Harvest Feastings Were Not to be Missed

As the holidays are upon us, thoughts naturally turn to family, friends, and food. These special traditions have lasted centuries. Harvests are always celebrated, regardless of culture. In the Regency era, novels mention balls, harvests, and parties particularly anticipated and enjoyed during the autumnal season.

September 24^th was associated with the harvest, though the harvesting may be earlier due to an early frost or too much rain. “The Harvest Moon is the moon closest to the autumnal equinox and is supposed to be bright enough that farmers could keep harvesting by its light.” Celebrating Harvest: The Corn Dolly – Vanessa Riley’s Regency Reflections.

One tradition, in practice for at least fifteen hundred years, is the making of the corn Dolly, one firmly rooted in the pagan rituals. Corn was a general term used for all grains. Originally, a Dolly was made to symbolize plenty and doused in water to symbolize the need for rain to have a plentiful harvest. But by the Regency era, this had changed. “One sweet and symbolic tradition practiced was a simple corn dolly made of three strands of straw tied into a knot to represent the heart. A young man would give it to a girl. If she wore it over her heart, he knew his affections were returned.”

But what might be harvested in the fall during the Regency era? The list was unexpectedly long. “In September, peaches, figs, mulberries, nectarines, grapes, and early apples and pears would be ripe and ready for harvest. At the end of the month, Medlar, a small, brown apple-like fruit, is edible, but only after it has begun to decay. The Medlar has been in England since Roman times and had a variety of uses in various dishes and in local wines. Quinces could also be harvested but must be cooked to be edible, and if you’ve never had one, these are very tasty.” Harvest Time in Regency England – Regency Fiction Writers (thebeaumonde.com)

In my research for this blog, one thought rang true. “Although the more pagan of the corn dolly practices are not something most of us would include in our Christian Regencies, knowing of the practice reminds us of the importance of an abundant harvest to our characters from the lowest laborer to the highest ranked nobleman.”

Sources for Harvest Feastings Were Not to be Missed:

Donnelly, Shannon “Harvest Time In Regency England” Regency Fiction Writers August 31, 2022, Harvest Time in Regency England – Regency Fiction Writers (thebeaumonde.com)

Mackey, Maureen “Harvest Home” The Regency Looking Glass November 25, 2013, The Regency Looking Glass: Harvest Home

Riley, Vanessa “Celebrating Harvest: The Corn Dolly” Vanessa Riley’s Regency Reflections Originally Posted September 2, 2013, reposted September 28, 2023, Celebrating Harvest: The Corn Dolly – Vanessa Riley’s Regency Reflections