SafePlants

About Milkmaids

The term "milkmaid" historically refers to a girl or woman employed to milk dairy cows and prepare dairy products like cream, butter, and cheese. The provided text offers various cultural and historical references to the term, spanning literature, art, and social customs.

Considerations for Children

• Mentions of "Mummers, Maypoles and Milkmaids" as part of English ritual year celebrations, suggests that it's worth exploring traditions associated with the holiday.

Historical and Cultural Context

• The text mentions that milkmaids were once commonly employed in large houses.
• The "Milkmaid's Garland" was an ancient custom observed on May Day until the early 19th century.
• There's a reference to the belief that English milkmaids had clear skin and were thought to be immune to smallpox.

Quirky Facts

• The text includes a humorous reference to "The women that go through every gallon of milk looking for a later date," adding a playful take on the profession.
• There's a mention of "raunchy milk maids" in the context of Eurovision, showing how the term can be used in unexpected ways.

Related Products and Services

• The text mentions "Milkmaid Goods" which offers nursing ponchos, swaddle blankets, and headbands for babies.
• "The Milk Maids Of Mobile LLC" is a mother/daughter team who bake delicious Lactation products.

Geographical References

• Several entries reference locations like Looe in South Cornwall, the Lake District, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, and Islington, London.

Artistic and Media Mentions

• The text refers to a painting titled "Laitière normande de Grville (Norman Milkmaid of Grville), 1874" displayed at the Muse d'Orsay in Paris.
• References to episodes titled "The Milkmaid's Lot" from the TV show "Boardwalk Empire".

Further Resources

• The text references wellcomecollection.org as a resource for information related to milkmaids and their historical perception.