The Middleton Accounts of 1526: #20

The next two entries in the Middleton household accounts for Sir Henry Willoughby in 1526 were dated 26th April. The first was described as Sir Henry’s reward for the christening of the child of “Corssor” and the amount was 12 pence, which was the equivalent of about £22.06 today. It is unknown who Corssor was and no other mention of him has been found.

The second entry was a reward to a friar from Coventry that brought aqua vitae to Middleton Hall and the amount was 20 pence, which was the equivalent of about £36.77 today. Aqua vitae means “water of life” and it was an old name for solutions of ethanol. It was used as a generic name for all types of distillates but eventually referred specifically to liquors, such as brandy and whisky. Brandy was a distillate of wine, whilst whisky was a distillate of fermented malted barley. In Tudor England, aqua vitae was considered a medicinal tonic and was thus used primarily for health reasons rather than recreational drinking.

In pre-Reformation Tudor England, aqua vitae was normally made in alembic stills in monasteries, although those practiced in alchemy would also make it. The alcohol was heated in the still, during which it would vaporise and then condense, and the process would then be repeated to create a greater purity. It was also often flavoured with herbs and spices.

After the Reformation, the production of aqua vitae became domestic or commercial. A large unregulated market developed and this ultimately led to the taxation of the industry. Furthermore, this change inadvertently also converted it from simply a medicinal liquid, to a popular, often illicit, mainstream drink.

Remains of one of the stills (adjacent to the later corner fireplace) in the Stone Building at Middleton Hall, 2021. Photograph taken by Joanna Habart.

It is known that alembic stills were added to the Stone Building of Middleton Hall at about the time of the Reformation. Furthermore, it is believed that subsequently Francis Willughby and John Ray would have made aqua vitae at Middleton Hall.

Next entry: 27th April

Further Reading: W. H. Stevenson, Report on the Manuscripts of Lord Middleton, Historical Manuscripts Commission, 1911. p.382.

Author - Debbie Jordan, Middleton Hall Volunteer.

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