History of Nosegays

In this blog I hope to explain the history and purpose of Nosegays & to you. So, in honor of June weddings here we go!

A garden “shall contain the herbs and flowers used to make nosegays and garlands.” The Country Farme, 1600

Art-Nonsuch Palace by Joris Hoefnagel

Nosegays ˈnōz-ˌgā – Noun

Nosegays or Tussie-Mussies are small bouquets of flowers and herbs that were attached to lady’s bodices and to gentleman’s doublet or mantle. The term nosegay is derived from the Middle English gay, meaning bright object or ornament or gay in the sense of happiness or joy, literally meaning an ornament that brings joy to the nose. The word Tussie Mussie or tusemose is first mentioned in 1440 and is derived from the word tuse meaning knot of flowers and mose referring to the damp moss that was wrapped around the stems to prevent the flowers from drying out.

Nosegays were introduced in the Middle Ages as a means to counteract the strong odors of everyday life, this being a time before public sanitation, when bathing was sporadic and when only the underclothes were washed frequently.

Even today, America is one of the few countries where the majority of its citizens bathe every day, but in the 1600’s people really took advantage of infrequent showers. To conserve water, most people only showered every few weeks, even months. It’s even believed that small towns held an “annual bath” in May. Since most brides got married in June, they were afraid of being a bit smelly for the wedding day. And since the Macy’s fragrance counter didn’t yet exist, they turned to flowers!

Flowers Fight Evil?

Nosegays were also used as protection against the plague as it was believed that bad smells led to disease. They were also used in witchcraft and magic, as charms to produce prophetic dreams.

Soon the flowers and herbs in nosegays were chosen not just for their scent but for their symbolism, as a way to communicate the feelings of the person who wore it or of the person who gave it as a gift.

Below is a poem from 1584 entitled: A Nosegay Always Sweet for Lovers to Send for Tokens of Love at New Year’s Tide, or for Fairings.

It is often cited as one of Shakespeare’s sources, particularly for the parallels between it and Ophelia’s flower speech.

Art-Ophelia by Alexandre Cabanel, 1883

A nosegay, lacking flowers fresh, To you now I do send; Desiring you to look thereon, When that you may intend: For flowers fresh begin to fade, And Boreas in the field Even with his hard congealed frost No better flowers doth yield.

But if that winter could have sprung A sweeter flower than this, I would have sent it presently To you withouten miss: Accept this then as time doth serve, Be thankful for the same, Despise it not, but keep it well, And mark each flower his name.

Lavender is for lovers true, Which evermore be fain, Desiring always for to have Some pleasure for their pain; And when that they obtained have The love that they require, Then have they all their perfect joy, And quenched is the fire.

Rosemary is for remembrance Between us day and night; Wishing that I might always have You present in my sight. And when I cannot have As I have said before, Then Cupid with his deadly dart Doth wound my heart full sore.

Sage is for sustenance, That should man’s life sustain; For I do still lie languishing Continually in pain, And shall do still until I die, except thou favour show: My pain and all my grievous smart Full well you do it know.

Fennel is for flatterers, An evil thing it is sure: But I have always meant truly, With constant heart most pure; And will continue in the same As long as life doth last, Still hoping for a joyful day When all our pains be past.

Violet is for faithfulness Which in me shall abide; Hoping likewise that from your heart You will not let it slide; And will continue in the same As you have now begun, And then for ever to abide, Then you my heart have won.

Thyme is to try me, As each be tried must, Letting you know while life doth last I will not be unjust; And if I should I would to God To hell my soul should bear, And eke also that Beelzebub With teeth he should me tear.

Roses are to rule me With reason as you will, For to be still obedient Your mind for to fulfil; And thereto will not disagree In nothing that you say, But will content your mind truly In all things that I may.

Gillyflowers are for gentleness, Which in me shall remain, Hoping that no sedition shall Depart our hearts in twain. As soon the sun shall lose his course, The moon against her kind Shall have no light, if that I do Once put you from my mind.

Carnations are for graciousness, Mark that now by the way, Have no regard to flatterers, Nor pass not what they say: For they will come with lying tales Your ears for to fulfil: In any case do you consent Nothing unto their will.

Marigolds are for marriage, That would our minds suffice, Lest that suspicion of us twain By any means should rise: As for my part, I do not care, Myself I will still use That all the women of the world For you I will refuse.

Pennyroyal is to print your love So deep within my heart, That when you look this nosegay on My pain you may impart; And when that you have read the same, Consider well my woe, Think ye then how to recompense Even him that loves you so.

Cowslips are for counsel, For secrets us between, That none but you and I alone Should know the thing we mean: And if you will thus wisely do, As I think to be best, Then have you surely won the field And set my heart at rest.

I pray you keep this nosegay well, And set by it some store: And thus farewell! the gods thee guide Both now and evermore! Not as the common sort do use, To set it in your breast, That when the smell is gone away, On ground he takes his rest.

The Victorian Era

By the time Queen Victoria ascended to the throne in 1837, nosegays were considered the fashion “must have.” Instead of just being skilled in piano playing, singing, sewing and art, an accomplished young lady of the time also learned how to make these small bouquets. Those who were fortunate enough to receive a formal education also took courses in floral arrangement where they learned the meaning of each flower. These meanings were derived from classical mythology, folklore and religious symbolism.

What is the difference between a nosegay and a bouquet?

The primary difference between a Nosegay and round bouquet is typically size; a nosegay is a small, bouquet which typically is held in one hand and often given to mothers, grandmother and smaller girls, while a larger, round bouquet is carried with two hands, and is generally given to Brides.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a bride nowadays who wants to walk down the aisle with a bouquet of garlic, but in the 1600’s, that was the norm! Many brides would choose to add herbs, spices, and yes, cloves of garlic to their bouquet.

Back in the 1600’s your bouquet went straight from your hands to the dinner table…well, somewhat. People believed that a full bouquet symbolized that the bride was “in bloom” and now ready for children. Bouquets were often made with spices and flowers that can be eaten and were then cooked and used as a seasoning at the dinner feast. Because the bride was now a married woman, it was believed eating parts of her bouquet would help her and the other married ladies conceive.

The Bouquet Toss

If you’ve ever attended a wedding, you’re probably familiar with this tradition. It turns out, for hundreds of years women have been fighting to get a piece of the bride’s attire. The tradition as we know it now started around 1550. A bride on her wedding day was considered especially lucky, so guests were all looking for a chance to have some of her luck rub off on them. In the early 16th century, guests would rip pieces of a brides dress off throughout the night and keep them at home for themselves. Guests eventually got so aggressive that some women left their wedding wearing little to no clothing (yikes)! Fed up with the tradition, brides started throwing pieces of their bouquets into the crowd and it eventually transformed into the modern-day practice of throwing the whole bouquet.

The Bouquet Today

It wasn’t until the 1700s that bouquets started being used just to add beauty and complement a bride’s gown. Today, the most popular flowers for a bouquet are the rose, tulip, calla lily and hydrangeas. But it’s not just flowers brides are opting for in a bouquet nowadays. Brides have carried everything from leaves and pinecones to candy down the aisle.

I enjoy picking rosemary or mint then crushing it in my fingers very much enjoy smelling it. I would carry around a nosegay without hesitation, but short of being at a prom, wedding or funeral it is really just not done anymore.

#weddings #bouquets #flowers #nosegays

#tussiemussies