Thursday, 21 September 2006
I'm Not Getting Married in Lynton!
Lynton is a lovely village in North Devon. I have been there a few times and highly recommend it. However, I will not be getting married there (even though it has a nice church).
Why? Because of a book Jon bought me, called "Devon Customs & Superstitions" (by James Whinray, published by Tor Mark Press). It details popular Devon customs and superstitions in the Victorian times. I know not all of these customs exist today, but it's better to be safe than sorry! ;)
I thought I'd share one or two customs observed at specific occasions, so make sure you're sitting comfortably before I begin...
Valentines Day
One of the best days of the year! And Devonians had a good idea! The lady was allowed to choose her Valentine, and the poor sucker - I mean, lucky young man - had to give her a pair of gloves. The book adds that this was usually only done "if there was a little sweet-hearting in the case." I think this custom should be reintroduced, and not just for those "sweet-hearting" but all single ladies - oh, and perhaps substitute the gloves for chocolate or expensive earrings or some such gift. ;)
Shrove Tuesday
This was apparently a big holiday for farmers. Everyone who worked on the farm had to toss and eat their own pancake - even if it landed on the fire!
Also, children were 'allowed' to get up to mischief and knock on doors where a party was going on to ask to join in. If they were turned away, they threw stones at the door until someone chased them away! If caught, they were apparently made to roast an old shoe until a kind-hearted girl eventually let them go. Sounds fun, no?
The following are customs (very) peculiar to certain parts of Devon:
Stinging Nettle Day
According to the book, every May 3 children from Bovey Tracey would find stinging nettles and whip one another with them! Ouch!!!
The Hunting of the Earl of Rone
An event that occurs only in Combe Martin, this was stopped in 1837, but revived in 1974. I cannot say how closely the modern version sticks to the original customs, but if you want to find out more about it, check out The official website of The Hunting of the Earl of Rone.
Basically, it began due to a local legend (not backed up by any evidence, but who needs that?) that an Irish refugee known as 'the Earl of Tyrone' was captured at Combe Martin in Tudor times. Every May (I think) a procession goes off to a nearby wood looking for the Earl of Rone. The idea is to find him, set him on a donkey and ride him through the village to the sea, where he is 'shot'. From the look of the photos on the above site, the whole town gets involved!
Chaining the Bride
This custom is why I will not contemplate getting married in Lynton, lovely though it is, and as unlikely as it is that this still happens...
Apparently, the bride would get chained by young men to the gates of the churchyard with rope or chains of twisted straw and hay. The bridegroom had to scatter handfuls of small coins to gain her release and their safe exit!
Did this really used to happen? I thought that sort of thing happened to the groom on his stag night, not the bride on her wedding day! I'm not taking any chances, though!
And no, I am not getting married any time soon, from the looks of it, anyway. Not that I'm thinking about that sort of thing right now. Honest. ;P
Jon has a worried look on his face now...;)
