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Origin Two: Why Top Hats?

Posted on April 5th, 2018

A more recent story and maybe the origin of the top hat was that of another king of England. This time King George the second during his reign in the 1700s.

It was told that a mad growling dog startled the kings mount, causing it to buck and attempt to throw the king. A chimney sweep dressed in rags rushed through the crowd of onlookers catching the horse by its reigns and settling him. King Charles thanked the sweep by announcing that from that day forth chimney sweeps would be the only labour based job to be able to wear the clothing and top hat of the gentry and professions.

In those days I can imagine that this was a huge honour going from rags to wearing the cloths of a professional person that people must dip their hat too. The king also announced that chimney sweeps were lucky. Read More

Origin One: Lucky Beginnings

Posted on April 5th, 2018

The oldest of the stories goes back a very long way to King William of Britain way back in 1087/1100 nearly a thousand years past.

The story goes that while the king was walking a runaway carriage which was headed for his daughter was stopped by a brave man who happened to be a chimney sweep.

Later the king decreed that chimney sweeps are of lucky character. Out of gratitude king William invited the chimney sweep to the wedding of his daughter in order to both say thank you and bring some luck.

This is the first reference I can find to why chimney sweeps are considered lucky to have in attendance at weddings.