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Maidens' Funeral Garlands, Holy Trinity Church, Ashford

Holy Trinity is one of very few Churches known to retain Maidens' Funeral Garlands also known as 'Crowns' or 'Crantz' ('Crants'). Four now remain in Ashford church, out of seven known to exist originally. They were carried before the coffin at the funeral service of young girls who were unfortunate enough to die as maidens, and - traditionally - by a girl of a similar age to the deceased. They were composed of rosettes made of white paper, and fixed to a wooden (circular) frame. A paper glove, or handkerchief was draped on the crown, with the name, age and date of death of the girl written on it, often with a verse of poetry included. The white glove, or handkerchief was a symbol of the Maiden's purity - having its origins perhaps in the tradition that at an Assize Court, a visiting Judge would sometimes be handed a pair of white gloves as an indication that no crimes had been committed since his last visit.

After the funeral, the garlands would be hung above the family pew. The oldest garland in the church is believed to be in memory of Anne HOWARD who died on April 12th 1747, aged 21. The last one belonged to Elizabeth BLACKWELL who died in 1801 - tradition says she was drowned in the river. It is not known for whom the other two were created. Naturally over the years, the paper has become yellowed and the garlands are fragile, but this does not detract in the least from their beauty and pathos as reminders of this poignant old custom.

It has been suggested the custom originated in Scandinavia, or amongst the Germanic Races; indeed the practice was mentioned in Shakespeare's Hamlet, Prince of Denmark following the death of Ophelia:-

Yet here she is allow'd her virgin crants,
Her maiden strewments, and the bringing home
Of bell and burial.

Although this custom may have been practised in many parishes, there are only two other churches I am aware of in Derbyshire where any garlands have survived. One is in St Giles' Church in Matlock, which has six, displayed in a cupboard by the south porch. The other church which has surviving crantz is at Trusley. All of them are at least 150 years old, as the practice is known to have died out during the 1830s.

Check here for photographs of Maiden's Funeral Garland (1), Holy Trinity Church, and Maiden's Funeral Garland (2), Holy Trinity Church, Ashford in the Water, from Janet & Peter Kirk.

See also Take a Look at: Maidens' Garlands and Memorials, a copy of an article published in The Peak Advertiser, the Peak District's local free newspaper, on 25th June 2001 (p13), reproduced by kind permission of its author, Julie Bunting.

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[Information provided by Rosemary Lockie]

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