Folklore: Tarred and feathered

Subject: RE: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 01:54 PM

The first mention of tarring and feathering in American print concerns Mr. John Malcolm, officer of customs at Boston, who received the treatment in 1774 (see Allan C posts, above.)
The spread of the practice throughout the lands occupied by England seems to be the result of its use in the British Navy, but whether this descended from its use by King Richard, or was a re-invention, ??

Hutchinson, in his Diary record of a conversation with King George III (1774)-
King George: "I see they threatened to pitch and feather you."
Hutchinson: "Tarr and feather, may it please your majesty."
Quote in the OED.

The practice may have led to the expression, 'tarred with the same brush.'

Subject: RE: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 12:19 PM

It occurs to me that the effect of punishment wasn't over with the head-shaving and application of the tar and feathers and occasionally the ride out of town on the fence rail.

The miscreant, naked and covered with T&F, has to go somewhere. Where? The word probably will have gone out to all the towns and countryside about, and in addition I suppose that the tar would be difficult and painful to remove. I can well understand that the T&F'd ill-doer might have a hard, hard time staying alive. Naked, without money, visibly marked and recognizable by the shaving and T&F, known by word of mouth by all whom (s)he is likely to run into for at best several days and maybe weeks, it would be a hard survival indeed.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: Fiona
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 11:56 AM

<"fiery cross" stuff was taken by the KKK from Scottish tradition>

Like McGrath I've always thought that too, quite annoys me really.

As regard to tarring and feathering I think it also happened a lot after the liberation of France, to women who had consorted with the Germans during the occupation. I also vividly remember some young women in Belfast, who had gone out with Briish soldiers (this would have been the early 70's) having their heads shaven and being tarred and feathered and left tied up to a lamp post. It made the front pages of the newspapers, dreadful pictures of them surrounded by jeering crowds.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: Cuilionn
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 11:07 AM

The most tragic element of the KKK's "ancient" rituals is that they represent an attempt to "invent" a cultural context & sense of belonging/empowerment. Most "white power" groups have similar tactics, and who's the quickest to buy their lies? Young European-American men in economically-depressed areas with limited cultural & intellectual resources.

I often wonder what would happen if these angry, spirit-starved, hungry-minded young men were given REAL cultural nourishment: powerful traditions of dance & music, community gatherings in which to learn them, stories and lore communicated to them by mentoring elders, instruction in ancient languages that open up entire worlds of perspective, insight, and understanding, and--best of all--the chance to gain meaningful employment in the service of such a heritage, through performance, teaching, archeological research, hands-on creative work, etc.

I know these ideas have been tried before--I've read a great deal about the Arts & Crafts Movement & other social reform projects in the late 1800s & early 1900s, which seem to have had only a moderate impact on the problems they sought to address-- but surely we can learn from both the successes & failures to create & implement something better?

The hunger for heritage runs so deep... no wonder so many young people attempt to "invent" communities, cultures, and histories for themselves through participation in gangs and similar organizations. Clearly, the task is set before us: we must offer someting more substantial & nourishing, something authentic, something undeniably powerful and "real" that reaches into these angry, wounded young people before they unleash their anger and wound others.

I don't pretend to know the best way to reach them--I suspect it involves some serious face-to-face contact and an investment of time to rebuild their damaged trust. I also suspect that the very fate of the world depends on this work. We must impart all of our "folk" wisdom and knowledge, and re-tell the old stories so that they can continue and new stories can be born.

From the postings I've read throughout this forum, it is clear that many Mudcatters have already embraced this challenge. Perhaps I'm preaching to the choir... but here it is, Sunday morning, and the sun has graced us with its presence for another day of possibilities. I've had a bit of rest, and I'm newly invigorated by the music & linguistic gifts of my own heritage. I guess I just can't help preaching, 'cause it feels like Good News worth sharing!

An Beannachd Oirbh/Blessings,

--Cuilionn

Subject: RE: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Mar 04 - 08:24 AM

I've always assumed that the "fiery cross" stuff was taken by the KKK from Scottish tradition, very probably via Sir Walter Scott novels.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 13 Mar 04 - 10:23 PM

All that "traditional druid" stuff is a romantic fantasy invented in the 18th century, and considerably embroidered upon more recently. The Roman reference to "Wicker Men" -though genuine- is a single one and we don't know if it's in any way accurate. Beware of attaching significance to such things. It's likely that the Klan bought into the fantasy, of course; I know very little about them, but I do recall that they used to give their officials fanciful "cod-druid" titles like "Grand Dragon" and so on. The hoods are not druidic. They appear to derive from the Inquisition and the Auto-da-Fé. Perhaps someone could give specifics on that.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: nelagnelag
Date: 13 Mar 04 - 09:35 PM

Yes, it makes me think of "necklacing", where burning tires are put around someone's neck.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: Celtaddict
Date: 13 Mar 04 - 09:33 PM

