Shakespeare died on 23 April 1616

self | 4/23/2016 | self

[castlegreyskull]

The 17th Earl of Oxford, Edward De Vere did not die in 1616.

[YogicCowboy]

Do you have reason for postulating that? I think it unlikely. Setting aside that is more rare among fully-grown adults, that condition as a common “disease” is a modern happenstance:
Appendicitis was largely unknown until the Western toilet was mass produced. The human body is designed for squatting during elimination; continual failure to fully eliminate may produce any of several chronic conditions, including appendicitis.
(No, I am not joking. This is a matter of physiology and physics.)

http://www.naturesplatform.com/health_benefits.html#appendicitis

[PIF]

50s was old in the 17th century

[Tax-chick]

No, nothing specific. It’s just a condition that can emerge quickly in a person who is “in good health,” and under 17th century medical conditions could result in a quick death.

Have studies been done of Europeans vs. Chinese, for example, to verify that this is accurate?

[Tax-chick]

Eh, okay. However, getting drunk doesn’t cause fever. Maybe he got dehydrated and then drank bad water.

[Verginius Rufus]

April 23, 1616, is his date of death in the Julian calendar. By the Gregorian calendar (the one we use now--then already in use in much of Europe but not in England), he died on May 3, 1616.

Cervantes' death is usually reported as April 23, 1616 (Gregorian calendar), but apparently it is now thought he died on April 22--the burial was on April 23.

[Interesting Times]

The 17th Earl of Oxford, Edward De Vere did not die in 1616.

... and it isn't actually certain that he died in 1604.

[Albion Wilde]

Another most interesting thread from earlier today, where people posted their favorite lines, vocabulary, stanzas, etc:

Post Your William Shakespeare Observations

[PilotDave]

My ladyfriend, who happens to be a Shakespearean PhD, has told me many times that the best guess on his death is food poisoning. It was not long after after his daughter’s wedding. In those days the wedding party would have lasted for up to a couple of weeks. Especially for someone so famous and rich. The theory is some of the left overs went bad. There are letters from guests that mention bad herring. Of course some heavy drinking would make matters worse.

[Tax-chick]

Thanks, that’s interesting and makes very good sense.

[Buttons12]

Thank you very kindly for the Bard alert, AW!

[SunkenCiv]

This topic was posted 4/23/2016, thanks sodpoodle.