Very little is known about the life of Anne Shakespeare (born Anne Hathaway), other than a few references in legal documents. His personality and his relationship with the bard have been the focus of various speculations by historians and writers. What is certainly known is that on 28 November 1582, in Stratford-upon-Avon, the two paid forty pounds (a small fortune at the time) for an “express” marriage license which allowed them to marry immediately, without the usual banns.
At the time the poet was 18 and his wife 26. Although there is no definitive proof, the age difference and the hasty marriage – as well as the fact that she gave birth to their first child just six months later – made one think that it was a “remedial” wedding. So many have assumed that Shakespeare didn’t love her very much and that’s why he left alone to London to pursue a career as a writer. However, together they had two more children.
Today’s almanac, November 28: Shakespeare’s shotgun wedding
https://www.repubblica.it/cronaca/almanacco-del-giorno/2024/11/28/news/almanacco_accadde_oggi_28_novembre_2024_il_matrimonio_riparatore_di_shakespeare-423756889/?rss