Source 5

The inventory of Richard Glover, a yeoman. The inventory was taken on 7th January 1587/8.

What can this inventory tell us about the life of Richard Glover? Will we be able to tell how rich he was? Take a look at the questions below to help you decide. You might find it useful to make notes on the worksheet.

Let's start investigating....

1. Before you read the inventory, take a look at what Richard Glover did for a living. Do you think he was very rich, rich or comfortable? (Remember that poor people didn't have inventories.)

2. Now read the inventory- you can use the translation if you get stuck. Think about the following:
(a) can you tell how Glover earned a living? Is it easy to tell from the inventory?
(b) does he have a lot of furniture?
(c) can you tell anything about the size of his house from the inventory?
(d) do you think a lot of people lived in Richard Glover's house? Why?

3. Now that you have read the inventory do you think that Richard Glover was very rich, rich or comfortable? Have you changed your mind?

4. Does this inventory tell us anything else about life in Tudor times?