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How to Survive in Tudor England (Paperback)

P&S History > British History > Tudors & Stuarts P&S History > Social History

By Toni Mount
Imprint: Pen & Sword History
Pages: 208
Illustrations: Integrated mono illustrations
ISBN: 9781399023283
Published: 6th November 2023

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Imagine you were transported back in time to Tudor England and had to start a new life there, without smartphones, internet or social media. When transport means walking or, if you’re lucky, horseback, how will you know where you are or where to go? Where will you live and where will you work? What will you eat and what shall you wear? And who can you turn to if you fall ill or are mugged in the street, or God forbid if you upset the king? In a period when execution by beheading was the fate of thousands how can you keep your head in Tudor England?

All these questions and many more are answered in this new guidebook for time-travellers: How to Survive in Tudor England. A handy self-help guide with tips and suggestions to make your visit to the 16th century much more fun, this lively and engaging book will help the reader deal with the new experiences they may encounter and the problems that might occur.

Enjoy interviews with the celebrities of the day, and learn some new words to set the mood for your time-travelling adventure. Have an exciting visit but be sure to keep this book to hand.

"How to Survive in Tudor England" by Toni Mount provides a fascinating and accessible look into the daily life of ordinary people during one of history's most intriguing periods. With meticulous attention to detail and a lively writing style, Mount takes readers on a journey through Tudor England, offering practical advice on everything from hygiene and health to food, fashion, and social customs. The book is filled with interesting anecdotes and historical insights that bring the era to life, making it an engaging read for both casual readers and history enthusiasts alike. Whether you're curious about Tudor fashion, medicine, or even crime and punishment, Mount's comprehensive guide has something to offer everyone. Overall, "How to Survive in Tudor England" is an entertaining and informative read that sheds light on the everyday realities of life in the 16th century.

NetGalley, Cecilly Scott

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This book was so good!! So much information, well written and so enjoyable!! I definitely recommend this book if your looking to enjoy and learn more about Tudor England.

NetGalley, Katie Jamison

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The author takes an actively engaging point of view with this daily-life vignette - the reader is a time-traveler heading to the vanished England of the 15th-16th centuries to study and experience life. What should the reader pack? How to prepare? What prophylactic healthcare steps must we do before we leave (vaccines, supplements, oral healthcare, and so on)? She goes on to provide glimpses into daily life and survival across a broad range of social strata, from peasant to lord and shows how they differ from one another.

Chapters are arranged thematically by subject: social structure, education, religion & beliefs, food & fashion, home & family, life at court, travel, & leisure. The book is meticulously annotated and the chapter notes will provide a wealth of sources for further reading. There's also an abbreviated bibliography and cross-referenced index.

The book is modestly illustrated throughout with period illuminated pages showing scenes from domestic life, implements such as eating utensils and tools, and drawings of famous (and unknown) people going about their daily lives. This is a sister volume by the same author richly documenting life in Medieval England, and the layout and graphics are similar to the companion volume.

The fact that the book is layman accessible and engagingly easy to read will make it a very good choice for school or library acquisition. I would recommend it for re-enactors as well (SCA and soforth) as there are a number of good illustrations for copyable tools, fashions, and eating utensils.

Five stars.

NetGalley, Annie Buchanan

I absolutely love Tudor England and this book did not disappoint! Very well researched and readable. I loved it!

NetGalley, Rebecca Smith

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This book explains how to survive in Tudor England (1485-1603) if you travelled through time back to that era. It started out with a reference to the show Doctor Who (which is about time travel) so I knew I would enjoy this book.

It was a fun read that tells you what to eat, wear, and how to behave. Almost all the chapters had a fictional interview with a famous person associated with that chapter, which was so funny. All of the interviews made me laugh.

How to Survive in Tudor England is an entertaining read for anyone interested in the Tudors!

NetGalley, Jill Jemmett

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I love texts like this, small guides for time travelers who might find themselves staying in that historical period and wondering how to behave correctly to avoid seeming completely out of place. The amusing device allows the author to explore the daily life of the Tudor era, which is enjoyable and truly delightful (I can imagine that the book would be a fun read even for those who are not big fans of non-fiction in itself).

NetGalley, Lucia Graziano

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A creative and innovative approach to looking at life in Tudor England. A wealth of information to enable time travellers to fit in and hopefully survive these difficult times.
A very enjoyable read.

NetGalley, LOIS ELIYAHU

I enjoyed this book and found it very factual an interesting.

NetGalley, Karis Books

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Surprisingly well detailed and full coverage of the entire Tudor era. The framework is "what to do / not do if you are a time traveler who find themselves suddenly in Tudor England." The book is full of advice on how to act in different situations, giving you a look at all levels of society. There are also interviews with everyone from pick pockets to monarchs about their lives, all based on real people and the fascinating facts of their time in Tudor England. A delightful look at Tudor England from multiple perspectives.

