stratford, and went off to London to
avoid prosecution.
A plausible early tradition claims Shakespeare was a schoolmaster for some years.
When he was growing up, drama was a significant part of Stratford’s social life. Not
only did local people put on amateur shows, but the town was visited regularly by
London-based companies of actors and Shakespeare may have joined one of them. He
probably arrived in London around 1586/7.
Early career
Shakespeare’s reputation was established in London by 1592; in that year another
dramatist, Robert Greene, was envious of his success and called him ‘an upstart crow’.
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Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Shakespeare’s earliest plays included the three parts of Henry VI, The Two Gentlemen of
Verona, and Titus Andronicus.
Shakespeare’s first printed works were two long poems, Venus and Adonis (1593) and
The Rape of Lucrece (1594). These were both dedicated to the Earl of Southampton, a
young courtier and favourite of Queen Elizabeth I, who had become Shakespeare’s
patron. Most of the Sonnets were probably written about this time, too, although they
were not published until 1609.
1n 1594, Shakespeare joined others in forming a new theatre company, under the
patronage of the Lord Chamberlain, with Richard Burbage as its leading actor. For
almost twenty years Shakespeare was its regular dramatist, producing on average two
plays a year. Burbage played roles such as Richard III, Hamlet, Othello and Lear.
The theatres
Drama was a nation-wide activity in Shakespeare’s time but only in London were there
buildings designed specifically for performing plays. Most public theatres were tall,
roughly circular structures, open to the sky, with a cover over part of the stage and a
roof running round the edge to protect the galleries. Performances took place in the
afternoons, with the actors playing on a raised stage which projected halfway into the
theatre. All the women’s roles were performed by boys. The audience, which either
stood in the yard around the stage or sat in the galleries, represented a wide social mix
of people.
Growing success: man of property
In 1596 Shakespeare’s father was granted a coat-of-arms, and it is likely that in this
matter the dramatist took the initiative with the College of Arms in London. On his
father’s death in 1601, he inherited the arms and the right to style himself a gentleman.
Shakespeare’s success in the London theatres made him wealthy and in 1597 he bought
New Place, one of the largest houses in Stratford. Although his professional career was
spent in London, he maintained close links with his native town. Further property
investments in Stratford followed, including the purchase of 107 acres of land in 1602.
In 1598, the author of a book on the arts, Francis Meres, described Shakespeare as the
best contemporary dramatist and mentioned twelve of his plays, including A Midsummer
Night’s Dream, The Merchant of Venice, Richard II and Henry IV, all of which date from
the mid- to late-1590s.
The Globe theatre
In 1599 the acting company with which Shakespeare was involved, the Lord
Chamberlain’s Men, built a new theatre, the Globe. Situated on the south bank of the
Thames, in the suburb of Southwark, it is the theatre most closely associated with
Shakespeare’s plays, and he was one of the shareholders in the enterprise. Two of his
plays, Henry V and Julius Caesar, were almost certainly written during the year in which
the Globe opened. In 1613, during a performance of Henry VIII, a fire broke out and
destroyed the Globe, but it was rebuilt the following year.
James I and Shakespeare’s late career
When James I (James VI of Scotland) came to the English throne in 1603 he granted
royal patronage to Shakespeare’s acting company, which thus became the ‘King’s Men.’
As had happened in the 1590s in Elizabeth I’s last years, Shakespeare’s plays were
presented before the court in the royal palaces, as well as to audiences in the public
theatres. In 1609 the King’s Men acquired an indoor theatre, the Blackfriars, to use in
addition to the Globe.
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28
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Some of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies were written in the early 1600s, including
Hamlet and, after James I’s accession, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth. His late plays,
often known as the Romances, date from c. 1608 to 1612 and include Cymbeline, The
Winter’s Tale and The Tempest.
In 1623, seven years after his death, the First Folio, the first collected edition of his
plays, was published.
It contains thirty-six plays, about half of which had been
published individually in his lifetime. Pericles, not included in the First Folio, has been
accepted as his, and he is known to have collaborated with John Fletcher on The Two
Noble Kinsmen and a lost work, Cardenio, as well as on Henry VIII which was included in
the Folio.
Last years in Stratford
Shakespeare’s elder daughter, Susanna, married John Hall, a Stratford physician, in
1607, and gave birth to a daughter, Elizabeth, the following year. Shakespeare’s other
daughter, Judith, married Thomas Quiney, a Stratford vintner, in 1616. (Shakespeare’s
son Hamnet, twin brother to Judith, had died in 1596, aged eleven.)
From around 1611 Shakespeare seems largely to have disengaged himself from the
London theatre world and to have spent his time at his Stratford house, New Place. In
March 1616 he signed his will, in which he left substantial property and other bequests
to his family and friends, including theatre colleagues in the King’s Men.
Shakespeare died in Stratford, aged fifty-two, on 23 April 1616, and was buried in Holy
Trinity Church two days later. Within a short time a monument to him was put up,
probably by his family, on the wall close to his grave.
His widow, Anne, died in 1623 and was buried beside him. Shakespeare’s family line
came to an end with the death of his grand-daughter Elizabeth in 1670.
Volunteer Information Pack
29
Version 1: April 2011
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust was created by Act of Parliament in 1891 and reconstituted by
the Shakespeare Birthplace, &c., Trust Act, 1961.
Registered Charity No. 209302
Volunteer Information Pack
30
Version 1: April 2011