Thomas Jenkins (headmaster) facts for kids
Thomas Jenkins was a special teacher in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon. He was the head teacher, also called the headmaster, at the King Edward VI Grammar School from 1575 to 1579. This means he was likely the teacher of the famous writer William Shakespeare!
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Who Was Thomas Jenkins?
Thomas Jenkins was a teacher from Wales. He became the head teacher at a well-known school in Stratford-upon-Avon. This school was where young William Shakespeare probably went to learn.
Jenkins and Young Shakespeare
Even though old school records don't exist anymore, many people believe that Thomas Jenkins taught William Shakespeare. Jenkins would have taught Shakespeare important subjects like Latin grammar and Latin stories. Latin was a very important language to learn back then.
A Possible Inspiration for Shakespeare
Because Thomas Jenkins was from Wales, some people think he might have inspired a character in one of Shakespeare's plays. In Shakespeare's play The Merry Wives of Windsor, there is a Welsh teacher named Sir Hugh Evans. This character might have been based on Thomas Jenkins!
How Jenkins Influenced Shakespeare's Plays
It's also thought that Thomas Jenkins might have made Shakespeare interested in the old, legendary stories of Britain. These are tales about kings, heroes, and magic from long ago. If Jenkins shared these stories, he might have encouraged Shakespeare to write plays about them. Famous plays like King Lear and Cymbeline tell these kinds of ancient British tales.
