Denbighshire Record Office has an exhibition on the theme of Mothering Sunday and the life of servant in the 19th Century. Traditionally, it was a day when children, mainly daughters, often as young as ten, who had left home to work as domestic servants, were given the day off to visit their mothers and families. Wild flowers, particularly violets, would often be picked on the way home as a gift for their mothers.
Mothering Sunday was also known as Refreshment Sunday because the fasting rules for Lent were relaxed on that day.
The days when the use of the Welsh language was frowned upon are recalled on a slate, closely resembling a school slate, listing the household rules for the servants at Llanbedr Hall and penalties for their non-observance.
The fine for speaking Welsh in the house was one penny.
For taking the Lord’s name in vain the offender had to pay what was, in those days, the heavy fine of sixpence; for cursing and swearing, threepence; and for telling lies, threepence.
Other penalties included: failure to come clean to meals, twopence; coming to meals five minutes after the bell had rung, twopence; leaving bread after meals, or asking for meat and then leaving it, twopence.
Record Office opening times are: Tuesday – Friday, 9.30 – 16.30 Contact us at : tel: 01824 708250 or email [email protected].
