Since we are staying in the Derbyshire Dales for a period of six months in total Roger and I have signed up for the local library. I derive such pleasure going into a large room piled high with books of all sorts.

Shelves of books on any topic … I flick through books on painting, felting, women artists, English gardens and browse through the fiction section. I get so excited, that now at last, just maybe I will have time to sit back and read a novel. I have one with me that I started in Canada but haven’t had a moment to continue with… all the visiting, travelling and day walks hasn’t left a lot of time to sit back, relax and read a good book. I have to change that! The days are so glorious for walking that it is hard to stay indoors – the cold and invigorating atmosphere make it a joy to walk and breathe in the fresh air and come home with red rosy cheeks.

One of the library books I borrowed is called ‘Bess of Hardwick’ a history of the first Lady of Chatsworth, a biography by Mary S Lovell. A fascinating book that is one of the few accounts of a tenacious and accomplished woman in Tudor times. Bess was born in 1527 when England was experiencing major political upheaval, plagues would wipe out whole families, conspiracies and feuds were common place. Despite her difficult start to life she would become England’s second most powerful and richest woman, after Queen Elizabeth 1.

The book is filled with factual accounts of the time and many fascinating snippets of life from 1527 until she died over eighty years later. I include here some information on the christening of a child:

“Bess would have been baptized on the very first Sunday or Holy Day following her birth… after being ‘crossed’ with sacred oil on the shoulders and chest, and the sign of the cross made in her right hand, she would have been named and received into the church, the baby was considered safe from the devil and all his works.”

Considering that over 50% of children died within the first year of their life this ceremony was considered very important.

Mothers who had just given birth were not allowed to leave their bed for a month after the delivery so the child’s godparents: two women and a man took the child to Church for the ceremony. After the service there was always a reception held at the home. “Even in the poorest homes money was somehow found for this celebration…”

“On arrival at the parents’ house the principal guests and godparents went first to the lying-in chamber to congratulate and honour the mother, gifts and blessings were bestowed upon the child, and then all the women – family, friends and neighbours – would crowd into the lying in chamber to gossip and enjoy the occasion. This custom was called ‘a Gossiping’, and in a popular catchphrase of the day a person was said to be ‘as drunk as women at a gossiping”

Godparenting in early Christian times was a serious and privileged role to play in the spiritual guidance of the child. Over the years this duty has fallen by the way side with many people having had godparents who they have never met. The role of a godparent, mentor or guardian can be such an enriching role for a child and I have written up lots of great ideas and included many stories and examples on how this can be so for young babies, children and teenagers in this book.

I am a godparent/mentor to many young people and the role is so rewarding. I know they love having someone they can turn to other than mum or dad.