The Three Anne gang do research Ann Cripps

The Three Ann(e) gang do research Ann Cripps Warwick District U 3 A Anne Foster Stratford-on-Avon U 3 A Anne Thomas, Rugby U 3 A

Hearth Tax • No definitely nothing to do with heart attacks • Think chimneys and fireplaces • A restoration tax – i. e. set up after Charles II came to the throne in 1660 • All households in England were expected to pay

And this is how we did it……. • We looked at existing work such as Warwickshire Hearth Tax by Tom Arkell, and Putney and Roehampton in 1665, A street directory and guide • We went to a presentation in London on the work done on the city of London. • We met with Andrew Wareham from Roehampton University, Peter Cox, who did research in London on the Hearth Tax and Jennifer Simpson, national co-Ordinator for SLPs • Then there were several months of burrowing in the Records offices in Warwick and in Coventry

And this is what we found…… • There wealthy people living in Warwick and Coventry, gentry not just the aristocracy. • Warwick Castle was the biggest property in Warwick with 48 hearths • There were no Shakespeares left in Stratford • My friends ancestors lived just round the corner and paid their hearth tax • A piece of research is never really finished, there is always one more bit you could do before you write it up. • It’s interesting. • There is lots more that we could do…………….

And next…… • Suggestions welcome…….