AllMovie

Episode one, In Search of Shakespeare: A Time of Revolution, begins in 16th century England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. William Shakespeare is born to a wealthy family and receives a decent education. During his teenage years, his family is persecuted for believing in the Pope under the Queen's strictly Protestant rule. Forced to go to work and leave school, Shakespeare becomes a father and a husband at the age of 18. He writes a love poem to his wife, which would become his first known work. His family's trouble with the Protestants escalates, leading to a feud with the wealthy Lucy family. This episode premiered on PBS in February of 2004.