Annual Medieval Event Marked by Women's Bondage Ritual, as Henry VIII Attempted to Prohibit It
Wassup, bud! Let me spin yarn about an ancient merry-making in medieval England - Hocktide! It was a rambunctious series of events that unfolded during the two weeks following Easter, particularly on the Monday and Tuesday after the seconds Sunday of Easter. Fun fact, it's named after the fish known as hock that peasants could eat post-Lent.
Hocktide: A Fancy Name for a Jolly Time
This festival had roots in religious and seasonal customs, marking the transition of the agricultural calendar from winter to summer. As the peasants bid farewell to their long, hard winter, they rejoiced with sports, games, eating, and drinking.
But a unique twist set Hocktide apart – it was a money-making ritual with a playful edge. The funds collected would often be given to the local parish church. But hey, nobody likes a boring fundraiser, right? So, the medieval folks kicked it up a notch by kidnapping each other for ransom!
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Kidnapping for Fun and Profit
So here's how the ransom business went down: during Hocktide, collected rents and dues were the norm, but the entertaining part was the ritual of innocent hostage-taking. On 'Hock Monday,' women would snatch men around the village, sometimes tying them up or blocking their paths, and demand a ransom for their release.
Flip the script to 'Hock Tuesday,' and it was men's turn to grab the women. But not everyone was thrilled about all this Capture-the-Peasant action. Henry VIII thought these shenanigans were getting too wild and put an end to it during his reign (1509-47). But being the party animals they were, the folks got a second chance under Elizabeth I, who brought it back in 1575.
Keeping Hocktide Alive: Only in Hungerford!
Nowadays, Hocktide is only celebrated in the small town of Hungerford, Berkshire. The town honors John of Gaunt, the 14th-century prince, who had bestowed grazing and fishing rights to the town's commoners.
Although agriculture and ransom-taking are no longer the main focuses, Hocktide still includes a few peculiar customs. For example, there's the offical ale-tasting ceremony and a traditional macaroni cheese and watercress supper.
The Crown Jewel of Hocktide: Tutti Day
But the pièce de résistance is Tutti Day, the second Tuesday after Easter. It begins with the Bellman (you know, a town crier guy) summoning everyone to the Hocktide Court at 9am. Every man and woman must attend or face a penny fine – to reaffirm their grazing and fishing rights!
At the court, you'll see the first sitting of the new Hocktide Jury, made up of twelve people chosen the previous Tuesday to serve for the upcoming year. Plus, the selection of the new Constable and Officers takes place.
Back on the main street, Tutti Men and Women – suited up in top hats, tails, and colorful decorative poles – visit every household that enjoys common right. In exchange for a kiss (if willing), they offer an orange. Sometimes, they even climb ladders to get those kisses from folks residing on upper levels. This procession lasts all day!
While all this Tutti Day fun is happening, a grand luncheon is held at the Corn Exchange, complete with four courses, toasts, speeches, and the infamous "shoeing of the colts" ceremony.
Hocktide isn't quite over yet, as there's still the Court Leet, where new office holders are sworn in, and the Constable's parade and service. And just when you thought that was it, the rowdy festivities conclude with anchovies on toast and a performance by the Hungerford Town Band at the Three Swans Hotel.
So, there you have it – the lively history of Hocktide, the medieval festival that still brings the good vibes in Hungerford!
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- Despite the lively medieval customs of Hocktide, one could say that the festival's spirit was akin to modern-day home-and-garden activities, as the festivities involved the community coming together to enjoy a shared lifestyle, whether it was through the official ale-tasting ceremony or the traditional macaroni cheese and watercress supper.
- In today's world, a festival like Hocktide might be associated with home-and-garden enthusiasts who celebrate communal gatherings centering around food, drink, and overall enjoyment of life, much like the peasants during Hocktide's medieval days.
