Mourning Costume: a history
Dr Helen Frisby
- Region:
- Anywhere
- Notice Period:
- Short (maybe less than one month's notice)
- Type:
- Academic, Hobby, Rotary
- Fee:
- Paid: £60.00 plus travel/subsistence as agreed
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 6th March 2026
The wearing of special clothes to signify mourning is most often associated with wealthy Victorians; but in fact the custom possesses much deeper historical roots.
This illustrated talk with Dr Helen Frisby, author of the Shire book Traditions of Death and Burial, explores the history and practice of wearing mourning going back into the Middle Ages. We’ll also look at how the custom continues to evolve nowadays, and what this might say about our relationships with the dead.
By arrangement, the in-person version of this talk can also include the opportunity to handle items of mourning jewellery from the speaker's own collection.
Views: 1391 | Enquiries: 1About Dr Helen Frisby
Based on two decades of research, my scholarly yet sympathetic talks about funeral customs past, present and future will get your group thinking and talking about how do we deal with this inevitable fact of life.
With a PhD on the history and folklore of death, dying and funerals, my publications include the Shire Library book 'Traditions of Death and Burial'. I've appeared on the History Channel with Johnny Vaughan, and on BBC and Australian national radio. I work with all sorts of groups large and small, and would love to hear from you!
Other Talks on SpeakerNet by Dr Helen Frisby
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