Source 8

Extracts from the inventory of John Sotheron, a merchant. The inventory was taken on 3 July 1582.

What can this inventory tell us about the life of John Sotheron? 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 John Sotheron 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) how many places are mentioned in the inventory? Are they all houses?
(b) is it easy to tell what John Sotheron does for a living by looking at the inventory?
(c) what kind of merchant is John Sotheron? What kinds of things does he sell?
(d) what kind of clothes does Sotheron wear? Would you describe him as well-dressed?
(e) can you tell what type of house John Sotheron lived in?
(f) is there anything else mentioned in the inventory that tells you how wealthy Sotheron was?

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

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