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Description: | Song on local women's love of tea.Tea first became popular in Britain in the mid seventeenth century. Proving a popular replacement to ale the craze swept through the upper regions of English society in the early eighteenth century and down into the lower classes. The idea of afternoon tea was introduced into Britain by the Duchess of Bedford. Adopting the European tea service format the Duchess invited friends to Belvoir Castle for an additional afternoon meal. The menu centred around small cakes, bread and butter sandwiches, sweets and, of course, tea. The main purpose of these meetings was conversation.The practice proved extremely popular and was quickly picked up by other social hostesses. As with most other fashions of the day, this practice soon filtered down to the lower classes who held their own slightly less grand, though no less popular tea gatherings. This song refers to the popularity of these meetings amongst local women. Whilst one woman's husband is out of town, she wastes no time in inviting her neighbours and friends to come for tea. The popularity of the event is evident when one of the women, bed-ridden with illness, leaps out of bed and puts on her shoes, not wishing to miss a chance to hear the latest gossip.This song is part of the John Bell Collection. ; A collection of broadsheets on various subjects, with accompanying press cuttings and manuscript notes in the hand of John Bell. | Publisher: | Hoggett Durham ; Tyne and Wear | Rights holder: | rights holder : Newcastle University | Subjects: | Domestic life tea & food & women | Temporal: | start=1801;end=1840; | Source: | Folk Archive Resource North East | Identifier: | farne:N0114802 | Go to resource |
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