Shakespeare’s Mother: The Secret Life of a Tudor Woman

Synopsis: Documentary. Michael Wood tells the story of Shakespeare’s mother, Mary Arden in a time of revolution. Born during the reign of Henry VIII, Mary Arden was the daughter of a Warwickshire farmer, but married into a new life in the rising Tudor middle class in Stratford-upon-Avon. She had eight children, three of whom died young. Her husband became mayor, but was bankrupted by his questionable business dealings. Faced with financial ruin, religious persecution and power
politics, the family kept them together until they are rescued by Mary’s successful eldest son - William Shakespeare.
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Television
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Transmission details: 12 Feb 2015 at 21:00 (Channel: BBC4)
Duration: 60 mins