Shakespeare Connections at the RAMM Museum
Tom Cadbury, Assistant Curator at the RAMM, told us about some delightful objects in their extensive collection relating to Shakespeare. Find Tom’s insights below and do visit the museum while at the South West Shakespeare Festival – it’s free and full of fun and fascinating objects.
Here are Tom’s three favourite items – they all surprised and delighted us.
Tis not enough to help the feeble up, but to support them after.
Timon of Athens
Portrait of Elizabeth Flaye
Elizabeth Flaye (1587-1673) was born in Exeter, the daughter of a successful merchant, and became one of Exeter’s most prominent citizens in her own right. Continue here to learn more and find out where in the museum to find Elizabeth.
Why here he comes, swelling like a
turkey-cock.
Henry V, act 5, scene 1
Turkey bones from Exeter
These three bones could be the remains of the first turkey eaten in England.
Historical evidence suggests that the first turkeys were introduced to England in 1524 or 1526 by the entrepreneur William Strickland, who found them during a voyage to the Americas. He bought six turkeys from Native American traders, and after he sailed back with them to Bristol sold them for tuppence each. Read more here.
If sack and sugar be a fault, God help the wicked.
Henry IV, part 1
Puzzle jug
This wine jug is perhaps the most celebrated example of medieval imported pottery in England, and one of the most extraordinary pieces of medieval ceramics anywhere in northern Europe. Made in the Saintonge region of western France, around 1300, it was discovered in fragments in South Street, Exeter, in 1899. It was reconstructed by a conservator at the British Museum in the 1930s.
This jug was made 250 years before Shakespeare was born but in many ways its wicked humour and imagination mirror that in many of his plays. Watch the video below and click here to find out where in the museum you can find it.
