Pleasures and Pastimes in Tudor England

How did the Tudors enjoy themselves? For the men and women of Tudor England, there was, just as there is today, more to life than work. Four hundred years before the invention of television and radio, they did not lead a boring or mundane life. Indeed, in many ways the richness of Tudor entertainment shames us. While continuing the medieval tradition of tournament and pagentry, the Tudors also increasingly read and attended the theatre. Dancing and music were also popular, and were considered just as important as hunting and fighting for an ambitious Tudor's social skills. Church festivals provided the perfect excuse for revelry, and weddings and christenings were, as they are today, great social occasions. Here, Alison Sim explores the full range of entertainments enjoyed at this time, covering everything from card games and bear-baiting to interior design. The book should appeal to anyone interested in this rich period of history.