I understand that the result, which we today generally seem to consider as involving indignity, was quite often fatal.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: nelagnelag
Date: 13 Mar 04 - 09:32 PM

Regarding the KKK, (man I hate talking about this, but here I am)

I am curious that the white hoods, etc, must be a bastardization of the druidic traditional garb, hence the "grand high wizard", etc. of the KKK. Also, I'm curious if the cross-burning had some origin with things like the wicker-man, where people may have been sacrificed in rituals. Ugh. Sorry, ugly stuff.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Mar 04 - 09:04 PM

The riding on a rail wasn't gentle, either. "Rails" were triangular fence parts, and a "good sharp one" could literally cut into the genitals and perinium -- not to mention wickedly long splinters from the rough-split wood.

In the backwoods US, ca. 1830, those tarred and feathered were first stripped naked. Once mounted on the rail they were carried, bouncing, through the community.

Mark Twain recounts the tarring and feathering of the Duke and the Dauphin in "Huckleberry Finn;" there are other references in the literature of period as well.

Apparently it was meted out as a vigilante-style punishment for such crimes as hog stealing, other theft, extreme spouse and/or child abuse, and other actions that would damage the frontier communities.

Subject: Lyr Add:
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Mar 04 - 08:46 PM

Surely there's also an element of an even worse fate hanging over the person getting the treatment, if someone sets light to the tar and feathers? I have the impression that this was not unusual in the KKK version.

...............

In another context, there's an echo of something not a million miles from tar and feathering in in a traditional story, The Devil and the Feathery Wife", in the DT. Here are the relevant verses:

..."Oh, never you worry," his wife, she cried,
"Be it happens, you'll pay for your fee,
For the wit of a woman, it comes in handy
At times in an hour of need

"Go and fetch me the droppings from all of our chickens
And spread them all over the floor
Stark naked I will strip myself
And I'll roll in it all over the floor

"And fetch me the basket of feathers," she cries
"Of the beasts we had for our tea
And I'll roll and I'll roll all over in them
Until never an inch be free"

So she rolled and she rolled in feathers and droppings
from her head down to her navel
"By Christ", he says, "what an horrible sight
You look far worse than the Devil"...

Subject: RE: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: Gareth
Date: 13 Mar 04 - 06:57 PM

Then there is this poem

Click 'Ere

BTW an traditional rite of passage for coopers was to be rolled out in a barrel containing slops and feathers.

Gareth

Subject: RE: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: Joybell
Date: 13 Mar 04 - 05:47 PM

Imagine the mind of the creative genius who first thought this up. Of course we're a clever bunch. I remember a discussion with a four-year-old where we got into that game of "would you rather..." Her final shot was "would you rather have your mouth filled with worms and then sewn up or...." Joy

Subject: RE: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: Ed.
Date: 13 Mar 04 - 12:24 AM

The earliest known reference is from 1191 Click Here for details.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: michaelr
Date: 13 Mar 04 - 12:04 AM

Is there a history of it in Europe? What is the symbolic meaning of the feathers (assuming the tar was just to make them stick)?

Fascinating stuff, guys!

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: Sorcha
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 11:55 PM

Isn't there a fella in on Pennsylvania Ave that deserves this? 1600 if I am not mistaken......then, ride him out of town on a rail too.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: Amos
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 11:19 PM

Interesting 5that mindless mobism had is place even during those revered times...

Subject: RE: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: Allan C.
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 10:48 PM

The article also states, "Boston mobs began to tar and feather an individual's property and effects rather than his body. Several persons' homes were tarred and feathered, as was at least one merchant's store. In Marlborough, a crowd went so far as to tar and feather the horse of merchant Henry Barnes."

Subject: RE: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: Allan C.
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 10:44 PM

It appears the practice is far older than the KKK. According to this article, "By March, 1770, at least thirteen individuals had been feathered in the American colonies: eight in Massachusetts, two in New York, one in Virginia, one in Pennsylvania, and one in Connecticut. In all of these instances, the tar brush was reserved exclusively for customs inspectors and informers, those persons responsible for enforcing the Townshend duties on certain imported goods. Indeed, American patriots used tar and feathers to wage a war of intimidation against British tax collectors." The article also implies that the custom existed in other countries long before then.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: Deckman
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 10:04 PM

In the U.S., it was a common form of punishment to anyone. Bob

Subject: Folklore: Tarred and feathered
From: michaelr
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 10:02 PM

I had been under the impression that this barbaric practice was a Southern US specialty which the KKK inflicted on blacks, but just the other day I watched an Irish film called "The Run of the Country" (starring Albert Finney) wherein it was done to a young Irish lad in retribution for impregnating a girl from the other side of the border.

I'd be interested to know where this practice originated and what its meaning may have been.

Cheers,
Michael