Leisure in Tudor Shrewsbury

King's Head, Mardol, Shrewsbury (image) [+]
Jugglers and musicians would have been popular entertainers at inns like the King's Head in Mardol. (Image courtesy of Shrewsbury Museums Service and www.darwincountry.org)

Sport was mainly for the rich who could afford and had time for it. Hunting was particularly popular. As was bear baiting and cock fighting.

Football, which had fewer rules than today, was popular but frowned on by some town leaders. They once tried to stop the regular Shrove Tuesday football game. One of the players refused to hand over the ball and was put in prison until he said he was sorry.

Unicorn Inn, Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury (image) [+]
Inn courtyards, like that of the Unicorn, were suitable places for theatre performances.

Shrewsbury welcomed travelling theatre players and on many occasions their fees were paid by the town council. Most plays were put on either in The Cornmarket (now The Square) or in the dry quarry, where the swimming baths now stand. Smaller performances would have taken place in inn yards. Pubs were also popular places for other entertainment. Such as Thomas Stanweye (the Queen’s Juggler), Wyatt the Jester and Sekerton the Bear keeper.

‘Freak Shows’ were very popular. In 1583 Mr John Taylor visited Shrewsbury bringing a deformed dead child, a six footed sheep, and a dead calf with two heads. In 1582 people flocked to see Anthony Frynpan, who was seven and a half feet tall. He was later mugged when he left the town!