NetGalley, Kara Race-Moore

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

When I think about time-travel, survival and hygiene are in my topmost concerns. This book is like a buddy and a tour guide. It’s simple and easy to follow. It doesn’t even read like a nonfiction because the mini interviews are fictionalized and fun. Tudor enthusiasts probably already know most, if not all, of the things shared in this book, but Toni Mount did a great job making things refreshing and new. And going back to the interviews, the one with Jennings made me laugh.

NetGalley, Carol Guerrero

I loved the opportunity to learn about a new era. I think the writing style helped to hold my interest. I selected this book because I am interested in the Tudor era and I found it be very educational. I'll be reading this book again.

NetGalley, Whitney Foster

This book was a refreshing and unique change of pace for an avid tutor history reader like me. With a great format and new perspective, Mount creatively takes us through what it would take to live like a tudor and shows that life as a tutor is not all the pomp and circumstance we tend to think of. It’s a quick, light read with the perfect mix of fact and humor. I’m currently reading a book about Catherine Howard and this was honestly a great companion book. I really enjoyed this entertaining read!

NetGalley, Wendy Moore

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This was an entertaining way to explain what life was like in Tudor England. It’s not a dry history lesson. There are “celebrity” interviews, discussions about employment, education, religion , food and health, fashion, and leisure. It’s best not to attract attention if you would travel back!

NetGalley, Jeanne Schutts

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Stranded in the 16th century without modern conveniences? This lively guidebook helps you navigate Tudor England’s challenges. Packed with practical tips, celebrity interviews, and era-appropriate vocabulary to set the mood, it offers advice on getting around, finding work, and staying safe without smartphones or the internet.

This book offers an informative overview of day-to-day life in Tudor England in a way that emphasizes the differences and similarities to the modern world. It's fun and easy to read.

NetGalley, Andrea Romance

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


How to Survive in Tudor England by Toni Mount was a very interesting read and I love reading and learning about the Tudor history in England, but, I wouldn't like to live in that time. Toni describes in great detail how it feels to be transported back in time to this era, How they dress, (no comfy clothes) What they ate! (and no fast food there or take aways!!!) What life was like then! What job/s you will be doing and how to survive everyday especially in the winter with No heating!!! Burrrrrr......And who can you turn to if you fall ill or are mugged in the street, or God forbid if you upset the king?
In a period when execution by beheading was the fate of thousands how can you keep your head in Tudor England...........Transport me back to now............I so would miss a good curry for my tea, my Macbook and internet and especially chocolate.......I don't think I would survive!!! But, i do like their clothes, but then you need to be Rich to wear them!

I enjoyed this book from start to finish and a great book for a fan of Tudor History etc.

NetGalley, Nessa Thompson

This is a clever way of telling Tudor history, one of the most popular periods of English history for study, movies and television. The author sets the stage, then does a series of 'first person interviews' with the various important figures of the time. In between the 'interviews', there are more facts about the Tudor period. The sections are well defined and on topics of interest to the modern reader, like clothing or language of the time.

NetGalley, Ruth McWilliams

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I love history books and when they’re comical they’re even better so to say I enjoyed this would be an understatement. I think Tony Mount did an awesome job this is definitely a book in the history fan would love to have in their library.

NetGalley, Janalyn Prude

An informative and well-researched guide to living in Tudor England, this would be perfect for schools or any history lover. I read this with my Tudor loving daughter (9) who especially enjoyed the imaginary conversations with historical figures. I shall be purchasing How To Survive in Medieval England by the same author!

NetGalley, Hayley Remmington

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

How to Survive in Tudor England, by Toni Mount, is a delight. It's not heavy on the academic detail, but it is wonderfully broad in describing everything you would want if you wanted to feel part of Tudor England. How did they dress, what did they eat, what was a typical life like, all so simple and clear in explanation and fun that you enjoy the way it is put together. I particularly liked how the important political events and cultural issues of the day were presented. This is not a dumbed down version of anything, it's a full and complete witness to history that never feels overwhelming. I highly recommend this book.

NetGalley, Willy Marz

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I love these books that make you visit an historical timeframe and what meant living in that era and how it changed according to your social status.
Well researched, entertaining and informative
Highly recommended.

NetGalley, Anna Maria Giacomasso

Toni Mount adds a unique spin on this Tudor non-fiction offering by putting readers in the seat of a time-traveler attempting to assimilate into 16th century England. Structured like a guidebook, Mount offers historical facts, helpful tips, and even amusing interviews with historical characters. While my extensive study of the period meant that I didn't learn as many new things that I would have liked, the unique take on how history is conveyed to the reader is certainly entertaining and will surely delight readers from 8 to 80.

NetGalley, Katie Bogdan

This was a fun, quick trip to Tudor England and I absolutely survived thanks to the author.

