Up until this time theatres had been open to the English weather, but in 1609 Shakespeare's company took over Blackfriars, an indoor hall, as their winter headquarters. It was artificially lit and being an all-seater theatre this made theatre going more pleasant. The building was demolished in 1655.
During the time that Shakespeare was in London, his wife Anne stayed in Stratford with the children. He returned each year to spend time with the family. In 1596, Shakespeare's only son Hamnet died aged 11 from the plague.
Shakespeare continued to build his reputation by applying for a coat of arms on his father's behalf, only a few months after the death of his son, he succeeded. The coat of arms was a gold shield with a shaken spear and the motto 'Non, sans Droit' ('not without right').
In 1597 Shakespeare purchased New Place in Stratford as his principal residence. In 1611 he retired and came back to Stratford to live in New Place.
It wasn't until 1623, seven years after his death, the 'First Folio' the first collected edition of his plays was published.