Family History Group – 17th century life

Frome Family History Group event held recently saw Janet, alias Agnes, and her partner, Master Christopher, dressed for the occasion in seventeenth century costume and remained in character all through the presentation, giving us an often hilarious account of life in those times.
The group said, “Janet started by outlining sources of information available to us as family historians, but warned that most sources including paintings, wills, letters and diaries would only be available for the wealthy. Those of us with more modest ancestors would face more of a challenge. She went on to outline the political scene at the time and explained that the poor would, in most situations, give their allegiance to whoever their master supported.
“The rest of Janet’s talk was covering everyday life in the seventeenth century, covering all aspects of domestic life including homes, food, clothes, customs, medicinal herbs and witchcraft.
“Some delightful references were made to sayings still in everyday use that originated back then. For example being straight laced refers to the Puritan women who laced their bodice in straight lines instead of crossed like other women. The term upper crust refers to the fact bread was sliced length ways to avoid giving the master the slice that was covered in ash from the fire and the saying sleep tight is a reference to the cords that formed the base of a bed which had to be kept taught.
“Despite it being a very warm evening our programme secretary, Sue Simpson, offered to put on all the clothes a seventeenth century woman would have worn. Clad in a shift, petticoat or skirt, bodice, an item for making her bottom look bigger and a hat, we all thought about how it would feel to have to do all the physical work that a woman at that time would have undertaken. The shift was put on clean on a Sunday, ready for church and then not taken off day or night until the next Sunday. A poor person would have had only one of each of the other garments so they were never washed!
“Other fairly gruesome examples of life in the seventeenth century were explained. Toothpaste was made from a rat’s scull ground down with lavender and mixed with urine, in fact urine seemed to be the most useful commodity, as it was also used for bleaching washing, tanning hides and colour dying. Janet, and her partner Master Christopher, were thanked for a most enjoyable talk and for all the effort they put into creating an authentic experience.
“Our next event on 31st July is led by the Frome Family History Group committee and will be a trip down Cheap Street in 1881 looking at the residents and businesses there at that time. Members are welcome to join in. Family history advice sessions are held at the library on the first Saturday in the month. Please book a place with the library staff.”