Henry VIII

Henry VIII is a history play that was written by William Shakespeare on the life of the notorious English king. The play is believed to have been first performed in 1613 and a cannon shot during a performance of Henry VIII at the Globe Theatre caused a fire which burned the building to the ground. William Shakespeare, the Bard of Avon, is known for his many sonnets and plays that have stood the test of time. Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon. He married at a young age and had three children. At age 21, Shakespeare began to have success in his business venture, an acting company known as the King’s Men. He also began writing at this time and would ultimately complete many of the most famous works in all of literature. Shakespeare's plays were well-loved from the beginning and even today his popularity remains unparalleled. The cause of Shakespeare's death is unknown, but he is honored today in Westminster Abbey in the Poet’s Corner.