Guest Author - Helen B. Wharton

This book is a wonderful little reference for all those who are interested in life in Elizabethan England. It is very easy to read which makes it so useful.

In her preface, Ms. Secara explains the origins and purpose as well as the style of her book. A Compendium of Common Knowledge 1558-1603 originated as a website for period re-enactors. As is common for an internet resource, the information is given in short pages of facts. The author strives to give accurate information in small doses. She also includes references for those who want more in depth information.

The book is still available on the internet, but for all the times when a computer is either unavailable or inconvenient, the information is now in a portable format.

Have you ever wondered what the Elizabethans served for Christmas dinner? How about where some English speaking nick names and last names came from? Or maybe you would like to know why the evening of the actual first day of Simmer is called Midsummer's Eve. All of these questions and so many more are answered in a very concise manner in this book.

There are pages of comparative religions which list characteristics of the most widely practiced religions in Elizabethan England, Ireland and Scotland. It is interesting to note that while it was illegal to practice the Catholic Religion, as long as her people appeared to practice the Anglican Religion, Queen Elizabeth did not persecute her people for what they actually believed.

Most common people did not have ovens in their homes, but for a fee you could take your bread to the village baker when it was ready to go into the oven, and get it baked for you. There is also a page which explains the different types of bread and which economic classes ate them. Only the wealthy could afford bread made with fine wheat flour. The poorest were lucky to have bread made from barley, rye, pea, bean or oat flour.

Students of history, Elizabethan re-enactors and anyone interested in England's Golden Age will enjoy this book.

Details
A Compendium of Common Knowledge 1558 - 1603
by Maggie Secara
ISBN 978-0-9818409-0-9
$19.95 U.S. paperback
Popinjay Press; First Edition (June 10, 2008)