It’s not a book I would advocate reading at bedtime, some of the facts are quite stomach turning. Like dog faeces being collected and sold to tanneries to be rubbed by hand into specialist leathers used to cover books or make expensive gloves.
You could have had a job as a bone grubber collecting animal bones off the streets to make tallow candles, soap and glue.
One story I whispered in Philip’s ear as he was dropping off to sleep was about the 82 bone combs found on the Mary-Rose warship, raised in the 1980’s, still containing nits that were almost 500 years old.
I can see your faces now screwing up in disgust. Sorry I can’t help but laugh. I must be a bit warped I think haha.
Listen to this then for a bit of late night reading. Did you know that in the 1800’s all human sewage went straight into the River Thames from holes in the floorboards of dwellings, and in the summer the windows of the House of Commons could not be opened because of the dreadful stench half choking the MP’s. In the Palace of Westminster the curtains were soaked in bleach to disguise the smell.
And don’t get me started on eels being stewed and eaten in long pieces then swilled down with the liquid they were stewed in. Yuck !!!
Okay enough of the stuff that makes you baulk. Here’s a sweeter fact for you. Did you know that sugar in the 1700’s was a luxury and as time went on and it became more affordable the size of teaspoons went from a quarter to a third of a tablespoon.
Think they could have done with some masks back in the day don’t you. Haha. I really am sorry for keeping laughing but I’m just imagining your faces reading this.
I promise to get my naughtiness under control by the next post and I hope I haven’t put you off your food.
Take care and please come back soon.
Lynn
X
Ps. I’ve borrowed these images and if they are yours I hope you won’t mind. Thanks lynn x
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