NetGalley, Leslie Hall

As a historical time travel guide, I found this book informative and fun. If you do indeed get the chance to travel back to the Tudor era, or you just want to know a bit more about life in Tudor England, “How to Survive in Tudor England” by Toni Mount is a book you should have on your shelf as a go-to guide.

NetGalley, Heidi Malagisi

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Such a fun book to read. Now I'm completely sure that I definitely don't want to live in Tudor England - high born or not. Fascinating point of view as if the author is interviewing the populace. I just loved it! I definitely recommend.

NetGalley, Sheri O'Neill

This fun and informative book presents itself as a travel guide for potential time tourists who wish to visit Tudor England and not stand out or attract negative attention from the locals. It shares the cultural landscape of the era, not only the political history of various monarchs and notable figures, but what I personally find most interesting of historical details - what life was really like in that time and place. It discusses social mores, manners, food, fashion, family, health, education, employment, religion, literature, theater, sports, entertainment, and more - as well as many cautions as to how to avoid the myriad dangers and pitfalls and intrigues (and even plagues) that plagued the period. It's full of interesting information and fascinating details, a well as "interviews" with locals, written in a humorous tongue-in-cheek style that I really enjoyed. (I still can't stop laughing at one particular passage describing when Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, was so embarrassed after loudly farting while making a low bow to the queen that he actually fled the country for seven years. Spoiler: it still wasn't long enough.)

Whether you are familiar with this historical period or not, if you are interested in learning more about Tudor England this book is sure to enlighten and entertain.

NetGalley, Caralee Doerksen

This is an interesting little book by historian Toni Mount. What if we had a time machine and could go back to Tudor England? (Or, anywhere else for that matter?) Would we be able to cope? Or, even survive?

I know my answer. Nope! After reading this book, I would definitely not go! I’d be one of the poor peasants, with no security, barely any food and with a life of backbreaking drudgery. I’d have to resort to stealing, and then I’d lose my life. Beam me up, Scotty!!

This is an entertaining book and includes notes at the end. There are plenty of references out there for those who would like to further explore the subject.

NetGalley, Joyce Fox

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The newest book in this excellent series gives wonderful insights into all aspects of Tudor life. We know the basic history, and Mount does an excellent job of giving the reader an overview. The book is enlivened with "interviews" with historical figures, tips for the time traveler, and little-known facts. It's lively reading and a great way to get a picture of the society of the time.

NetGalley, Janet Perry

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This book was SPECTACULAR! I enjoyed it so much and if the first page was any indicator, I knew I was going to love it and it couldn’t honestly be any less than five stars.

It starts with a really well crafted whistle stop summary of all Tudor period. Down to each royal succession, the dramas and impressive list of beheadings (first major red flag of living in Tudor times - number one: try keep your head firmly attached to your body!).

It was written in such an easy and effortless way that the writing flew off the pages and it certainly wasn’t a dry retelling of history. It was so well done!

Then we get into the nitty gritty of life being a Tudor. What to wear, what to eat, how to blend in and most importantly, how not to die. Because let’s be honest, there are many (many) ways you can succumb to loss of life during this period. Don’t steal an egg. Would advise against getting pregnant, being too rich, or too poor, don’t draw too much attention to yourself and probably don’t marry a King. Or a queen for that matter.

I loved the writing style and the topic itself was so so interesting. I learnt a lot and enjoyed it along the way. It was super entertaining and any lover of history, tudors and non fiction in general will love this. To be honest, it’s perfect for every and any reader as it was such a good read!

NetGalley, Nicola Wilton

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I found this book easy to read. There was a lot of text but the addition of pictures added a pleasant visual element to the Tudor era with plenty of information that I didn't know previously about the Tudor period.

NetGalley, Abi Davies

‘For many folk, a life of petty crime is the only answer but the penalty for stealing an egg - which had been a one shilling fine - is now death!’

Time traveling back to Tudor England…. Is not for me!

I always fantasise about travelling back in time to particular periods, one being the Tudor period but after reading this book I think I will pass!

How To Survive In Tudor England is filled with tales, tips and hints on how to live and survive during this time.

The perfect read for any Tudor and history lover.

‘Seven hours sleep is enough for a man, says Dr Boorde, but he must sleep on his right side with the head high; have a good, thick quilt and let his night-cap be of scarlet.’

Georgi Lvs Books !!

About Toni Mount

Toni Mount researches, teaches and writes about history. She is the author of several popular historical non-fiction books and writes regularly for various history magazines. As well as her weekly classes, Toni has created online courses for www.MedievalCourses.com and is the author of the popular Sebastian Foxley series of medieval murder mysteries. She’s a member of the Richard III Society’s Research Committee, a costumed interpreter and speaks often to groups and societies on a range of historical subjects. Toni has a Masters Degree in Medieval Medicine, Diplomas in Literature, Creative Writing, European Humanities and a PGCE. She lives in Kent, England with her husband.

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