Litchfield enquirer., 1849-05-03
MaY.Dax In the Olden Tine.

OF May. When it fist originated, re,
search has failed to discover, though it is
probably the remnant of some Pagan
festival in commemoration of the opening
of spring; but we trace its history clear
ly for at least Eve hundred years back. :.
The popularity Of this holiday was al
its height probably in the reign Of Queen
Elizabeth. Before day break the villagers
were accustomed to set forth to the
woods, where they felled the tallest tree
they could find, and bore it in triumph
home, for May pole. Som etimes it was
dragged from the woodsrby oxen garlan.
ded with flowers, and accompanied by
uusi while men and maidens, bearing
green boughs swelled the procession.
Arriving at the village the tall pole was
reared on the green, and hung with gar
lands of flowers. The fronts of the hou-
ses were frequently dressed in green
boughs. Arbors of the same material
were also erected, a bower being placed
at their head higher than the others :
this, within and without, was decorated
with flowers, and set apart for the Queen
of May, who was, gene rally, some peas
ant girl, selected by the unanimous con-
sent of her companions. Sometimes the
daughter of the Lord of the Manor pre-
sided as May Queen, and the whole fam
lily sued from their old ancestral hall to
join in the May-day games. Then there
was rustic youths dressed up in costume
Of Robin Hood and his merry men, al
Maid Marian; recalling the days Of old,
when these daring outlaws were the
dread and pride Of Sherwood Forest,
plundering the rich to feed the poor
and chasing the dun deer through the
thickets, in spite of Norman keepers and
cruel forest-laws.s .-- 49,. ...
Thomas Millar, the basket maker,
gives description copied from an old
chronicler Of a May day in the reign of
Henry the Eighth. The merry monarch
once rode out with his queen, and a
whole concourse Of mobiles, one fine May
morning, to top of Shooter's-hill,
above Greenwich, and there they were
received by large troop Of men, amour.
ting to about two hun red, who were all
dressed in a costume of Kendall green,
and headed by captain, waom they
called Robin Hood. These May day
fore ste:s, dressed up for the occasion,
amused their royal and noble visitors by
showing them their skill in archery; an
when ,his Was over, eaca blew his buyle-
horn, and conducted the king and hi,
train into wood under the bow of the
hill, where large arbor was erected OF
green boughs. consisting of a hall AMI
two chambers. all decorated with flowers
and sweet herbs; and here mighty
feast stood ready prepared, quite in
Keeping with the scene, Consisting Of ven
ison, venison- parties, aid Il copious sup
ply of the bloJd-red wine, fot suc:,, the
old ballads say, often formed the forest
banquet Of Robin Hood and his merry
men.
o. their return from this Woodland
banlaes they wee met by two ladies,
richly a'tired, who rode in ia beautiful
chariot, drawn by five horses and on the
back of each horse was also seated la
dy, one of whom was called the lady oil
Saower>; another, the Lady of Green !;
the t..ird, the Lady OF Vegetation; the
fourth. Of Pleasure; and the fifth, OF
Sweet Odor. Of the two who occupi-
ed the chariot, one was called the Lady
Of May, ana the other the Lady of Flow
ers AMI they entertained the assembled
company with songs, IS they returned
to Greenwich. Such was an English
May-day in the reign Of Henry the
Eighth.
In bringing home the May pole, som =
times as many as forty yoke of oxen. each
having a sweet nesegay tied to the tip Of
his Horns, was employed. The pole too
was covered all over, from .op to bottom.
with flowers and sweet herbs, bound round
with striny Is: where, at equal distances,
cross bars were fastened upon it, to the
en1 Of which were attached garlands;
and thus decorated, it was hoisted up,
amid the leaping and dancing and joy
Uas shouts Of the assembled multitude.
Even in London the festival was kept
up with spirit. Amy one who had pass
ed along Cornhill. in May day, few cen
turies ago. would have seen green al bors
erected there, and huge oaken boughs
h ,nging over the street, and the milk
maids, and all the merry old citizens with
their wives, daughters. and apprentices,
congregated about the May pole, many
of them dressed n old fanciful costumes,
and giving themselves up to all the fun
preserved even the names Of the may
measures which they danced and near
" all we know Of the ancient pipe and
tabor. the favorioe music to which they
timed their footsteps. is gathered from
glaacing at scarce engravings. ~
The observance Of May-day has with
in the last century. fallen almost into en-
tire disuse. In few rural districts how
ever. the first Of May is still kept. Its
the custom to let the garlands remain on