Entertaining history
On Thursday 23 June the Old Buckenham WI meeting was all about medieval toys and games. The speaker, Rosie Wilkin, was dressed as a medieval inn keeper’s wife which was based on a 14th century costume with lots of layers and a headdress.
After playing a medieval game called ‘Nine Men’s Morris', Rosie explained in detail about what it was like in the ‘tavern’ which in those days started off in a room in a house before it evolved into an ale house. People drank beer instead of water as the water was not very hygienic. The beer was brewed with yeast from the air and stored on bushes! This was then used to make the beer or bread. Mead was made from honey. These ale houses supplied a meal and entertainment, sometimes of dubious reputation.
The audience were shown lots of toys including dice made from clay and knuckle bones which were used in ‘jacks'. Also balls made with fabric, dolls made from rags, table top skittles, quoits, spinning tops and whipping tops and lots more.
Then Rosie explained how her costume was layered and made so that she could ‘squat’ to go to the toilet which is what people did in those days! The outside layer was a surcot which had slits in so that she could reach her purse inside. The next layer was a kirtle and the chemise is against the skin. Then she demonstrated her headdress and took off the layers to show everyone. These were worn by all ladies after Christianity evolved and were reminders of what a nun wears on her head. A really interesting interactive talk.
Then it was time to have tea and cake and carry on with the business of the Women's Institute. A very educational evening.
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