’Tis true. Mistress Agnes has an invitation to mingle with the gentry and hold forth about life in her times. Consequently she will don her best shift, let us be truthful here, her only shift and traverse the lanes to that great town of Marlborough, hoping that her latchets do not wear out upon the way. Can she perchance purloin a silk shift from the coffer of the blessed Lady Mary, in order to impress the wealthy folk? But wait! There is no need for her to traverse at all. By the wonderous witchcraft that you good folk do call the Zoom, Mistress A can grace your screen wherever you doth be. Mistress A is only familiar with the screens that keep Sir Francis’ chamber pot from prying eyes but no doubt she will cope in her own indomitable manner. The generous merchants have allowed all to attend, even those of the peasant persuasion. Press upon these words, good folk. Click a button. Part with merely a few groats. Come listen to the dulcet tones of our good lady speaking of bedsteads, of besoms, of battledores and mayhap even of the benefits of the bum-roll.
Swords and Spindles Living History 