- Trysting Tree
=Origins of the name=
A 'Tryst' is a time and a place for a meeting, especially of lovers. In
Old French the word meant an appointed station in hunting. it is likely from anOld Norse source sharing its origin with 'traust', and theModern English 'trust' (and thus also related to theOld English 'treowe' which survives as the modern 'true'). [ [http://www.etymonline.com Online Etymology Dictionary ] ] A Trysting day, is an arranged day of meeting or assembling, as of soldiers, friends, lovers and the like.History
Many trees have through their isolation, appearance or position been chosen as a popular meeting place for young courting couples, soldiers called to gather at a distinctive venue prior to battle, etc. Many a romantic story features Trysting Trees, none more so than the tales of
Robin Hood and his merry men, the epitomy of old England in the days of chivalry and romance. In the 1845 version of the story, Maid Marion and Robin Hood are buried together under their 'Trysting Tree.'Egan, Pierce the Younger (1846). "Robin Hood and Little John or The Merry Men of Sherwood Forest." Pub. George Peirce. London.] Scott'sIvanhoe and the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 'The White Company ' make several references to Trysting Trees.From the Burns's poem "The Soldier's Return".
Miscellaneous
The American 'Trysting Tree' painting by Asher Brown Durand in 1868, was of a courtship spot, "where the Hudson winds to sea" is presumably in New York City or just a little north.
The 'Trysting Tree' is a well known golf-course in Oregon, USA.
References
External links
* [http://www.butlerart.com/pc_book/pages/asher.htm/ The Trysting Tree, 1868 - a painting by Asher Brown Durand 1796 - 1886.]
* [http://www.sanjuancapistrano.net/history/trystingtree.html/ The San Juan Capistrano Trysting Tree]
* [http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/sherwoodtimes/page16.htm/ Sherwood Forest and Robin Hood]
* [http://www.hiddenea.com/norfolkt.htm/ The East Anglia pine]
* [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/A_Researcher's_Guide_to_Local_History_Terminology A Researcher's Guide to Local History terminology]
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