How to Survive in Tudor England

by Toni Mount

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 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-traveling adventure. Have an exciting visit but be sure to keep this book to hand.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published January 6, 2024

About the author

Toni Mount is a writer, teacher and speaker, specialising in ordinary lives and fascinating characters from history. She has an MA by Research from the University of Kent. Diplomas in European Humanities, Literature and Creative Writing and a first class honours degree from the Open University.

Reviews

[Juliew. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun,quick trip to Tudor England and I absolutely survived thanks to the author.It was sort of a mini guide about the do's and don't's of the era.With topics such as Employment,Social Structure,History,Food and Health and Home and Family.Each chapter gives a basic overview and possibly an interview with a person going through a situation pertaining to the subject at hand.Honestly,I could have skipped the interviews and much of the information was not new to me but perhaps if your just learning about the Tudors it was interesting,fact based,well written and I'd say take a chance on this one

Much thanks to Netgalley for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book how to survive in tutor England Tony Mount tells us what we’ll need if we ever get the chance to time travel back to the days of tutor. We even get traded to interviews by the author with the famous people of that time which I found pretty funny. We learn what to wear what to say what not to say whether are shoes should be pointy or not pointy the type of money we will need the amount of money which class level is best and so much more. It definitely reads like a fun tourist book if one could be a tourist and tutor England. 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 I want to thank Pen and Sword history and Net Galley for my free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes I am blind.

[Caralee · Rating 4 out of 5]

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. There were typographical and formatting errors and irregularities in my Kindle version which I'm hopeful that an edit will correct, but otherwise I had a great time with this book. I'm thankful to the author, the publisher, and to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of How To Survive in Tudor England in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Wilhelm Marz · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Katie Bogdan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

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.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword History for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

[Georgi_Lvs_Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘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.’

[Lucia]

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

Thank you Netgalley, Pen & Sword and Toni Mount for this ARC.

[lacy white · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: How to Survive in Tudor England
Author: Toni Mount
Genre: Nonfiction
Format: eARC
Series: NA
Star Rating: 4 stars

tw: murder, missing children, extreme punishment, death, physical discipline, illness, poisoning, injury, beheading, death of children, mentions of miscarriages and stillborn

A special thank you goes to Netgalley and Pen and Sword for providing me with a copy of this book. Please know that this does not influence my rating or thoughts on the book itself.

So this book has been on my Kindle for a while and I’m sure all of us have been wandering the same thing: how does one survive in Tudor England? Well, lucky for us, this book exists so if we were ever able to figure out time travel, we would know how to survive. Do I think I have a pretty good chance of surviving Tudor England? Probably not. I have several mental illnesses on top of some physical ones so I’m just going to be real and say that I probably would not survive. Plus, I have views about the patriarchy and religion that would probably get me jailed and other things.

Since I rate nonfiction differently than regular fiction one thing I look for in a nonfiction book is readability. I have two things to say about the readability of this particular book. One, the readability of this book was great in the sense that the book was easy to read. If you don’t know anything about Tudor England, you’d be able to follow this book quite well. Things are explained along with people. . But, I read this book on a Kindle Paperwhite. I highly recommend you read a physical copy of this book. It has fun facts through the chapters but because I was on a Kindle, it put the facts right in the middle of a paragraph. Sometimes in the middle of a sentence, which would throw me off. This doesn’t hinder my rating at all but just something to consider when grabbing this book.

Here are a couple of fun facts that I found interesting while reading this book and I thought you all should know about them too. 1. The Tudors only ruled for 118 years. The Plantagenets ruled for 331 years. 2. Henry VIII deposed (removed) of 72,000 people during his reign.

Overall, this was a good book. It was written in a whimsy and fun way as there are “interviews” with important people during the time of the Tudors. I learned quite a bit, which is always something I look for in a nonfiction book. I also learned I wouldn’t be able to survive Tudor England at all, but I am okay with that information. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy learning about Tudor England or to those who want to start learning about them.

[Heidi Malagisi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time travel is a dream for history and science fiction nerds alike. To be able to go to a different period in history to witness major events sounds like it would be tons of fun, but it can also be treacherous if you do not know the era well. What should you wear? Where would you live? What would your occupation be and what should you eat? If you are invited to court, how do you navigate the crazy court intrigue and the ever-changing religious dilemma? Toni Mount has created the ideal book for those who wish to travel to the 16th century called, “How to Survive in Tudor England.”

I would like to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I have read Mount’s medieval books, both her nonfiction and a few of her Sebastian Foxley murder mystery novels, but when I heard that she was writing a nonfiction book about the Tudor dynasty, I was fascinated to see how she would tackle the period.

Mount begins by exploring the origins of the Tudor dynasty and how they came into power through a little conflict that we know today as the Wars of the Roses. As this is an area of expertise for Mount, I think she did a great job condensing the conflict, which included a quick interview with King Richard III, for those who are being introduced to the Tudors.

The bulk of this book focuses on different aspects of life in 16th century England and how a time traveler could use this information for their benefit while traveling. Starting with the ever-important Tudor social structure, Mount shows how drastically different the levels of the hierarchy were, from the poor beggars who relied on the church to the lords and ladies of the court. We are introduced to Tudor education and the English scholars in the field of science, careers for those who did not receive a higher education, as well as the constant religious struggle between Protestantism and Catholicism.

From spies, traveling, and decoding ciphers to dresses, dining, and what to do in your downtime, Mount covers quite a range of topics in an easy-to-follow travel guide. However, my absolute favorite aspect of this book was the fictional interviews Mount included. She does not stick with the Tudors that everyone knows but rather includes lesser-known figures like Thomas “The Rackmaster” Norton, Christopher Kit Marlowe, and the scientist Thomas Digges. These interviews added context and a bit of levity in some rather dark subjects.

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.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

How to Survive in Tudor England is an all-ages readable look at life (and how not to die) in Tudor England written by Toni Mount. Due out (US release) 25th Jan 2024 from Pen & Sword, it's 208 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

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.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

224 pages

4 stars

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.

I want to thank NetGalley and Pen & Sword/Pen & Sword History for forwarding to me a copy of this informative book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

[MsV · Rating 4 out of 5]

"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.

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Jill Jemmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

Thank you Pen and Sword for providing a digital copy of this book.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 tutor 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!

Thanks to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for providing me with a copy of this fun book

[JustReadering · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I think about time-travel, survival and hygiene are in my topmost concerns. This book covers those things very well. It’s also 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. I feel like that’s how a man like him would talk and display himself.

[JANET · Rating 2 out of 5]

Claire Randall's adventures are so much better....

There's an element of "Time Travel for Dummies" here which I couldn't get past as I read so found it to be kinda meh overall. I already learned all I wanted and needed to know about time travel from Diana Gabaldon's stellar Outlander series which is MUCH more enjoyable and which I highly recommend. Not this tho. Nope.

[LOIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[book_bear · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy!

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.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Stephie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ever wanted to travel to the Tudor period? You might want to pick up this book so you know how to dress, talk, work, and to have fun. Most importantly how to keep you head on your shoulders! The bits of interviews with historical figures was an interesting touch. Recommend for anyone interested in Tudor England.

Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.