Gypsies arrived in the British Isles between 1430 and 1440, in the first wave to invade Europe, and almost immediately they were vigorously harassed through legislation, threats and punishment. However, their situation changed around the 17th century and since then the Gypsies have lived in relative tranquillity in various clans. Although it is not common to find Gypsies with their own name, in England in the middle years of the 18th century, one Gypsy, Margaret Finch, was very well known. There are engravings of her with a legend at the bottom where she is called “Queen of the Norwood Gypsies” and is said to be 108 years old. She wears a turban, a blanket and has her legs folded across her chest, a position so common for her that at the end of her life she was unable to stand up. She smokes a long pipe, receives the company and affection of two dogs and has at her feet a cup intended to receive alms or payment for her predictions. It was in itself a spectacle in which people could contemplate, present and conceptualised, one of the existing images of the gypsy imaginary: that of the deformed and ungraceful old gypsy witch.

Collection: Images

Project: 4. Family, daily life and social inequality in Europe., 7. Persecuted by justice and powers: rebels, political dissidents and criminals in the history of Europe., 9. Travels and travelers: economic, social and cultural connections.

Chronology: XVIII

Scope: University

Link: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1851-0308-274

Resource type: Image

Format: Engraving, 320x227 mm

Source: Museo Británico. Departamento de Grabados y Dibujos (Londres)

Language: English

Date: 1742

Owner: Blanca Rodríguez Hernández (Modernalia)

Identifier: 1851,0308.274

Copyright: Museo Británico (Londres)

Abstract: Gypsies in England

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