Historical Notes 



TI 



* * Faire May, the fairest mayd on ground, 

 Deck'd all with dainties of her season's pryde, 

 And throwing flowers out of her cap around." 



At Charlton-on-Otmoor, in Oxfordshire, there is a 

 rood-loft of finely-carved oak, probably of the time of 

 Henry the Seventh, upon which the original colour 

 and gilding is yet to be seen. On this rood-loft it is 

 the custom to place a garland formed upon a large 

 wooden cross, upon May-day ; which garland remains 

 there until the following year, when it is renewed, with 

 fresh flowers and leaves, occupying the position of the 

 ancient Holy Rood of former ages. It was formerly 

 the custom to carry this cross in procession round the 

 village before finally depositing it in its resting-place 

 in the Church. 



Of all old customs, that of adorning the " Holy 

 Place of the tabernacle of the Most Highest " with 

 flowers and wreaths at Christmas and other festivals 

 of the Christian year, speaks of the simple faith and 

 fervent love of our ancestors more strongly than any 

 other, at those times of the year when the beauties of 



