Button Books £12.99
By Claire Saunders
www.buttonbooks.co.uk
ISBN: 9781787081772
Although the Tudor dynasty commenced in 1485 and thus lasted for just over a century we normally associate the name with just two of the five monarchs that had that name – principally Henry VIII and Elizabeth 1. The time of the first monarch Henry VII as one of financial tyranny and consolidating power won by conquest.
Of course daily life went on for the vast majority of the inhabitants of England (Scotland was a separate kingdom and the Welsh lands were subdued by a series of castles) who were either away from the great houses or servants in them. Commonplace careers such as millers, blacksmiths, farmers continued as they had for centuries (Gong Famer anyone?) and here we get a glimpse of daily life. what they did, what they wore and what they ate.
Because of the water being of poor quality a very weak beer was drunk by everyone and for the less well off another staple was bread and of course vegetables. Included here are a few period recipes – Tarte Owt, Shrewsbury biscuits and spiced pears so it would be fun to try these out at home. Mention is made of some not so nice sounding dishes – pickled fish and fig tart.
Since the daily life of the poor was quite routine even for children who had no formal education a part of the book follows the life of a young girl, Mary, who is from a wealthy background. She gets to enjoy music, walking in the garden and even playing games such as chess but she still has to wake up in the middle of the night after first sleep for prayers or other houshold events before retiring for second sleep.
Since games are mentioned – how about Nine Men’s Morris. There is even a description of the rules and instructions on how to make the playing board and counters. More enrgetic pastimes such as an early version of football and archery are shown but mention is made of the cruel bloodsports that were principally a betting scenario.
Even more of a downside are the primitive forms of medicine and the somewhat barbaric forms of punishment. The types of dress are shown and there are instructions on how to make a ruff for a nobleman.
Toward the end and the glossary is a big question. Could you have lived like a Tudor? Look at these pages and make your own descision.
Claire Saunders is a specialist in children’s non fiction and has contributed to several in this series for Button books. The illustrations are by a local designer to the publishers and are vivid and totally in tune with the text