Tudor Christmas at Southchurch Hall

In December 2011 we went to Southchurch Hall for a talk about Christmas in Tudor times.
We were welcomed by Lady Anne and Lord Richard in costume and sat in the Great Hall, which is now presented in its 14th century form. In medieval times this would have been the most important room in the house and where everyone dined. The servants of the manor would have even slept in this room. In the middle of the floor was a large open fire. The smoke would have left through the thatched roof or a vent. Fortunately it was not alight while we were there. At the end of the room the floor was raised and there stood a large table at which the more important people would have sat and dined.
Lord Richard explained about the Christmas decorations at that time, mostly of greenery, and told us of the customs which were rather unfamiliar as we are more used to the German fashions brought in by Prince Albert in Victorian times.
Behind the Great Hall lies the Kitchen. Lady Anne demonstrated the different dishes prepared at that time, surprisingly varied and complicated. It must have taken a lot of time and patience.
Then Lord Richard took us to the other end of the Hall to show us the Solar rooms, solar meaning sole or alone. This was a later development which gave greater privacy to the owners.
There are two rooms downstairs and two upstairs. The two downstairs are set out as a dining room and a parlour. They have proper brick fireplaces of the inglenook type. The main bedroom upstairs is fitted out as it was in Victorian times.
Southchurch Hall is a hidden gem, a medieval house surrounded by modern housing, with a very pleasant park with several lakes formed from the moat and much wildlife.