Tudor Tales
Costumed interpreters, demonstrators and lecturers
Periods covered: Norman to 20th century
Contact: Cathy Flower-Bond
02392 631008
Tudor Tales are costumed interpreters, portraying low status everyday life ranging from the late Norman to 20th century periods. We take pride in thoroughly researching all the aspects required to bring a demonstration to the public, from the cut and construction of period clothing to the food prepared and eaten, to the cosmetics used. All of our equipment, as well as our costumes are hand sewn in as accurate and authentic materials as the modern age allows, with the majority being ‘hand dyed’ using traditional plant dyes. This enables us to discuss in detail the methods, materials and ‘layering’ of clothing used in the past.
Tudor Tales also demonstrate and provide interactive lectures on a range of crafts and social domestic history. Our demonstrations are suitable for both schools and the general public a like, we particularly involve the audience with the ‘touch’ and ‘smell’ of the past. We can demonstrate simple crafts like period basket weaving or straw work, but we also provide specialist demonstrations.
History is exciting-so why not experience it!
Cooking 
Concentrating on the food prepared and eaten in the time period chosen, the cooking pot will be filled with aromatic aromas to stimulate and give a flavour of the types of food consumed. All recopies’ used are historically accurate taken from period recipe books.
The Stillroom
These demonstrations include the preparation of simple cosmetics and medicines that were popular during the period. The ‘apothecary’s’ craft is explained and discussed using herbs and replica equipment. All the preparations used are historically accurate and taken from ‘herbals’.
Clothing and Underpinnings
Our clothing collection includes some original items for the Victorian and Regency periods together with accurate replica artefacts and clothes that can be handled by the audience and in some cases, participants may try on the items. Popular with both adults and children, this demonstration involves men and women’s personal every day items and the children’s workshops allow for dressing up and learning how the little people survived in the past through games and toys. We also provide ‘underpinnings’ sessions where the ‘lady’ is dressed by her ‘maid’ and all the layering and cosmetics used in the ‘toilette’ can be discussed to aid appreciation of the change in fashion!
Hands-on workshops are available for all demonstrations.
