The History of the Curfew
By Angela Dunsby
We are all familiar with the term ‘curfew’, a regulation requiring people to stay indoors between specified hours, typically at night. Throughout history this was used as a control system to keep the streets safer and at times lessened the risk of secret meetings, which may have led to rebellions or anti-social behaviour. The traditional curfew was enforced by the ringing of a bell at night, warning people that it was time to go to bed or at least to vacate the streets. Some believe William the Conqueror introduced this practice to England, although it is thought to have been in use long before this across much of medieval Europe. Voltaire, an 18th century French enlightenment writer, once noted the curfew bell acted as “an ancient police on fire protection in the Northern Hemisphere”. Voltaire mentions fire prevention, this is where the curfew of this piece alters its meaning.
The word curfew comes from the Norman language, although there have been many earlier forms of the word; the modern term derives from the French couvre feu, which translates into English as cover fire. During medieval and Tudor times, people used a curfew at night to help prevent fires in the home. As can be seen at the Merchant’s House, one of the sites at the John Moore Museum, the fire was often set directly on the floor in the centre of the main living area. This was a tremendously dangerous practice for many reasons. To begin with, the occupants of the house would be passing in close proximity to the unguarded flames. Dangerous enough in itself, but this danger is increased when you consider the heavy woollen clothing and long dresses worn by women of the time. Add to that, the floor that would often be covered with rushes, reeds or sweet-smelling herbs, one stray spark could spell disaster. While the risk of fire during the daytime was high, the nights were more so as the fire would be unsupervised and could become out of control while you slept. Therefore, the curfew was employed as an important safety feature.
The curfew itself was a lid like construction with vented sides. This allowed the fire to be contained whilst allowing oxygen to breathe life into the embers. This meant that with the help of bellows, the fire could be brought back to life easily in the morning. The curfew could be made from various materials from unglazed terracotta clay to metal depending on the wealth of the user.
There are examples of curfews from the continent, which are ornately designed, but a simple design in terracotta was more commonly in use. Its primary function of course, was safety, but this wasn’t just for the home which employed it, the safety aspect would have extended to adjoining properties. Given the nature of medieval buildings with their timber beams and often-thatched roofs, one small fire could destroy a whole community, with the Great Fire of London in 1666 proving how deadly a fire can be.
Forget the curfew and sparks may fly
Whilst beneath warm woollen cloths you lie
Fierce flames on timber beams shall roar
And to your sleeping chamber soar
The fire may take you as you sleep
And onto neighbouring dwellings creep
Warm ash will swirl where once you stood
Surrounded now by blackened wood
So, place the curfew upon the flame
The orange embers thus to tame
Sleep sound as the fire is caged at night
Safely to wake at mornings light
Dear Angela
Very interesting article. I recently moved to France from the UK and have frequently seen the term “couvre-feu” in the newspapers and on official documents in relation to Covid-19 prevention. Realising how it translated into English I was intrigued by the origin of the phrase and looked it up in various dictionaries, but they did not give a reason for the curfew. Thanks for explaining it with such clarity. Incidentally, who wrote the poem and when?
Dear Mark, thank you for your feedback. Angela also wrote the poem too, which is fantastic. I hope you liked it.
Dear Angela,
I am writing a thriller novel with a deep dive into historical fiction. The title of the book is called The Curfew. Can I use your poem in my book? It fits the character and story that I have developed perfectly.
Dear Mark,
Thank you for your kind comments. I’m glad you enjoyed my blog and poem.
Angela
Just wanted to say thanks for this. Really informative and enjoyable read. Happened here following the same line as the previous poster looking at the recent use of the term in France and wondering about the original meaning.
You got me thinking; tragedy and death around fires must have been commonplace/daily throughout history as urban environments grew. But yet you don’t tend to see that recorded save for the really catastrophic events like Alexandria, Rome, London San Francisco etc. Plus the introduction of candles, then oil lamps, early instillation of electricity and propane into homes. The chance of carbon monoxide poisoning from burning coal. All must have led to millions of injuries and deaths down the centuries.
Perhaps that’s it. Because we
we don’t record what might seem to us mundane? But we should of course as it will be an insight into how we once lived. Your article answers that beautifully creating a vivid image of an everyday element of our ancestors lives now (almost) long forgotten.
Thanks again!
Thank you for your comment. You are absolutely right, we often don’t write about certain aspects of life until there is a tragedy, which is why objects like the curfew are so fascinating. I will make sure our volunteer, Angela, receives your feedback.
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We still use authentic replicas of the “Curfew” to this day as part of our 15c reenactment group. They still work exactly as they did six hundred years ago.
Thanks for your research Angela. We have a plain, but nice, curfew in our museum and I enjoy explaining its use and the origin of the term to our visitors. If I may, I’ll borrow some of your research to add to my explaination.
regards
Thank you for your comment. Curfew is also a term to mean “a regulation requiring people to remain indoors between specified hours, typically at night.”