Tissington

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TISSINGTON - Description from Pigot's 1835 Directory

TISSINGTON is a small parish, in the hundred of Wirksworth. In the village, which is situate about 4 miles N. from Ashbourn, are five springs of the purest water, in connexion with which, a curious ancient custom, termed the 'Floralia', or 'well-dressing', prevails among the villagers, annually upon Ascension day, when these fountains are decorated with the choicest flowers, as offerings to the Naiads, which is thus executed - Blocks of wood are obtained (in) the required form, which are coated over with wet clay, into which the flowers are stuck, in various devices and inscriptions, so as completely to cover the bed and present a beautiful mass of flowers.

It is worthy or remark that in this simple and rural parish there is not a single tavern or public house. 'Tissington Hall', is the ancient seat of the Fitzherberts, who have resided here ever since the end of the fifteenth century. The church, which is dedicated to St. Mary, and stands on an eminence overlooking the village, is partly in the Norman style of architecture at and partly in that of a later date: the living is perpetual curacy, in the patronage of Sir Henry Fitzherbert, Bart.

The parish contained, in 1831, 459 inhabitants: being fewer by 37 than were returned in 1821, and only four more than it contained in 1801.

[Description from Pigot and Co's Commercial Directory for Derbyshire, 1835
Transcribed by Rosemary Lockie ©1999]

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