AT the December meeting, members were taken back in time to the second year of the reign of Elizabeth I by Hope Proudfoot, peddler by trade, who told stories of her life.

She only took a room at night if she earned enough coins, otherwise she slept in the hedge.

She would peddle her wares at winter fairs locally. These included printing brushes made from badger hair, woad for dying cloth, medicines and remedies, buttons, buckles, nit combs, spoons, charms and teeth.

Most of her wares were obtained from bartering at manor kitchen doors or from Normandy, where she traded with Egyptians who travelled throughout the world.

Members learned she was a virtuous woman, who wore her bodice straight laced as opposed to wanton women who wore theirs cross laced. She wore her very long hair covered in a cap and coif to avoid head lice, a scarf to protect her skin against the elements and only lowly sorts were tanned.

Her charms were sold for many reasons, including finding husbands, for bearing strong children, and to ward off death.

Members were enthralled by the stories, delivered in such an expert fashion.