Portrayals - Women’s Household

Roles for Women within Lord Grey’s retinue:

We are on travels with our husbands or as ladies in waiting to a gentlewoman. The purpose of this journey is our safety. The lords and gentlemen do not want to leave us at home to have to defend ourselves, instead we are traveling towards the home of a trusted ally during these troubled times. There we will be defended against any traveling armies.

During this journey, we are functioning very close to our normal day at home in Codnor, at the home of our Lord, Henry Grey.

Portrayal - Lady in Waiting:

My name is Margaret and I am a lady in waiting to the wife of the house steward. She is a gentlewoman as I will be too, one day once I marry. Some of my responsibilities are to help her with the baby, direct the servants, sewing and handwork, and be a companion to her while I learn how to run a home of my own. That should happen in the future, but right now I’m learning from her. I travel with her, so we are both going to be defended.

Needs: Chemise, Stockings, garters, shoes, head covering, undergown, overgown.

Portrayal - Lady:

My name is Elizabeth and I am the wife of the steward of the Baron of Codnor, Henry Grey. As a gentlewoman, I direct the home of my husband and the raising of my husband’s son. I have 3 ladies in waiting and a household of 10 servants. Those that I need during this time away are traveling with us. The rest will stay at home to defend and care for our home.

My travels are with my husband and the rest of the gentlemen and their wives and during this time we are used to having with certain amenities such as a soft bed, someone to nurse our son, fine pewters and linens, and of course good furs to keep us warm.

Needs: Chemise, Undergown, Overgown with Fur, Stockings, Garters, Hood or Hennin, and higher end personal goods.

Portrayal - Tenant’s wife:

My name is Agnes and I am the wife of a tenant of the Lord, Henry Grey of Codnor. My husband is escorting our young daughter and I to be defended during this battle. On our land at home, it is not safe for us to be alone, hence this trip. Three of our servants are coming with us to help us function and not be too much of a burden on those that we are staying with. The other three have stayed back home to care for and defend our home, if that is needed.

I live simply with my husband, daughter, and few servants on a plot of land within the tenancy of the lord. We have only brought that which meets our needs: some clothing, basic furniture, food, and some of our possessions – those that I was unable to hide at home. The tent we stay in is shared with our servants.

Needs: Chemise, Stockings, garters, shoes, head covering, undergown, overgown, family.

Daily Activities:

Prayer, sewing, embroidery, music, childcare, socializing, weaving, dancing, reading, dining.