Why did William Shakespeare go to London?

Many speculations exist to explain why William Shakespeare left his home town with his wife and children and moved to London. One bit of speculation claims he was accused of poaching and moved to escape prosecution.

Another proposed explanation claims that his father owned several businesses in London, and Shakespeare may have wanted to work alongside his family. Shakespeare also knew many of the other actors he worked with and may have stayed in the city to be near friends.

Shakespeare grew up in a small home approximately 100 miles from the London city center. After he moved to the city, he participated in a variety of theater productions.