ABOUTUS

ABOUT US -

Gwen and David Hewitt

Welcome to our business web site. As you can see from elsewhere in the site it is slightly unusual. In 1992 Gwen and I met at Kentwell Hall in Suffolk (below) when we were taking part in a Tudor re-creation. Given that I could hardly sew a button on a shirt at this time it was amazing that I got there at all. To participate we had to make (or have made) our own costume and gather together our personal equipment - cup, bowl, spoon, knife, belt, pouch and bag. Gwen and I struck up a friendship and started helping one another prepare for subsequent events. At this stage it was just a hobby-holiday.

The first year we both were at the market (above). I chose that as an occupation because I had previously worked in a shop and I though it would be hard enough being a Tudor without having to aquire a new skill as well.

One of the evening activites were lectures from visiting experts. A guide came from the Mary Rose Trust. I immediatly fell in love with the Barber Surgeon's box. Until now all we needed was what we stood up in plus the equipment provided by Kentwell Hall. Now I was a man with a mission. We visited the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth. We spoke to other Living Historians who portrayed this role - notably Rory McCready. I did my research at the Norfolk Records Office and the Wellcome Trust Library.

So my role as Tudor Barber Surgeon was born (right) in my livery with Gwen and my apprentise Dan.

I began gathering instruments and buying books (over 150 medical texts alone). Then the instruments needed boxes to contain them. Gwen started research into the role of the clothier - textiles from wool to cloth.

A year or so later Gwen and I got married. I gave up my job to go and live with her in Ilkley Yorkshire. Sadly (maybe) I could not get another permenant job. I "temped" for a while at York University. When that came to an end it was suggested that I should think about becoming self employed. So I turned my hobby into a business.

Just over a year ago I found another accounting job. Being part time, it fits in very well with our little business since the busy seasons are at different times of the year

Several years ago Gwen had our "Handfasting" at Kentwell Hall. This is a sort of historic engagement celebration where you agree to live together for a year and a day.

The business is more fully described elsewhere on this web site. We do talks and displays for schools, museums and groups. We sell artifacts to museums, re-enactors and the general public through the post and at historic fairs in the UK .

Welcome to our business web site. As you can see from elsewhere in the site it is slightly unusual. In 1992 Gwen and I met at Kentwell Hall in Suffolk (below) when we were taking part in a Tudor re-creation. Given that I could hardly sew a button on a shirt at this time it was amazing that I got there at all. To participate we had to make (or have made) our own costume and gather together our personal equipment - cup, bowl, spoon, knife, belt, pouch and bag. Gwen and I struck up a friendship and started helping one another prepare for subsequent events. At this stage it was just a hobby-holiday.		The second & third year Gwen went to work in the kitchen and I became the Reeve of the Manor (the farm overseer), which meant a new clothes because this was a liveried role (below). The Hall is a magnifient Tudor Manor. It has a moat, moat house, a walled garden, a farm & farmland, barns, a small cottage, woods and parkland. During three weeks in the Summer over 40 different activities run at the same time, from the gentry in the big house down to the beggar at the gate.
	The first year we both were at the market (above). I chose that as an occupation because I had previously worked in a shop and I though it would be hard enough being a Tudor without having to aquire a new skill as well.
	Everything from the 21stC is hidden away and you can't persuade 250 of us that we are not Tudors, "man and boy and my father before me have been ...... on this manor". Vistors can come at the weekends and schools only on weekdays. I had by this time aquired my own authentic tent. (below)
One of the evening activites were lectures from visiting experts. A guide came from the Mary Rose Trust. I immediatly fell in love with the Barber Surgeon's box. Until now all we needed was what we stood up in plus the equipment provided by Kentwell Hall. Now I was a man with a mission. We visited the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth. We spoke to other Living Historians who portrayed this role - notably Rory McCready. I did my research at the Norfolk Records Office and the Wellcome Trust Library. So my role as Tudor Barber Surgeon was born (right) in my livery with Gwen and my apprentise Dan.		I started an email group called the Staff of the Serpent for other Living Historians who portrayed medical practitioners. We have nearly 300 members woldwide. I now have given talks at the Mary Rose and many other museums. I appeared on the BBC Timewatch programme talking about the role of the Barber Surgeon on the Mary Rose. Other TV and radio appearances came along. The BBC Timewatch video is now featured in the Mary Rose Museum.
	I began gathering instruments and buying books (over 150 medical texts alone). Then the instruments needed boxes to contain them. Gwen started research into the role of the clothier - textiles from wool to cloth.
	A year or so later Gwen and I got married. I gave up my job to go and live with her in Ilkley Yorkshire. Sadly (maybe) I could not get another permenant job. I "temped" for a while at York University. When that came to an end it was suggested that I should think about becoming self employed. So I turned my hobby into a business. Just over a year ago I found another accounting job. Being part time, it fits in very well with our little business since the busy seasons are at different times of the year
Several years ago Gwen had our "Handfasting" at Kentwell Hall. This is a sort of historic engagement celebration where you agree to live together for a year and a day.		The business is more fully described elsewhere on this web site. We do talks and displays for schools, museums and groups. We sell artifacts to museums, re-enactors and the general public through the post and at historic fairs in the UK .