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Updated: May 7, 2025
But the Puritans, who slew their king, Charles I., were very much opposed to all joyousness and mirth, and one of their first acts when they came into power was to put down the May-pole. So the merry May songs were hushed for many a long year, until Charles II. was restored to his throne, and then the stately pole was reared once more, and Robin Hood and his merry crew began their sports again.
A May-pole was erected in Charlestown in 1687, and was promptly cut down. Bradford says: "They set up a May-pole, drinking and dancing aboute it many days togeather, inviting the Indian women for their consorts, dancing and frisking togeather like so many fairies or furies rather."
But with whatever indifference they may be regarded by those "to the manner born," yet in my mind the lingering flavour of them imparts a charm to rustic life, which nothing else could readily supply. I shall never forget the delight I felt on first seeing a May-pole.
When they had proceeded thus until Rebecca thought there was nothing left for it but to fall in her tracks and be trampled to death, the whole crowd came suddenly to a halt, and the young men began to erect the May-pole in the midst of a shaded green on one side of the main road.
The pole was marked with black spots from the discharge of guns fired at it by the joyous habitans, who had kept the ancient custom of May-day by planting this May-pole in front of the Manor House of their lady.
Then came the crowd, pellmell, laughing, shouting, and huzzaing, most of the young men and women bearing green branches of birch and other trees in their hands. The spot selected for the May-pole was a piece of green sward in the centre of the village, surrounded by picturesque habitations, and having, on one side of it, the ancient Cross.
They had all sprigs of hawthorn, or, as it is called, "the May," in their hats, and had brought green branches and flowers to decorate the Hall door and windows. They had come to give notice that the May-pole was reared on the green, and to invite the household to witness the sports. The Hall, according to custom, became a scene of hurry and delightful confusion.
She has been my good angel ever since. It was she who sent me that May-pole spoon, as a souvenir of that meeting." "Oh, would you tell me about it?" asked Lloyd. "It sounds so interesting." Taking up some needlework from a basket on the table, Miss Gilmer leaned back as if to begin a long story. "There isn't so much to tell, after all," she said, pausing to thread her needle.
Georgie, in my next incarnation, I hope there won't be any dansants or night frolics. I'd like a May-pole in the sunshine and a lot of plump and rosy women and bluff and hearty men for my friends with a fine old farmhouse and myself in the dairy making butter " George smiled at her. "I should have fancied you an Egyptian princess, with twin serpents above your forehead instead of that turban."
Loud and reiterated shouts broke from the assemblage on the satisfactory completion of the ceremony, the church bells pealed merrily, and the minstrels played their most enlivening strains. The rushes were strewn on the ground at the foot of the May-pole, and arbours were formed, with marvellous celerity, in different parts of the green, with the branches of the trees.
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