384-Year-Old Shopping List Discovered

Archaeologists discovered a very well-preserved 17th-century shopping list hidden under the floorboards while renovating the historic Knole House.

Written in 1633, the note was sent by a servant, Robert Draper, to a Mr. Bilby, it requests pewter spoons, a frying pan, and “greenfish,” which is now known as unsalted cod.

The full text of the beautifully scripted shopping list reads:

Mr Bilby, I pray p[ro]vide to be sent too morrow in ye Cart some Greenfish, The Lights from my Lady Cranfeild[es] Cham[ber] 2 dozen of Pewter spoon[es]: one greate fireshovell for ye nursery; and ye o[t]hers which were sent to be exchanged for some of a better fashion, a new frying pan together with a note of ye prises of such Commoditie for ye rest.

Your loving friend

Robert Draper

Octobre 1633

Copthall

Via