After our visit to Little Moreton Hall on Saturday we were swept back in time again on Sunday. This time at my very favourite of all the Derbyshire stately homes - Haddon Hall.
It was an interpretation of Tudor Life weekend given by the Tudor Group. We'd been in May to see their 'Life above Stairs' event and last weekend it was their 'Life Below Stairs' event. In May it had been a damp and murky day with frequent outbursts of heavy rain. On Sunday it was even hotter then the day before at Little Moreton.
The women were doing the laundry, washing the clothes in the river, beating them on the stones or with wooden paddles, ringing out the garments and fabrics and laying them on the grass and in the hedges to dry.
It was hot work under the noon day sun so those lovely straw hats were needed.
Laundering the linen was a full days task but made nicer by the warm weather and camaraderie.
Meanwhile close by the blacksmiths forge was in action and a young apprentice was learning the trade.
In the hall the servants were hard at work tailoring and mending clothing. polishing the silver and using the time the family of the house were away to preserve food and prepare medicinal herbs and ointments.
The tailors were at work in the main hall
The kitchen servants were busy preparing food
Above polishing the silver and below collecting herbs
The gardens at Haddon were looking spectacular.
As usual I took far too many photos!
I didn't notice until I looked at this photo that there is a striped snail on the poppy
Across the river at the bottom of the garden is the narrow bridge known as Dorothy's bridge.
Legend has it that in 1563 Dorothy Vernon, youngest daughter and co-heiress of George Vernon the owner of Haddon Hall, eloped by escaping across the bridge to meet her intended John Manners. The Hall is still owned by the Manners family.
I loved this view from an open window in the long gallery.
Another view of the Hall from down in the terraced gardens
It was so very hot outside
I hope you've enjoyed my little snapshot of Tudor life at Haddon.
I'm going to take a break from blogging for just a little while.
I'll see you all soon.
I'm going to take a break from blogging for just a little while.
I'll see you all soon.
