Mourning Folklore: From Giving Rings to Wearing Black

If you think of the phrase "to be in mourning", you'll probably imagine a Victorian scene. Perhaps a black-clad widow ushers similarly black-clad children to a desolate graveyard in the depths of autumn. Or maybe you picture a grand house, shuttered up against the world that continues outside, while life is paused for those inside as they grieve their loss.

Clearly, humans have had mourning rituals and customs throughout history. Yet it is the 19th century that captures attention, perhaps through the industrialisation of mourning spearheaded by the Victorians. Such a high degree of buy-in by the public of all classes makes such customs worthy of study by a folklorist. Why did people adopt these beliefs and practices en masse? And, crucially, what happened to them?

Let's take a look in this week's episode of Fabulous Folklore!

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