How much effort was a 2h ride in 1660? Saddles then were somewhat different than today. They seemed to have very high pommels and cantles; I have no idea what it would have been like cantering in one -- even posting would have been difficult. (I have spent hours in forward saddles, military saddles, and western-style saddles. My comfort differed depending on circumstances and horse.)
"This morning came the carpenters to make me a door [...]" Very fast work for an outside door, assuming they framed it as per today (king, jack studs, and all that).
"What happened to the poor horses?" Given the treatment of urban horses at a later time (http://www.uctc.net/access/30/Acc… for example but there must be better references), one feared the worst.
As to the legal (ab)use of language and its historical journey, I heartily recommend "Party of the First Part: The Curious World of Legalese" by Adam Freedman. Though an American author, he traces its roots back to England.
"had like to have been drowned had it not been for a rope" is probably not merely a turn of phrase. I dimly recall that swimming then was not common and sailors overboard were typically considered lost. A reference to support or refute my memory would be appreciated.
Going to sea had consequences. Could Sam swim? At that time, I believe that sailors were not taught to swim. Those who fell overboard typically drowned.
Comments
Second Reading
About Tuesday 5 March 1660/61
john • Link
What did Sam and His Lady talk about -- small talk, affairs of state, learned discussions, gossip?
About Friday 18 January 1660/61
john • Link
How much effort was a 2h ride in 1660? Saddles then were somewhat different than today. They seemed to have very high pommels and cantles; I have no idea what it would have been like cantering in one -- even posting would have been difficult. (I have spent hours in forward saddles, military saddles, and western-style saddles. My comfort differed depending on circumstances and horse.)
About Friday 14 December 1660
john • Link
"Also all this day looking upon my workmen."
He seems to spend a lot of time supervising his workmen. Why?
About Thursday 22 November 1660
john • Link
"This morning came the carpenters to make me a door [...]" Very fast work for an outside door, assuming they framed it as per today (king, jack studs, and all that).
About Friday 27 July 1660
john • Link
"What happened to the poor horses?" Given the treatment of urban horses at a later time (http://www.uctc.net/access/30/Acc… for example but there must be better references), one feared the worst.
About Monday 7 May 1660
john • Link
As to the legal (ab)use of language and its historical journey, I heartily recommend "Party of the First Part: The Curious World of Legalese" by Adam Freedman. Though an American author, he traces its roots back to England.
About Saturday 14 April 1660
john • Link
"had like to have been drowned had it not been for a rope" is probably not merely a turn of phrase. I dimly recall that swimming then was not common and sailors overboard were typically considered lost. A reference to support or refute my memory would be appreciated.
About Saturday 10 March 1659/60
john • Link
Going to sea had consequences. Could Sam swim? At that time, I believe that sailors were not taught to swim. Those who fell overboard typically drowned.