The Pearly Kings and Queens

This post is indebted to Simone Weil for her notion of 'rootedness'.

Henry Croft was a man who knew how to bankroll on the back of baubles. Famous for having established (perhaps the only) working class monarchy, the Pearly Kings and Queens, those daring Cockney lads and lasses known for gadding about in mother-of-pearl crusted clothing, Henry's legacies have been raising money for charities (originally orphanages) since the late 19th century.

The genius of it comes through the fact that it's all about costume. Yep, it's about dollying up your best Sunday blacks with mother-of-pearl buttons, and parading it about for Harvest Festival at St Pancras, and fetching coins from well-wishers, all of which happens in about two weeks' time.

There's history, craft ideas, Cockney rhymes and guild action galore in these links below.

Go ahead, knock yourself out. 'Twas never a day or a tuppence wasted, the time and money invested in mother-of-pearl, and may the Reign of the Pearlies bless our world-wide culture for many a year to come.

http://www.thepearlies.com/#/the-history-of-the-pearlies/4531877639

http://www.cockneymuseum.u-net.com/

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=21943