St George's Day 2012

[kestrelx]

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

Shakespeare may not have existed, you say?

There are 38 plays and over 150 sonnets that suggest otherwise, a few busts and statues which hint at some mythical figure, a vague bit of historical evidence but other than that you may be right. His likeness is the source of some debate as it is not thought that any accurate chronicling was made during his lifetime but a bust carved after his death was confirmed as a true likeness by Ben Johnson. The birthdate of 23rd April is uncertain although he was baptised on 26th and it is historically appealing to think of him as having been born on St George's Day.

Perhaps it was that nice Francis Bacon who should be recognised instead?

There was a film came out last year called "Annonymous" that's plot was that Shakespeare was a bloke called Edward De Vere, Earl of Oxford. I don't know really - it's a bit like Robin Hood and other myths - except at least there are literary works in the name of Shakespeare. Or perhaps it was Bacon?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1521197/

The birthdate may have been 21st or 22nd April?