Tudor life – vagabond or vanquisher?

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Read the newspaper article below. Think about the use of language that places the article into a historical setting. Compete the text analysis below.

July 1485 The Tudor Times Bread thief grabs a taste of trouble

½ groat

Thieving bread-grabber, Tom Tinkerson, aged 10, was arrested today after a spate of thefts in Baker Lane. His latest victim, a Mr Ichabod Smith, 37, of Treewick, had made ready for when the thief might strike.

“I’d heard tell of this thief in nearby villages, so I set myself ready to capture the dastardly villain,” expounded Mr Smith.

He explained how he set his dog ready beside the opening to his bread stall, of which he has held tenure these past 20 years. Knowing that the thief would surely strike upon seeing and smelling his fresh loaves, Mr Smith cleverly left the bread near the stall opening to tempt the crook.

His plan worked! The clever dog Dandy, nought but a pup, barked heroically and revealed the thief in mid-grab, at which point Mr Smith did venture forth with great haste and seize the vile vagabond!

Speaking from the local magistrate’s gaol, Tom Tinkerson had this to say for himself: “I am a poor boy, seeking only to feed my family, me being one of ten children!”

We spoke to the woman he claims to be his mother, Gladice Tinkerson, 32, who said she had no son by that name. “I shall have nothing to do with a thief!” she proclaimed, and thence rushed away to tend to her nine off-spring, who were calling like hungry kittens from inside the hovel from whence she came.

Tom Tinkerson will be judged today and, after a spell in the stocks, is likely be sent to the tin mines of Farnley to do some well-deserved hard labour!

Image credit Exhibit: Benny Mazur, 2007, https://www.flickr.com/photos/benimoto/998470516/

July 1485 Tudor Times

Today poor child Tom Tinkerson was arrested for stealing a small amount of bread. The young boy who was only 10 years old was caught by Mr Ichabod Smith who was 37 years old. Mr Smith states that poor little Tom was a vagabond! That surely is a harsh word to use against an innocent 10 yr old boy. Mr Smith says "I heard about this little boy from neighbouring villages. I set my self a goal to catch this their". Tom made a mistake and should be forgiven. The poor child has 9 siblings and 1 mother. Tom says " I only stole bread for my family, we were really low on food". Strict actions will be made on Tom sadly. Mrs Gladice Tinkerson, (Toms mother) says Tom is not her child and she is not related to such a thief. Toms seems to have been disowned by his own mother. Poor Tom will be taken to Tin Mines in Farnley for some disappointingly hard labour.

-Ya!. C

Tudor TimesJuly 1485

Today poor child Tom Tinkersom was arrested after a small theft. He supposedly stole from cruel bread-seller Ichabod Smith. He has been running his crummy bread stall for 20 years. Tom supposedly stole when Mr. Smith left out a piece of bread no bigger than a fist and his vile dog Dandy to bark whenever someone came near. Mr. Smith was proud to catch what he calls a "vile vagabond." A ten-year old boy! Mr. Smith wants the poor boy to be sent to the tin mines of Farnley! Tom has made a mistake and should be forgiven. He is also now an orphan and homeless now that his mother has disowned him. Gladice Tinkerson, 32, says she will have nothing to do with a thief. Tom only stole for his family. He said "I have nine siblings and my family is struggling." If you want Tom to be freed from the stocks, write a letter of complaint to the judge, Barnaby Midley. DH