Supernatural Safeguarding: Hidden Objects in the Post-Medieval Home

Mummified cat found in the roof space of a church in Clifton, Cumbria. Photograph by J. Neild, copyright Keswick Museum (please contact Keswick Museum curator to reproduce image)

What do a child’s shoe, a cod-liver oil bottle, and a desiccated cat have in common? They’re all objects that have been discovered in unusual locations within buildings. In fact, a vast variety of objects have been found (from pantaloons to chickens), often dating to the 18th and 19th centuries, under floorboards, hearthstones, and thresholds; […]

Yule Logs, Kissing-Bushes and Mistletoe: Christmas Greenery in Pre-Industrial England

Yule log. Image by Franck Barske from Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/photos/fire-flames-wood-inflamed-logs-2762870/

Plants play a major part in the many customs surrounding the Christmas festivities. The Yule log for example, was essentially associated with Christmas Eve, for on the evening of that day it was traditional to transport the log to the fireplace, ignite it and allow it to burn for at least 12 hours if ill-luck was to be avoided.

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