William was the third child of John and Mary Shakespeare. His two older sisters Joan and Margaret died before William was born. William's parents had three more sons, Gilbert, Richard and Edmund and two more daughters, Joan and Anne after the birth of William.
Shakespeare's mother was formerly Mary Arden, whose father Robert was a prosperous farmer at Wilmcote near Stratford.
Shakespeare's father was principally a glove maker and a dealer in agricultural commodities. He served as a member of the council in Stratford and finally became High Bailiff in 1568, which is equivalent to Mayor.