CORNISH-L Archives

From: "George Pritchard" <>
Subject: Re: [CON] Cornish Christmas queries circa 1881
Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 19:18:32 -0000
References: <20021212.022824.-4011367.10.annberry@juno.com>

Ann and others who wish to make a Cornish Bush / Bunch see the Cornish
christmas site with a history plus instructions on how to make one.

http://cornishchristmas.tripod.com/

Georgep


----- Original Message -----
From: <>
To: <>
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 6:54 AM
Subject: Re: [CON] Cornish Christmas queries circa 1881


> No answers from here, only a further question: What is a Christmas bunch?
> I'd like to make one if it's home-makeable.
> Ann Berry in North Carolina
> On Sun, 8 Dec 2002 22:39:38 EST writes:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > The following extract is from the CD of "The Western Antiquary or a
> > Devon &
> > Cornwall Note-Book" from 1881. These queries, answers and articles
> > originally
> > appeared in the newspaper "The Weekly Mercury" and are chock full of
> > not only
> > interesting facts, but also of much early genealogy of many Cornish
> > & Devon
> > families.
> >
> > CHRISTMAS IN CORNWALL.-
> >
> > Can any of your
> > readers answer satisfactorily the fo1lowing queries? -
> >
> > 1. Is the Cornish "Christmas Bunch " so common in
> > cottages at Christmas-tide now a mere cheap imitation
> > of the "Christmas Tree," or a survival of an ancient
> > custom?
> >
> > 2. There seems a tradition of some of the Cornish
> > church towers being illuminated on Christmas-eve, is
> > the lighting up of the windows in some of our houses with
> > a Christmas bunch, &c., a sort of survival of this?
> >
> > 3. Is the putting up a triumphal arch of evergreens
> > and flag with a "Merry Christmas as a motto (which
> > I have seen in a Cornish fishing village), a modern, or
> > survival of an old, custom?
> >
> > 4. Does "guise-dancing" extend out of Penwith? It
> > is still usual around Penzance where not hindered by the
> > authorities.
> >
> > 5. Is the Cornish play of "Saint George and the
> > Turkish Knight -, still acted by the miners? I saw it
> > some fourteen years ago in a village near Liskeard.
> >
> > These Christmas plays are of great interest to students
> > of folk-lore now. A very interesting paper was read
> > last session before the Folk Lore Society, and published
> > in the Folk Lore Record, upon the Dorsetshire Christ-
> > mas play. I believe the "Christmas Play" was re-
> > ferred to by the Cornish insurgents in the rebellion of
> > 1549 against Edward VI.
> >
> > 6. Is "dancing round the candles ' at Yuletide common
> > out of Penwith? I have seen a basket filled with sand,
> > candles stuck in it, and the children dancing round it.
> > The appearance is that of a solemnization of the winter
> > solstice, as the Midsummer bonfire (still common, even
> > in 1881) is of the summer solstice.
> >
> > 7. Is the Twelfth cake still usual in Cornwall? I
> > think it still common in Devon, but I have not noticed
> > it in this County.
> >
> > Newlyn. W. S. L. S.
> >
> >
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> > DO NOT POST VIRUS NOTICES TO THE LIST
> >
> >
> >
>
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