27th May 2010, 16:46
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Senior Member
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Location: Stoke-on-Trent
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Maidens' garlands
Maidens' garlands, or crants, were carried high at the funerals of young, unmarried women in days gone by. A willow frame was decorated with flowers, ribbons and rosettes made of paper which might be painted and there would be a centrepiece, either kid gloves or shaped paper. After the funeral the garland would be hung above the maiden's pew in the church.
The practice was centuries old, being mentioned in William Shakespeare's Hamlet but had pretty much died out by the early 19th century. It still survives at one church in Hampshire where garlands are still carried at chaste men's and women's funerals.
Maidens' Garlands | Researched by Rosie Morris
There are seven 18th century garlands in Holy Trinity, Minsterley, Shropshire - six are hanging up
and one is on display next to a modern replica (or a replica of what it's believed they looked like originally)
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