Can you believe that Christmas is just one week away? Preparations in the Brontë parsonage in Haworth would not only have focused on them but on the wider community, for as the parish priest and his family they were all expected to play a prominent role in Haworth life. For people as shy as Charlotte, Anne and especially Emily Brontë this must have been a real ordeal – and the run up to Christmas would see an increase in parochial duties that needed carrying out.
As you probably know by now, this blog is running a post every day in the run up to Christmas, with each day based upon the lyrics to that famous Christmas song we all know and love: no, not the Mariah Carey one but The Twelve Days Of Christmas. As we’re currently on day five it’s a pivotal moment in the original song as we come to “five gold rings”. The tempo changes for this line only, giving it an emphasis over all the other gifts. That’s understandable, after all, most people would prefer to receive a collection of gold rings rather than a collection of birds or a visit from leaping Lords and milking maids.
In keeping with this Brontë Christmas countdown we are changing this to “five Brontë rings”, and here they are:
All these rings were worn by the Brontës. If we start at the top left we have a delicate diamond and garnet ring, set in gold it may have been an engagement ring to Charlotte from Arthur Bell Nicholls. Continuing clockwise we come to a ring which keeps its secret: its front opens up to reveal a lock of hair from Emily Brontë. In the days before photography was widespread people would often turn locks of hair into rings, bracelets and necklaces as a way to remember deceased loved ones. Next, at the bottom right, we find a pearl ring which belonged to Charlotte Brontë. Bottom left is a mourning ring which contained interwoven strands of hair from Emily and Anne Brontë – quite appropriately, as Ellen Nussey recalled how Emily and Anne would often walk together with their arms interlaced. Central is perhaps the most beautiful of all those pictured here: Charlotte Brontë’s gold wedding ring (her wedding bonnet and the lower portion of her dress is pictured below).
I can’t promise you a gold ring tomorrow, let alone five, but I can promise you another Brontë Christmas post, in which we’ll also mark a very sad anniversary in the Brontë story. I hope you can join me then.
Thank you. I have had 5 strokes and can’t thank you during term time. Ellen
Thank you Ellen, and I hope you have a happy and healthy Christmas!
I am loving these posts on Twelve Days! Thank you, thank you!
Thank you Marc!