Armour

For thirty years, a struggle for the English throne was waged between two branches of the same family, the House of York and the House of Lancaster, both descended from Edward III. Each house was represented by a rose. The House of York used a white rose, and the House of Lancaster used a red rose. The fight between the two families became known as the War of the Roses. The first fighting broke out in May 1455. This armour may have been used in these battles.

Bible Box

Bibles were popular in Tudor times. They would be locked in a bible box like this one. When it was open it was used as a support for writing on. It had useful drawers and sections inside.

This one is carved with a Tudor Rose and the initials "AH"

Food

The poor had to work hard and struggled to survive. They worked six days a week, they ate coarse grey bread made from rye and barley. Soups were made from vegetables and herbs. Meat was a luxury but poor people sometimes kept animals to provide milk, cheese and eggs.

The rich could afford all kinds of meats and fish and expensive French wine.

Tudor Recorder

This was also called "the flute of nine holes", because many early recorders dating from as early as the late 14th century did indeed have nine holes.

Shilling

This is a copy of a Tudor shilling. It was made in 1555. In the 1550's, a labourer could make 1 shilling a day.