List of inventories

We have selected a number of different inventories from our records for you to have a look at. There are inventories of men and women, merchants and traders, farmers, a knight of the realm, and members of the clergy. Just pick one you think might be interesting and see what you can find out. Don’t forget to use the transcripts, translations and glossary if you get stuck.

Source 1

Extracts from the inventory of John Fenwick, gentleman. His inventory was dated 9 August 1581.

What can this inventory tell us about the life of John Fenwick? Will we be able to tell how rich he was? Take a look at the questions below to help you decide. You might find it useful to make notes on the worksheet.

Let’s start investigating….

1. Before you read the inventory, take a look at how John Fenwick is described. Do you think he was very rich, rich or comfortable? (Remember that poor people didn’t have inventories.)

2. Now read the inventory- you can use the translation if you get stuck. Think about the following:
(a) how would you describe the items listed in the inventory?
(b) does this tie in with the description of Fenwick?
(c) What type of farming does he practice?
(d) do you think he had a large farm or a small farm?

3. Now that you have read the inventory, do you think that Fenwick was very rich, rich or comfortable? Have you changed your mind?

4. Does this inventory tell us anything else about life in Tudor Times?

Source 2

Extracts from the inventory of Anne Hebburn, a widow. The inventory was made in 1568.

What can this inventory tell us about the life of Anne Hebburn? Will we be able to tell how rich she was? Take a look at the questions below to help you decide. You might find it useful to make notes on the worksheet.

Let’s start investigating….

1. Before you read the inventory, take a look at how Anne Hebburn is described. Do you think she was very rich, rich or comfortable? (Remember that poor people didn’t have inventories.)

2. Now read the inventory- you can use the translation if you get stuck. Think about the following:
(a) can you tell what Anne Hebburn did for a living? How?
(b) was she successful? How can you tell?
(c) can you tell anything about her house? What?

3. Now that you have read the inventory, do you think that Anne Hebburn was very rich, rich or comfortable? Have you changed your mind?

4. Does this inventory tell us anything else about life in Tudor Times?

Source 3

The inventory of Christopher Dale, innkeeper. The inventory was taken on 19 April 1570.

What can this inventory tell us about the life of Christopher Dale? Will we be able to tell how rich he was? Take a look at the questions below to help you decide. You might find it useful to make notes on the worksheet.

Let’s start investigating….

1. Before you read the inventory, take a look at what Christopher Dale did for a living. Do you think he was very rich, rich or comfortable? (Remember that poor people didn’t have inventories.)

2. Now read the inventory- you can use the translation if you get stuck. Think about the following:
(a) how many rooms are mentioned in the inventory?
(b) do you think that Dale lived in a large or small house?
(c) can you tell what Dale did for a living? How?
(d) did he have servants? How can you tell?
(e) did Dale do anything else to earn a living? What? How can you tell?

3. Now that you have read the inventory, do you think that Christopher Dale was very rich, rich or comfortable? Have you changed your mind?

4. Does this inventory tell us anything else about life in Tudor Times?

Source 4

Extracts from the inventory of Thomas Smith, a shipwright. The inventory was taken 1586/7.

What can this inventory tell us about the life of Thomas Smith? Will we be able to tell how rich he was? Take a look at the questions below to help you decide. You might find it useful to make notes on the worksheet.

Let’s start investigating….

1. Before you read the inventory, take a look at what Thomas Smith did for a living. Do you think he was very rich, rich or comfortable? (Remember that poor people didn’t have inventories.)

2. Now read the inventory- you can use the translation if you get stuck. Think about the following:
(a) does this look like an inventory of a house? What does it look like?
(b) can you tell what Smith did for a living by looking at the inventory?
(c) are there any other clues that you could use to decide how wealthy Smith was? (Hint: look at the first few items listed on the inventory)

3. Now that you have read the inventory, do you think that Thomas Smith was very rich, rich or comfortable? Have you changed your mind?

4. Does this inventory tell us anything else about life in Tudor times?

Source 5

The inventory of Richard Glover, a yeoman. The inventory was taken on 7th January 1587/8.

What can this inventory tell us about the life of Richard Glover? Will we be able to tell how rich he was? Take a look at the questions below to help you decide. You might find it useful to make notes on the worksheet.

