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7
1912
In a description which Sir Walter Besant gives of London in 1210, he
says: "Leaving London, and walking along the straight line of wall running
nearly east and west, we look upon the open moor, dotted with ponds, and
intersected with streams and ditches. Here are kennels belonging to the
City Hunt and to rich citizens, from which all day can be heard .the barking
of dogs. From here stretches waste and uncultured moorland covered with
rank grass and weeds and marsh flowers. The marsh is in itself a regular
area measuring level 400 yards from east to west by 300 yards north to south.
The few buildings here must be erected upon piles driven into the London
clay. There is talk of the construction of a postern opening upon the moor,
and of a causeway across the moor, which would be a great convenience to
people wishing to go to Tsledon or on a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Muswell
Hill." Hence we see that this new road from the moor gate—afterwards
contracted into Moorgate—was erected as a means of communication between
the then growing village and the City. That lsledon at the time was a
popular resort of the citizens of London there can be no doubt, and, indeed,
so much so that at times the villagers must have suffered very much from the
depredations of the men, women, and apprentices of London, for it is found
that certainly once a year on Mayday Eve—and it may be stated that at this
time this great holiday was celebrated on what is now May 12th*—when the
keen east winds had passed away and Spring had really begun ; the leaves of the
trees and blossoms are out; the days are longer; it is light until nine o'clock and
twilight all the night through. New life was everywhere, and young men and
maidens were not to be denied their pleasure. They all went out to enjoy
themselves on Mayday Eve. " They passed over the marshy and muddy plain
of Moorfields till they came to the little village of lsledon or Isleden, where the
great forest began. There grew the whitethorn and the blackthorn, the
broom and the gorse blossom. There the wild crab was covered with a
garment of pink and white and the wild rose was glorious to behold. The
people came home bearing boughs of these sweet blossoms, singing and dancing
as they went. There they set up their maypoles adorned with ribbons and
garlands, and they danced around it, singing hand in hand, right hand with
left hand, leit hand with right, covered with chaplets of wild rose and wild
apple blossom. They had tomfools, mummers, hobby horses, Robin Hood,
Maid Marion, Little John, and they had feasting and drinking; 'twas the
most joyous festival of all the year." And the despoilation of little lsledon
contributed largely to their amusement!
* In 1752 the Gregorian Calendar was adopted when the 11 days between September 2nd and
14th were omitted. No doubt this will largely account for the falling off in the celebration of May
Day, as the earlier period is colder and less bright.