Tudor work: what jobs did people do?
In the third episode of her HistoryExtra Academy series Tudor Life, social historian Ruth Goodman explores what people in the 16th century did for work
From long hours in the fields to the bustling noise of Tudor workshops and marketplaces, we’ll discover exactly how people in the 16th century earned their keep — and what it meant to make a living in a world without modern comforts or job security
Enjoyed this video? Ruth is hosting a live Q&A for HistoryExtra members on 19 November 2025 at 7pm (GMT). Find out more here
Want more from Ruth? Find more episodes of Tudor life here
Ruth Goodman is a historian of the social and domestic life of Britain. She has advised the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Globe Theatre and presented a number of BBC television series, including Victorian Farm