Let’s start investigating….

1. Before you read the inventory, take a look at what Richard Glover did for a living. Do you think he was very rich, rich or comfortable? (Remember that poor people didn’t have inventories.)

2. Now read the inventory- you can use the translation if you get stuck. Think about the following:
(a) can you tell how Glover earned a living? Is it easy to tell from the inventory?
(b) does he have a lot of furniture?
(c) can you tell anything about the size of his house from the inventory?
(d) do you think a lot of people lived in Richard Glover’s house? Why?

3. Now that you have read the inventory do you think that Richard Glover was very rich, rich or comfortable? Have you changed your mind?

4. Does this inventory tell us anything else about life in Tudor times?

Source 6

Extracts from the inventory of Isabelle Rood, widow of a royal Chaplain. The inventory was taken on 6 December 1582.

What can this inventory tell us about the life of Isabelle Rood? Will we be able to tell how rich she was? Take a look at the questions below to help you decide. You might find it useful to make notes on the worksheet.

Let’s start investigating….

1. Before you read the inventory, take a look at how Isabelle Rood is described. Do you think she was very rich, rich or comfortable? (Remember that poor people didn’t have inventories.)

2. Now read the inventory- you can use the translation if you get stuck. Think about the following:
(a) what kind of item makes up most of Isabelle Rood’s inventory?
(b) what other possessions are mentioned?
(c) can you tell anything about what kind of house she lived in?
(d) if you have looked at any other inventories, how does this one compare? What is not mentioned?

3. Now that you have read the inventory do you think that Isabelle Rood was very rich, rich or comfortable? Have you changed your mind.

4. Does this inventory tell us anything else about life in Tudor times?

Source 7

Extracts from the inventory of John Sotheron, a merchant. The inventory was taken on 3 July 1582.

What can this inventory tell us about the life of John Sotheron? Will we be able to tell how rich he was? Take a look at the questions below to help you decide. You might find it useful to make notes on the worksheet.

Let’s start investigating….

1. Before you read the inventory, take a look at what John Sotheron did for a living? Do you think he was very rich, rich or comfortable? (Remember that poor people didn’t have inventories.)

2. Now read the inventory- you can use the translation if you get stuck. Think about the following:
(a) how many places are mentioned in the inventory? Are they all houses?
(b) is it easy to tell what John Sotheron does for a living by looking at the inventory?
(c) what kind of merchant is John Sotheron? What kinds of things does he sell?
(d) what kind of clothes does Sotheron wear? Would you describe him as well-dressed?
(e) can you tell what type of house John Sotheron lived in?
(f) is there anything else mentioned in the inventory that tells you how wealthy Sotheron was?

3. Now that you have read the inventory do you think that John Sotheron was very rich, rich or comfortable? Have you changed your mind?

4. Does this inventory tell us anything else about life in Tudor times?

Source 8

The inventory of William Massie, a Vicar. The inventory was taken on 15 February 1587/8.

Let’s start investigating….

1. Before you read the inventory, take a look at what John Sotheron did for a living? Do you think he was very rich, rich or comfortable? (Remember that poor people didn’t have inventories.)

3. Now that you have read the inventory do you think that John Sotheron was very rich, rich or comfortable? Have you changed your mind?

4. Does this inventory tell us anything else about life in Tudor times?

Source 9

Extracts from the inventory of Mary Bunny, a widow. The inventory was made on 28 January 1615/16.

Source 10

The inventory of the stock of cattle, plate and household goods belonging to Sherburn Hospital. The inventory is dated 24th September 1636.

What can this inventory tell us about an institution such as Sherburn Hospital? Will it tell us anything about Tudor life? Take a look at the questions below to help you decide. You might find it useful to make notes on the worksheet.

Let’s start investigating….

1. Before you read the inventory, think about what kind of things you might expect to find listed in the inventory of a hospital. You don’t need to be too specific.

2. Now read the inventory – you can use the translation if you get stuck.
(a) can you tell what work was being done at the hospital?
(b) why would a hospital need this kind of work?
(c) do you think it was a small or large hospital? Why?
(d) do you think that the hospital was in the countryside or near a town? Why?

3. Now that you have read the inventory, is there anything that surprised you about it?

4. Does this inventory tell us anything else about life in Tudor Times?