Changes

The town became home to the Shakespeare family in 1551 when John Shakespeare (1531-1601), originally a farmer, moved to the town from Snitterfield, around 5 miles to the north-east. In the 1560s, [[William Shakespeare]], who is regarded by many as "England's national poet", was born in the town. The world-renown actor, poet and playwright was baptized in the town on 26 April 1564.<ref name="BL" /> Shakespeare's sister, Joan, was born 5 years later and is the only one of John Shakepeare's 8 children to have known living descendants in the 21st century.

The town became home to the Shakespeare family in 1551 when John Shakespeare (1531-1601), originally a farmer, moved to the town from Snitterfield, around 5 miles to the north-east. In the 1560s, [[William Shakespeare]], who is regarded by many as "England's national poet", was born in the town. The world-renown actor, poet and playwright was baptized in the town on 26 April 1564.<ref name="BL" /> Shakespeare's sister, Joan, was born 5 years later and is the only one of John Shakepeare's 8 children to have known living descendants in the 21st century.

The Startford-upon-Avon canal was constructed from 1793-1816, linking the River Avon at Stratford to the Worcester and Birmingham Canal at King's Norton via the Grand Union Canal. The [[Industrial Revolution]] (c. 1760-1840) was otherwise relatively quiet for Stratford, although some industries did grow locally including the ''Flower & Sons Brewery'' which, established by Edward Fordham Flower

The Startford-upon-Avon Canal was constructed from 1793-1816, linking the River Avon at Stratford to the Worcester and Birmingham Canal at King's Norton via the Grand Union Canal. The canal is notable for Edstone Aqueduct, located around 4.5 miles north-west of Stratford, the longest cast-iron aqueduct in England. In the early 19th century, Stratford was a key inland port. The [[Industrial Revolution]] (c. 1760-1840) was otherwise relatively quiet for Stratford, although some industries did grow locally including the ''Flower & Sons Brewery'' which, established by Edward Fordham Flower

(1805-18830) was operational from 1831 till 1967, when it was bought out by Whitbread.<ref>[https://www.ourwarwickshire.org.uk/content/article/flowers-brewery-statford-upon-avon Flower's Brewery, Stratford-upon-Avon - Our Warwickshire]</ref>

(1805-18830) was operational from 1831 till 1967, when it was bought out by Whitbread.<ref>[https://www.ourwarwickshire.org.uk/content/article/flowers-brewery-statford-upon-avon Flower's Brewery, Stratford-upon-Avon - Our Warwickshire]</ref>