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Putting flesh on the bones

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Topic: Putting flesh on the bones (Read 744 times)

adicol
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Putting flesh on the bones
« on: Tuesday 09 May 06 10:21 BST (UK) »

Dear All,

Does anyone know where I can find info about how our ancestors lived, ate, dressed etc for the 1600s and 1700s.
I want to build a greater picture of their lives, and the things going on at the time.
I have done a few googles, but nothing has come up yet to quench my appetite...

Many Thanks,

Colleen


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Lloydy
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Great Grandfather John Lewis

Re: Putting flesh on the bones
« Reply #1 on: Tuesday 09 May 06 11:39 BST (UK) »

You may find these helpful

http://www.marquise.de/en/1700/womenguide/18guide1.shtml

http://www.costumegallery.com/1700.html

http://www.romapei.com/index_files/Page327.htm


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MrsLizzy
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Re: Putting flesh on the bones
« Reply #2 on: Tuesday 09 May 06 15:24 BST (UK) »

There are books available, e.g Food in early modern England, that sort of thing. They ate a lot of meat, I believe, and had unbelievably sweet tooths - er - teeth - I think. I think you're interested in social history. How about reading up about women's history? There's a good book called The Fourth Estate, a history of women by Shulahar Shahith, I think her name is. And books by e.g. Vanessa Harding. I have Pleasures and Pastimes in Tudor England and you can get the same sort of thing for Medieval England. Also in the same series I believe there is a book about Food in Tudor England. Try doing a search or browsing in eBay.


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old rowley
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first steps

Re: Putting flesh on the bones
« Reply #3 on: Tuesday 09 May 06 16:30 BST (UK) »

Hi Colleen,

As MrsLizzy has said there are many books out there, I have The Cottage Homes of England by Stewart Dick and Helen Allingham which you might find of interest it covers the homes of ordinary people and the growth of farm and village. On the food side of it you could get a small series of books from English Heritage entitled "Food and Cooking in..............." they cover from Roman Britain to the 19th century and there are about seven in the collection. For life in London you could also have a look at "Life in Stuart London" by Peggy Miller which again might be of interest to you. I would imagine that you could get the The cottage homes and Life in Stuart London from your local library.

old rowley


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adicol
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Re: Putting flesh on the bones
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday 09 May 06 17:47 BST (UK) »

Thanks for the info, looks like a trip to waterstones is on the cards.

Colleen


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RuthieB
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Re: Putting flesh on the bones
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday 09 May 06 17:50 BST (UK) »

Don't forget to look in the children's section. Some of the DK (DorningKindersley I think) ranges are excellent for plain and simple facts with great visual images.

Better still, borrow the kids' books from the library and then move up to the adults' books which may take more reading.

Cheers, RuthieB


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Gadget
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Re: Putting flesh on the bones
« Reply #6 on: Tuesday 09 May 06 20:28 BST (UK) »

Hi Colleen

I don't know whether you've seen this thread. it's mainly 19th century but it might be worth a glance or two:

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,153401.0.html

Gadget


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MrsLizzy
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Re: Putting flesh on the bones
« Reply #7 on: Tuesday 09 May 06 21:04 BST (UK) »

You know, I was laughed at when I was doing my degree for being interested in social history (although it was on the curriculum!!) but there are so many questions: how did people clean their teeth before there was toothpaste? what did they use instead of soap? what did they do when they got sick? had babies? how did they go to the loo before plumbing? We just do things today without even thinking most of the time about the things we're using, or wondering what we'd have done a few hundred years ago. And I think not thinking is a Bad Thing! Grin


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Guy Etchells
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Re: Putting flesh on the bones
« Reply #8 on: Tuesday 09 May 06 22:47 BST (UK) »

Quote from: MrsLizzy on Tuesday 09 May 06 21:04 BST (UK)

Salt, bicarbonate of soda, ash, crushed shells

Quote from: MrsLizzy on Tuesday 09 May 06 21:04 BST (UK)

what did they use instead of soap?

Clay or ash mixed with fat, depends how far back you want to go the Romans used oils which they scraped off with a strigil.

