The Historical Maritime Society

About HMS - Everyday Life

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Portraying early C19th everyday life offers many roles for the women members of HMS. They appear in either the elegant day dresses of the upper and middle classes of the period or in occupational dress appropriate to a more lowly status in life. And following the tradition of Hannah Snell, and other historically recorded examples, women often 'cross dress' to appear as sailors or marines.

Portraying gentlewomen of this time involves more than simply being occupied in needlework. and gossip. Young ladies were educated in a variety of subjects and social graces, French, Italian, history, spelling, needlecraft, painting, music, etiquette and deportment all formed a vital part of a lady's education.

Tradeswomen and women from less fortunate backgrounds are also portrayed. Women going to market jostle with the traders calling out their wares with distinctive rhymes. Sailors should be aware of the women of the street, who may be working for a 'crimper' selling able seamen to the merchant marine. The owners of Mrs Miggins' Pie Shop prepare and cook authentic naval fare. Samples are always eagerly awaited by the sailors, especially if Lobscouse and Spotted Dog are on the menu. Both these dishes would have been prepared by the ship's cook whilst fresh produce was still available. After being at sea for a number of months, officers and crew alike would have been fed on salted meat and hard tack (ships biscuit). Such ingredients may sound unpalatable, but the cooks never serve anything they will not eat themselves and recipies have been tried and tested on society members.

HMS is able to represent many aspects of life in this exciting time: from officers with the responsibility of command, the marines, with their dashing red uniforms, the ordinary seaman with a wealth of shipboard knowledge and superstition to the ladies and women who represent the social side to life. Members are always happy to discuss their lives and demonstrate their skills.

However, beware! The bos'n and his men are always on the look out for new recruits with the infamous Press Gang and the ones they miss, or reject as not suitable, are liable to be caught by the Sergeant of Marines.