23 April – William Shakespeare’s Birth and Death

Not only is today the anniversary of the birth of William Shakespeare in 1564, but it is also the anniversary of his death in 1616!

In today's "on this day in Tudor history" video, I share some facts about the Bard, along with a few phrases from his works that have become part of common parlance.

You may also be interested in my Claire Chats talk "Who was William Shakespeare?".

Also on this day in history:

• 1500 – Birth of Alexander Ales (Alesius, Aless), Scottish theologian and reformer, at Edinburgh. His mother was Christina Bigholm, and his actual surname seems to have been Alan or Allane. He changed his name when he went into exile, choosing “Alesius”, meaning “bird”, or in this case, “exile”.
• 1512 – Birth of Henry Fitzalan, 12th Earl of Arundel, son of William Fitzalan, 11th Earl of Arundel, and Anne (née Percy), daughter of Henry Percy, 4th Earl of Northumberland. At his baptism, Henry VIII stood as his godfather. He served Henry VIII as Deputy of Calais, Privy Councillor and Lord Chamberlain.
• 1536 – Sir Nicholas Carew was elected to the Order of the Garter at the annual chapter meeting at Greenwich, rather than George Boleyn, brother of Queen Anne Boleyn.

Today is also St George's Day, the day for announcing new appointments to the Order of the Garter, the highest order of chivalry in England.