The first kitchen at Blakesley
Hall was a separate building,
away from the main house. Later
a kitchen was built onto the
north side of the house by Barbara
Smalbroke, Richard's grandaughter.
The inside would have been very
like the Tudor kitchen, but as
it was built in brick it was
less likely to be a fire risk.
The cooking was done over the
open fire and around the hearth.
The floor would have been mortar
(pebbly clay).
Mistress Elizabeth Smalbroke would
have worked in her kitchen alongside
her servants. Cooking was considered
a skiil that all women should have.
This is a picture of a Tudor
woman working in her kitchen just
as Elizabeth Smalbroke would have
done. Notice how much meat she
is preparing. The richer you were
the more meat you ate in Tudor
England!
