Abstract
The only thing that doesn’t bleed when pricked with a pin is a pincushion. However, in the context of the early English Language it is not the storage device of pins we are most concerned with in this documentation, but the word to describe it. Most of us today call it a pincushion, and the word brings to mind a small scrap of fabric folded sewn and stuffed, that then gets pricked with more needles and pins than it can hold. Often to be found at the bottom of the sewing basket and found when one of the pins pricks the finger.
Words change, but thankfully we leave behind traces of that change in inventories, judgments and wills.
The Etymological Place-marker is an item used in a time period with its original name still being in use. This little cushion decorated with haphazard Or Nue embroidery and plastic pearls is such a place-marker.
The word used in the 150 years between 1480 and 1630 as found in inventories and judgments: Pinnepillow.
The British History Traded Goods dictionary says this:
Pinpillow
[pynpillowe; pinpilow; pinpillowe; pinne pillowe]
¶A rather earlier term for a PINCUSHION, often coupled with a PURSE as in ‘2 purses 1 pinpilow and sheath’ [Inventories (1612)], or actually combined with one to combine the two functions as in ‘1 pin pilow purse’ [Inventories (1612)]. This may be because these were two items that most women carried around with them. (British History Traded goods dictionairy)
1480-1481
165. 16 July. From the ship of Cornelius Nese called Christofer of Middelburg
William Standfast, A, 1 last train oil in narrow brls., £8
Lambert Jacobson, A, 1 dry brl. with 3 pcs. Brabant linen cloth cont. 72 ells, 1 pc. Holland cont. 24 ells, 46s.8d.
Said master, A, 4½ pokes flax, 46s.8d.
John Clays, A, 1 small corf with 1 doz. [S dagger] sheaths, 3 doz. 3 wooden combs, 2 doz. 3 girdles, 17 pairs wooden beads, 4 [S 3] latten girdles, 14 [S 13] small mirrors, 11 doz. leather and thread laces, 18 [S 17] doz. leather and thread points, 5 doz. long laces, 1 lb. brooches, 10 pinpillows, 2 purses, 6 coverings for distaffs, 2 doz. small knives, 6 small pouches, 6 spoons, 1 small chest, 13s.4d.
Said master, A, 1½ ton weight iron, 1 narrow brl. train oil, ½ last cork, 50 wainscots, 2 pokes hops, £8 10s. [S iron and train oil val. £3 10s., the rest £5]
¶William Bocher, A, 3 sacks 4 pokes hops, 1 brl. with 36 doz. pins, 1 doz. lbs. blue thread, 4 lbs. packthread, £12 3s.4d. (British History-London Records, 1480-1481)
1613
5 July, 11 James I.—True Bill that, at Aldersgate Streete in St. Botolph’s near Aldersgate London co. Midd., Jane Bay lie late of Goldinglane co. Midd. spinster stole a towell worth eight pence, a handkerchief worth twelve pence, “duas quadras vocatas squares” worth twelve pence, two yards of bone-lace worth two shillings, one girdle and pinpillow worth ten pence, “unum capitale anglice one blacke wroughte quoife” worth eighteen pence, one napkin worth twelve pence, five ruffe-bands worth ten shillings and eight-pence, one ell and a quarter of flaxen cloth worth four shillings, two pieces of linen cloth called ‘tyffenye and lawne’ worth ten pence, a pair of needle-work cuffes worth twelve pence, one pearle and gold button worth six shillings, ‘one sylver handle for a fanne’ worth eight shillings and six-pence, of the goods and chattels of Sir William Welch knt. On her trial by jury, Jane Baylie was found ‘Guilty’ of stealing to the value of fourpence halfpenny, and was sentenced to be whipt. G. D. R., . . . ., 11 James I. (British History Online, 1603-1625)
After 1630 we find the word Pincushion in use.
1686
Entry Book: March 1686
March 15; Same to the Customs Commissioners to deliver to Sir Henry Bond 12 little pincushions and two muffs which belong to him, on payment of their appraised value of 3.., same having been seized near Chichester by Rober Tayer. (Customs Commissioners Entry Book March 1686)
Why Use This Word
These entries give me an insight as to the proper word to use in historical context. I can now use “Pynnepillow” for my pre 17th century attempts in the SCA, and pincushion for my 17th century onward item. Why does this matter? It matters because proper language in the correct historical context is a good practice while conducting historical research of any kind. Words Matter.
Works Cited
(1480-1481). Retrieved from British History-London Records: British History Online, accessed June 13, 2022, http://www.british-history.ac.uk/london-record-soc/vol27/pp52-70.
British History Online. (1603-1625, 5 July). Retrieved from Middlesex Sessions Rolls: 1613: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/middx-county-records/vol2/pp84-94
British History Traded goods dictionairy. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/traded-goods-dictionary/1550-1820/pine-pitchfork
Customs Commissioners Entry Book March 1686. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol8/pp642-664.
Lady Mevanou's Musings 