Caul

Caul, a portion of the amnion or thin membrane enveloping the fetus, sometimes encompassing the head of a child when born, mentioned here on account of the extraordinary superstitions connected with it from very early ages almost down to the present day. It was the popular belief that children so born would turn out very fortunate, and that the caul brought fortune even to those who purchased it. This superstition was so common in the primitive church, that St Chrysostom inveighed against it in several of his homilies. In later times midwives sold the caul to advocates at high prices, as an especial means of making them eloquent, and to seamen, as an infallible preservative against drowning (cf. Dickens's David Copperfield). It was also supposed that the health of the person born with it could be told by the caul, which, if firm and crisp, betokened health, but if relaxed and flaccid, sickness or death (Notes and Queries, 1884-86). During the 17th century cauls were often advertised in the newspapers for sale—from £10 to £30 being the prices asked; and so recently as 8th May 1848, there was an advertisement in the Times of a caul to be sold, which 'was afloat with its late owner thirty years in all the perils of a seaman's life, and the owner died at last at the place of his birth.' The price asked was six guineas.