Tag Archives: Abbots Bromley
Niche Interest
Posted on October 12, 2014 by ladyethelfledasgirdle
The origins of the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance are hazy and in trying to make sense of this centuries-old tradition, the phrase 'fertility ritual' often crops up. Apparently, one of the most potent elements of the dance is coming into contact with the pig's bladder on a stick, wielded by the fool (1). Sitting below the ha-ha, separated from the dancers performing on the lawn outside Blithfield Hall by a big ditch, seemed like a safe enough distance to watch from this year.
Waiting for the Horn Dance…
Waiting for lunch…
The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance taking place in 1932. Taken from the 'The Birmingham Mail' via 'The Lichfield Mercury'.
Once the performance had ended, the dancers bowed to those of us in the cheap seats and went for lunch inside the hall, which has been home to the Bagot family since 1360. Afterwards, they would head back to Abbots Bromley, to perform the dance through the lanes and outside the pubs of the village, returning the horns to the church of St Nicholas at around 8 o'clock that evening. I was heading back to Lichfield, but thought there might just be time to pay a visit to a church myself. "St Leonard's is just over there at the back of the hall…", explained a man selling guide books from a stall "….but you can't go that way unless you live there". He did explain how non-Bagots could get to the church but on the way back to the car I got sidetracked by another stall selling honey, and so the church had to wait for another day.
The Church of St Leonard
Another day came at the start of October. The church door, beautifully decorated with autumn leaves, was unfortunately locked.
I had to break the news to my Mum that we wouldn't be able to see Staffordshire's only surviving pillar piscina, dating from the early twelfth century. Oddly, she didn't seem too bothered….It turned out that being restricted to the outside of the church was actually a blessing in disguise as the exterior of St Leonard's turned out to be a very interesting place indeed.
Built into the red-brick, eighteenth century wall which separates the churchyard from the grounds of Blithfield Hall is a gateway (also locked!), which looks ancient but actually only dates back to the mid-nineteenth century. This is clearly the Bagot family short-cut to the church that I had heard about at the Horn Dance. A little more difficult to find is a satisfying explanation for the circular feature, also built into the wall, which appears to have been added around the same time.
A hole in the wall
According to a description in the Lichfield Mercury, as part of their 1891 series 'Sketches in and around Rugeley', it was, "formed for the purposes of seeing when the parson came to church so that the Squire might not be kept waiting longer than was necessary in a cold church". I'm not convinced by this but it's all I've got at present.
After looking through the round window, anyone over the age of twenty five may be quite excited to hear that there's also an arch and a square here. Anyone younger than that won't have a clue what I'm talking about. Anyway, as these are niches than windows, it's more a case of looking into, rather than through them.
The arch is found on the south side of the church, sheltering the thirteenth century effigy of a priest. A comparison with this drawing of 1823 shows that sometime time can diminish rather than increase the lines on a face.
A late seventeenth century marble plaque with Latin script implores us to pray for the soul of Alfred, priest of Hulcrob. Records show that the words on the tablet were originally written around the arch in letters of gold but these have long since been erased by time. Faded painted patterns still remain on the interior curve of the arch though and it seems reasonable to assume that these would have been part of this decorative inscription? There are also several 'graffiti' marks carved into the stone here, at least one of which appears to be a ritual protection mark associated with the Virgin Mary.
On the north side of the church, near to the tower, is the feature I'm calling a square but which the Lichfield Mercury article describes as, "a curious recess, the use of which it seems very difficult to determine. It could have had no communication with the inside of the church, for it is in the thickness of the wall of the nave, and being outside it can hardly been of any use as an aumbry". In 'Collections for a History of Staffordshire' (1919), its similarity to an aumbry is also noted, leading the author to speculate that this may once have been an interior wall and that possibly there may have been an annexe or a anchorite's cell here. All I can spy with my non-expert eye is that it does look as though it may once have been covered by a grille or a door, although I'm not sure whether the actual bits of rusty grate lying inside it are a clue or a red herring.
