The Farming Diary of Alice Wardle 1602-03
By Victoria K Rowe
Alice Wardle was a widow who lived at Wilshaw in Hollinsclough with her son, his wife and her two grandchildren. Together they farmed 81 acres of rich pasture and kept sheep, cows, pigs, horses and poultry. They grew various crops and made hay. Alice had a large garden in which she grew a variety of vegetables and many herbs for medicinal use and also for strewing on the floor.
As was typical of the time, Alice, a widow, acted as a local banker and lent money to neighbours and to people she knew from further afield.
The Diary is a fictional reconstruction based on historical evidence of her daily life, her trials and tribulations, her sadness and her joys. Nursery rhymes, songs, recipes and all aspects of her farming life are portrayed in Alice’s story. Her will is included on this website.
Copies of the book are available at £5.70 or £7.00 inc p&p. Please email:v.rowe352@btinternet.com