postcard from stratford
deep within the dirt lay forbidden bones.
As an English Literature major in undergrad who took not one, not two, but three Shakespeare-specific courses, Statford-upon-Avon was an absolute requirement for our trip to England.
Fun fact: My fiancé lived in England for several years as a boy, and throughout our trip, he drove me by all the places he lived. We actually began our day with him showing me the private school he attended for a time in Warwick. The grounds were closed off, so we just did a quick drive-by. We also drove by Warwick Castle but sadly did not have time to visit. I would love to go back someday to see more of the area; however, our time was limited and we just had a day to see Stratford.
We started our with a tour of Shakespeare’s Birthplace. This was mostly just a walk-through of the house with rooms roped off but decorated for viewing pleasure. All of the guides were extremely knowledgable and had interesting facts and tidbits to share! Architecture was truly something else back in the day, and the way walls were just thrown up and rooms connected by tiny doors was kind of astounding. After we finished our tour, we took a walk to go find Shakespeare’s burial site.
The church is still operational and it was a beautiful building. I honestly could not even believe I was seeing the gravesite of Shakespeare and his family. They also had his baptismal records on display. One of the things I remember discussing in college was how Shakespeare’s birthdate is figured from the date of his baptism (usually three days after a birth if I am remembering correctly!)
After our stop at the church, we went to the schoolroom which was somehow the coolest part of the trip. First, we were brought into a room for a short video and discussion. In the schoolhouse is also the old guildhall. Upon the wall is a medieval alter painting that has mostly faded away. The screen projects a recreation of what the painting may have looked like in its prime. Honestly, seeing the painting alone was worth the stop for me.
Upstairs in the schoolroom, we met a presenter who taught us about how the schoolroom actually functioned in Shakespeare’s time. As a teacher myself, I found it intruiging that each year was instructed by an older student while the teacher facilitated. It honestly sounds like a dream teaching scenario, and I think there is something to be said for the quality of schooling if school-children are knowledgable enough to teach their peers! Our presenter was extremely entertaining, and I wish I had gotten his name so I could have left him a lovely review.
Our final stop in Stratford was Anne Hathaway’s cottage. I was surprised it was about a twenty minute walk from the general area we had been in for the earlier part of our day. It was similar to Shakespeare’s birthplace, where we took a tour in the home that was set up with scenes. Since it was December, the gardens weren’t in bloom, sadly. We didn’t spend too much time here since it was already late afternoon by the time we made it, and we were both very tired.
By the time we were finished, it was time for us to get some food and head back to our hotel in Manchester.
My poem for Stratford is a haunting little sonnet inspired by the epitaph (pictuted above). True sonnets aren’t a form I dabble in much, but it was fun to write!
deep within the dirt lay forbidden bones milkwhite no longer, yellow-ish with age seek them below and find yourself alone in a starring role where the world is your stage touch them not despite their tempting allure a poet’s blessing you will not receive a curse upon your house you shall endure should this bard’s lonely remains take their leave the skull and the femur, the caged-in ribs protect something that was lost long ago to have been once but not what now is to have existed then cease to be known disturb the ground and what is buried here and in your last moments tremble with fear
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