Alongside the various memorials belonging to members of the Bagot family (although many of these are inside the church itself) are those belonging to people who, like most of us, would have had to come the long way round.
I was always concerned that an interest in graveyards was a little morbid but the excellent talk David Moore did on symbolism in cemeteries for Lichfield Discovered recently reassured me that graveyards are as much about life as death. And not just human life either….
(1) Funnily enough, I understand that pigs' bladders (amongst many other things) were also used as a form of contraception in times gone by. Perhaps it's only the inflated ones you have to worry about…
Blithfield: An Illustrated Guide and History by Nancy, Lady Bagot (1979)
http://www.medieval-graffiti.co.uk/
http://www.pastscape.org.uk/
Lichfield Mercury Archive
Collections for a History of Staffordshire (1919) Edited by The William Salt Archaeological Society
Posted in Abbots Bromley, architecture, Buildings, carvings, Church, churches, country houses, fertility, graffitii, Lichfield, staffordshire, traditions	| Tagged Abbots Bromley, aumbry, autumn, Blithfield Hall, fertility, graffiti, horn dance, niche, pig's bladder, ritual, St Leonards, Staffordshire, tradition, Wall	| 5 Replies
Posted on September 5, 2014 by ladyethelfledasgirdle
Chatting to a friend last weekend about everything that goes on in Lichfield made me realise that I do take some of it for granted. Then, a few days later, another friend chastised me for being rubbish at promoting things, even events I'm involved in myself! So, influenced/shamed by both of them, here's a quick run down of some of the history related goings-on in and around Lichfield this weekend.
Sheriff's Ride passing the pinfold, 2013
On Saturday morning, the Sheriff of Lichfield will set off with a party of horses and riders to perambulate the city's boundary. This has happened on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (or on the nearest Saturday at least), every year since 1553 when Queen Mary made Lichfield a separate county with its own Sheriff, as a way of saying thanks for all the support during that game of thrones business.
Alternative Sheriff's Ride 2013
Once the traditional Sheriff's Ride has passed by and headed up Cross in Hand Lane, a group of us will be setting off from the Beacon Street pinfold in the opposite direction on the Alternative Sheriff's Ride, which has happened every year since 2013 when my friend Lichwheeld had the idea and thought, 'Well, why not?!'. At around four miles, the alternative ride will be considerably shorter than the current circuit of twenty miles, which has increased from the sixteen miles described in the 1800s by Thomas Harwood, as follows:
It begins at a place called the Cross and Hand near the end of a street there called Bacon street and from thence goeth northward along the lane leading to Longdon Church unto a little lane at the further side of Oakenfields and so along that little cross lands unto another lane that leadeth from Lichfield to King's Bromley and then along that lane towards Lichfield unto a little lane lying between the Grange Ground and Collin's Hill Field commonly called the Circuit lane unto the further end of it betwixt two fields the one called Hic-filius and the other Piper's Croft and so over across a lane that leadeth from Lichfield to Elmhurst and then into another little lane between Stichbrooke Ground and Gifforde's Crofte and so along that little lane to a green lane at the further side of the Lady being the land of Zachary Babington Esquire and down that lane to a called Pone's Brook and so over that brook into another lane called Stepping Stones lane and so along that lane taking in the land of Richard Dyott Esq Pone's Fields unto a lane leading from Lichfield to Curborough Somerville so along that lane towards Lichfield until you come to the upper end of the grounds called Scott's Orchard and then leaving that lane turn into a field of Lichfield called Whisich at a stilt going into the fields called Browne's Fields and so taking in the field clled Whisich then go by the closes called Browne's Fields Hedge unto the grounds called God's Croft Hedge and so along that hedge taking in the field called Whisich lane called Goslinge's lane and along Goslinge's Lane unto a lane called Matthew Coal Lane and so over across that lane into a field called Cross field at or near an elm tree and so