Gallery One: The Infant

The original sources behind Shakespeare’s works

At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms

Like an infant starting to learn about the world that surrounds them, this gallery explores the range of medieval and contemporary sources that Shakespeare turned to for inspiration when writing his plays, including Holinshed’s Chronicles of England and Scotland and the works of Geoffrey Chaucer. Whilst many other influences doubtless played a part in shaping Shakespeare’s creativity, it is likely that these books were amongst the most important works that he used, and today these copies can be found within the Library’s holdings.