The Dark Lady.

{HOLY MOTHER OF - no, Em mun, what you just said has hit me with all kinds of feels.

Heard of William Shakespeare? Well good. Don’t ask me for autographs, I don’t handle his fan mail…

OTP: Always You | Anne Hathaway and William Shakespeare.

For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

In 1582 a love story began that would span 33 years and result in the birth of three children. It would also inspire a number of plays written by the man himself, William Shakespeare.

Anne Hathaway of the farming Hathaway’s had known her future husband all of his life. Their families had been friends since the 1550’s and often spent time together including celebrating the yearly Harvest together. The Shakespeare’s daughter Anne, whom sadly passed away early in life, is speculated as having been named for Anne, just as Anne’s brother John is speculated as having been named for the head of the Shakespeare family of the same name.

It was not until after her fathers death in the winter of 1581 that Anne would notice her youthful admirer and pay him any heed. During their courtship, which is speculated to have began in the January of the year and ended in their marriage at the end of November of the same year, William penned his first recorded sonnet for his lady love.

Those lips that Love’s own hand did make Breathed forth the sound that said ‘I hate’ To me that languish’d for her sake; But when she saw my woeful state Straight in her heart did mercy come, Chiding that tongue that ever sweet Was used in giving gentle doom, And taught it thus anew to greet: 'I hate' she alter'd with an end, That follow’d it as gentle day Doth follow night, who like a fiend From heaven to hell is flown away; 'I hate' from hate away she threw, And saved my life, saying ‘not you.’

On the 28th of November 1582 at two months pregnant, the independent Anne Hathaway would marry her young love and become Anne Shakespeare. She also moved into his Henley Street home with his family and nearly 6 months to the day of their wedding on May 26th 1583, William and Anne would welcome their first child, a daughter, Susanna.

Nearly two years later they would welcome twins, Hamnet and Judith, at the end of January 1585. 

The future Bard would leave Stratford four years later and go to London where he would quickly begin to make his name and fortune.

Several times a year the couple would be reunited and spend time together in Stratford, usually during religious holidays when the theatres of London were closed.  Although their marriage would hit a rough spot after the tragic death of their son, Hamnet, in 1596 they would remain together and not divorce as many other couples did after suffering such a tragedy.

At the beginning of 1610 the Bard would move his belongings into the home he had brought his wife and daughters, New Place, in 1597. Three years later he would officially retire and live out the rest of his days in Stratford at the side of his wife, daughters, son in law and beloved granddaughter, Elizabeth.

William would sadly pass away on his birthday in 1616 after a length of illness and his wife, until her death in 1623 when she was buried at his side, would work ardently to preserve his legacy and make sure he was remembered.