{"id":3390,"date":"2022-12-26T09:30:55","date_gmt":"2022-12-26T09:30:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/dorset-history-centre-blog\/?p=3390"},"modified":"2022-12-01T14:08:40","modified_gmt":"2022-12-01T14:08:40","slug":"the-12-days-of-dorset-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/dorset-history-centre-blog\/2022\/12\/26\/the-12-days-of-dorset-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"The 12 Days of Dorset Christmas!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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…<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

The rhyme, in a traditional Dorset sense at least, starts off with “a sprig of a juniper tree<\/strong>” rather the more familiar “partridge in a pear tree”. This piece from the archive is a shipping document of red gin coming into port<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

\"\"
NG-SR\/PL\/7\/1980\/34<\/a>: Vessel registered at Poole (name and reference number) Red Gin 389269, 1980<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

—<\/p>\n

For the \u201ctwo turtle doves<\/strong>\u201d, the document D-FLO\/2739<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

\"\"
D-FLO\/2739<\/a>: Final concord. Joseph Long plaintiff, Thomas Long and Mary his wife defendants. 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, 1593<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

—<\/p>\n

With the \u201cthree French hens<\/strong>\u201d, we dug out this item, which presents the Christmas Annual Poultry Show and Sale pamphlet from December 16th, 1938<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

\"\"
D-ENS\/M\/59<\/a>: Sale catalogue and correspondence of Wimborne Christmas Poultry Show & Sale, Dec 1938<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

—<\/p>\n

For the people of Dorset \u201cfour coloured birds<\/strong>\u201d have replaced the traditional \u201ccalling birds\u201d 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<\/a>, and was one of 200 peacocks and peahens on Brownsea island, many of which can be found in the vicinity of the appropriately named \u201cPeacock Hill\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"\"
D-SLI\/266\/24<\/a>: Peacock on Brownsea Island, slide, 1984<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

—<\/p>\n

For the iconic “five gold rings<\/strong>” line, we have sought the advice of our colleagues in the Portable Antiquities Scheme<\/a>, 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 \u2013 a Roman symbol of betrothal, and was a gift between true loves. Ring number two\u00a0is inscribed ioer corps et vye <\/em>which has been translated as heart, body and soul\/life<\/em>. 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!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

We now have arrived at the halfway point with \u201csix geese a-laying<\/strong>\u201d, where we find the “Portland bird observatory and field centre report for 1963<\/em><\/a>” 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!<\/p>\n