Legend of Biddenden Maids Kent England UK
According to tradition the Biddenden Maids were twin sisters, born in 1100, joined at the shoulders and hips. The legend describes how Eliza and Mary Chulkhurst survived joined together for 34 years until suddenly died. Eliza died a few hours later, after refusing to let doctors try to separate her from from her sisters body. Local records show that for over 400 years income from 20 acres of land, believed to have been bequeathed by two sisters, has been used for the benefit of the poor of the parish. Once a year Bread and Cheese and are given to local widows and pensioners at the Old Workhouse, Biddenden Biscuits, baked from flour and water, are distributed among the spectators as souvenirs, They bear an effigy of two female figures whose bodies are joined together at the hips and shoulders as does the village sign.
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