along a head land about the middle of Cressfield unto the nearer end of Gorsty Bank into the lane leading from Lichfield to a cross way called Burton turnings and from thence along Ikenield street taking in Spear Hill and Boley unto a cross way leading from Lichfield to Whittington and so along that lane towards Whittington unto the south end of Austin's Coat Grounds then turning upon the left hand at that brook to a gate going into Fulfin Grounds unto the moors called Dernford Moors and so along by the hedge of those moors unto the nether side of Dernford Mill stream and so going by the mill door to the pool dam and going along by the pool and the brook taking in Horslade and a meadow belonging to Freeford House unto a bridge called Freeford Bridge in a lane leading from Lichfield to Tamworth and so from that bridge up the sandy lane to Freeford House and along that lane to the corner of the meadow and then turning into Bispells at the corner of the meadow and so going by the meadow hedge until you come to the brook that runneth to Freeford Bridge and so going up a little pool taking in all Bispells unto a ford called Baltrex ford and then entering into Old field turn up the left hand to the brook that runs from Freeford Pool and so along that brook to Freeford Pool and along by the pool and the brook that comes from Swynfen Mill until you come into the lane that leads from Swynfen unto the mill and so along that lane to a gate that leads from Lichfield unto Swynfen called Old Field Gate and then not coming in at that gate but going to the corner of the hedge adjoining to Cley Lands come in at a gap and taking in all Old field come by the demesnes of Swynfen unto a place called Long bridge and so entering into a little lane between Long furlong and Long bridge grounds leading to Well crofts and so taking in all Well crofts along by the Knowlc Leasowes being the Hospital Land unto Ikeneld street and so along Ikeneld street unto the further side of a close called Gorsty Leasowe and leaving the hedge on the left hand taking in that close going along by that hedge leading to Hare house Ground and so along that hedge unto the top of Dean's Slade taking in all Hare house Ground northward enter into Park field leaving the hedge on the right hand and so following that hedge unto a little lane at Aldershawe that comes down that lane to the gate and through the gate then turn upon the left hand by Aldershawe Hedge taking in the barn and so go into the Wheat Close leaving the hedge on the left hand unto the road called the Fosse way up to the top of Mickle hill then crossing over Pipe green along an old decayed cart way into a lane end that leads to Pipe grange lane to the further side of Padwell's and so taking in Padwell's leaving the hedge on the left hand to a little lane that leadeth into Ashfield leaving the hedge on the left hand into the grounds called Lammas Grounds and leaving the hedge on the left hand and so into Lemondsley then following the brook to Pipe green gate and so along the brook in Pipe green into a little lane that butteth upon the lane that leadeth from Lichfield to Pipe and crossing that lane into Smithfield at the corner of Abnell Hedge and so taking in all Smithfield leaving Abnell Ground on the left hand unto the Cross and Hand where it began
All you need to join in is a roadworthy bike and a sense of humour. I'm not sure if we'll be visiting God's Croft Hedge or Hic-filius on our ride, but I do know that we'll be stopping off at a secret location for tea and cake half way around, and finishing up in the beer garden of the George and Dragon. The traditional ride will arrive back in the city via Beacon St around 6.15pm, about the time that Beacon Park will be filling up with people and their picnic rugs, ready for the free Proms in the Park concert, organised by Lichfield District Council.
The horns are kept in the church of St Nicholas
At eight o'clock on Monday morning (8th September), the current generation of Abbots Bromley horn dancers will collect their thousand year old reindeer antlers from St Nicholas, beginning a ten mile journey around the village and out to Blithfield Hall, before returning to the church twelve hours later. Whether the dance began as a pagan fertility ritual or is to do with hunting rights, no-one really knows but the mystery surrounding its origins is part of the tradition's appeal. Last year, I watched the dance as darkness fell in the village.
