Just playing?

The other day as I picked my way carefully through the mud at Kentwell Hall, I overheard some visitors talking about the recreation they were visiting. “of course, they’re just playing at it” one of them said, utterly oblivious to my presence.

Hm. I think maybe he didn’t quite understand the time, effort and money that goes into this pursuit.

For starters, you can’t pop into a shop and buy a suitable tudor outfit. When I an dressed properly, I have a handmade linen shift, a linen petticoat or under kirtle, then a kirtle made of heavy wool and lined with linen. I was fortunate to buy that second hand but I am determined to make one for next year that will fit me better. Over the kirtle I wear a linen apron (hand hemmed), a pinner around my shoulders (linen square, also hand hemmed) and I have a linen headrail and coif. I’ve woollen nether hose and good leather shoes.

I am gradually replacing bits I bought secondhand with bits I’ve made myself. And there are five other members of the family to clothe, so I think you might begin to get an idea of how much sewing there is to do. There are fairly steady running repairs required as well, as seams give way or clothes are torn or damaged.

I should have a good leather belt that I could hang my pockets from, but I don’t have an awl fine enough to make the required holes. And while I’m at home there always seems to be something else I should be doing so I find it easier to do little bits on station, such as hemming or fixing things.

On top of the clothes there is learning to do of how to speak in a seemly manner and also of the trades we follow. I know my letters and numbers, as well as my weights and measures. Big can card and spin as well as working with the lucet. Her sewing comes along slowly, but it’s coming. As 1556 is a catholic year we have learnt some Latin for the Angelus prayer at noon. And there’s also the specific history, both local and wider.

While I mainly enjoy the preparation and the recreation (though don’t ask me about sleeves!) there’s an awful lot of effort that goes into it. I’m not sure I’d call it playing tbh.

If you visit Kentwell hall this weekend or next you can judge for yourself, and don’t forget to check out the photo competition on their Facebook page.