Feuersprung (fire jump) The German word describes young people jumping
over a fire at certain days, e.g. St. Martin´s day or St. John´s
day. This jump has a symbolic meaning: strengthen the power of light,
bring good luck for the jumper and bring blessing to the fields. In
cities where the fire jump was forbidden (e.g. in Münster, 1705
A.D.), people jumped over a candle. Maybe the "king´s jump" of
Dutch children has the same roots.
In different parts of England , as winter began, the lacemakers were
allowed to make their lace by candlelight. St Catherine's day (Catterns,
Nov 25th) or StAndrews day (Tanders Nov 30th) were the usual dates for
commencing thecandle season and dates around Candlemas day (Feb 2) or
later in some places (Feb 14th) marked the cessation of the use of candles.
Most will know of the custom of those at Wendover where the children
in the lace schools danced in a ring around the great lacemakers candlestick.
In other places the custom of "jumping over the candlestick"was a good
sport for the lace school children. Hence, the origin of the nursery
rhyme: Jack Be Nimble
http://www.mkheritage.co.uk/cnm/lace/lacehtml/schools.html
Interesting concept of "Tells" in mid-19 th century lace schools
by the girls.
Butterworth, Nick. B.B. Blacksheep and Company: A Collection of
Favourite Nursery Rhymes. Macdonald Education, 1981.
Openheimer, Betty. The Candlemakers Companion. Vermont : A
Storey Publishing Book,1957.
