Tea

Synopsis

Historian Amanda Vickery presents a series which reveals the hidden history of home over 400 years. She draws on first-hand accounts from letters and diaries, many of which have never been heard before. Including songs which have been specially recorded for the series.

Visitors - and new codes of politeness. As visiting begins in the 18th century, so the home is opened up for inspection.

Thanks to the introduction of tea in the 18th century, even people who were not rich and who did not have servants could afford to entertain. The home was opened up to inspection; suddenly people were arriving to judge your china, your curtains, and your manners.

Readers: Deborah Findlay, John Sessions, Madeleine Brolly and Simon Tcherniak.

Singers: Gwyneth Herbert and Thomas Guthrie, with David Owen Norris at the keyboard.

A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.