The Delicate Ways Of Edwardian Lace-Making | Edwardian Farm | Absolute History

The continuing winter forces Alex and Peter down a copper mine, while Ruth makes lace. The copper mine is located at the King Edward Mine in Cornwall, and the lace-making takes place at Honiton.

[ursoisarktos]

You can't convince me that Professor Hutton isn't a wizard who knows about all of this folklore because he was there to experience it. I'm pretty sure they don't even invite him, he just shows up during the holidays, gives them information, and then disappears in a cloud of smoke.

[joegunn]

My mother has made and taught lace making for as long as i can remember, and i'm 51. She was taught by her grandfather. There were five children in our family and we were all taught lace making, net making, knitting, sewing and so many other things. My mothers hands are never still and she still does the same today having passed on her secrets to thousands of students over the years.

[robynw]

A Christmas church service touting the evil of drink, preceded by a stint at the pub, and followed by sloe gin at Christmas dinner. Don't think the message was strong enough LOL

[HHnnhh]

Ruth is so smart! She's like the kid in class who knows the answer to every question and is excited to share what she's learned with everyone. She's precious!

[tonguepetals]

Peter really is a sweet man who loves these animals so much.

[katajha]

One of the best days of my life was our trip to Morwellham Quay, meeting Rick and Steve. When I mentioned the song they sing he said it was the only mining song that was rated g that they could sing for the show. Great time.

[justinmileman]

One reason girls had to work so long at lace at such young ages is the lacemakers themselves were actually paid incredibly low for their work by the tailors and dressmakers who bought it. It was those professionals who jacked the prices up so high reselling to their wealthy clients. It was so common for lacemakers to be paid crap that there was even a "romantic image" sort of line in a poem about how a lacemaker would work long hours and go to sleep with her pocket light but her heart full. (One might suspect they would have preferred a heavy pocket and full stomach to go to sleep....just saying...)

[xantallfarwood]

Omg when they started "A mining we will go" I started to tear up. My grand dad use to sing this when we were shoveling coal. The first verse and the refrain are the same but after it was different still. Oh Gods my heart just broke a little. Also when they didn't toss the crust to the knockers I had a gut reaction of fear.

[annaratliff]

Each one of these craftsman is so passionate about the history of their craft I love it. My family is 5 generations of Carpenter's and love the history of the trade.

[ronaldmorrell-pruitt]

I'm from Dayton Ohio. I'm a vet. i have done farming as well. but I must say all three person on these episodes are fantastically charismatic. they really draw you in with there optimistic attitudes I love these shows. well done!

[ithacacomments]

When I was young (1950s), we had lace curtains in the house. Once a year in the summer, mother would wash them. Then they were taken wet out into the yard to be stretched on frames and left to dry in the sun to bleach them white.

[TheMadisonMachine]

I love the recurring joke about Cornwall being full of weird people

[krystalharper]

Ruth makes this series shine! Actually, she makes every series she's in shine!

[erinburwell]

I would love to have an episode of each series that’s just Ruth going through any and all women’s crafts and jobs of said period. She gotten me so interested in by gone domestic everyday life.

[Bloomingsage]

I love that Ruth’s part of the intro is her wildly beating the hell out of a rug lol!

[PhoenyxAshe]

I get that they had to stuff a lot into an hour, but I do wish they had spent a little more time on the lace making. There is so much more detail I would have liked to see them mention. Honiton is one of the finer laces - some of the threads used are as fine as a human hair. How it is essentially the crosses and twists, but how those two are combined can make incredible and elaborate designs. How the patterns are prepared, how ...

And I start to babble again.

I suppose what I am saying/suggesting/hinting-with-all-the-subtlety-of-an-Acme-anvil, is that I would like to see more of some of textile arts throughout history, with fine detail and how they have evolved and changed over time.

[Dirty_Squirrell]

Would like an entire episode on the lace industry, as opposed to just 5 minutes. Fascinating about how lace had to be worked into the curriculum to allow girls to go to school.

[novellanurney]

Its lovely to see people are discovering these again. I watched the whole season years ago, but I'm glad it has been posted again.

[aCrowsDayToDay]

Why is Ruth so adorable, and she’s so happy doing everything 🥺🥺

[KimmieSunshine]

When I look at how England has been such a world power throughout history I have to give their adaptability and their ingenuity all the credit.