Charles Butler story
Parson Musicologist Beekeeper
This is the story of a humble local parson, Charles Butler, who studied at Magdalen College Oxford and, after a short time teaching in Holy Church School School, Basingstoke, became the parson in Wootton St Lawrence, Hampshire in 1600 until his death in 1647.
It was here, tucked far away from any major centre of learning, that he lived and worked for the remaining 47 years of his life, and wrote both his music treatise “The Melissomelos or The Bee Madrigal” and his beekeeping study, “The Feminine Monarchie.
It is due to the significance of this book that Charles Butler is known as “The Father of English Beekeepers”.
What makes Butler stand out is his deep curiosity about the natural world and that patient observation to record his discoveries methodically, about the practical craft of beekeeping. “The Feminine Monarchie” is an early and remarkable work of English natural history. The title itself is interesting as the conventional view held for many centuries was that the honey bee colony was headed by a king bee, not a queen. The book is the classic English beekeeping text, and explores the world of the honey bee and makes implicit reference to Elizabeth 1 long reign as England’s female monarch. It has been used by beekeepers for generations, and continues to remain relevant worldwide today.
It is through Butler’s role as a parson it is possible to appreciate his fascination with bees and music. It is not hard to see how a bee colony and a musical composition can serve as models for a good society - each are made of parts that work together in harmony. In the hierarchy of the hive, the geometry of the honeycomb, and the mathematical ratios of consonant intervals, bees and music reveal a divine order of nature.
Buy the book
The Feminine Monarchie
Or The History of Bees
Rev. John Owen
The Melissomelos or Bee Madrigal
Leafing through the pages of the Feminine Monarchie you would not expect to discover a four-part choral notation. But this is what Butler gives us. Melissomelos, or The Bee Madrigal is an endearing composition based on his diligent sound observations of his bees inside and outside the hives. It includes an almost pitch perfect musical imitation of a real sound that an emerging queen bee makes, known as piping.
Please enjoy this 2017 recording of the Bee Madrigal performed by Little St Mary’s Choir, Cambridge.
Legacy and Influence of Charles Butler
Extracts from Parson Musicologist Beekeeper … Legacy and Influence of Charles Butler 1571 to 1647.
Avril Tillman: Ch1 - The Place, the parish and the parson philologist
As priest, Butler occupied a unique position within local society. His education and varied interests, including music, law, language, and beekeeping, enabled him to fulfil his duties to all parishioners regardless of their social or financial status.
As beekeeping cleric, he was able to observe his bees, spread knowledge and information about them and conscientiously carry out his pastoral duties.
When his daughter Elizabeth was born, Butler had given her a swarm of bees and throughout her childhood he had encouraged her to manage them well. He called her his Honey Girl and she was so successful that it is reputed, that at the time of her marriage in 1633, she was able to present her husband Richard white with a substantial dowry of £400 [circa £50K today].
Their son, Gilbert White, became rector of Selborne, and his son, also named Gilbert, became curate of the same parish and wrote the Famous “The Natural History of Selborne”, the family connection of Charles Butler, Father of English Beekeeping and, Gilbert White, Father of Ecology.
Revd John Owen: Ch2 - Beekeeping, clergy and the church
The church with its clergy and ministers has had a long association with bees and beekeeping across many centuries. Why is this? It is partly because the mystery and wonder which is still accorded to the honey bees a particularly amenable view of the world as a created environment.
Butler was fascinated by the hive as well as admiring the bees’ social organisation within it.
It as clear that Butler was very much in touch with the emerging scientific community of the 17th century. He talks of “the fruit and profits `bees” by which he means not only the honey, wax, mead and medicinal dressing associated with bees, but also the “unique virtues (of bees)….. for th euse and comfort of man.
Kimberley James: Ch9 - Great-great-nephew Gilbert
Both Butler and White had similar life experiences, both lived as clergymen, studied in Oxford, and were able to immerse themselves within its intricacies and then write about it in a way that would capture generations. Gilbert White ideas on how nature is connected, inspired naturalists from Darwin to Attenborough and continues to inspire nature scientists today. His records are still being used and applied to our understanding of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Andrea Hill: Ch10 - A book for all times
As our bees and pollinators come under increasing environmental pressure, we are forced to consider our modern methodology There is a groundswell of voices looking for a more sustainable approach, but with this sustainability comes responsibility because we do not keep bees in isolation. Diminishing green spaces and pressures on forage man that we are even more interconnected and it is incumbent upon us to understand the impacts we may have.
Hampshire Beekeeper Magazine 1st Feb 1955
Ch 11 - 1954 Butler Coronation Window
The Charles butler stained glass window was installed to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth11 out of funds subscribed by the village of Wootton St Lawrence, augmented by admirers from many parts of the world.
The main figure is of Butler holding his chalice and a copy of “the Feminine Monarchie”, with the queen and worker bees in a honeycomb background surrounding the head and shoulders. Beneath this is the church of Wootton St Lawrence as it was in Butler’s time. Also shown are the four bells which were installed in 1625 and the font at which all his five children were baptised.
Barbara Robson: Ch13 - Walk in the steps of Charles Butler
Charles Butler Walk: It is rich pinpoints of interest and imagine times past - both back to 1600s and also to Jane Austen time period of the early 1800s.The third theme of interest is the local Wootton landscape where for centuries rural communities lived in close harmony with the seasons, their crops, livestock and their land. The walk provides factual linkage to many features, being an account of Charles Butler and his beekeeping, Church of St Lawrence, Manydown Manor, Jane Austen and her celebrated first and only proposal of marriage to Harris Biggs-wither at Tangier Park - accepted but in 24hrs she changed her mind!
Butler: Parson, Musicologist, Beekeeper
Legacy and Influence of Charles Butler (1571-1647)
Compiled and Edited by The Butler 400 Foundation