A Treasury of British Folklore: Maypoles, Mandrakes, and Mistletoe by Dee Dee Chainey

Author:Dee Dee Chainey [Chainey, Dee Dee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781911358398
Amazon: 1911358391
Barnesnoble: 1911358391
Goodreads: 36258593
Publisher: Pavilion Books

The time of birth is important in folklore and children born at twilight, or midnight, are frequently said to be able to see spirits and predict the future. Those born in the ‘chime hours’ (these differ depending on which region you consult, but especially midnight) are thought to be particularly gifted at seeing the dead, can never be bewitched and are often called ‘chime children’. One story from Sussex in the nineteenth century tells of a chime child being beckoned from her dinner by a figure outside. The girl went out to meet the figure, yet it glided away as she drew near. Even as late as the beginning of the nineteenth century, many children were not expected to live beyond the age of five, so it’s unsurprising that it was seen as incredibly lucky to be the seventh child of a seventh child. Such children are said to be imbued with special preternatural powers of the second sight in Scotland, and in Somerset bestowed with healing powers of touch, usually attributed only to kings.

In Suffolk, babies were

washed with gin for

a fine complexion.

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