II ~Jlorn on St George's Day
23 April 1564, St George's Day: William Shakespeare is born in Stratford-uponAvon. The National Poet arrives on the day celebrating the canonization of the patron saint of England - or did he? Historical facts have been massaged to support national or cultural interests. The only reliable evidence is that Shakespeare was baptized on 26 April 1564, so he could have been born on the 21st, or the 22nd, or the 23rd - it was later "Bardolaters" (worshippers of "The Bard") who agreed that Shakespeare's birthday was St George's Day, marrying the nation to his verse.