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TEACHER NOTES
page 1 of 4
Exploring Tudor Life in Ledbury (Tudors)
The lives of the rich and poor in Tudor Ledbury
During the reign of Elizabeth I (from 1558 to 1603) there were many poor
people who could not find employment as there was not enough work
available. Some people were so poor they starved to death. With so
many poor people, crime increased and many laws were passed to cope
with the problem.
We can identify 3 groups of poor people:
Those who could work if there was work to be done. They were
helped or given work to do in return for food.
Those who were regarded as ‘sturdy rogues’ or ‘vagrants’. They
could be punished for not working.
Those who were too old, young or ill – called the ‘deserving poor’.
They were looked after in almshouses or hospitals paid for by
richer people.
In Tudor times, Ledbury had a population of approximately 1,000 people.
There were three or four very rich families, more middling folk and many
poor. Ledbury was very small compared with today.
We don’t know too much about the lives of the poor people as they did not
own anything, nor leave anything behind when they died. Sometimes
there is evidence of their lives in records kept by the church or the courts.
Examples of deaths from the parish records:
1580
1581
1585
1591
1595
1599
beggar boy found in nearby village;
a poor woman and a wandering woman’s daughter;
twins who had been born in a barn;
poor man died in field beyond;
young man died in barn;
soldier, poor, dying in a barn.
No names were recorded.
In late Tudor times, Ledbury must have been a busy place. The town
appears to have undergone a major building programme in the late 16th
and early 17th centuries.
Wood for this construction work had to be cut and transported from the
nearby woodland. The timber frames were first constructed in a yard, the
parts were labelled, the frame was then dismantled and taken to its final
site, where it was reconstructed like a three dimensional jigsaw puzzle.
In Tudor Ledbury we know many men were employed making leather and
cloth goods. All workshops, businesses and shops were clustered in the
town. Gates on streets leading out of town were locked each night for
safety.
The town really came to life each Tuesday on market day, as it still does
today. People came and went, buying and selling goods, and bringing
animals for sale into the middle of town. By Tudor times, men were
beginning to be able to build up their own businesses – building wealth
and power through trade, rather than through family connections.
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TEACHER NOTES
page 2 of 4
Exploring Tudor Life in Ledbury (Tudors)
The lives of the rich and poor in Tudor Ledbury
There was a major growth of the merchant classes. A fine example was
Edward Skynner of Ledbury who built his fortune in the cloth trade.
The market and fairs may have been controlled from, what we know as,
the Painted Room in Ledbury. Laws and regulations controlling the poor
may also have been overseen in the building.
The Painted Room was probably where the constable of the town lived.
He married a cousin of the rich Skynner family so they were fairly well off.
The entry in the register for 1572 says 'Rychard Sculle and Elzabethe
Skynner were maryed togeyther ye v day of may die lune [Monday]'.
The Painted Room has some very rare wall paintings. Rich people hung
tapestries on their walls and had wood panelling. In this house, walls were
painted with a pattern based on a garden design. Some were painted to
look like wood panels. The inhabitants would not have been able to see
the timber frame which we enjoy today. There are some beautiful texts
from the Bible in the upstairs room.
Possibly Rychard and Elzabethe Sculle were trying to emulate the style of
more wealthy people. It is suggested that this is the room from where the
markets and fairs were run.
Ledbury Primary School pupils walking along
Church Lane from the church to the Painted Room.
© University of London.
The Painted Room, Ledbury.
© Ken Stebbing.
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© University of London
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TEACHER NOTES
page 3 of 4
Exploring Tudor Life in Ledbury (Tudors)
The lives of the rich and poor in Tudor Ledbury
Ledbury Church.
In Elizabethan times Ledbury Church may have been in a poor state, but it
was constantly in use. All babies were christened as soon as possible, as
it was thought they could not go to heaven if they died before being
baptised. All marriages took place at the church and many citizens were
buried there. For the close knit population of Ledbury it was a regular
meeting place, in fact there were fines for not attending church!
Skynner family memorial, Ledbury Church.
When someone rich or influential died, their body might have been buried
under the floor of the church and a large engraved stone was placed on
top.
Wealthy people had pews to sit on inside the church. The rest of the
congregation stood or sat on benches to observe the service from further
back.
Ledbury has a carved memorial to a very rich family in the church; we can
see how very rich people dressed in Tudor times.
The memorial was paid for by two sons of Edward and Elizabeth Skynner.
It depicts the whole family, including a baby who was supposed to have
been eaten by the last wolf in the district! It is sited near the altar – this
shows their power and influence. The inscription reads:
Here lies Edward skinner of Ledbury
Gentleman, and Elizabeth his wife.
Elizabeth died March 10 1628 aged 80.
Edward died May 3 1631 aged 87.
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TEACHER NOTES
page 4 of 4
Exploring Tudor Life in Ledbury (Tudors)
The lives of the rich and poor in Tudor Ledbury
This memorial in memory of their parents was placed
By their sons Richard Skynner of Cofton in the County
Of Worcester knight the eldest son, and
William Skynner L L, Doctor, Chancellor
Of the Diocese of Hereford.
Suggested questions for pupils:
Who are the big people – were they rich or poor?
The parents; rich.
Look carefully – who do you think the small people are – count them?
They are the children of the man and woman above; 10 and baby.
What is the baby holding what do you think that means?
The baby and the first daughter died before the memorial was erected – as
indicated by the skulls they are holding.
Are all the men wearing the same clothes? What might that mean?
Different jobs when they grew up – the son with no sword entered the
church. They were very fashionable for their time – note the ruffs and hair
styles.
Edward Skynner
1548-1628
Elizabeth Skynner
John, Thomas, William, Edward, Richard, Mary, Susanna, Jone,
Elizabeth, no name.
Not everyone lived this long in Tudor times – the Skynner family’s wealth
would have meant they were less likely to die young from disease or poor
diet etc.
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© University of London
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