The Legend of The Chimney Sweep
The Legend of The Chimney Sweep has it, that if you are touched by a sweep and he leaves a black smudge of soot, it will bring you good luck.
The earliest signs of chimneys go as far back as the 13th century in Italy. Though it still took centuries for chimneys to really catch on. The professional of chimney sweeping got its start in the 16th century in England.
The Tudors in England had established the risk of chimneys and an ordnance was created in 1582 both controlling materials (brick and stone rather than plastered timber). It also required chimneys to be swept four times per year to prevent the build-up of soot (which is highly flammable). Any chimney fire could be fined 3 shillings and 4 pence.
There are several legends as to why Chimney Sweeps wore top hats and tails. One legend has it that in old England the King, wishing to honor a Sweep who saved his life by pushing him out of the way of a runaway horse and carriage, awarded their profession the special recognition of wearing top hats. It was a custom previously reserved for royalty and the gentry.
