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| The Wardrobe | Sewing Room | Contact |
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Firstly, “M’Lady”, I suppose, is me! My name is Susan Meinir Elizabeth Chilver (better known as Bess) and I have been recreating Tudor and Elizabethan life for over a decade. |
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This interest I pursue at Kentwell Hall, Suffolk (UK). The Hall is a beautiful “E” shaped, red brick, moated manor house built in the Tudor and very early Elizabethan period. 5-700 people descend on this lovely manor for three weeks every summer to recreate a Tudor or Elizabethan manorial estate. We portray a vast variety of characters from the Gentry Family and their friends (The Clopton Family who actually owned Kentwell from the 14th to the 17th Century), to the servants, tenants and craftsmen who kept the estate running smoothly. |
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The Cartwright’s Shop. Kentwell 1569 (1996). Copyright Photo by John Topman ©1996. |
The Kitchen. Kentwell 1569 (1996). Copyright Photo by John Topman ©1996. |
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Two Gentlewomen. Kentwell 1600 (1998) Copyright Photo by John Topman ©1998. |
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Everyone is expected to make and provide their own costumes and accoutrements. Kentwell’s standard is extremely high. Any stitching which is to be visible has to be hand done. All ornamentation is hand sewn and fabrics should be natural fibres or at least be a very good alternative! |
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I have always portrayed a gentle- or noblewoman at Kentwell, and the following pages show the clothing I have made over the years to the standard expected. I know there are many other sites like this, but I am sure that those who are interested in period costuming will not mind yet another one! |
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Many thanks for the Images to:- |
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