1558 His foster father, John de Vere, officiates at Coronation of Queen Elizabeth. John de Vere lives at court, possibly brings Edward. 1559 Oxford matriculates at Queen’s College, Cambridge. 1561 Queen Elizabeth visits Hedingham. 1562 John de Vere dies and Oxford’s foster mother marries soon thereafter. 1562 Edward becomes 17th Earl and ward of Crown under William Cecil. Edward moves to London to live at William Cecil’s. 1564 Oxford receives Masters from Cambridge University. 1566 Oxford receives Masters from Oxford University. 1567 Oxford kills Lord Burghley’s cook with sword. 1567 Oxford admitted to Gray’s Inn for legal studies. 1567 Metamorphoses published. 1570 Oxford participates in military campaign with Earl of Sussex in North. 1571 Oxford weds Anne Cecil, Dec. 19th, William Cecil’s daughter; Cecil raised to Baron Burghley. 1572 Bartholomew Clerke’s translation into Latin of Il Cortegiano (The Courtier) published. Preface by Oxford. 1573 Calvin’s version of the Psalms of David published by Arthur Golding with dedication to Oxford. 1574 Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, born to Oxford and Elizabeth. 1574 Oxford flees to continent, quickly returns. 1575 Oxford travels to Paris, Venice, Italy. Before he leaves, he makes arrangements leaving property to Horace Vere. 1575 Daughter, Elizabeth Vere born to Anne Cecil. 1576 Oxford returns to England; stripped of possession by pirates on his return voyage; returns with young Italian male singer; later Oxford accused of homosexuality; singer states Oxford speaks fluent Latin and Italian; Oxford implies Anne’s child, Elizabeth, is not his. 1577 The Historie of Error performed at court. The first of many court plays. 1578 Oxford singled out as “countenance shakes spears,” by Gabriel Harvey. 1578 Oxford loses £3,000 in a sea venture to Michael Lok (hence, Lok is shy his debt to Oxford) 1579 Quarrel over tennis court with Philip Sidney; question of duel, until Queen intercedes. 1579 The Jew performed at Bull Theater. 1581 Oxford has son, Edward, born to Anne Vavasor, both sent to the Tower; resumes living with his wife. 1582 Wounded in duel with Thomas Knyvet; Knyvet is later knighted. 1583 Reported in poverty with only three servants; buries newborn son. 1584 Daughter Bridget is born. 1585 Daughter Frances born; dies later at age 2 or 3. 1585 Mary Queen of Scots tried and sentenced to death; Oxford sits at trial. 1586 Granted £1,000 per year by Elizabeth I; funds from QE’s Privy Purse. 1587 Susan Vere born. In 1605, she marries Philip Herbert (Earl of Montgomery), one of two nobles of dedication in First Folio. 1588 Spanish Armada. 1588 Wife Anne dies. 1588 Robert Dudley (Earl of Leicester) dies. 1591 Marries Elizabeth Trentham, moves to Kings Place, Hackney. Drops from court life. 1593 Venus and Adonis dedication to the 3rd Earl of Southampton with first appearance in England of “William Shakespeare” name. 1593 Oxford’s wife Elizabeth Trentham gives birth to a son, Henry. 1594 Henry V, Pt. 2 published, without naming author; begins a series of plays published anonymously. 1594 Rape of Lucrece under name of “William Shakespeare” dedicated to 3rd Earl of Southampton. 1598 First plays with name “Shake-speare” Henry IV, Pt. 1 1599 Robert Devereux, (Earl of Essex) leads campaign against Irish rebels, with him is Henry Wriothesley (3rd Earl of Southampton). 1601 Robert Devereux, (Earl of Essex) leads abortive revolt and is beheaded; Henry Wriothesley (3rd Earl of Southampton) sent to Tower for life. 1603 Queen Elizabeth dies. James ascends throne; Southampton released. 1604 Oxford disappears under mysterious circumstances; no will found. Oxford exiled to Isle of Mersea; write Shakes-peares Sonnets, The Tempest and creates King James Bible 1608 First mention of Oxford being deceased. 1609 SHAKE-SPEARES SONNETS is published 1616 William Shakspere dies in Stratford-upon-Avon. 1623 Meeting of James I, Horace Vere, Southampton, Philip and Henry Herbert on Southampton’s boat The Prince. 1623 First Folio is published. |
| Biography of Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford |