than 2 As louers desireth together to dwell so husbandrie loueth good huswiferie well 3 Though husbandrie semeth to bring in the gaines yet huswiferie labours seme equall in paynes 4 Some respite to husbands the weather doth send but huswiues affaires haue neuer none ende As true as thy faith This Huswiferie saith I Serue for a day for a weeke for a yere for lyfe time for euer while man dwelleth here For richer for porer from north to the south for honest for hardhed or daintie of mouth For wed and vnwedded in sicknes and health for all that well liueth in good common wealth For Citie for countrey for Court and for Cart to quiet the head and to comfort the hart To the right honorable and my speciall good Lady and Mistres the Lady Paget THough payne seemeth mickle and fauour to fickle yet good will doth tickle my pen for to write Some knack not vnpretie of Huswiferie nettie how Huswiues should iettie from morning to night Not mynding by writing to set them a spiting but shewe by endyting as troth may be bolde How husbandry easeth so huswiferie pleaseth and many pursse greaseth with siluer and golde Bycause I did feare me least some would forswere me of trouth I do beare vpright as ye see Full bent for to loue all and not to reproue all but onely to moue all good Huswiues to bee For if I should minde some or descant behinde some and misse where to finde some displease so I mout Or if I shoudl blend them and so to offend them what talke God should send them I stand in a dout As now if I make this and some do well take this if other forsake this what profite were that Naught else but to paine me and nothing to gaine me but make them disdaine me I wote nere for what Least clocke misse with dyall least proufe make deniall least some stand to triall some murmure and grudge Geue iudgement I pray you for iustly so may you so fansie so say you I make you my iudge In tyme you shal trie me by trouth you shall spye me so finde so set by me according to skill How euer tree groweth the fruite the tree showeth your Ladyship knoweth my heart and good will. Though Fortune doth measure and I do lacke treasure yet if I may pleasure your honour with this Then wil me to mende it or mende ere ye send it or any where lende it if ought be amisse Your Ladyships seruant Thomas Tusser ¶ A description of Huswife and Huswiferie OF huswife doth Huswiferie challenge that name of Huswiferie Huswife doth likewise the same Where Husband Husbandrie ioyneth with these there wealth being got is preserued with ease The name of a Huswife what is it to say the wyfe of the house to the Husband a stay If huswife doth that that belongeth to hir if Husband be honest there nedeth no stir The Huswife is shee that to labour doth fall the labour of her I do huswiferie call If thrift by that labour be saued or got then is it good huswiferie else is it not The woman the name of a Huswife doth win by keping her house and her doings therin 〈◊〉 shee that with husband will quietly dwell 〈◊〉 thinke on this lesson and follow it well FINIS Twentie Lessons alway to be obserued ¶ Serue God is the first 1 THe principall point of huswife in dede is God to remember the better to spede ¶ True loue is not worst 2 A very good lesson of huswiferie thought is huswife with husband to liue as she ought ¶ VVife comely no griefe 3 Though tricksie to see to be gallant to wiue yet comely and wise is the huswife to thriue ¶ Man out huswife chiefe 4 The husband abrode the good wife must be chief and looke to their labour that eateth her biefe ¶ Both out not allowe 5 Where husband huswife be both out of place there seruauntes do loyter and reason their case Kepe house huswife thou 6 The huswife so named of keping the house must tende on her profite as Cat on the Mouse ¶ Seeke home for thy rest 7 As huswiues kepe home and be stirrers about so speedeth their winninges the yere throughout ¶ For home is the best 8 Though home be but hōly yet huswifes are taught that home hath no fellow to such as haue aught ¶ Vse all thing with skill 9 Good vsage with skill being sober with all make huswiues to shine as the sunne on the wall ¶ And aske what ye will. 10 What husband refuseth things comely to haue that hath a good wife that will huswifly saue ¶ Be ready at neede 11 The case of good huswiues thus daily doth stande what euer shall chaunce to be ready at hand ¶ That thine is to feede 12 This care hath a huswife eche hour in her hed that all thing in time may be huswifely fed ¶ By practise go muse 13 Dame practise is she that to huswife must tell which way for to gouerne her family well ¶ How housholde to vse 14 Vse labourers gently kepe this as a law make childe for to feare thee keepe seruaunt in awe ¶ Who carelesse do liue 15 Haue euery where a respect to thy wayes that none of thy lyfe any slaunder may rayse ¶ Occasion do giue 16 What many do know though a time it be hid at length will abrode when a mischiefe shall bid ¶ No neighbour reproue 17 The loue of thy neighbour shall stand the in steede the poorer the gladder to helpe at a neede ¶ So shalt thou haue loue 18 Vse frendly thy neighbour else trust him in this as he hath thy frendship so trust vnto his ¶ Strike nothing vnknowen 19 Reuenge not thy wroth vpon any mans beast least thyne by thine enemy come to like feast ¶ Take heede to thine owne 20 What husband prouideth with money his drudge that huswife must looke to which way it doth trudge A digression NOw out of the matter this lesson I had concerning Cockcrowing what profit is had Experience teacheth as true as a clock how winter nightes passeth by marking the Cocke At midnight one Cocke croweth timely but six with pause to his neighbour to aunswere betwix At three a clocke thicker and then as ye knowe like all in to mattens nere day they do crowe At midnight at three and an houre ere day Cockes crowe in their language thus they do say ¶ If noyse ye do here looke all thing be clere How dame it is midnight what rubbing is that take hede to false harlots and more ye wote what ¶ Both mayden and man mend now what ye can Maides .iii. a clock knede lay your bucks or go brew and cobble and botche ye that can not buy newe ¶ Mayde vp I beseeche you least Mistres do breech you Past fiue a clocke holla mayde sleping beware least quickly thy dame do vncouer thy bare Count labour halfe wonne that earely îs
borne the worlde through sinne altogether forlorne At Christmas the day doth begin to take length of Christ our faith doth begin to take strength As Christmas is onely a figure or trope so onely in Christ is the strength of our hope At Christmas we banket the riche with the poore who then but the Miser but openeth his doore At Christmas of Christ many Carols we sing and giue many giftes in the ioy of that king At Christmas in Christ we reioyce and be glad as onely of whom our comfort is had At Christmas we ioy altogether with mirth for his sake that ioyed vs al with his birth A description of apt time to spend LEt such so fantasticall liking not this nor nothing else honest that auncient is Giue place to the time that so apte we do see appointed of God as it seemeth to bee At Christmas good husbaÌ„ds haue corne in the ground in Barne and in soller worth many a pound Things plenty in house besyde Cattel and shepe all sent them no doubt on good houses to kepe At Christmas the hardnesse of Winter doth rage a nipper of all thing in euery age Then lightly poore people the yong with the olde be sorest oppressed with hunger and colde At Christmas by labour is little to get that wanting the poore man in daunger is set What better a time than oâ— al the whole yeare thy nedy poore neighbour to comfort and cheare Against fantasticall scruplenesse AT this and at that thing some make a great mater some help not but hinder the poore with their clatter Take custome from feasting what coÌ„meth then last where one hath a dinner a thousand shal fast To dog in the maunger some liken I coulde that hay will eate none nor let other that would Some scarce in a yere giue a dinner or two nor wel can abide any other to do Play thou the good felow and harken to me hate none that be honest though mery they be For often times sene no more very a knaue than he that doth counterfet most to be graue Christmas husbandly fare GOod husband huswife now chiefly be glad things haÌ„dsom to haue as they ought to be had They both do ê“uide against christmas do com to welcom their neighbors good chere to haue som Good bread and good drink a good fyre in the hall brawne pudding and souse good mustard withall Biefe mutton and porke and good Pies of the best pig veale gose and capon and Turkey well drest Chese apples nuttes and good Charrols to heare as then in the contrey is counted good cheare What cost to good husband is any of this good houshold prouision onely it is Of other the like I do leaue out a meny that costeth the husband neuer a peny At Christmas be mery and thankfull withall feast thy poore neighbors the great with the small Yea al the yeare long to the poore let vs gine gods blessing to haue here as long as we liue ¶ Ianuarye 54 WHen Christmas is ended bid feasting adew go play the good husbaÌ„d thy stock to renew Be myndefull of rearing in hope of a gaine dame profit shal geue thee rewarde for thy payne 55 Who both by his calfe his lambe wil be known may well kill a neate and a shepe of his owne And he that wil reare vp a pyg in his house hath cheaper his bacon and sweter his souse 56 who eateth his veale pig lambe being froath shall thrise in a weeke go to bed without broath Vnskilfull that passe not but sell away sell shal neuer keepe good house where euer they dwell 57 Be gredy in spending and carelesse to saue and shortly be nedy and redy to craue Be wilfull to kill and vnskilfull to store and neuer looke long to keepe house any more 58 Lay dirt vpon heapes faire yarde to kepe sene when frost will abide into fielde with it clene In winter a fallow some loue to bestowe where pease for the pot they intende for to sowe 59 In making or mending as nedeth thy ditch get set to quicke set it learne cunningly which In hedging where clay is cut stake as ye knowe of Popler and Sallow for fewell to growe 60 Leaue killing of Cony let Doe go to Bucke and vermine thy borrowe for feare of ill lucke Fede Doue no more killing old doue house repaire saue Doue dong for hopyard in making holes faire ¶ Dig Gardain stroy malow now may ye at ease and set as as a deintie thy runcyfall pease Go cut and set Roses the best to be got of al the yeare long better time there is not 61 In time go and bargaine lest worser do fall for fewell for making for cariage and all To buy at the stub is the best for the buier more timely prouision more cheaper the fyer 62 Some burneth a load at a time in his Hall some neuer leaue burning till burnt they haue all Some making hauock with out any wit make many poore soules without fier to sit 63 From Christmas till May be wel entered in al cattel wax faint and looke poorely and thin But when as the prime grasse at first doth appeare then most is the daunger of all the whole yeare ¶ Calues faire that come betwene Christmas LeÌ„t take huswife to rere or else after repent Of such as fall betwene chaunge and the prime no rering but sell or go kill them in time ¶ House Calfe and go suckle it twise on a day and after a while set it water and hay Stake ragged to rubbe on no such as will bend then weane it well tended at fifty daies ende ¶ The senior weaned his yonger shall teach both how to drink water and hay for to reach More strokeÌ„ more made on wheÌ„ ought they do aile more gentle ye make them for yoke or to paile 64 Yong brome or good pasture thine ews do reqre warme barth and in saftie their Lambes do desire Looke often well to them for Foxes and dogges for pittes and for brimbles for vermine and hogges 65 Geld bulcalfe ram lambe as sone as they fall for therin is lightly no daunger at all Some spareth the tone for to pleasure the eye to haue him shew great when the butcher shall buy ¶ Sowes ready to farow this time of the yere are for to be made on and counted full deare For now is the losse of a fare of thy Sowe more great than the losse of two calues of thy Cow ¶ Of one Sow at once rere fewe aboue fiue and choose of the fairest and likest to thriue Vngelt of the best kepe a couple for store one Boare pig one Sow pig that sucketh before 66 Geld vnder the dame within fortnight at least and saue both thy money and life of thy beast Geld later with Gelders as many one do and looke of a dozen to geld away two 67 Thy Coltes for the saddle geld yong to be light for Cart do not so if thou iudgest
the karle for her sede ¶ The knowledge of stilling is one pretie feate the waters be holsome the charges not great What timely thou gettest while Summer doth last thinke Winter will helpe thee to spende it as fast ¶ In May is good sowing thy buck or thy frank that blacke is as Pepper and smelleth so ranke It is to thy land as a comfort or mucke and all thing it maketh as fatt as a bucke 93 At Phillip and Iacob go put of thy lambes that thinkest to haue any milke of their dammes At Lammas leaue milking for feare of a thing least Requiem eternam in Winter they sing 94 To milke and to folde them is much to require except thou haue pasture to fill their desire The nightes being short such hede ye may take not hurting their bodies much profite to make ¶ Fiue ewes to a Cowe milke go proue by a score shall double thy dairy else trust me no more Yet may a good huswife that knoweth the skill haue mixt or vnmixt at her pleasure and will. 95 Gredy of gaine ouer lay not thy ground and then shall thy cattell be lusty and sounde But pinch them of pasture while sommer doth last and plucke at their tailes ere and winter be past 96 To grasse with thy calues in some medow plot nere where neuer their mothers may see them nor here Where water inough is and barth to fit warme and looke well vnto them for taking of harme 97 Pinch wennels at no tyme of water or meate if euer ye hope for to haue them good neate In Sommer at all times in Winter in frost if cattell lack drink they be vtterly lost ¶ From May to mid August from dinner to two let Patche sleepe a snatch how so euer ye do Though sleping one hower refresheth among yet trust not Hob grouthed for sleping to long 98 In May at the furdest twy falow thy land much drowt may else after cause plough for to stand This tilth being done thou hast passed the wurst then after who ploweth plough thou with the furst 99 Get home with thy fewell mede redy to fet the sooner the easier cariage to get Take hede to thy Bees that be ready to swarme the losse therof now is a crownes worth of harme ¶ Iune 100 IN Iune get a wedehoke and a knife a gloue wede out such wedes as the corne doth not loue Slacke neuer thy weding for dearth nor for cheape the corne shall rewarde it or euerye reape 101 The May wede doth burne the thistle do freat the tyme pulleth downeward the Rie the Wheat The Docke and the Brake noy corne very much lyke Boddle to Barley no wede there is such 102 Wash shepe for the better wher water doth rū and let them go clenly and dry in the Sunne Then share them spare not at two dayes an ende the sooner the better their corps will amende 103 Rewarde not thy shepe when thou takest his cote with two or three notches as brode as a grote Let no such vngentlenes happen to thine least flye with his gentlenes make it to pine 104 Let lambes go vnclipped til Iune be half worne the better their coates will be growen to be shorne The Pye will discharge the for pulling the rest the lighter poore sheepe is then fedeth it best 105 At midsommer down with thy brimbles brakes and after abrode with thy forkes and thy rakes Set mowers a work while the medowes be growen the lenger now standing the worsse to be mowne 106 Prouide of thine owne to haue all thing at hand least worke the workman vnwroughten do stande Loue seldome to borrow that thinkest to saue for he that once lendeth twise looketh to haue 107 Good husbands that lay to saue al thing vpright for tumbrels and cartes haue a shed redy dight A store house for trinkets as close as a iayle that nothing be wanting the worth of a nayle 108 Thy cartes would be searched without within well clouted and greased ere hay time begin Thy hay being carted though Carters had sworne cartes bottome well boorded is sauing of corne ¶ Iuly 109 GO muster thy seruants be captaine thy selfe prouiding them weapon and other lyke pelfe Get bottels and wallets kepe fielde in the heate the feare is not muche but the daunger is great 110 With tossing and taking and setting on cockes grasse lately in swathes is hay for an Oxe That done go and Cart it and haue it away the battaile is fought ye haue gotten the day 111 Let hay be wel made or auise els a vous for moulding in goef or for fyering thy house Lay coursest asyde for the Oxe and the Cowe the finest for shepe Calfe and Gelding allowe 112 Then downe with thy hedlondes the corne about leaue neuer a dalop vnmowne and had out Though grasse be but thin about barley and pease yet picked vp clene it shal do thee great ease 113 Thy fallow betime for destroiyng of weede least Thistle and Dockefall to bloming and seede Such season may chance it shall stande thee vpon to till it againe ere the Summer be gon 114 Thy houses and barnes would be looked vpon and al thing amended ere haruest come on Things thus set in order at quiet and rest shall furder thy haruest and pleasure thee best 115 Saint Iaimes doth aduise to get reapers at had the corne being ripe doth but shed if it stand Be thankfull and sauing what euer is sent God sendeth the same for none other intent 116 Graunt haruest Lord more by a peny or two to call on his felowes the better to do Giue reapers thy larges a larges to crye and alwaies to loyterers haue a good eye 117 Reape wel scater not gather clene that is shorne binde fast shock a pace haue an eye to thy corne Lode safe carry home follow time being faire golfe iust in the barne it is out of dispaire 118 In goeuing at haruest learne skilfully how eche graine for to lay by it selfe on a mow Sede barley and peason golfe out of the way all other nygh hand golfe as iust as ye may 119 Corne caryed let such as be poore go and cleane and after let cattel go mouse it vp cleane Then spare it for pasture till Rowen be past to lengthen thy dairy no better thou hast 120 All haruest time haruest folke seruants and all must make altogether good cheare in thy Hall. Go fill them the blacke boll of bleeth to their song and let them be mery all haruest time long 121 Once ended thy haruest let none bee beguilde please such as did help thee man woman and childe Thus doing with alway such helpe as they can thou winnest the name of a husbandly man. Now think vpon God let thy tong neuer cease in thanking of him for his mightie encrease Accept my good will for a proofe go and trye the better thou thriuest the gladder am I. ¶ Of all thing this seemeth the summe one
Yong children chickens would euer be eating good seruauntes looke duely for gentle entreating ¶ No talkatiue knaue 108 No seruaunt at table vse sausly to talke least tongue set at large out of measure do walke ¶ No snatching at all 109 No lurching no snatching nor striuing at all least one go without and another haue all ¶ Sirs harken now all 110 Declare after Supper take hede thereunto what worke in the morning eche seruant shal do ¶ Thy soule hath a clog 111 Remember those children whose parēts be poore which hunger yet dare not to craue at thy doore Forget not thy Dog. 112 Thy bandog that serueth for dyucrs mishappes forget not to geue him thy bones and thy scrappes ¶ Make keyes to be kepers 113 Where mouthes be many to spend that thou hast set keyes to be kepers for spending to fast ¶ To bed drousie slepers 114 To bed after supper let drousie go slepe least knaue in the darke to his marrow do creepe ¶ Kepe keyes as thy life 115 Such keyes lay vp safe ere ye take ye to rest of dairy of Buttery of Cuphorde and Chest ¶ Feare candle good wife 116 Feare candle in hay loft in Barne and in Shed feare flea smock mendbreech for burning their bed ¶ Night workes trouble hed 117 The day willeth done what so euer ye bid the night is a theefe if ye take not good heede ¶ Locke doores and to bed 118 Washe dishes lay leauens safe fyer and away locke doores and to bed a good huswife will say ¶ To bed know thy guise 119 In winter at nyne and in Sommer at tenne to bed after Supper both maydens and menne ¶ To rise do likewise 120 In winter at fiue a clocke seruant aryse in Sommer at foure is euer the guyse ¶ Liue well and long forbeare now among Be lowly not solen if ought go amisse what wresting may lose thee that winne with a kisse Both heare and forbeare now and then as ye may then Wenche God a mercy thy husband will saye FINIS The plough mans feasting times This would not be slept olde guise must be kept GOod Huswiues whom God hath enriched enough forget not the feastes that belong to the Plough The meaning is onely to ioy and be glad for comfort with labour would sometune be had ¶ Plough Monday Plough Monday the next after Twelftide be past biddeth out with the plough the worst husbād is last If Ploughman get hatchet or whip to the screne maydes loseth their Cocke if no water be seene ¶ Shroftide At shroftide to shrouing go thresh the fatte henne if blindfilde can kill it then giue it thy menne Maydes fritters and Pancakes inough see ye make let slutte haue one pancake for company sake ¶ Sheepe shering Wyfe make vs a feast spare fleshe neyther corne make Wafers Cakes for our shepe must be shorne At shepe shering neighbours no other thing craue but good chere welcome like neighbours to haue ¶ The wake day To Ouen with the flawnes mayd passe not for slepe to morow thy father his wake day shal kepe Then trimly go daunce with what Louer ye will though loue make you beaten kepe Louer yet still ¶ Haruest home For all this good feasting yet art thou not loose till thou giue the Ploughman in haruest his goose Though goose go in stubble yet passe not for that let goose haue a goose be shee leane be shee fat ¶ Seede Cake Wife some time this weeke if that all thing go cleare an ende of wheat sowing we make for this yeare Remember you therefore though I do it not the Seede Cake the Pasties and Furmentie pot ¶ Twise a weke rost Good Ploughmen looke wekely of custome right for rostmeat on Sondayes Thursdaies at night Thus doing and keping such custome and guise they call thee good huswife they loue thee likewise The good huswifely Phisicke GOod huswiues prouide ere an sicknes doth come of sundry good thinges in her house to haue some Good Aqua composita Vineger tart Rose water and Treacle to comfort the hart Colde herbes in her Garden for Agues that burne that ouer strong heate to good temper may turne With Endiue and Suckery with Spinage ynough all such with good pot herbes should follow the plough Get water of Fumetory Lyuer to coole and others the like or els go like a foole Conserue of Barbery Quinces and such with Sirops that easeth the sickly so much Ask Medicus councel ere medicine ye make and honour that man for necessities sake Though thousands hate Phisicke because of the cost yet thousands it helpeth that else should be lost Good broth good keeping doth much now than good diet with wisedome best helpeth a man. In health to be sturring shall profite thee best in sickenesse hate trouble seeke quiet and rest Remember thy soule let no fansie preuaile make ready to Godward let hart neuer quaile The sooner thy selfe thou submittest to God the sooner he ceaseth to scourge with his rod. The good motherly Nusserie Good huswiues take paine do count it good luck to make their own brests their own child to giue suck Though wrauling and rocking be noysome so neare yet lost by ill nursing is worser to heare But one thing I warne thee let huswife be nursse least husband doth find thee to frank with his purse What hilbacke and fill belly maketh away that helpe to make good or else looke for a fray Giue childe that is fitly giue baby the bigge giue hardenesse to youth and giue coperipe a twigge We finde it not spoken so often for naught that children were better vnborne than vntaught Some Cockneis with cocking are made very fooles fit neither for Prentice for plough nor for schooles Teach childe to aske blessing serue God to church then blesse as a mother else blesse him with burch Thou huswife thus doing what further shall nede but all men to call thee good huswife in dede Thinke on the poore REmember the poore that for Gods sake do call for God both rewardeth and blesseth with all Take this in good part what so euer thou bee and wishe me no worse than I wishe vnto thee FINIS The praise of husbandrie The praise of huswiferye Cocke crowing Chant midnight Answere Chant Three a clocke Answere Chant Toward daye Answere morning Brekfast Fore nōe workes Dinner After none workes Euening woorkes Supper Woorkes after supper Feasting dayes At twelfe tyde At shroftid At midsomer Wake day In August At Hallomasse Twise a weke rost Phisition good diet Think on thy soule Haue a good hart Mother best nurse Hilbak fil belly Big and the twig serue god For men a perfect warning what childe shall come by learning ALl you that faine would learne a perfect way to haue your children in musick some thing sene Aske nature first what thereto she doth say ere further sute ye make