Ficer67
August 11, 2011, 10:27am
21
Thanks guys sorry, I have not been on lately. The ox was in the ditch, and I had to take care of both ends of the ox.
All of your input answers my question. I have come to realize that there were people who tended to these sorts of needs, but in a very different way from the way we do things today.
Thanks for all the help
F.
I just ran across this book. At the Sign of the Barber’s Pole by William Andrews You may find this interesting as it covers medieval barbers and the progression of the profession.
It discusses the demise of wig powder to keep grain prices down during a shortage.
Owing to the present enormous price of corn, and the alarming approach of a scarcity in that most necessary article, many towns throughout the kingdom have set the laudable example of leaving off for a time the custom of wearing powder for the hair; by which means a great quantity of wheat must infallibly be saved to the nation; and if the price be not reduced, it may at least be prevented from increasing. We, therefore, the Mayor, Justices, and principal inhabitants of Great Yarmouth, do recommend this example as worthy to be imitated; and we flatter ourselves the Military will not hesitate to adopt it, being fully convinced that appearances are at all times to be sacrificed to the public weal, and that in doing this they really do good.
"W. Taylor, Mayor.
“January 27th, 1795.”
It discusses the beard taxes.
A large number of peruke-makers had been thrown out of employment, and distress prevailed amongst them. The sufferers thought that help might be obtained from George III., and a petition was accordingly drawn up for the enforcement of gentlefolk to wear wigs for the benefit of the wig-makers.
Who’d have thought a book on hair would be interesting.
I had to add this in.
Old barbers’ shops had their regulations in poetry and prose. Forfeits used to be enforced for breaches of conduct as laid down in laws which were exhibited in a conspicuous manner, and might be read while the customer was awaiting his turn for attention at the hands of the knight of the razor. Forfeits had to be paid for such offences as the following:—
For handling the razors,
For talking of cutting throats,
For calling hair-powder flour,
For meddling with anything on the shop-board.
What a place and day to get shaved.
In bygone England, the churchyard was a common place for holding fairs and the vending of merchandise, and it was also customary for barbers to shave their customers there. In 1422, by a particular prohibition of Richard Flemmyng, Bishop of Lincoln, the observance of the custom was restrained.
After much consideration and discussion, in 1163, the Council of Tours, under Pope Alexander III., forbade the clergy to act as surgeons, but they were permitted to dispense medicine.
The Edict of Tours must have given satisfaction to the barbers, and they were not slow to avail themselves of the opportunities the change afforded them. In London, and it is to be feared in other places, the barbers advertised their blood-letting in a most objectionable manner. It was customary to put blood in their windows to attract the attention of the public. An ordinance was passed in 1307 directing the barbers in London to have the blood “privately carried into the Thames under the pain of paying two shillings to the use of the Sheriffs.”