While it is true that this iconic Christmas carol would begin and end with a partridge in a pear tree, the truth is Dorset possess their own interpretation. The evidence of this fact is backed up in “Dorsetshire Folk-Lore” by John Symonds Udal, on (page 80) where the carol begins and ends with “a sprig of a juniper tree”. Our volunteer Toby has explored the song further, and looked for records in our collections to complement the verses…
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The rhyme, in a traditional Dorset sense at least, starts off with “a sprig of a juniper tree” rather the more familiar “partridge in a pear tree”. This piece from the archive is a shipping document of red gin coming into port. It is a link to the first line in the Christmas carol because a sprig of a juniper tree would often be used in making certain types of gin.
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For the “two turtle doves”, the document D-FLO/2739 shows a final concord of Joseph Long Plaintiff, Thomas Long and Mary his wife defendants. Despite appearances, this gives us the link to the doves, as the property listed relates to eight houses and one water mill with dove cote and six barns, eight gardens and orchards, over 1000 acres in Frome Billett and West Stafford, in 1593.
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With the “three French hens”, we dug out this item, which presents the Christmas Annual Poultry Show and Sale pamphlet from December 16th, 1938. As Chickens were often a part of the Christmas feast, this show and sale would be of significance to anyone who lived near the area, where the sale took place.
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For the people of Dorset “four coloured birds” have replaced the traditional “calling birds” of the traditional rhyme. For this one we therefore looked for a most colourful bird, the peacock. The photograph is an image depicting said-bird from 1984, and was one of 200 peacocks and peahens on Brownsea island, many of which can be found in the vicinity of the appropriately named “Peacock Hill”.
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For the iconic “five gold rings” line, we have sought the advice of our colleagues in the Portable Antiquities Scheme, who have ‘dug’ out a selection of rings (yes, there are five in total!) The bezel of ring number one bears a design of two clasped hands – a Roman symbol of betrothal, and was a gift between true loves. Ring number two is inscribed ioer corps et vye which has been translated as heart, body and soul/life. The third ring has on the bezel an image of Mary holding the infant Jesus a suitably seasonal detail! Ring number four is very complex and highly decorated with stylised annular brooches and enamelled lettering and was certainly an elaborate gift. And the fifth and final ring is a signet ring with a depiction of a hound!
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We now have arrived at the halfway point with “six geese a-laying”, where we find the “Portland bird observatory and field centre report for 1963” book held in our Local Studies Library. On page 12 of this volume, there are six different types of geese which have journeyed in and out of Portland, the appropriate number!
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“Seven swans a-swimming” is up next, and we have an account book of 1781-1899 which shows us that the Earl of Ilchester [Henry Stephen Fox-Strangways] was a supporter of rebuilding the church, via with a memorandum of 1854. We feel this is enough of a link to the swans because the Fox-Strangways family are (apparently) the only other owners of a swan flock other than the Monarch in the UK! There’s a fun fact to give to your family this winter!
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Ph/945 presents “Eight hares a-running” upon the “Hare and Hounds” inn Lease and plans of the estate. This is, of course, a variation on the more well-known “Eight maids-a-milking” line! The document also tells us, through one of the terms and conditions, about holding off hunting conies (rabbits) on the estate unless you have permission from the Landlord.
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Whilst the traditional line has the much more sophisticated line about “nine ladies dancing”, the Dorset rhyme has instead gone with “nine bulls a-roaring”, and we found a photograph of calves up for auction, in Sturminster Newton (1984).
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In at number 10, we have the unconventional “ten men a-mowing” rather than “ten lords a-leaping”. We had to think a little outside the box for this entry, and we were able to find a notice showing the Winfrith farmers club 1868 discussion, establishing the topics that were brought up during the year. An example of this is the talk from Mr T. Lillington, regarding “the best rotation of grass seeds, and means of securing a good clover plant”!
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In the well-known rhyme, you will find “eleven pipers piping”, but in Dorset we instead have “eleven dancers a-dancing”, and have dug out a photograph of ladies learning folk dancing at the girl’s grammar school in Dorchester!
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And for the final entry, Dorset have gone with “twelve fiddlers a-fiddling”, rather than the “twelve drummers drumming”, and we have gone with this image from the uncatalogued Thomas Hardy collection as it presents a photograph of three instruments (a cello and two violins), all belonging to the famous poet and writer from Dorset, Thomas Hardy. This, of course, provides us with just the opportunity to remind readers about our ongoing campaign to raise funds to catalogue the Thomas Hardy archive!
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We hope all our readers have had a very Merry Christmas, and we look forward to welcoming you, or just hearing from you in 2023!
Thank you Toby, a very interesting read.
A fascinating read, well done Toby.