The Shakespeare Area - Friends of Shakespeare's Church

We have raised fuunds to restore the the monuments nearest to Shakespeare's grave.

William Shakespeare was baptised, worshipped, and was buried in Holy Trinity Church.

Now, 400 years after his death, we will soon be starting conservation work on his funeral monument, and those of his family and friends.

Click on the individual memorials in the image below to find out more.

Shakespeare's grace and memorial

Shakespeare Grave and Bust

400 years of attention from clergy, worshippers and tourists have ravaged the Shakespeare grave stone and today the signs of decay are worryingly significant. Hundreds of thousands of visitors travel to Stratford-upon-Avon every year to pay homage to the great playwright and the grave is the focus for many visitors. The bust was made by Janssen the Southwark based sculptor and was erected in the 1620’s by Shakespeare’s family and is also in need of attention.

Lying alongside Shakespeare are the graves of his wife, Ann Hathaway, his daughter Susannah, and other family members. Like Shakespeare’s grave these are in need of substantial restoration and these graves play a vital role in teaching us about Shakespeare the man, his family life, and his time in Stratford-upon-Avon. Please help us raise the £10,000 we need to make these artefacts safe for the future.

Balsall Tomb

This magnificent tomb, in memory of Dean Thomas Balsall the man responsible for the development of Holy Trinity in the 15th century, would have been well known to Shakespeare. Badly damaged during the 17th century reformation it is nonetheless a fascinating monument but one which is in serious danger of further damage. Expert restoration will make this tomb safe for the future, and help us to place Shakespeare’s time as a member of Holy Trinity in context with his predecessors.

Combe Family Memorials

John Combe was one of Shakespeare’s best friends and was mentioned in the poet’s will. It is right therefore that his tomb lies close to that of Shakespeare. Made by Janssen, who also made Shakespeare’s memorial bust, this finely detailed work of art has suffered with being over waxed and painted to make it look like stone rather than the original polychromatic finish. Overlooking this tomb is a second family monument to Richard and Judith Combe, doomed lovers in life but celebrated together after death. This group of memorials give fine examples of how funeral monuments changed in style between the 17th and 18th century and are both of excellent quality.

Like the other memorials in the chancel they help tell the story of Holy Trinity, and the connection with Shakespeare and the Combe family is of great interest.