Romance and the Romany

Since their arrival in Britain around 500 years ago, Gypsies have created a rich tapestry of romantic folklore. Yet, argues Jeremy Harte, this aspect of their past has been almost completely ignored by academic historians.

Gypsy Encampment, Appleby by John Atkinson 1919

Representations of Gypsy culture are often contentious. Even those produced by Gypsies typically show a selective history; there is only so much about the community that the ordinary non-Gypsy wants to know. As long as the conversation is kept to the safe nostalgia of the past, we can talk about a history of prejudice, eviction, brutality and disenfranchisement. But get too close to the present and the conversation becomes much less comfortable. The majority of the 500 years since Gypsies first arrived in Britain have been spent telling the strangers of the host nation what they want to hear, which is not necessarily the historical truth.

To continue reading this article you will need to purchase access to the online archive.

Buy Online Access  Buy Print & Archive Subscription

If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.

Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.