Thursday 23 November 2006

Some Fen Tales

    I have a little book that contains some amusing storys from the Fens which I thought might be amusing to share with you .

Fen Land  Tales                                                                                                                           One must eat, and in order to eat one must have sufficient money.In 1539 the cobblers of Wisbech,twenty-two in all,finding times hard, met to air their views at a place called Mill Hill,just beyond the town,It was agreed  that they ask 1s.3d.for every dozen shoes sewn or they would refuse to work .One, a servant of Robert Smyth swore upon the bible that he would not stitch a dozen shoes for under that amount. The cobblers were apprehended by constables, but the magistrate thought fit to let the matter drop, and shoes continued to to be stitched at the old rate

Moans of a 'Flying eight 'lass

"What you doing down there missis?"asked the dutiful constable.

"If yer wants to know,Ive a-sozzled meself,and so would you if you had been a-picking  taters aginst the old fen blow which gits up yer nose in yer ears and in yer knickers.Arter all that yer gits on yer bike with t'others and pushes all the way hume,and what do yer know that old husbanda mine is playing domies with is useless mates and is so teetered wiv drink he cant even put the brussels on.Well two can play at that game"

(The flying Eight were teams of eight women riding cycles,travelling miles in all weather to work in the fields,picking pototoes and hoeing beet )

    

The pictures didnt come out very well ,Sorry!

With lots of love Jan xx

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

More of the Fen tales please!
love bella xx

Anonymous said...

What delightful tales.  I love the old stories and find that from them come many modern day sayings and beliefs.  Thank you for sharing parts of your book.
'On Ya' - ma

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed this Jan.It brought a few memories back.Iv'e picked many a tater in the
cold weather when I was a young un for spending money, we had to LOL!! Sacks full of um.Home and back brock LOL.But not laid out sozzled.Enjoyed that entry.Pity the pics were not as you would have liked not to worry.
Take care.
Astoriasand http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES

Anonymous said...

Loved the stories! TY for sharing.
Hugs, Sugar

Anonymous said...

LOL love reading them, more please miss,
take care Lynne xx

Anonymous said...

Nice tales Jan. Thanks for sharing.
Are the flying eights still going? If so, I know a certain person who could do with getting on her nike and finding some work. ;O)
B. x

Anonymous said...

great stories:) thank you for sharing

Deb

Anonymous said...

She "A-sozzled" herself? LOL! I'm not quite sure what that exactly means....but it was cute!   Love your stories!  
Pam

Anonymous said...

Jan that was great ~ some more please from your little book ~ Ally

Anonymous said...

He he, I liked the second one :o)
Nice touch adding the pictures too.
Sara   x

Anonymous said...

Oh I enjoyed reading those two stories, Jan.  Lovely Norfolk diaolect in them.  We're having our Thanksgiving tomorrow and I know the old Norfolk accent will be heard throughout my household as my husband's family will all arrive to share my tradition.  Thank you so much for sharing this with us!

Love,

Susie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/susanebunn/ItAllStartsAfter50/

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan ,nice tales of the fens,I don't blame her getting "sozzled herself" .Laughed at the fen blow getting in everything including her knickers!!.......Love Jeanxx

Anonymous said...

Strange to me but, interesting. I guess you will be happy that those American folks you read will quit talking about Thanksgiving now. We can all start talking about the Christmas time now. Regards, Bill.

Anonymous said...

Very nice tale Jan. Take care Love Joan.
http://journals.aol.co.uk/jaymact1/JoansMusings/

Anonymous said...

Awesome tales and I enjoy the vernacular of the second. These old tales and the manner of expressing them are linguistic art forms.
Dianna

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan good tales my friend I necer cease to be amazed at the differences that can be found in the history of England particularly how they affect different regional districts. Have to say I don't know much about the Fens.
Take Care Dave & Valerie