Creative History

Jane the Baker

Jane The Baker (Stuart Period)

Who is Jane?

Jane the Baker (1660s) worked in a chocolate house before becoming homeless after the fire of London.

A Letter from Jane (written for her by a local scribe for the price of a half-Groat)

Right trusty and well-beloved friend, I greet you well and pray that you may aid me with your counsel. I am pressed to find a decent and habitable dwelling, the fire that swept through London having reduced mine to ash. I am sore set thereupon; and that is the cause I write now.

I have ordained to make my home near my birthplace. The journey from London being arduous and long I pray you to acquaint me with a safe haven to rest upon my intended journey next sen night. I trust and pray you have knowledge of some god fearing people with whom I can rest before continuing my journey onward.

I beseech the Lord to ever have you in his blessed protection and keeping.

The 1^st day of September.

Your true friend, Jane the Baker

The Visit

There is no set script for the presentation, it depends on what artefacts or subjects the audience become interested in. However, the material can be steered in the direction(s) desired by class teacher. Jane can tell tales about:

Life in the 1660’s – clothes, hygiene, food, leisure, homes, healthcare
The plot to kill King James
The Great Fire of London

Don’t be surprised if she shows how to make the 1666’s most expensive drink. You would be advised to think carefully before trying it!

Workshops

If desired, Jane (or her historian alter-ego) can run workshops with the children in conjunction with the teachers. Workshop themes can include: Drop-Spinning, Weaving, Food, Dance, Artefact Analysis, Clothes, Hygiene, Medicine, Shopping and Money.

Photo Gallery

Click on an image to enlarge...

Travelling Shop

The museum shop experience can come to you. This could be a general shop that covers all of the primary history periods, it could be tailored to the Stuart period, or it could be the "step back in time shopping experience". The last option involves "swapping" modern money for reproduction Stuart money and purchasing from a range of items typically available in those times.

What to know more? Please send us an email.

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