Book 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 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, adminster medicine to their households and act as a helpmeet
to their husbands in every aspect of life. This book unveils the
powerful position of ordinary women in Tudor society and provides a
captivating insight into their lives.
