In the 19th century 'Lace Schools' were mostly just that - schools for
learning to make lace. Usually kept by an elderly lace maker who would have
little or no skills in teaching the three R's. Some basics in lettering could
probably be achieved but little more. The following is an account by a lace
maker from Sudborough in Northamptonshire. There is no mention of the children
learning anything other than lace making.
 âMrs Bugby was born in the
atmosphere of pillows and bobbins for her mother kept a lace school in the
village so the combined memories of mother and daughter take us back to the
time when lace making flourished and supplemented the meagre wages of the
menfolk. We learn that there were two or three lace schools in Sudborough and
Mrs Bugbyâs mother had about a dozen scholars. She had a room with 2 windows
and some girls sat by one and the rest by the other. The scholars sat back to
back to prevent unnecessary conversation. The ages of the scholars varied.
Some began at the age of 5 and stayed until they were married. Girls preferred
lace making to going into service. Her motherâs charge to teach them the art
was 3 shillings and this including âsetting upâ tying bobbins etc. This
price included everything until the learner was a thoroughly competent lace
maker. After they became skilled, her mother charged them 3d a week to do work
in her house
and that included firing in the winter. Mrs Bugby herself started lace making
when only 5 years old. Work began as soon as it was light and continued until
the allotted task was done.'
Â
There were Dame's Schools and Charity Schools
which provided 'reading, sewing and lacemaking'. These were sometimes run
together with children spending time in each. In some areas evening classes
were also available for the very keen. At nearby Wellingborough - 'A charity
school in which 25 boys are taught to read, and the like number of girls to
read, sew and make lace, is supported by means of a bequest made by John
Freeman in 1711.'
The above is taken from my research into lacemaking in
Northamptonshire.
Â
I have a interesting book published in 2000Â by Alan
Brown called "'Take the Children...? How Victorian lace girls lived and worked
in the Honiton and East Midlands districts - this is their story, as told to
the 1862 Royal Commission." I believe Sheila Brown is on the list.
Â
Diana
Smith in Northamptonshire
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