This is a so-called "rushlight." It was a very cheap type of candle or miniature torch used by poor
people in Tudor England. It was formed by soaking the rush plant in fat or grease. Rush stalks were
gathered and the rind removed, revealing the pith (the inside part), with a single strip of rind left to
support the fragile pith. The plant was then dried and then soaked in bacon grease or mutton fat. The
burning rushlight would often be held by metal clips at a 45 degree angle. This was mounted on an iron
tripod or wooden block.
This is an "eel buck" or "eel basket", used for catching eels especially in the Thames River in London.
Eels were a major part of the diet of Londoners. These baskets were made of willow wood and were
sometimes used with other obstructions placed in the river to direct the eels to the traps.
This is a clay bird's nest! It could be hung up on a wall or the eaves of a house. It was a warm and
secure space, and birds were encouraged to nest there. The little hinged door (secured by a twig) at the
back of the nest could be opened to remove eggs or chicks. These would be a food source for people in
late winter/early spring, when food was running low and people in a village might be facing starvation.
This is a quill (feather) pen and sand shaker made of clay. The quill pen was of course used for writing
with ink on handmade paper or parchment. The sand shaker was used as an eraser if a mistake was made.
Sprinkling sand onto the text soaked up the ink. The inky sand could then be flicked away, and any
leftover ink gently scraped off with a knife. The sand shaker had small holes on the top to allow sand
to be sprinked, and a larger hole underneath for filling the shaker.
This is a cone of sugar with sugar-cutting scissors. The sugar was expensive at the time, and only had by
rich people. Liquid sugar was poured into a mold and hardened. Bits were cut off using the iron sugar
scissors, and then ground or pounded for use in food or as medicine for colds. Poorer people would use
honey for sweetener.
This is a mug made from horn. In Tudor times people made drinking containers from cow, ram, and deer
horns. After removing the bone core, it makes a good container for holding liquid and does not break if
dropped. It could also be carved or bent into different shapes.
This is a watering pot for the floor of a Tudor home. Most homes had dirt floors covered in long grasses
called rushes. There was no glass in the windows, so dirt and debris could blow in. It was very hard to
keep clean. To keep down dust, people would use this small clay watering pot to sprinkle the floor with
water. On the bottom were about 50 holes, and the knob on top could be held between two fingers with the
thumb covering the hole in the top, to create a vacuum in order to control the water coming out.
