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A hundred years later
in 1760 poles were raised to celebrate the
Accession of George III. King George was
initially, as he was later, a popular King, and
it was probably at this time that the colours
Maypoles were painted became almost universally
Red, White and Blue. Some of these poles were
called "Crown" or
"Coronation" poles. Some with his name
still stand to-day.
English style Maypoles were taken to the U.S.A.
in the 17th. Century, and one was erected by
Thomas Morton in Massachusetts. In the late 18th.
Century they were adopted by the Revolutionary
Patriots as "Liberty poles" and to
symbolise this they were topped by Phrygian Caps
(known as Liberty Caps). This symbolism was later
adopted by the French Revolutionaries.
There are Maypoles mentioned on property transfer
documents, and wills, from North Eastern U.S.A.
in the early 19th. Century and mark points on
property boundaries. Some Liberty poles still
stand in New England, and there is a Maypole in a
park at Quincy near the location of Thomas
Morton's pole.
George III who lived until the early 19th.
Century was the King credited with loosing the
American Colonies.
In mid 19th. Century England Maypoles continued
to stand, and new ones were raised. They were
increasingly involved in the "Merry
England" movement of the late Victorian
period, this movement also possibly lead to the
introduction of Ribbon Plaiting at poles, from
around 1890. There are numerous drawings, and
paintings of dancing at Maypoles, or Maypole
dancing, from as early as 1600. These show
couples dancing what are now known as country
dances, but often show the dancing couples
performing separated figures. One of the latest
representations of these was carved in 1880 on
the back of a chair, which is exhibited at a
Merseyside Art Gallery.
Ribbon Dancing was performed on the London Stage,
and in the Pleasure Gardens, from where it was
taken to Whitelands College in Chelsea, where it
was added to the recently introduced Trainee
Women Teachers May Queen Ceremony which was
formed under the encouragement of Art Critic John
Ruskin. Ruskin probably heard of it from
Pre-Raphealite artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who
was a drinker at nearby Cremorne Gardens, where
it is known this form of dance took place.
Ribbon Plaiting was spread throughout Britain,
and much of the English speaking World by
Whitelands College Graduates, and later by two
books published in about 1910. It became part of
the activities of School children of age 8 to 10,
mainly on School playgrounds.
Standing poles were renewed or newly raised for
Queen Victoria's 1897 Jubilee, and in the 20th.
Century for King George V Jubilee, the Festival
of Britain in 1951,
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation, and 1977 Jubilee,
and now the Millennium.
At present I know of
about 70 Maypoles which stand in England but I am always on the lookout for poles which I have not
seen, if you know of the whereabouts of any please
get in touch.
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