This year, I'll be spectating at Blithfield Hall at midday, along with the other commoners being kept off the lawns below the Ha-Ha, to ensure I'm back in time for our Lichfield Discovered 'Weeping Angels' talk that evening.
We may not have David Tennant, but we do have public historian David Moore to talk to us about the symbolism in Victorian cemeteries. We also have custard creams. The talk starts at 7pm, at St Mary's in the Market Square, Lichfield. We don't charge, but we do make a voluntary collection which we donate to the centre for use of the room.
Weeping Angel (c) David Moore
There's plenty more happening in the weeks to come, but for now, enjoy the weekend in Lichfield and please share any photos you take during it with us for our new Lichfield Discovered photo project 'A Year in Lichfield'. Email them to ayearinlichfield@yahoo.com, or share them on Twitter (@lichdiscovered) or on Facebook.
Posted in Abbots Bromley, Lichfield, Sheriff	| Tagged Abbots Bromley, Alternative Sheriff's Ride, Blithfield Hall, cemeteries, events, horn dance, Lichfield, Lichfield Discovered, pinfold, Proms in the Park, Sheriff's Ride, symbolism	| 1 Reply
A Dance to the Music of Time
Posted on September 10, 2013 by ladyethelfledasgirdle
Hot on the hooves of Lichfield's Sheriff's Ride comes another ancient Staffordshire tradition – the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance. No one knows just how ancient though. The earliest written record of the dance seems to be from Dr Robert Plot's 'Natural History of Staffordshire' in 1686, yet the reindeer antlers themselves have been carbon dated to around one thousand years ago.
The Horn Dance c.1900. Apparently the splendid costumes are a Victorian invention. The original costumes were made by the vicar's daughters from old bed curtains! The latest set of costumes were created at the turn of the millenium. On the subject of costumes, I love that the man dressed as a woman is wearing his shirt and tie beneath his!
Image from Sir Benjamin Stone's Pictures – Festivals, Ceremonies and Customs. Published by Cassell & Co. London. 1906 (taken from Wikipedia)
Last night, we arrived as the dancers were weaving their way around the back lanes of Abbots Bromley, and so we settled for a while in The Crown and awaited their return to the village green. Outside the crowds were entertained by the Lichfield Morris Men and the Beggars' Oak Clog Dancers amongst others. Sitting there in the pub I saw horns everywhere – antlers on the village sign, antler inspired light fittings and, sitting on a bench opposite, a man wearing furry antlers. We rejoined the crowd, as the dancers made their way up the High Street, taking up their position outside the Crown to applause. At first it's the horns that command your attention – they're enormous (apparently, the largest set weighs over 25lbs). Then gradually your peripherary vision kicks in and you spot the other characters – a man dressed as a woman, the young boy shooting the hobby horse, over and over again and the musicians accompanied by a child playing the triangle. Fortunately, I managed to avoid the Fool and his pig's bladder…
In 'England in Particular', the authors describe the dance as both unsettling and reassuring. I know what they mean. What you're watching has a significance that is no longer makes much sense to our modern eyes, its symbolism like some long forgotten language. Yet there's also something very British and familiar about the occasion in the scout tent set up over on the green, selling curry to the beer drinking crowds chatting together beneath umbrellas.
If this is a pagan fertility ritual, it seems to get along well with Christianity these days. The horns are kept in St Nicholas's church for 364 days a year, and before the horns are taken out on their annual excursion around the village there is a short blessing. The dance is performed outside the Abbots Bromley throughout the year but I understand that a second set of horns are kept for this purpose, these original horns never leave the village. There is a great story in a book on the dance by Jack Brown of the English Folk Dance and Song Society that I bought from the Oxfam bookshop. Apparently, in the 19th century, the dancers took a set of elk horns dancing in Burton and having consumed quite a lot of rum, managed to lose them. Some say the horns were stolen; others say the dancers decided they were too heavy and deposited them into the River Trent so they didn't have to carry them all the way back to Abbots Bromley!
