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Fears, foes and faeries is the culmination of a three year project that is part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad. At the heart of the exhibition is the bizarre and beguiling collection of charms and amulets collected by Scarborough's most curious curator William James Clarke. Clarke's tiny objects, collected between 1913 and 1945, are not only fascinating in themselves but are also key to many tales of folklore and local superstition.
Fears, foes and faeries is the culmination of a three year project that is part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad. At the heart of the exhibition is the bizarre and beguiling collection of charms and amulets collected by Scarborough's most curious curator William James Clarke. Clarke's tiny objects, collected between 1913 and 1945, are not only fascinating in themselves but are also key to many tales of folklore and local superstition.
Fears, foes and faeries is the culmination of a three year project that is part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad. At the heart of the exhibition is the bizarre and beguiling collection of charms and amulets collected by Scarborough's most curious curator William James Clarke. Clarke's tiny objects, collected between 1913 and 1945, are not only fascinating in themselves but are also key to many tales of folklore and local superstition.
This exhibition is the culmination of a three year project that is part of Precious Cargo, Stories of the World - one of the key projects of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. It has involved Scarborough Museums Trust working with young people from its youth engagement group cultiv8, Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre and students from University of Hull, Scarborough. At the heart of the exhibition is the bizarre and beguiling collection of charms and amulets collected by Scarboroughs most curious curator William James Clarke. Clarkes tiny objects, collected between 1913 and 1945, are not only fascinating in themselves but are also key to many tales of folklore and local superstition, some of which are on the verge of being lost to time and others that still survive in some form today. The exhibition has fve key themes Safety at Sea, Birds and Beasts, Witches, Faeries and Health, all taking as their starting point the wonderful collection of William J Clarke. Safety at Sea explores the charms and superstitions that helped sailors and fshermen in this dangerous profession alongside the practical developments such as lifebelts which really did make a diference. Birds and Beasts is an examination of how some animals have been attributed with the most strange skills and belief systems. Witches throughout history have been feared and reviled yet we have maintained our fascination with them all the same. In this exhibition youll fnd them alongside faeries. Faeries are thought of as delightful, if mischievous, little friends, but they were often blamed for the inexplicable happenings and so could also be a source of fear. Read on to fnd out more about Clarke and the fascinating world of charms and superstitions. Karen Snowden, Head of Collections Introduction Exhibition Plan 1st Floor stairs balcony male toilets female toilets Downstairs to cafe & shop Clarke Introduction Charms & Exhibits Interactive Game Charms & Exhibits Workshops Interactive Game Charms & Exhibits Interactive Game Charms & Exhibits Charms & Exhibits Childrens Corner Charms & Exhibits Charmacy Safety at Sea Witchcraft Birds & Beasts Faeries Safety at Sea The sea could be a very dangerous workplace and, until the 20th century, few sailors or fshermen could swim. Storms, accidents and dehydration due to seasickness and illness contributed to the hazards of a life at sea. To manage their fears fshermen and their families developed a large number of superstitious beliefs. Coins were often placed underneath the mast of a boat to bring good luck to her; a boat that had been beset by misfortune might be knocked against the harbour wall to knock out the witches. A number of found items such as sea urchin jaws, stones and seeds, the more exotic the better, were given the power to prevent death by drowning. The practical measures taken to improve safety at sea began with the introduction of lighthouses; the earliest recorded being the lighthouse at Alexandria c. 280 BC. The compass followed in the 14th century and by the 19th century navigational aids such as the marine chronometer and the octant allowed for more precise plotting of latitude and longitude. Henry Greathead designed the frst lifeboat in the late 18th century and in 1801 Scarborough became one of the frst ports to build a lifeboat. In the Great Gale of 1880, 8 boats were wrecked of Scarborough but not one life was lost due to the work of the lifeboat crew and the rocket men. The rocket apparatus was invented in the early 19th century by John Dennett. A rocket attached to a thin rope was fred from the shore to the distressed boat and a thicker rope was then pulled across by the crew, who were removed one at a time using a breeches buoy. This was a rescue device, like a life belt with a pair of canvas drawers (breeches) attached, invented by Thomas Kisbee in 1832. There are many diferent designs of lifebelts, most coloured in red and white as these colours are easy to spot in the water. The materials used in lifebelts have changed over time in tandem with technology; early types were made using cork and painted canvas. Lifebelts had the boats registration details painted on them. SH are Scarboroughs registration letters. Navigating dangers and fears William James Clarke William James Clarke was born in Scarborough in 1871. His father, Richard Clarke, founded Clarkes Aerated Waters and Bottling Company Limited in 1889. Clarke was interested in the natural world