422
Catalogue of Brand Material.
Mistletoe.
Not used in churches Isolated cases of use in church
hung from chancel arch - blessed on altar - Houses unlucky without it Must be gathered by newest
LOCALITY.
General.
Staffs. (Bilston, 1672,
Darlaston, 1707). London, 1792 {Gent. Mag Wolverhampton (date ?). Wore.
man-servant
Wore.
Unlucky if dropt or falls -
Wore.
If brought in too soon,
causes death in family -
Salop.
Should be hung up New
Year, not Christmas
Herefordsh.,
Salop.i
Suspended from " Idssing-
bush " -
(See below.)
Not taken down till next
year . - . -
General.
Conveys Idssing privileges
Everywhere.
Girl kissed under it plucks
berry - - - -
War\v., Wore
- ., Salop.
Protects house from witches
or evil spirits
Wore.
Carried as amulet against
witchcraft -
South Staffs.
Given in broth to " be-
witched " pig
Wore.
Exported to other counties
Worcester Market).
(Christmas
The " Christmas Bush " or
" Kissing Bush " -
General.
Called also Christmas Bough
or Kissing Bough -
Lines.
Called also Christmas Bunch
or " Kissing Bunch " -
Cornwall.
Frame of crossed hoops,
covered with evergreen -
General.
Or beehive-shaped hoops -
Lines., Derbysh. (1850).
Ornamented with nutshells
threaded on box, apples
gilded or stuckwith oats.
oranges, etc., sometimes
ribbons and paper flowers
Northumbd,,
Yorksh.,
Lines., etc.. Cornwall.
See New Year's Day.
