Labour of Love? Leave it to Dolly

If you visit Little Moreton Hall over the next two weeks you are promised a ‘dolly’ good time.

As part of the Hall’s Michaelmas celebration you will have a chance to unravel the mysteries of the corn dolly. And, with the help of the hall’s Tudor gentlemen and gentlewomen, you will be able to try your hand at making one.

Rachel Costigan, from the Hall explained:

‘Most people think of a corn dolly as a love token. A few strands of straw and ears of wheat woven into a pretty design, often heart-shaped, and presented as a gift to a young lady. She was then expected to wear it to show she was ‘courting’.

That was one use for them but corn dollies also served a very different purpose. Men and women wore them as a badge of their status and trade when they went to a Mop Fair looking for work. For instance, a labourer would wear a very simple three-strand design; a master craftsman would have something far more elaborate. A shepherd might add a strand of wool. A carter’s corn dolly might include a wisp of horse hair.’

For practical reasons, corn dollies were most in evidence during the approach to Michaelmas. It was the end of the harvest season. So there were plenty of raw materials to make them. It was also the time of year when debts were paid, rents were due and workers were being employed for the next 12 months.

C Alan Ingram National Trust

Another Michaelmas habit in Tudor times was eating goose as part of a celebration meal. At Little Moreton Hall visitors will be able to ‘dress the goose’ by writing messages on quills and attaching them to a large papier-mache bird.

Rachel said: ‘We’re sure visitors will enjoy learning about Michaelmas from our costumed gentlemen and gentlewomen. They can also hear the story of the Moreton family by joining one of our very popular house-tours or just look round this amazing building and its garden by themselves.’

‘Preparing for Michaelmas’ is at Little Moreton Hall from Wed 16 September to Sun 20 September and Wed 23 September to Fri 25 September.  

Little Moreton Hall is open Weds – Sun, 11am – 5pm. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/littlemoretonhall or call 01260 272018.

(c) Alan Ingram National Trust