Will is desperate to make a good impression with the College of Heralds so that he can finally get a coat of arms. Befriending a dashing African prince by the name of Otello may provide Will with the means to climb the social ladder.

With Britain gripped by fear of Jesuit spies Will is horrified when his bullying former school-master Simon Hunt, comes to stay and proves to be a practising Catholic, endangering the household. When Kit and Greene also turn up efforts are made to hide Hunt - until Will finally stands up to him and Kit saves the day. Meanwhile Will's useless old father provides unexpected inspiration for a new character. Written by don @ minifie-1

Will hopes to write the gory 'Titus Andronicus' to please his patron but is sabotaged by Greene who demands instead a romantic comedy in an exotic setting. About to be sent to Verona by spy-master Walsingham Kit is taught Italian by Kate and they fall for each other. Kate and Will follow Kit to Verona but Will's plan to dress Kate as a boy to maintain Kit's interest backfires - though it does provide Will with the plot for the required comedy. Written by don @ minifie-1

Needing money to buy the family coat of arms Will is inspired by Kate to devise a new art form and so he decides to invent the musical with the aid of the successful composer Thomas Morley, who wants it be based on himself. The show is a huge hit but Greene devises a way to scupper further performances, leaving Will with a comedy of errors. Written by don @ minifie-1

Kate wants Will to write a play about a strong woman but, since most theatre goers are male, Will intends for a man to humiliate her. Inspiration comes when elder daughter Susanna's headstrong attitude deters suitors for her sweet younger sister Judith and so the idea for the Taming of the Shrew is born. Greene plans to have the play banned by persuading Queen Elizabeth that it is sexist but Kit tricks him into allowing it to go ahead though Will's attempts to tame Susanna by the play's methods fail. Written by don @ minifie-1

The life of William Shakespeare before he became famous.

The life of William Shakespeare before he became famous.