Barley Hall launches new medieval tours: a Snawsell Summer

How did the 15th century residents of York spend their summer? Find out at Barley Hall, which is launching guided tours of the medieval townhouse, focusing on the Snawsell family who lived there from the mid-1460s to the late 1480s.

The tours have been devised by head of interpretation for York Archaeology, Dr Chris Tuckley.  “When we installed the Beasts at Barley Hall exhibition, we took the opportunity to think again about the rooms and how they might have been used when the Snawsell family – and their staff – lived there,” explains Chris.

The tours introduce several members of the household, from 10 year-old scullion Walter to Master William Snawsell, goldsmith and one-time mayor of York.  “Children as young as seven would have entered service into a house, living with their employer and taking on menial tasks like emptying chamber pots or turning the spit for roasting meat.  A house like Barley Hall would have had around 12 servants looking after the family.

“We have imagined what summer might have been like for the family – how the servants might have used herbs to discourage insects living in the straw mattress, for example, or opening a window to help cool the house,” adds Chris.  “However, you have to remember that medieval York was particularly smelly, with smoke and fumes from a range of industries, not to mention animal dung and offal discarded in the rivers.  In the height of summer, the stench must have been almost unbearable – and at the time, people believed that it was ‘miasmas’ or bad air, that caused illness.”

However, the smells visitors will enjoy during their tours will all be pleasant – from the smell of fresh hay and lavender to rosewater and St John’s Wort – with fragrances added to different spaces to add to the ambience.

Feasts will also be mentioned, as the Great Hall is set up for a feast day, with a peacock adorning the top table. 

The guided tours run at 11am and 2.00pm (please check website to confirm on any given date) and take just over 20 minutes.  The tour is included in the price of admission to Barley Hall, and visitors are welcome to look around the property for themselves after the tour. 

Visitors will also enjoy the new exhibition, Beasts at Barley Hall, which looks at animals in medieval society.  Including archaeological finds from around the city, activities for children, pages reproduced from York’s own Bestiary – an encyclopedia of animals, which included elephants and even mythical creatures like griffins – and even cuddly representations of some of the viruses that would have plagued people in the 15^th century.

Admission prices for Barley Hall are £9.00 for adults, £7.25 for concessions and £5.25 for children, with family tickets available from £24.50 (two adults and two children).  For more information, or to prebook a visit, please see www.barleyhall.co.uk.

For any visitors whose mouth waters at the idea of feasting in Barley Hall’s Great Hall, York Archaeology will be hosting a Medieval Feast in the candlelit space on 28 September 2024 as part of York Festival of Food & Drink.  The evening includes a three course medieval-inspired menu including wine, and live entertainment from professional actors sharing stories of old!  Medieval clothing is welcomed but not essential.  Tickets are £70.00 per person, available from www.barleyhall.co.uk.