It's fantastic to have such a unique tradition taking place just ten miles or so up the road from Lichfield and although I've popped a few (rubbish) photos on here to give you an idea, it goes with out saying that there's nothing like going along and experiencing it for yourself. So, put it in your diary for the next Monday after the first Sunday after the fourth of September 2014!
Note – I could claim that the blurriness of the dancers and musicians on the following photographs is an artistic statement on the passage of time or something, but in actual fact they're just really BAD photos! Anyway, the chap with furry antlers is on one of them which warrants its inclusion.
England in Particular by Sue Clifford and Angela King
The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance by Jack Brown
Posted in Abbots Bromley, Lichfield, traditions	| Tagged Abbots Bromley, customs, folk, fool, hobby horse, horn dance, horns, legends, local history, Maid Marian, morris dancing, Staffordshire, stories, traditions, villages	| 4 Replies
Fools & Hobby Horses
Posted on August 23, 2012 by ladyethelfledasgirdle
The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance takes place each year on Wakes Monday (the first Monday following the first Sunday after 4th September), which means that this year it will be on 10th September.
As far as I can gather, the horn dance is one of those traditions where no-one is quite sure what it's all about. There are six dancers carrying reindeer antlers, a fool, a hobby horse, Maid Marian, a boy with a bow and arrow, an accordion player & a triangle player. The horns are collected from the church of St Nicholas at 8am and are returned 12 hours later after the participants have danced around the village and out to Blithfield Hall. According to the horn dance of Abbots Bromley website, when one of the horns was damaged in 1976, a piece was sent to be carbon dated. It was found to date back to 1065 (plus or minus 80 years) although the general consensus is that this doesn't really help to date the dance itself.
I'm ashamed to say that every year I've planned to go and watch the dance, but haven't made it for one reason or another. I have been to the village on several non-horn dance occasions though and it is a lovely place. However, Mr J Carver, in his 1779 book 'The Universal Traveller' wasn't impressed , saying,
It stands at the distance of a hundred and twenty eight miles from London but contains nothing worthy of note
(Lichfield fares a little better. In Mr Carver's opinion, 'It is a long, straggling place but has some handsome houses').
Walking through the village, to my 21st century eyes, practically every building looks worthy of note. Amongst many others, there's the Butter Cross (or Burger Cross as a practical joker would have it in 2002), the Goat's Head Inn (which is thought to date back to the early 1600s, with possibly even older cellars and of course, a secret passage story!) and Almshouses (above the doors are the Bagot family arms and the inscription Deo et Igenis DDD Lamberius Bagot Arm Anno 1705).
The Butter Cross, The Goats Head Inn & St Nicholas Church
View of St Nicholas, where the horns are displayed throughout the year.
Church of St Nicholas, from the High St
Almshouses
A couple of years ago the BBC made a programme about folk dancing in England and you can see the clip about the horn dance here. There are also some photographs of the tradition taking place in the 1930s here on the Staffordshire Past Track website.
I believe that the horns never leave the parish boundary (when not in use they are stored in the church of St Nicholas) although the dance can be performed elsewhere (another set of antlers is used on these occasions). I've also just discovered that this year the third annual Abbots Bromliad will take place in California, where they are hoping to beat their own record for most people dancing the horn dance at once (144 in 2010). You can even order your own set of acrylic antlers for $20 to help you feel the part! Hmmm, I wonder what the postage & packaging would be to get a pair sent to Lichfield….and would they get here in time to wear on the 10th September?
Seriously, we're lucky to live so near to a place where one of the country's best known (and possibly one of the oldest) traditions takes place and I really must make an effort to go this year to see it for myself.
Posted in almshouses, architecture, Buildings, Church, Crosses, Further Afield, legends, market, Paget, pubs, staffordshire, traditions, tunnels	| Tagged Abbots Bromley, almshouses, churches, cross, history, horn dance, inn, market, tradition, Underground	| 4 Replies
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