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stacksofpaperbacks · 4 years

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Hamnet’s World - A peak...

Year: 1596

You were a very religious person, secretly Catholic or pagan as the Church of England was a mix of Protestant / Puritan. Your secrets stayed with you or risk was torture and then death by burning at the cross. If you consented to becoming Protestant, your death would be swift and painless by beheading. ( A real bargain I know ... ) . The royal family did nothing to the common folk and really cared less about peasants as long as taxes were paid to support war.

Enemies: Anyone from Spain - Anyone Catholic - Anyone who was a witch or female for that matter - Anyone Scottish

In power: Queen Elizabeth l - World powers were Spain, France, Holland, Portugal, and Italy.

The heroes included Sir Frances Drake, as well as many other English pirates that raided Spanish ships for gold and goods.

Daily life: no running water or plumbing, zero sanitation efforts, most peasant could not read or write, only noble women and girls could read and write, books are very rare and cost a lot, printing is very limited as spies constantly look for anything treasonous or anti-Protestant in nature. Most homes are small, the largest room being the common room where everyone ate, talked, etc. Food was cooked over a fireplace and brick made ovens attached to fireplace. Bread was made each day. Stews being the common fare which contained some meat ( gamebird, beef, pork, mutton, or rabbit ) , vegetables ( parsnips, turnip, peas, lentils, garden greens like kale and chard, onions ) and maybe some type of grain ( millet, barley, farro ) depending on the family’s social class. Beer and wine were drank over any water; most water was very toxic with raw sewage and trash. If possible, every home had a garden. When not in a city, goods were bought from traveling merchants and faires. All clothing and even shoes were handmade, handknitted and handsewn. Fabrics were not cheap. Nothing was wasted - food scraps, fabric scraps, - all was used in one way or another. Country living was kinder, city living rough but better chances for success. Churches had large herb gardens and kept honeybees. Many clergy men were tutors for noble children. In most cases, only boys went to school. Both men and women had a large list of daily chores. Prayers were practiced by the entire family around meal times. Markets were a place to hear the latest gossip and news. You got to places by walking, riding on a wagon, horse or donkey back, and boat. So yes, travel to lots of time.

Marriage: Girls married as early as age 12, boys, age 17. Birth control methods were near none, sometimes healers had wild carrot seeds or teas for abortive measures, but these could prove deadly. A divorce was only attained from the Church of England. Women had few rights; rape was common but rarely punished, and abuse was widespread. Laws were not kind and very unjust at this time.

World scene: A New World! Yep, the Americas were the new sensation and so far, England had not put their hat in the race yet, but Spain, Portugal, France, Holland, were all charting this land and reaping the spoils. New foods were being chatted about at Royal courts - tomato, maize, chocolate, potato, beans, sunflowers, squash, cranberry, Wild Turkey, the pineapple, etc. New tribal groups with odd languages and dress - Native Americans and First Nations - some had been brought to court to be shown off. Question was how do we convert them to ‘The Right Way’ ? Also: The Islamic world is a growing power and it’s art and culture is becoming noticed. Many new territories are being conquered.

Health: yes, the medieval days are ending and life is pretty harsh and depressing. Life is very unfair too. Mental health is eh. The Black Death is baaacccckkk! Many are dying. Again. Epidemic to England: measles, smallpox (big one here ) , chicken pox, typhus, influenza, cowpox, and the common cold. Babies die often, as do toddlers. They are very fragile in a world that is full of deadly diseases and no medications but herbal remedies. Midwives deliver most babies, tooth problems and bone settings are taken care of by local butchers in most cases. Healers were common despite the danger of the Church and it’s witchhunts. They were much cheaper than a physician and could be paid in favor or goods if no coin was found. Only two items can be used for real pain management in surgery and severe wounds: alcohol and opium. Many patients died before surgery was over because the pain was too great. If they survived, wounds risked infection/sephis. Very few cared for their teeth. Very few bathed regularly. Only noble families had real soap. Peasants and common folk used flower essences and oils instead. Oh and hand washing: NEVER.

Fun: What would you do with free time? Hunting and fishing were popular, as were needlework and weaving. Children had their games and songs. Children were never looked over, most ran wild and younger ones were watched over by older siblings. Toys included fabric dolls, wood spinning tops, toy swords. Puppet shows and plays were common in the town square for both adults and children. Gambling, chess and cards popular with the men at taverns. Country towns had annual dances and festivals, many with pagan backgrounds. Playing music was a joy - the harp was very common.

Sorry, Noble people only stuff: gold spun thread, glass windows, rich dyed colored clothing, silk fabric, bookshelves with books, seal rings, endless supply of parchment - or paper - and Bibles with gold gilded pages, tasty spices - nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper, saffron, and vanilla. Sugar was very costly, most used honey to sweeten dishes. Imported oils for skin and hair. Glass mirrors.

Hope you liked reading this, it’s not a complete list, but just a little something. :)

#history #hamnet #shakespeare #shakespears world #elizabethian age

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