James Stewart

At the table

Ale quality was strictly regulated

In cities, burgh officials known as ale-tasters were appointed to inspect ale quality and enforce prices to ensure fair trade. These officials took an oath to appraise batches without showing favor or fear to any brewer.

What people wore

Footwear and Headgear in the Highlands

Highlanders often went barefoot and barelegged, though some wore simple single-soled shoes and flat, generally blue, soft caps.

Getting around

Horses were the fastest travel option

Riding a horse was the fastest and most reliable way to travel for those who could afford one. A basic riding horse cost about £4 to £5, a sum many skilled tradesmen struggled to earn in an entire year.

What it cost

High Cost of Subsistence Goods

Rising costs of basic goods hit the poor harder than the rich because subsistence households relied heavily on expensive domestic agricultural products like grain and ale.

Music

Street Dancing in London

In London, apprentices and girls frequently danced in the streets after shops closed to the music of the pipe and tabor.

Daily life

Small, One-Room Homes with Open Fires

Ordinary people lived in small, one-room houses with an open central fire for cooking and warmth, where smoke escaped through gaps in the roof.