The Honiton Artisans August 19th, 2009
In the English county of East Devon, along the Otter River is the town of Honiton. Honiton is filled with history as are many of the towns that were settled along Fosse Way. Fosse Way is an old road that is a historical route that has been traveled for hundreds of years. The road was built by the Romans during the time they occupied the region, which connects the other towns Lincoln and Exeter. Honiton became a significant resting point along that route. During the Elizabethan time era immigrants introduced the art of lace making.
Honiton became well known for the skill and the beauty of the lace, and for many years people have traveled, checked in to one of the Honiton hotels, and set out to the market to find the lace. Beginning in the seventeenth century many people were making the lace in their houses by hand, and just as well, much of the townspeople made their living in this manner. Two hundred years later, they gained even more attention when Queen Victoria’s wedding dress was designed and made of the lace the Honiton artisans produced. Pottery is another artistic venture for which the town is known, with many open air markets offering the best of the pottery and ceramics.
During the middle of the eighteenth century a large portion of the village was destroyed by a fire that swept through. The town was rebuilt however and between the years of the late 1960’s through 2005, the town had doubled in population and size. Many local customs are enjoyable activities to attend when on vacation in the region. One such festival takes place in the middle of July each year, the Ceremony of Hot Pennies. This is a tradition that stems from the thirteenth century. This involved pennies being thrown to the public, with the hopes of drawing travelers to the area for a local fair that proceeding the coin tossing. Along with the ceremonies, there are many opportunities for shopping along High Street, where one may find along one street, a delicatessen, a bicycle shop, antique clothing stores and jewelry stores.
Related posts:
- Posted by Cliff
- Tagged Travel
Leave a Comment