“William Shakespeare had lodgings near here in 1604 at the house of Christopher and Mary Mountjoy”. These are the words etched on the William Shakespeare Plaque. It stands as a testament to the playwright’s time in this city.
The William Shakespeare Plaque marks a significant spot. It’s near where Shakespeare once lived. He stayed here in 1604. His hosts were Christopher and Mary Mountjoy. The plaque is on Noble Street. It sits near the remains of the Roman wall. Modern buildings of concrete and glass surround it.
This William Shakespeare Plaque wasn’t always here. It was unveiled on April 21, 2016. This commemorated the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Actress Fiona Shaw revealed it to the public. She also read Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 55”. Hand bell ringers and a children’s choir performed that day.
David Wootton, a former lord mayor, unveiled the William Shakespeare Plaque. Nicholas Kenyon spoke at the event. He is the managing director of the Barbican Centre. The Barbican Centre is a nearby performing arts venue. Kenyon said they wanted to install the plaque. It marks where Shakespeare lodged in the city. It was always known he had been in the area. Only recently was the exact location confirmed.
Shakespeare was more than just a writer. He penned 38 plays and over 150 poems. His works covered love, tragedy, history and more. Shakespeare also had business sense. He held stakes in the theatre and his acting company. His company was first known as the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. Later, it became the King’s Men.
Two of his friends saved his plays for posterity. John Heminge and Henry Cordell collected his plays. In 1623, they published them in one book. This collection is known as the First Folio. About 200 copies still exist today. The British Library in London owns five of them.
While the William Shakespeare Plaque isn’t on the exact site of his lodging. Old maps show Shakespeare’s home was near Silver Street and Monkwell Street. These streets no longer exist. The location is close to where the giant red and blue vents are today. The plaque serves as a reminder of Shakespeare’s presence in London. It links the modern city to its rich literary past.