We visited a lovely old fourteenth century manor house in south Somerset, Lytes Carey; the Lyte family lost possession of it centuries ago and after various periods of virtual abandonment and different owners, the Jenners bought the property, restored and renovated it and then gave it into the care of the National Trust.
It is a lovely and elegant old property, sitting comfortably in the rolling countryside and surrounded by lovely and beautifully cared-for grounds and gardens. Inside the old house there are various items of interest ranging from pictures, to ceramics, to wall hangings, four-poster beds, campaign beds, art and unusual artefacts. In the main sitting room, either side of a large open fireplace were two figures… the most sinister looking creatures you could imagine.
They were the figures of two women, in Elizabethan dress, made from leather and standing about three to four-foot tall; the guide told us they were used when there were thirteen people seated at table, to add a fourteenth to prevent bad luck… they had such a sinister appearance though i thought it would be better to send a guest home, or let a pet dog sit at table. I have also read that another idea was that they were to make a room look occupied… but occupied by what?! Apparently they are Spanish, and they are wearing farthingales, stomacher-dress and head-dresses made from stamped, coloured leather.
I am sure in their day they were not seen as sinister, but the lines from Macbeth ran through my mind:
By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes.
Open locks, Whoever knocks!
Lois Elsden 