from an early age and soon abandoned his career in printing to set up a shop dealing in natural history specimens, fshing tackle and taxidermy at 44 Huntriss Row in Scarborough. His brother, Richard Edward Clarke (1878-1954), trained at the Scarborough School of Art and specialised in landscapes and watercolours. Although he did not appear to share his brothers artistic abilities Clarke was a keen wildlife photographer. The collection of a lifetime Clarke was frst and foremost a naturalist and it is likely that the role of birds and animals in British folklore is what interested him in the subject. He carefully recorded the use, date and location of each charm using old business cards and kept them in two wooden display cabinets. He also compiled four densely packed notebooks. Each notebook contained observations on local folk customs, quotes from published sources and news cuttings. Clarke also conducted lively correspondence with other folklore collectors, although he never contributed to any journals on the subject. The earliest items in his collection date from 1891 when he was twenty years old and he continued collecting right up to his death in 1945 even though, by then, folklore had become unfashionable. Clarkes greatest body of work was his records of fsh species on the Yorkshire Coast, which spanned 60 years. He made a number of contributions to The Naturalist (Journal for Natural History for the North of England), the most memorable being his article on the Loggerhead Turtle washed up on Scarboroughs North Bay in 1850, and one on a giant squid. The giant squid, washed up on the South Bay on 14th January 1933, was a type previously unknown to science and experts at the Natural History Museum named it Archeteuthis clarkeii in his honour. William James Clarke William J Clarkes shop at 44 Huntriss Row Jaws of a Sea Urchin, Echino melo carried to prevent drowning. Jersey 1912 Lifebelt from Steam Trawler Beru William J Clarke holding a specimen of a squid Charmacy & Health Until the 17th century Western European medicine was based on ancient Greek medical theory. Hippocrates (c 460-377 BC) explained health and illness in terms of the balance of four humours in the body. They were blood, yellow bile, phlegm, and black bile. Each of the humours had certain properties: blood was hot and wet, yellow bile hot and dry, phlegm cold and wet and black bile cold and dry. Each humour had a colour which explained why people had diferent skin colours and temperaments. Each humour was also linked to the four elements of the universe described by Greek science: blood to air, yellow bile to fre, phlegm to water and black bile to earth. The theory of the four humours underpinned much folk medicine long after it had been abandoned by doctors. Many people took a belt and braces approach to illness, consulting a doctor, an apothecary and a wise woman. But I bless God, I never have been in so good plight as to my healthBut am at a great loss to know whether it be my Hares foote, or taking every morning a pill of Turpentine, or having left of the wearing of a gowne. Samuel Pepys 31 December 1664. The theory of the four humours Birds & Beasts Birds and animals are central to British folklore as, until the 20th century, most people lived in small towns or villages. Religion, the natural world and everyday life were all intimately connected, creating a rich folklore. Embellished religious stories were used to explain why birds have diferent colours or to explain their behaviour. It was said that the magpie used to be completely white, but it refused to go into full mourning (all black) when Christ died. As a punishment it is forced to wear half mourning (black and white) forever. Some birds and animals, like the robin, black cat or rabbit, were lucky; others, especially birds with dark feathers, were linked to terrible events such as storms or a death in the family. Magpies, jackdaws and crows could tell the future: One for sorrow, two for mirth, Three for a wedding, and four for a birth, Five for silver, six for gold, Seven for a story never to be told. Elaborate rituals had to be followed to avoid the evil efects of seeing only one bird. A Yorkshireman would cross his thumbs and recite: I cross the magpie, The magpie crosses me, Bad luck to the magpie, Good luck to me. The skins, limbs, fesh, bones and skulls of various birds and animals were used to make charms to protect against accident and sickness. Robins, rabbits and rituals Milk tooth of a calf worn by a baby to help it cut its teeth. London 1924. Rabbits foot carried to bring good luck. Downhams Chemist Shop c 1885, 4 Rd, Scarborough Magpie Charmacy & Health Belief in the existence of faeries was widespread in Britain for centuries. In his book The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies published in 1691, the Reverend Robert Kirk described faerie folk as distributed in tribes and orders, and have children, nurses, marriages, deaths and burials in appearance even as we. Faeries were dangerous as they would steal human babies, drink milk from cows, cause people to become lost, and shoot arrows into both cows and people. In this part of Yorkshire the Hob is the most common faerie. In appearance Hobs are like small, ugly, hairy men usually dressed in rags. They hide by day but at night they secretly perform chores for the household. The traditional reward was a daily dish of cream but, should the householder leave skimmed milk instead of cream, the Hob could turn nasty and become very destructive. If given a gift of clothing the Hob would promptly disappear never to return. Hobs could be found at Glaisdale, Farndale, Lastingham, Barnsdale, Hasty Bank in Bilsdale, Hawnby, Goathland, Egton High Moor and Scugdale. At the bottom of Runswick Bay is a large cavern in the alum rocktermed by the superstitious fshermen Hob-Hole or the residence of the Hob and is supposed to possess