3 posts tagged “english traditions”

Photograph:Anthony J Hughes

Turning the Devil’s Boulder

Traditions associated with Autumn/ Harvest

5^th November - Shebbear, Devon

After nightfall men carrying crowbars with women lighting their way approach the huge stone close to the village church. As the church bells peal out the villagers set to work to turn the stone over. Apparently the devil lives under the stone, and 'turning the Devil's boulder' is meant to avert bad fortune. 

One legend recalls that the stone was quarried on the other side of the River Torridge at a nearby village, apparently intended as a foundation stone for a church there. But the devil rolled it away to Shebbear - and continued doing this every night as the villagers repeatedly rolled it back during the day.

Interestingly the stone is not of a type found locally and may therefore have been transported there in ancient times for some ritualistic purpose.

Photograph:Anthony J Hughes

Enthroning of Boy Bishops

Traditions associated with Autumn/ Harvest

6^th December

Many British folklore customs are of Celtic origin. The Celts divided their year by four great festivals, starting with Samhain, signifying the arrival of winter and the New Year, which fell on 1st November. Imbolc was next and occurred on 1st February, followed by Beltane on 1st May and Lugnasdh on 1st  August.

Whilst these dates were all fixed within the Celtic year, the exact dates may not correspond precisely with those above, as dates were adjusted when first the Julian calendar was introduced, and later when England changed to the Gregorian calendar in 1751.The custom of choosing a Boy Bishop from the members of a cathedral choir is thought to date from the 13th century. Following his election he is fitted out in full Bishop’s regalia including robes, mitre and crozier. During the ceremony the chosen chorister and his attendants enter the church, or cathedral, and the new Boy Bishop takes his place on the Bishop's throne and receives a blessing. He then holds this post from the Feast of St Nicholas on 6th December until Holy Innocents Day on the 28th December. During this period he enjoys many of the powers and privileges of the real thing. The concept of grand people humbling themselves at least once a year is a well documented phenomenon within the Christian faith. The enthroning of the Boy Bishop was abolished by Elizabeth I and has only been revived in recent years.

It is still celebrated in: Berden, Hertfordshire; Boston, Lincolnshire; Bristol; Hereford Cathedral; Par, Cornwall; Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire.

Photograph:Anthony J Hughes

Winter Berries

Traditions associated with Autumn/ Harvest

Autumn has always been known in folklore as a magical time. The rowan tree’s vibrant display of berries in autumn contributed to a belief in protective abilities against spirits as suggested in the old rhyme: "Rowan tree and red thread / make the witches tine (meaning 'to lose') their speed". Pieces of the tree were carried for personal protection from witchcraft and sprigs or pieces of rowan were used to protect cows and dairy produce from enchantment. When showing autumn colour, the power of rowan trees was though to be greatly enhanced.

Legend says that by October the Devil has spat on blackberries, making them inedible. However, with bramble still flowering and new berries still coming there may be opportunities to enjoy the blackberries that the Devil missed!