William was born on April 23, 1564. He was baptized on April 24, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. He was the third of eight children born to John and Mary Arden. John was a well-known merchant and Mary was the daughter of a Roman Catholic member of the gentry. was educated at the local grammar school. According to history, was the eldest son, and he should have been the apprentice to his father's shop so that he could be taught everything his father knew and soon take over the business. But instead he was the apprentice to a but ....