Were a citizen of 15th Century Hull to be
transported into its old town today, they would be confronted by a mass of
mostly unfamiliar buildings. Gradually
though they would realise that the layout of the streets themselves hadn’t much
altered: surely this wide road must be the marketplace – oh yes as there’s Holy
Trinity now with a tower too! I remember
its nave being completed but there was no money at that time for a tower – And
up there’s St Mary’s as well although its changed a bit. – Now does Silver
Street here still lead down to Whitefriargate? – Is the Carmelite Friary still
there?
Apart from the two churches, the only other surviving
medieval building for the visitor to see is at number 5 Scale Lane which dates from
around 1450. Such homes were usually
built around a timber frame with bricks being used for the ground floor, and
wattle, mud and lime for the overhanging upper floors. Situated just off the High Street, it was in
a prime location favoured by merchants and likely boasted the latest in modern
conveniences: a chimney rather than an inefficient central hearth; metal and
ceramic tableware rather then wooden; and glazed windows, although the glass
was considered part of the furniture so would be taken by each set of inhabitants
when they moved.
Whatever comforts houses offered they were far from
safe. The opportunities for accidents,
particularly for young children, were unfortunately plentiful. Danger came from open fires, vessels of
boiling water, and inadequate sleeping arrangements. Plus there was the ever-present threat of
disease. Given this it was not unknown
for parents to give two sons the same treasured family name so it stood a greater
chance of continuing. The mercantile
Fisher family did, although fortunately both their boys survived. Just as fortunately one son moved away so
they could conveniently be known as Robert of Hull and Robert of Beverley.
Merchant families were not huge, maybe four to six people,
although equally part of the household were any servants. Around a sixth of Hull families had servants,
usually just one or two but the most successful merchants had more, such as
William de Sneynton who employed eight. For
young people entering service brought independence, training, and a chance to
save money ready for marriage. Young
women in particular also migrated from the countryside into town to find
employment in the textile trades.
Consequently Hull had a rather youthful population and one were there
was ten women to every nine men, so women may have saved money for
married life but they had their work cut out finding a decent husband.
Photo: Number 5, Scale Lane, Hull.
