Week 48 - Tudor Times

Oh to be a Tudor! It was a time of persecution if you were Catholic. Baddesley Clinton was a safe house for Jesuit Priests being hunted down by the pursuivants. Priest holes were built to conceal them when the house was raided in the early morning hours.
If I was a labourer, you would know my station in life by the clothes I wore. By law I could not wear any imported cloth, or cloth that cost more than 2 shillings a yard. It was punishable to be dressed above ones station even if you could afford it.
The main meal of the day was at 11am when you would be seated around the masters table in order of importance. You could not be seated before or eat before the master. The meal was finished when the master left regardless of others finishing. Meals were served on a board & trestle & it was expected to keep your hands "above board" to prevent anything untoward happening below.
Geese were an important asset on the farm. Their feathers were used for mattresses for the master. He would "sleep tight" as the rope slats would be tightened for comfort. The left wing feathers were used as quills. Left only because you learnt to be right handed, & the quill would turn away from your face. The right wing feathers were used for arrows. A "pen knife" was used to sharpen the quill.
These were the times of William Shakespeare who we followed

from birth to the grave this week. His mother's farm, his wife's cottage.

Activities/Sights
Baddesley Clinton House, Mary Arden's Farm, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Holy Trinity Church.

Total Lock Count
374