HOUSEKEEPING IN TUDOR TIMES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 20 June 1931, Page 5

HOUSEKEEPING IN TUDOR TIMES

There could be few things more tantalising', however interesting, for the harassed housewife of to-day than to look through a file of domestic accounts kept three or four centuries ago, and to fmd tlmt her predecessor of good Queen Bess's days could purchase a whole pig for Is (id, a shoulder or mutton for 2d less, and a quart of excellent claret for Oil. Here, for instance, is the menu of a supper, which was enjoyed on 28th May, 1.589: A shoulder of mutton. Is 4il; three pints of strawberries, Is; a pint of claret, 3d; sugar, ;id ; for butter to blitter a cold chick, 2d; anil_brcail and beer (which always figured largely in the meals of those days), 1 Oil. A typical dinner which shows how generously our ancestors fared in (he days of the Armada, consists of the following items: Beef, Is (id; a loin of veal, 2s; two rabbits, Is 2d; a quarter of lamb, Is (id; a pint of white wine, 3d; a lemon. Id; sugar, 2d; for dressing and farcing the loin of \x*al, is; for dressing two rabbits and a quarter of lamb, 8(1. It is interesting to note that “dressing and farcing”'the loin of veal cost just half as much as the joint itself. Among other entries which show the vast disparity between the prices of three centuries ago and ■now are the following: A goose, Is 8d; a chicken, (id; a rabbit, 8(1; a pound of lmtter, 2d; a pint of Rhenish wine, 5(1; three pigeons, one chicken, and bacon, Is 8d; and oranges, 2d a dozen. Four soles cost 8d and seven roaches (id. A barrel of beer (quantity not stated) cost 4s; a quart of cream, (id; beef, 1M per Hi.; and a cheese, Is 4d. Many items in the clothing account are equally modest, as appears from the following entries: Pair of shoes, 2.s 9d; a pair of gloves, Is (id; pair of shoes and mending hose, Is 10(1.