William Shakespeare’s Church:
Holy Trinity Anglican, Stratford-upon Avon
(102 miles northwest of London, as the crow flies
at about 11 A.M.)
Here is a hymn sung in 1989 at
William Shakespeare’s Church at Stratford-upon-Avon. The name of the church is Holy Trinity Anglican Church.
William Shakespeare’s father, John
Shakespeare, was the mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon and was responsible for
implementing the Elizabethan Settlement, including “that old Anglican Book of Common Prayer," the virtual
equivalent of the 1662 version. John
Shakespeare was also responsible for the hiring of a very Reformed and Calvinistic Anglican
cleric as the Rector of Holy Trinity.
William grew up under the guidance,
instruction and formation of the old Book.
If the “walls could talk!” If the
walls do not talk, the documentary records do speak.
William was baptized here in 1564
using “that old Book.” The baptismal
record still exists.
William was married here in 1582,
using the 1559 Book of Common Prayer. The record of marriage still exists. That form is still used, quite often.
William’s children were baptized
here in the 1580s. His children were
baptized with essentially the same baptismal form as Reformation Anglicanism’s four children. Essentially,
the same form as has been used for centuries for Anglican families. Again, baptismal documentary records exist.
William retired after a busy
playwright’s life in London in/or around 1613ish. He retired to
Stratford-upon-Avon. He died in
1616. His wife died in 1623 and this is also
documented…this is in the documentary records of this old Anglican Church.
William was buried using the "old Book's" service, "The Order for the Burial of the Dead." It was the same service used to bury my Father two years ago. It is the service that has been used for millions.
William was buried using the "old Book's" service, "The Order for the Burial of the Dead." It was the same service used to bury my Father two years ago. It is the service that has been used for millions.
Here is a hymn followed by some
pictures from Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Whatever Shakepseare’s views and
lifestyle (still under review), from cradle to grave, he, his wife, his children and his family was Anglican. This is a little appreciated fact about William.
The hymn: “The Day Thou Gavest Lord
is ended” (Stratford-upon-Avon)
Some pictures:
William and Anne Shakespeare were buried at the front of the sanctuary. Notice the wall inset to the
left, a commemoration of William put up shortly after his death at 53 (shy of a few days).
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