ABSTRACT
The baptism of “Gulielmus filius Johannes William Shackespere” is recorded in the Stratford parish register under the year “1564” and against the marginal date “April 26” which fell on a Wednesday. If Shakespere had been educated at Stratford Grammar School, then he would have fallen far short of the comprehensive learning that the Shakespeare First Folio later exhibited. Shakespere could be associated with various earls and patrons familiar to the Hogton family who could assist the advancement of the young man’s writing career. According to John Aubrey , Shakespere had a rival: There was at that time another butcher’s son in this towne, that was held not at all inferior to him for a natural wit, his acquaintance and coetanean, but dyed young. Shakspere was also involved in several business dealings. In May 1592, a loan of £7 was delivered on a bond to John Clayton of Willington in Bedford under the name of “William Shackspere”.
