Barbara Brackman's MATERIAL CULTURE: Morris Hexathon 22: Hyde Park

Morris Hexathon 22: Hyde Park by Becky Brown

Hyde Park has 3 templates: 2 diamonds and a tumbler shape

I named this week's hexie Hyde Park for a London public space with what we might call "mixed use."

Hyde Park was a place for walking, riding, observing and being seen.

But also a favorite place for political preaching, rallies and occasional riots.

In the 1880s William Morris devoted a good deal of his energy to the socialist political cause.

"Sketch of William Morris Speaking From a Waggon in Hyde Park"

by Walter Crane from his Reminiscences.

Crane remembered Morris standing

"on a May Day in Hyde Park, in a waggon decked with wild spring flowers, speaking to a crowd of workmen, the red flag waving over his head....Though loving the beauty and romance of the past [he] looked forward with a clear vision to the future, and to the regeneration of society, relieved of the artificial burdens which now oppress mankind."

Arts & Crafts red flag

in the collection of the William Morris Gallery

Daughter May recalled accompanying him to his speeches:

"[We would] tramp off to the desired spot, hardening ourselves to the facetious remarks, sometimes rough, sometimes good-natured, from the passing teams and public house loungers. No one who has not tried it knows how forlorn a thing it is to stand in a waste corner...steadying the pole of a red banner and trying with one or two other friends to 'be a crowd' around one's beloved orator, in order to attract attention."

The red banner of the Morris's local

Hammersmith Socialist League.

Dissension among socialists inspired Morris to form the local organization and then to abandon politics for other interests in the 1890s.

The Hammersmith Socialist League photographed in the late 1880s.

Morris is in the middle row far right; May is seated far left

and her sister Jenny seated in the center.

A little red to recall the red banner.

The framed hexagon was not published before

1970 so it has no BlockBase number.

Morris Hexathon 22: Hyde Park by Ilyse Moore

Pattern for an 8" Hexagon

(4" sides)

To Print:

Create a word file or a new empty JPG file that is 8-1/2" x 11".
Click on the image above.
Right click on it and save it to your file.
Print that file out 8-1/2" x 11". The hexagon should measure 4" on the sides.
Adjust the printed page size if necessary.
Add seams when you cut the fabric

In 1885 William Rosetti wrote his wife about a Hyde Park demonstration at Hyde Park: "an impressive sight". He guessed the crowd numbered 35,000. He looked for:

"Morris and the Socialists [who] were somewhere on the ground, but I failed to find them out. I bought however a copy of Morris's newspaper the Commonweal...I assure you they don't mince matters. The tide of Democracy is rising, and you and I, if we live a few years longer, will see a few things gone."