Who is Jane?

Jane the Baker (1660s) worked in a chocolate house before becoming homeless after the fire of London.

A Letter from Jane (written for her by a local scribe for the price of a half-Groat):

Right trusty and well-beloved friend, I greet you well and pray that you may aid me with your counsel. I am pressed to find a decent and habitable dwelling, the fire that swept through London having reduced mine to ash. I am sore set thereupon; and that is the cause I write now.

I have ordained to make my home near my birthplace. The journey from London being arduous and long I pray you to acquaint me with a safe haven to rest upon my intended journey next sen night. I trust and pray you have knowledge of some god fearing people with whom I can rest before continuing my journey onward.

I beseech the Lord to ever have you in his blessed protection and keeping.

The 1st day of September.

Your true friend, Jane the Baker

The Visit

There is no set script for the presentation, it depends on what artefacts or subjects the audience become interested in. However, the material can be steered in the direction(s) desired by class teacher. Jane can tell tales about:

• Life in the 1660’s – clothes, hygiene, food, leisure, homes, healthcare
• The plot to kill King James (Guy Fawkes)
• The Great Fire of London
• Don’t be surprised if she shows how to make the 1666’s most expensive drink. You would be advised to think carefully before trying it!

Workshops

If desired, Jane (or her historian alter-ego) can run workshops with the children in conjunction with the teachers. Or teachers can opt to run these themselves whilst the character works with another group/class. Workshop themes can include: Drop-Spinning, Weaving, Food, Dance, Artefact Analysis, Clothes, Hygiene, Medicine, Shopping and Money.

More details about a character visit can be found here.

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