Product Description

The political and military history of the sixteenth century is well known, and much written about, but what of the thousands of women who have, for the most part, eluded the historian's pen? 'The Tudor Housewife' aims to answer this question, providing a unique and accessible introduction to the everyday life and responsibilities of women from all levels of society in the age of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. With chapters on marriage, childbirth, the upbringing of children, washing and cleaning, food and drink, the housewife as doctor, women and business, and women and religion, Alison Sim reveals how women were expected to manage businesses as well as the household accounts, take extensive personal interest in the moral welfare of their children, administer medicine to their households and act as a helpmeet to their husbands in every aspect of life. She challenges widely held assuptions that all households were self-sufficient in the sixteenth century and shows that even wealthy ladies were not brought up to be idle. Written in a lively and readable style, 'The Tudor Housewife' provides an attractive and captivating insight into past women's lives.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #213081 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

About the Author
Alison Sim is a freelance historian with a specialism in Tudor Housewifery skills. She has also written 'Food and Feast in Tudor England' and Pleasures and Pastimes in Tudor England.

Customer Reviews

An factual insight in the lives of Tudor women,
this book gives so much to both the social and the studing reader. Set out clearly, we are taken through the lives of Tudor women, from the childbearing to the business women. this book shows clearly the restrainghts placed on women in the early modern period while highlighting their important role in society. I would recomend this book to anyone studing this period.