Tudor Courtship Exhibition

Explore the rituals of Tudor courtship at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, the home of William Shakespeare’s future bride. Take a light-hearted look at the reality of finding a husband or wife in Tudor times. Find out how you might behave and the gifts you might give or receive in the process of finding your one true Tudor love!

The story of the young Anne and William is brought to life by our guides and volunteers throughout the cottage. This exhibition expands on that story, examining Tudor life in more detail.

With an emphasis on the practical side of Tudor courtship practices, visitors will find out all about marriage bonds and dowries and draw comparisons between romance and reality in Tudor England. Displays from our collections include a skillet from the 1500s that would have made a suitable wedding gift and a ceramic dish showing Shakespeare’s romantic couple, Romeo and Juliet.