William Shakespeare died 400 hundred years ago, on 23 April 1616 – and to mark the anniversary we’ve created this special edition of BBC History Magazine to commemorate his life and times.The World of Shakespearefeatures insightful articles written by some of the country’s foremost experts.We trace the playwright’s life story, from his early years growing up as a glover’s son in Stratford-upon-Avon to the bustling streets of 16th-century London. Along the way you’ll find out what it was like to visit a Shakespearean playhouse and meet his family and friends. We’ll also explore the social and cultural history of Elizabethan and Jacobean England, a period of intense change, examining the playwright’s world view and how it influenced his work.We delve in to some of the dramatist’s most famous plays and discover the real history behind the characters whose stories he retold. We also explore Shakespeare’s worldwide legacy – for the characters, scenes and phrases he created remain vividly alive, performed in countries around the globe today as they have been for the past four centuries.The World of Shakespearebrings together articles that have appeared previously inBBC History Magazinealong with new content commissioned specially for this edition. I hope you enjoy it. Do also check out our monthly magazine, in which we will continue to analyse this and other fascinating periods of history.