how did William Shakespeare die? Any illnesses or disease?

Answer 1

THE DEATH OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE - THE GREAT BARD OF STRATFORD

The cause of Shakespeare's death is unknown - he died April 23rd 1616 at the age of 52 (William Shakespeare's birth date has been estimated as 26th April 1564)

The exact date of death is not known but it seems fitting that he died on April 23rd April, the same date given for his birth

April 23rd is St. George's Day - the patron Saint of England

Just four weeks prior to his death, on 25th March 1616, William made his Last Will and Testament

Is this a coincidence or did Shakespeare know that he was about to die?

A contemporary of Shakespeare was said to have reported the following:

"Shakespeare, Drayton, and Ben Jonson had a merry meeting and it seems drank too hard
for Shakespeare died of a fever there contracted."


Shakespeare's burial is recorded in the Stratford Parish Register as occurring on 25 April, 1616

The exact words used on the register are "Will Shakspeare gent"

William Shakespeare was buried on April 25th 1616 in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon

His tomb lies beneath the floor of the church, in the chancel

The chancel is the space around the altar of a church for the clergy, and sometimes the choir, often enclosed by a lattice or railing

The tombstone is inscribed with the following words, which are believed to have written by Shakespeare:

Good friend for Jesus sake forbear
To dig the dust enclosed here!
Blest be the man that spares these stones,
And curst be he that moves my bones


Shakespeare is said to be buried 17 feet under the stone but his bone have not been moved, as per his wishes on the tombstone, so this has not been confirmed

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

William Shakespeare died on April 23rd 1616 - just four weeks prior to his death on 25th March 1616 Shakespeare made his last Will and Testament

No one knows whether he knew was ill and realised that his death was imminent but it does seem likely that he knew he did not have long to live ( his son-in-law was a Doctor, so he would have received the best treatment available)

His Last Will and Testament mentioned his family and friends

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF SHAKESPEARE - HIS SISTER, JOAN

Shakespeare left £30 to his sister Joan Hart

And he gave permission for her to stay on, for a nominal rent, in the house on Henley Street

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF SHAKESPEARE - HIS NEPHEWS, JOAN'S SONS

William Shakespeare left each of Joan's three sons the sum of £5


THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF SHAKESPEARE - HIS GRANDDAUGHTER, ELIZABETH

William Shakespeare left all of his silver plate, except the silver bowl left to his daughter Judith, to his granddaughter Elizabeth - the daughter of Susanna

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF SHAKESPEARE - POOR PEOPLE OF STRATFORD

William Shakespeare left all £10 to the poor of Stratford

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF SHAKESPEARE - HIS FRIENDS

William Shakespeare left his sword and various small bequests to friends and neighbours who lived in Stratford

His lifelong friend Hamnet Sadler was specifically mentioned and left money to enable him to buy a memorial ring

His London friends and fellow actors "my fellows John Hemynges Richard Burbage & Henry Cundell," were named leaving them 26s..8d to "buy them Ringes."

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF SHAKESPEARE - HIS WIFE ANNE

William Shakespeare's will is famous because the only mention that Shakespeare specifically makes of his wife was to leave her his "second best bed" - hence the picture at the top of the page!

This sounds terrible but is, however, understood that she would have had the right, through English Common Law, to one-third of his estate as well as residence for life at New Place



THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF SHAKESPEARE - HIS DAUGHTER, SUSANNA

To his Daughter, Susanna and Son-in-Law, Dr John Hall left:

"All the Rest of my Goods, Chattels, Leases, Plate, Jewels & Household stuff whatsoever
after my debts and Legacies paid & my funeral expenses discarded"

Susanna was clearly Shakespeare's favourite, his other daughter Judith disgraced through he marraige to Quiney

Answer 2

The cause of Shakespeare's death is a mystery, but tradition tells us that "Shakespeare, Drayton, and Ben Jonson had a merry meeting and it seems drank too hard, for Shakespeare died of a fever there contracted."

Answer 3

he died on his bithday, it could be from excitement, or just natural causes as many say..

Answer 4

Perhaps in a flight crash?