Elspeth of Oxford - The Carpenter's Wife

The life of a carpenter's wife

Women in the Middle Ages had very limited rights as far as the law and society were concerned. They married young and due mainly to the problems associated with child birth tended on average to die younger than men.

Despite this they brought a strength to the family and village community. Women like Elspeth would also support her husbands great endeavours and if they had their letters may even keep his accounts and records.

Elspeth's story...

Elspeth has recently arrived in the Village of Cosmeston. She makes regular visits to the village due to her husband Thomas a merchant craftsman. Thomas originally came at the bidding of Sir William de Caversham the Elder, to work on the Great Hall.

Elspeth and Thomas are on Pilgrimage to Saint David's, perhaps for the last time as age slows their limbs. They have dropped in at the village with their children, Daniel, Owen and Anna to meet old friends and for Thomas to do some more work for the new lord.

Thomas is a freeman, a privilege granted to him after he made a very fine Rood Screen for the church of Tavistock. Since Thomas gained his freedom the Lord of the Manor at Tavistock, his once lord and master fell on hard times and was unable to find him employment so Thomas left to find work.

In 1321 the family were living in Oxford, it was here that they met William De Caversham the Elder, who, much impressed with Thomas' work invited him to his manor of Cosmeston where they stayed four years before returning to Oxford.

Elspeth has been married to Thomas for 20 years. Before her marriage she was a seamstress and embroiderer in Tavistock and very skilled in her craft. Being an older and a much travelled lady, she is wise to the world and all its machinations.

Her husband's status means she can see eye to eye with the likes of the Reeves wife. She can read and write as well as cook and run her husband's house. Before moving on to Saint David's the family rent a small cottage, up stream, next to the water mill.

Her sons Daniel and Owen are apprentices their father, while Anna is a talented seamstress. They are a friendly couple, although little is seen of Thomas as he is a busy man, Elspeth is occasionally seen in the village and enjoys making herself known to visitors.