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THE STRATFORD MAN - SHAKESPEARE
Literature’s greatest mystery - Did He or Didn’t He?

Forget the Priory of Scion and DaVinci, the darkest con of man (and tourist alike) may be who wrote the plays. For centuries fans of theater and literature have been making the pilgrimage to Stratford-Upon-Avon to pay homage to the author of the greatest theater literature ever written. In “the birthplace” a half-wood Elizabethan era house bending under the weight of time and its own self-importance there is a pane of original window in which is etched the signatures of other literary giants, Tennyson, Dickens (see also Dickens World), Mark Twain (a pseudonym himself) who have made the journey (see Mark Twain's Jumping Frog).

But is the man whose image adorns bookstores and postcard shops, really the possessor of the hand which held the pen? The controversy of who wrote Shakespeare’s plays has been circulating for 150 years with various candidates offered, from Sir Francis Bacon to Christopher Marlow, to rather incredulously even Queen Elizabeth herself. I’ll will admit to subscribing to Edward DeVere the 17th Earl of Oxford myself as the most plausible alternative author candidate, though the intense debate it engenders brings up all sorts of questions about the genesis of the well-spring of writing.

While on a visit to Startford, and the exhibit of Shakespere’s Birthplace, you will be drenched in detail about the Elizabethan theater and information about the plays. Touring to Stratford has become such an industry, you park at “the birthplace bus terminal” and a separate entrance building has been erected through which you must pass through an exhibit of all things Shakespeare, to come back around to the “birthplace" house on the main street (see Shakespeare Houses and Walks). Signs at Stratford will warn you that only the few official designated sites are connected to William Shakespeare. They might also warn that those sites may have no connection at all to the real author of the plays.

Find the best hotel deals in Stratford on Avon

The only real evidence of the author of the greatest dramatic works in history is that he was born in a house, married a fairly well-off older girl from just outside of town (see Biking Stratford) and signed his name on six documents having to do with the sale of some goods and other minor transactions when he was old - nothing which actually connects him with the writing into which he presumably would have poured his blood, sweat and tears - and no evidence that his success as a playwright ever made a mark on his life in Stratford or anywhere else. And each of the 6 signatures spells the name differently – the world’s most literate of authors who gave us much of the English language we know today, apparently couldn’t spell his own name. Recently a 16th Century portrait suggestive of Shakespeare was "discovered" and is on tour at the Stratford site, though often shown without the intriguging motto at the top. The DeVere family once thought of purchasing this painting as a portrait of their relative (see
Castle Hedingham).

Shakespeare scholars have spent careers of study, writing books and building a case for the Stratford man Shaksper or Shakspere from a few tiny scraps of evidence that don’t seem to add up, that a glovemaker's son from a small village in Warwickshire could write so intimately of the lives of kings, queens and court politics and cultural proclivities of far away lands he could never have visited. Yet, the buses come to celebrate the cult of the Stratford Shakespeare and the Royal Shakespeare Company makes Stratford its summer headquarters where the bard's plays of undeniable genius live on.

The case for or against Will of Stratford may never be settled. The scholars may ultimately be right and the image of the man called Shakespeare may actually be of the playwright instead of a sometime amateur actor hired to distract from the true insider who couldn't afford to reveal he was writing about powerful political figures he knew. But for lovers of drama and history, a journey to Stratford-Upon-Avon is well worth the trip if only to celebrate the spirit of the artist and share with the signatures of other literary icons in honoring the mystery and magic of creation. Or do a little investigating yourself.

If visiting Stratford (see also Ettington Park) and other cultural and historic sites away of London from outside the UK get a Great British Heritage Pass available from Rail Europe about 50 dollars for over 500 sites (see Saving With Great British Heritage Pass). The admission to Shakespeare's "birthplace" shrine alone is about 25 dollars (14 pounds sterling). You can also get tickets for day trips from London. © Bargain Travel Europe

And if you’re visiting London, don’t forget your London Pass.

These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission.

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