AT our July meeting, speaker Ann Hardy gave a very informative peek into the life of a 17th century housewife.
She began with some historical events from that era, including the Pilgrim Fathers travelling to the New World, Charles I being beheaded and Charles II becoming king.
There were some interesting slides, including a copy of the Bill of Mortality, showing various complaints that people had died of including grief, a fall from a belfry, worms and a sudden wind.
Living in London the lady was more like the mistress of the house and would share her bedroom with the servants, who slept on the floor.
There were sounds of exclamation as we heard about the hygeince of those times. Clothes were washed twice a year, but took two weeks to complete. Sand and brickdust was used for household cleaning.
How things have changed – what a long way we have come.
Our next meeting was due to be on Wednesday, August 25, when we were set to hear about the 2012 Olympic Games – a small group from the WI will be going to the site in October.
We meet in Emmanuel Church, in Sleepers Farm Road, every fourth Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm.
