It was interesting to read about the Green Man talk at Elmham WI, in January's Elmham News, also it was nice to hear that there are two Green Men in St Mary's Church.
Another good place to see Green Men is Norwich Cathedral, and especially in the cloisters, also the Cathedral shop has some nice Green Man plaques and books on sale. The Green Man pub name is one of the oldest pub names and there are still about six left in Norfolk and thirty in London.
In the gothic churches and cathedrals of Europe and England the Green Man outnumbers images of Christ by twelve to one. The Green Man can be found in most countries of the world including China, Mexico, and India, his foliate head is sometimes called by other names.
The Green Man has been linked with many old English customs, myths and legends, Morris dancing, Robin Hood, the Green Knight from the Arthurian tradition, Herne the Hunter, the Wild Man, and Jack-in-the-Green.
The Green Man is still celebrated on May eve (30th April) in the woods of Norfolk. Even today a person, male or female, will dress up in greenery and hide in the woods and others will have to try and find the Green Man or lady.
So the Green Man is still out there, not just in churches, he is the symbol of continuity, the Green Man is the spirit of the trees.
RC
