Pearly Kings and Queens

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Pearly Kings and Queens, known as pearlies, are an organised charitable tradition of working class culture in London, England.^[1]

The practice of wearing clothes decorated with pearl buttons originated in the 19th century.^[1] It is first associated with Henry Croft, an orphan street sweeper who collected money for charity. In 1911 an organised pearly society was formed in Finchley, north London.^[1]

Croft died in January 1930 and his funeral was attended by 400 followers from all over London,^[1] receiving national media coverage.^[2] In 1934 a memorial was unveiled to him in St Pancras Cemetery and at a speech to mark the occasion he was said to have raised £5,000 for those suffering in London's hospitals.^[3] The statue was later moved to the crypt of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster. The inscription reads:

“

In memory of Henry Croft who died January 1st 1930 aged 68 years. The original Pearly King.

”

The pearly organisation is now known as the Original London Pearly Kings and Queens Association.^[1][4] Following disagreements, a rival London Pearly Kings and Queens Society^[5] has also been set up and another called the Pearly Guild.^[1][6] Each group is associated with a church in central London and works to raise money for London-based charities.^[1]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• flickr - Henry Croft, Pearly King