Out of the Woodwork Productions
OOTW presents several labyrinths as one of the historical activities available to the residents of Staffordshire.
Turf labyrinths and mazes are an English specialty, which were widespread during the late Middle Ages. Chaucer alludes to labyrinths or turf mazes in "The Legend of Ariadne", while Shakespeare refers to mazes in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", and twice in "The Tempest".
Renowned art historian, labyrinth historian, and author Hermann Kern, in "Through the Labyrinth" suggests English turf labyrinths were shaped by the Christian church labyrinths, and modeled on walkable French pavement labyrinths. Labyrinths of Love, were typically made from hedges and in vogue from c. 1550 to 1650 through plantings in concentric circles patterned themselves with church Medieval or Chartres patterns.
The Labyrinth of Love is a 7-circuit turf maze found throughout the United Kingdom dating from the 13th century. Maidens would wait for their suitors in the middle of the labyrinth and know if their love was pure if they followed the entire path.
In later periods (17th century), the term maze was used to describe labyrinth designs that had dead ends, false paths, and were created for amusement, not ceremonies as were used by labyrinths.
The Shepherd's Race is a 3-circuit medieval pattern labyrinth based on stories of children "running the maze" during spring festivals.
Some would claim to know the labyrinth path so well they could pursue its windings without a single false step, and with some practice, could go through it blindfolded
