 |
 |
|
included in:-
|
 rushbearings, Cumbria
|
|
|
:-
|
Gentleman's Magazine 1843 part 2 p.572:-
|
|
"Over the chancel screen and walls are several garlands. These denote an ancient annual
custom which takes place in July, called "Rush-bearing," when female children of the
village go in procession to the church, and each deposits an offering of flowers,
which remains there until the following year. A representation of this ceremony is
given in the work known as "Westmoreland and Cumberland illustrated," accompanied
by the following account of it:-"
|
|
""In some places, to the present day, the church floor is annually strown with rushes; and in several others, as at Ambleside, the ceremonial is still preserved. We have collected from various sources the characteristic features of recorded rush-bearings, in which, though the object is the same, the materiel of the festivity is somewhat different."
|
|
""At Rochdale in Lancashire, the rushes are laid transversely on the rush-cart, and
are cut with sharp knives into the desired form. When the cart is finished, the load
of rushes is decorated with carnations and other flowers in various devices, and surmounted
by branches of oak, and a person rides on the top. The cart is sometimes drawn by
horses, but more frequently by men, to the number of twenty or thirty couple, profusely
adorned with ribands and finery. They are generally preceded by men with horse-bells
about them, grotesquely jumping from side to side, and jingling the bells. After these
is a band of music, and sometimes a set of morris-dancers (but without the ancient
appendage of bells), followed by young women bearing garlands. Then comes the rush-banner
of silk, tastefully adorned with roses, stars, and tinsels; this is generally from
four to five yards broad, by six or eight yards long, having on either side, in the
centre, a painting of Britannia, the King's arms, or some other device. The whole
procession is flanked by men with long cartwhips, which they keep continually cracking
to make a clear path. A spirit of rivalry exists amongst the neighbouring villages,
as to which shall produce the best cart and banner, and sometimes a serious fracas
takes place between the parties."
|
|
""At Warton, in Yorkshire, they cut hard rushes from the marsh, which they make up into long bundles, and then dress them up in fine linen, silk ribands, flowers, &c. Afterwards the young women of the village who perform the ceremony for that year, take up the bundles erect, and begin the procession, which is attended with multitudes of people, with music, drums, and ringing of bells. When they arrive at the church, they go in at the west door, and etting down their burdens in the church, strip them of their ornaments, leaving the heads or crowns of them decked with flowers, cut papers, &c. in some part of the church, generally over the cancelli, or chancel(-screen). The company on their return partake of a plentiful collation, and conclude the day, weather permitting, with a dance round a Maypole tastefully decorated."
|
|
""The church of St. Oswald, at Grasmere, is annually strown with rushes, and paper
garlands, tastefully cut, are deposited in the vestry by the girls of the village."
|
|
""The custom is still extant of strewing Norwich cathedral on the mayor's day, when
all the corporation attend divine service. The sweet-scented flag was accutomed to
be used on this occasion, its roots, when bruised, giving forth a powerful and fragrant
odour; but the great consumption of the roots by the brewers (under the name of quassia)
has rendered it too valuable, and the yellow water-iris is therefore substituted in
its stead. The flags were formerly strewn from the great west door to the entrance
of the mayor's seat; but they are now laid no further than the entrance to the choir.
Twelve shillings per annum are allowed by the dean and chapter for this service."
|
|
""The strewing of rushes was not, however, confined to churches; private houses, and
even palaces, had no better garniture for the floors in oldene times, as we may gather
from fragments of history. In 'Newton's Herball to the Bible,' mention is made of
'sedge and rushes, with the which many in the country do use in summer time to strawe
their parlors and churches, as well for coolness as for pleasant smell.' Hentzner,
in his Itinerary, speaking of Queen Elizabeth's presence-chamber at Greenwich, says,
'The floor, after the English fashion, was strewed with hay.'"
|
|
""At Ambleside, the tasteful and elegant garlands are deposited in the church on Saturday,
and remain there during divine service on the Sunday, when each girl takes her repsetive
garland, and all the bearers walk in procession, preceded by a band of music. The
children receive a penny-worth of gingerbread, and a small gratuity at the door of
the church.""
|
|
|
