Chime hours
Folklore of special powers granted by birth hour.
Chime hours is a term originating in the north of England, referring to folklore about individuals born during specific times of day or night who are said to gain special powers. The concept was popularized by folklorist Ruth Tongue, who coined the term 'chime child' and claimed to be one herself. The powers attributed to chime children vary widely by source and location, ranging from seeing ghosts to controlling animals, and the hours considered chime hours are also disputed.
- origin
- North of England
- popularized_by
- Ruth Tongue (1898–1981)
- field
- Folklore
- known_for
- Chime children and chime hours
- associated_regions
- Somerset, Yorkshire, East Anglia, Sussex, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, China
Lore & Background
The term chime hours refers to several myths about the time of one’s birth. According to the folklore, individuals born during certain hours gain special powers, though what these times are varies by source and location. Some sources cite midnight as the only true chime hour, referencing Charles Dickens' David Copperfield, while others in Somerset and East Anglia associate the hours with monastic prayer times: 8 p.m., midnight, and 4 a.m. Grace Hadow and Ruth Anderson added midday to these, making the chime hours eight, midnight, four, and midday. In Sussex, the hours are 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock, while Ruth Tongue claimed the 'potent ghostly hours' are from Friday at midnight to cockcrow on Saturday morning.
The powers granted to chime children are equally varied. They include seeing and speaking with ghosts and fairies without harm, immunity from ill-wishing, love and control over animals, knowledge of herbs and healing, musical giftedness, and access to sensitive information. Ruth Tongue compiled a list of powers she and other chime children supposedly possessed, including the ability to see the dead and fairies, immunity from ill-wishing, control of animals, and healing with herbs. She documented her experiences in publications such as Somerset Folklore (1965) and The Chime Child, or Somerset Singers (1968), which includes a rhyme about Friday’s chime children. However, some scholars question Tongue’s reliability, noting she did not grow up in Somerset as she claimed, and that her notes were lost in moves and fires.
Reader's Guide
The concept of chime hours is significant in English folklore as a localized belief system that attributes supernatural abilities to birth timing. It reflects broader folk traditions linking specific times—often marked by church bells—with spiritual potency. The myth’s persistence in literature, from Charles Dickens to modern novels, shows its cultural resonance. Ruth Tongue’s role as both collector and self-proclaimed chime child adds a layer of complexity, as her claims have been questioned by later folklorists like Jacqueline Simpson and Stephen Roud, who note inconsistencies in her background and documentation. The debates over which hours count and which powers exist highlight the fluid nature of oral tradition. The myth also connects to historical accusations of witchcraft, suggesting that such beliefs once had serious social consequences. Overall, chime hours illustrate how folklore can blend local custom, religious practice, and personal testimony into a lasting, if contested, tradition.
Did You Know?
- Ruth Tongue coined the term 'chime child' and claimed to be one herself.
- The chime hours are disputed, with some sources citing midnight only, while others include 8 p.m., midnight, 4 a.m., and midday.
- Powers attributed to chime children include seeing ghosts, controlling animals, and healing with herbs.
- Some scholars question Ruth Tongue’s reliability because she did not grow up in Somerset as she claimed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are chime hours in English folklore?
Chime hours are specific times of day or night in northern English tradition during which a person born at that moment is believed to acquire supernatural abilities. The exact hours and the gifts they confer are not fixed and vary from one locality to another.
Who is Ruth Tongue and what did she contribute to chime hours folklore?
Ruth Tongue (1898–1981) was a folklorist who coined the label 'chime child' to describe individuals born during these special hours. She also publicly claimed to be a chime child herself, which helped push the concept into broader academic and popular awareness.
What powers are said to belong to chime children?
Reported abilities span a wide range, from perceiving ghosts and spirits to commanding or controlling animals. There is no single agreed-upon list, as the specific gifts attributed to chime children shift considerably between regions and sources.
Where does chime hours folklore originate and where else is it found?
The tradition is rooted in the north of England but has been recorded in Somerset, Yorkshire, East Anglia, and Sussex as well as in Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, and even China. This broad geographic spread suggests the belief in birth-hour powers is a near-universal folk motif.
Why do researchers disagree about which hours count as chime hours?
Different collectors and communities name different times of day or night as the 'chime' windows, and no single authority has settled the question. This ongoing lack of consensus keeps the topic a lively area of debate within folklore circles.
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