The National Trust The Tudor Merchants' House Tenby

Welcome to the Tudor Merchant's House – Ideas Key Stages 1 and 2 Houses from long ago Rich and poor Tudors A local study What was it like to live here in the past? Tudor trade and exploration

Meet Thomas the merchant Thomas lives in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales He is a merchant who imports and exports goods in his boat through Tenby harbour. Thomas is showing local traders some of his goods. He makes his money by buying and selling. Thomas is standing behind his counter. This is the shop where he works.

What do you think Thomas trades in? Salt from the Bay of Biscay Spices from abroad Cloth from Ireland and France

Thomas' Trade Tenby merchants traded with many countries. The Port Book for Tenby listed trade that came in and out of the harbour. It included countries including Ireland, France, Portugal, Spain and Italy. A selection of spices

In the kitchen with the servants The servants worked, lived and slept in the kitchen area. They cooked over the fire and then used it to keep them warm when they slept.

In the Herb Garden The herb garden contained many plants that helped the Tudors. Plants were used to help dye clothes, in medicine and for food preparation.

More jobs for the servants The meal ark was used to store the flour and grain. The top would have made a useful bowl when it was turned upside down. The wealthy middle classes would have had a rich and varied diet.

Meet Thomas in the hall Thomas is the only member of the family who sits to eat his meal. All the other members have to stand even the little children who may have to stand on a bench to be able to reach the table. Thomas' wife would use this room to teach the children, to talk with her friends and the family would entertain here. In the evenings the fire and rushdips would give off light. The rushdips would have been made from the fat that dripped off the meat when it was being cooked.

A Tudor Bedroom The merchant and his wife would have slept in the bed. The baby would have slept in the wooden cradle alongside. There may have been additional beds for other children or they may have slept by the fire.