Maidens' Garlands Maidens’ garlands are special memorials which were made for the funeral of a spinster, an unmarried woman. The garlands are also known as crants or crantsies. They were made by the woman’s friends and family as a tribute to her purity. A bell-shaped wickerwork frame was decorated with ribbons, rosettes and flowers. These were made from crimped or folded white paper, which might then be painted. There was usually a paper centrepiece such as a handkerchief, collar, or pair of gloves. A text was often written inside the garland. Most maidens’ garlands commemorate very young women. Some knew they were dying and chose the text themselves. The garland was carried at the woman’s funeral and then hung over her pew. Poet Anna Seward referred to the garlands hanging in Eyam church in 1792: ‘The gloves suspended by the garland’s side, White as snowy flowers with ribbon tied, Dear village! long these wreaths funereal spread, Simple memorials of thy early dead.’ Read More >> More Pictures Curiosities