A Traveller in Time- A Visit to Kentwell Hall

Kentwell Hall has been at the forefront of Re-enactment in England for some 23 years now, and is acknowledged as being the best in domestic living history. The method of Interpretation that Kentwell uses is 1st Person. This is where a participant speaks as though they had just dropped out of the 16th century.

Following this ethos, I have had to develop a number of skills to ensure that my character is believable. In my research, I scour numerous primary sources such as Journals and letters for the 'voices' of the kind of people my character would have known. Other sources such as maps, statistics and commentaries, give me an over view of the time and the country that England was then, again from the viewpoint of those who lived there. I also read secondary sources that can give a lot of information such as the genealogy of the character. I have to build up the family tree of the person I will portray - which in my case is usually a real one, as my character was someone who did live in the 16th century.

This intensive research is no use if people's first impression of me as a 16th century Noblewoman is not believable. Thus, my costumes and accoutrements must be accurate. A lot of accoutrements, such as jewellery need to be bought from those who are skilled in that area. Since my very first year, I have had to make all my own clothes for my character. Every piece of clothing has to be accurate - the smock is made from the finest linen I can afford and can be delicately embroidered at neckline and wrist. The silhouette of the Tudor fashion for the year specific has to be accurate as this more than anything will set the period in the eyes of the visitors. Thus, the stays (corset) and farthingale has to be made correctly for the time. Over that will be the combination of petticoat and forepart and then the main gown, sleeves, ruffs (if needed) and headwear.

No noblewoman, or for that matter any woman of the sixteenth century, would be seen to be idle. Thus I have always something to do. I have my Lute "Orlando" which I play as often as I can. I may join in with singing a part song or perhaps dance a few measures. My husband -in fact and in character- may ask me to promenade around the grounds, so that all may see us in our finery.

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