In the news1540–1549
1540s crisis and inflation
Scotland faced severe economic crises, plague, and intense wars with England, particularly during the 1540s, leading to high inflation.
Temple Newsam, 1546 – Edinburgh, 10 Feb 1567
12 facts3 sources
1546
Born in Temple Newsam
29 Jun 1566
A son is born
10 Feb 1567
Dies in Edinburgh
He lived through 3 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Temple Newsam.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1540–1549
Scotland faced severe economic crises, plague, and intense wars with England, particularly during the 1540s, leading to high inflation.
Getting around
Travelers relied on guides and land routes
Travelers often required local guides because defined roads were scarce, and they frequently crossed open, unfenced land to reach their destinations. journeys for royal justice circuits typically progressed at a rate of about 20 miles per day.
In the news1535–1542
During the late 1530s and early 1540s, Scottish towns experienced an economic boom with significant growth in export trade.
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.
What people wore
Saffron-Dyed Shirts and Waterproof Coatings
Highlanders commonly wore a long linen shirt dyed with saffron as their primary garment, sometimes coating the fabric with wax, tallow, or even tar to make it damp-proof.
Music
Home entertainment and musical skills
At home, people gathered during long winters to listen to traditional stories, sing songs, and dance to the fiddle. Wealthier households also expected noble men and women to be accomplished in playing instruments like the lute.
At the table
Ale was the common everyday drink
Ale was the common drink because it was safer than local water, with almost every household brewing its own batches. The fermentation was short, often lasting only a few days, resulting in a low-alcohol drink that was considered safe for everyone, including children.