Ruth Goodman is a well-known TV historian, and this is described as a "dawn to dusk guide" to life in the Tudor period.
It covers many areas and dispels myths such as the idea that Tudor food was highly spiced to disguise rotting meat, and that anyone who sold bad meat could find themselves in the pillory with the offending offal around their necks! So, it wouldn't be advisable to sell it!
This book would be particularly useful for people who do living history or re-enactment, as it gives plenty of facts to give out, such as using soot to clean your teeth, calling somebody a "nitty breeched knave" was a great insult and ink contained wine, but don't drink it, as it also contained oak galls, gum Arabic and copper sulphate!
Each chapter covers something relevant to a period of the day, in a very readable way.
Certainly, I found it useful both for Globe tours and for my work outside of the Wooden O.
"Night night, sleep tight" (that phrase, dating from the Tudor period, is also explained).
Reviewed by Clive (Tour Guide)