the power of curing whooping cough Notes & Records of Charms, Amulets, Mascots and Superstitions Vol I, 1911, p.135, W.J. Clarke Friend or foe? Faeries A Moonlight Party, colour illustration F Harrison published in The Story Hour Book by Blackie & Sons C1910 Prehistoric Arrowhead Today diarrhoea is usually an unpleasant by-product of food poisoning or a virus. Until the late 19th century there was no food hygiene, and water was often contaminated by human and industrial waste. Diarrhoea could be a symptom of rather more dangerous illnesses such as typhoid or dysentery. Doctors could not treat these diseases and practices such as bleeding or the use of purgatives could actually make them much worse. Those who could not aford the doctors fees would use charms like the acorn necklace which were no more efective than the medicines but, on the whole, a good deal safer. Medicine was only able to treat bacterial infections after the discovery of penicillin in the 1930s. Compression or carnelian? Bleeding caused by accidents or as a by-product of illness could be very frightening. The red fecked jasper, or red carnelian, appeared to be blood stained so sympathetic magic dictated that they must be able to stop bleeding. Diarrhoea, doctors and danger Acorn necklace worn as a cure diarrhoea, Kent 1913 Jasper (known as bloodstone) tie pin worn to prevent bleeding. Sussex 1918. Cultural Olympiad Witchcraft The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad is the largest cultural celebration in the history of the modern Olympic and Paralympic Movement. It ofers the whole of the UK the chance to be part of London 2012 and inspire cross cultural creativity, especially in young people. Stories of the World is the Museums, Libraries and Archives contribution to the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad and involves over 50 museums from across the UK working together on seven projects. The focus has been on young people, involving them in the process of creating new exhibitions designed to appeal to new audiences everywhere and to welcome the world to the UK in 2012. Precious Cargo is Yorkshires contribution to Stories of the World. Since 2009 young people throughout Yorkshire, have been involved in choosing objects from museum collections for use in exhibitions, events, art and performances. Scarborough Museums Trust is one of 15 Precious Cargo partners. Charmed Lives As a Precious Cargo partner Scarborough Museums Trust has received funding to help establish a youth panel called cultiv8, commission research on the William J Clarke collection and pay for conservation of a number of items from the collection. In 2011 Scarborough Museums Trust secured 46,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a project called Charmed Lives. This project enabled Scarborough Museums Trust to work with cultiv8 and the Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre to carry out oral history recordings on the subjects of superstitions surviving among the fshing community and superstitions about health recalled by older residents. Their work has informed the design of the Charmacy and Safety at Sea inter-actives and the exhibition content. The designs of the three inter-actives are all based on work carried out by students of the School of Arts and New Media at the University of Hull, Scarborough Campus under the guidance of Rob MacKay. Stories of the World When Clarke was building his collection in the frst decades of the 20th century, the holed stones, witch bottles and rowan loops used to guard against witches were regarded as quaint countryside superstitions. This is in stark contrast to the 16th and 17th centuries belief in witches and their power to do harm (known as malefcium) which was almost universal. During this period several hundred people, mostly women, were charged with using witchcraft to harm their neighbours. Many were hanged while others died in prison awaiting trial. Once the accusation of witchcraft had been made an old womans harmless pet could become a witchs familiar, a demon that sucked her blood and did her bidding. The accused witch would be strip searched by professional searchers looking for a witchs mark (often a mole, freckle, birth mark or even piles). She would then be kept awake for days, forced to sit on a stool for hours without moving, and denied food or water in order extract a confession, which usually involved naming her accomplices. If she survived all of the above, including pre-trial imprisonment, she might be one of the lucky ones who escaped with just a fne. She would then return to her village and continue to live alongside her accusers. So it is hardly surprising that people felt the need for magical protection from the malefcium of witches. Scarborough has only one recorded witchcraft trial which took place in 1652 before the Town Bailifs. Anne Marchant (alias Anne Hunnam) was accused by Elizabeth Hodgson of using witchcraft to make Frances Allen, a child of four, have fts. Anne was subjected to the indignity of a strip search by Margery Fish and Elizabeth Dale and a blew spott found on Anne Hunnams left buttock. Anne was found innocent and the jurors decided that her accuser, Elizabeth Hodgson, who was probably a Cunning Woman did unlawfully and wickedly use practise or exercise the vocation or conjuration of evill and wicked spirits and consult and covenant therewith concerning Frances Allen daughter of John Allen of Scarborough. To be or not to be Seagulls heart pierced with pins to punish or reveal a witch. South Devon 1910. Scarborough Art Gallery The Crescent, Scarborough YO11 2PW Opening Hours: Tue - Sun 10am - 5pm(including Bank Holidays) Accompanying Events We have a large range of accompanying events see: www.scarboroughartgallery.org.uk for more details London 2012 Emblems The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Limited 2007. All rights reserved.