Quote from: MrsLizzy on Tuesday 09 May 06 21:04 BST (UK)

what did they do when they got sick?

Used herbal remedies, many of which form the basis of todays medicines

Quote from: MrsLizzy on Tuesday 09 May 06 21:04 BST (UK)

had babies?

Childbirth was well understood in earlier times we must remember that the country was an agricultural economy and birth was a common sight.
Unfortunately hygiene was not given a high priority and so many babies died.
Pain relief would not normally be given but alcohol may have been used at times.

Quote from: MrsLizzy on Tuesday 09 May 06 21:04 BST (UK)

how did they go to the loo before plumbing? We just do things today without even thinking most of the time about the things we're using, or wondering what we'd have done a few hundred years ago. And I think not thinking is a Bad Thing! Grin

The same way as people go to the loo today if caught out in the wilds of the country, leaves grass etc. may be used to replace paper.
Cheers
Guy


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adicol
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Re: Putting flesh on the bones
« Reply #9 on: Wednesday 10 May 06 09:21 BST (UK) »

Dear All,

There are so many questions I want to know the answer to...I think the kids books are a great starting point, to give me a basis, and they also will include more simple things, I just want to try and build a picture of them, unfortunately, my ancestors were not wealthy, so I have nothing to visualise with, like paintings etc.
I want them to seem more real.


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GLA; Jones, Allen, Holland, Nicholas,George,Lewis
ESS; Davey
W.Yorks; Martin, Hodgson, Tyler,Harrold
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Guernsey; Le Riche

old rowley
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first steps

Re: Putting flesh on the bones
« Reply #10 on: Wednesday 10 May 06 09:40 BST (UK) »

Adicol, why not put some of the questions that you want answers to on here? you never know there maybe one or two of us who could give you the answer or even point you in the right direction.

old rowley


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MrsLizzy
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Re: Putting flesh on the bones
« Reply #11 on: Wednesday 10 May 06 15:16 BST (UK) »

That's right: just look at Guy's post with ALL the answers to my questions. What a guy! (Sorry!)


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goggy
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Re: Putting flesh on the bones
« Reply #12 on: Wednesday 10 May 06 15:26 BST (UK) »

A very good thread!
Reminds me of a time when we lost the electric's at home,youngest Daughter was distraught,"What shall we do for cooking?"
Standing next to a gas stove!
Goggy. Wink


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wheeldon
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Re: Putting flesh on the bones
« Reply #13 on: Wednesday 10 May 06 15:30 BST (UK) »

Hi Adicol, I'm not sure if it would be too far to travel but Manchester's Science and Industry museum has a truly excellent exhibition of what life was like through the ages - it doesn't just concentrate on the industrial revolution but also on agricultural life.

I also agree with RuthieB - I have a 4 yr old and once a week we visit the local library and I'm quite happy reading the kids books about Edwardian and Victorian times etc. It's nice easy reading and the facts seem to stick in my mind more than trawling through a book with thousands of pages.


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Jean McGurn
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Re: Putting flesh on the bones
« Reply #14 on: Wednesday 10 May 06 15:35 BST (UK) »

Colleen

There is another way to find out about clothing in the 1600's & 1700's and thats from some re-enactment sites.

A lot of re-enactors these days do try to dress as authentic as possible and I know from my re-enactment society The English Civil War Society there are a lot of 'experts' on 17c clothing some of whom have done extensive research before making their clothes.

I expect this is the same of other Societies as re-enactment has come a long way from the 1990's so if you see any events advertised near where you live do pop along and ask your questions. You will find folk are only too willing to talk about their hobby. Most of them do Living History which will not only show you what was used in that period but more often than not what and how they fed themselves. (The food is generally for re-enactors consumption not for public but they get to whatch them eat.)

Not sure what part of the country you live - or even if you are in England, but if you are there is a big event August Bank Holiday in Detling Kent where you will find re-enactors from the Vikings right up to WWII.

For ECWS 17c there is a big event at Newport Shropshire May Bank Holiday weekend.

Jean


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