shakespeare's marriage to anne hathaway in 1582 may have been officiated by, amongst other candidates, john frith in the town of temple grafton a few miles from stratford. in 1586 the crown named frith, who maintained the appearance of protestantism, as a catholic priest. some surmise shakespeare married in temple grafton rather than the anglican church in stratford in order for his wedding to be performed as a catholic sacrament. he was thought to have rushed his marriage ceremony, as anne was three months pregnant.