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CHARLES DACK.
CHARLES DACK.
Published by and for the benefit of the PETERBOROUGH NATURAL HISTORY, SCIENTIFIC, AND ARCHÆOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 1911. PETERBOROUGH: CHARLES HAWKINS, PRINTER, KING STREET 1856. FROM A DRAWING BY (Second Series). his is a continuation of a Paper on the "Survival of Old Customs" in Peterborough and the neighbourhood which was read at the Royal Archæological Society's meeting in 1898, with an addition of a few more old customs, and more particulars of others, to which I have also added a collection of
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January.
January.
On corner walls, A glittering row, Hang pit irons less for use than show, With horse-shoe brightened as a spell, Witchcraft's evil powers to quell. John Clare. The first thing on New Year's morning, open your Bible and the first verse your finger or thumb touches that verse, will betoken what will occur during the year. On New Year's morning if a sprig of green is placed in the Bible, the verse on which it lies fortells the events of the year. It is lucky for a dark man to enter the house first
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St. Paul's Day, 25th January.
St. Paul's Day, 25th January.
In some verses dedicated To all my worthy Masters and Mistresses, by John Small , Bell-man, Stamford, 1850, is the following:— If Saint Paul's day be fair and clear, It doth betide a happy year; If blustering winds do blow aloft, Then wars will trouble our realm full oft, And if by chance to snow or rain, Then will be dear all sorts of grain....
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St. Valentine's Day.
St. Valentine's Day.
Children used to go round the villages and city on this day and sing: Good Morrow, Valentine; Please to give me a valentine; I'll be yourn, if you'll be mine; Good Morrow, Valentine. Good Morrow, Valentine First its yourn and then tis mine So please give me a valentine. Holly and ivy tickle my toe Give me red apple and let me go. Good Morrow, Valentine, Parsley grows by savoury Savoury grows by thyme A new pair of gloves on Easter Day Good Morrow, Valentine. This was called going Valentining and
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March.
March.
March, many weathers. John Clare says: March month of "many weathers" wildly comes, In hail and snow and rain, and threatening hums and floods. March wind. A wet March makes a sad harvest. A March without water dowers the hind's daughter. If March comes in smiling and gay Saddle your horses and go and buy hay. March, Hic, Hac, Ham' Comes in like a lion And goes out like a lamb. If March comes in stormy and black, she carries the winter away on her back....
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Mothering Sunday.
Mothering Sunday.
This is Midlent Sunday when it was the regular custom, and even now very general, for the children, especially those in service, to visit their parents on that day. Children away from home write to their parents on Mothering Sunday if unable to get home. A special kind of cake was made for this day....
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Palm Sunday.
Palm Sunday.
It is known as Fig Sunday as figs are eaten and a fig pudding is a regular dish on this day. There used to be a great display of figs in the Grocers' windows the week preceding Palm Sunday, but there is not such a show now....
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Good Friday.
Good Friday.
On Good Friday, in 1904, I was reminded of an old custom by an old friend who was staying with me. When some hot cross buns were offered, he took one and told me to hold it with him and, whilst we were holding it together to repeat with him this couplet:— Half for you half for me Between us two good luck shall be. When this was being said we broke the bun in two. This is said to cement friendship between the two who break the bun....
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April. St. Mark's Eve.
April. St. Mark's Eve.
Take three tufts of grass plucked from a Churchyard, place them under your pillow and repeat aloud:— Let me know my fate, whether weal or woe Whether my rank's to be high or low, Whether to live single or be a bride, And the destiny my star doth provide. If this is done one dreams of the future. When April blows his horn 'Tis good for hay and corn. April showers make May flowers. 26th April was called Break Day. The Fen Commons were broke or opened by turning in stock....
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May.
May.
The May Day Garlands are of various forms. Those in Peterborough are formed of two hoops fastened together to form a globe and a stick or stave through the centre. The hoops are decorated with flowers and ribbons, and when the children possess one, the best doll is fixed on the stick inside the garland. Two girls carry the garland which is carefully covered with a white cloth. This is lifted at the houses and the wondrous garland is exposed whilst the children sing the following song, which is t
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May Day.
May Day.
A branch of May I have brought you, And at your door it stands; Well set out, and well spread about By the work of our Lord's hands. Take a Bible in your hands, And read a chapter through; And when the day of Judgement comes, God will remember you, God bless ye all both great and small, And I wish you a merry May. Another variation is:— Arise! Arise! ye dairy maids, Shake off your drowsy dreams, Step straightway to your dairies And fetch us a bowl of cream, If not a bowl of your sweet cream, A p
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Whit Sunday.
Whit Sunday.
In South Northamptonshire it is said:— "Whatsoever one did ask of God upon Whit Sunday Morning, at the instant when the sun arose and played, God would grant him." Turn your money in your pocket the first time you hear the cuckoo. Count the number of times the cuckoo calls when you hear it for the first time and, as many times as it calls, so many years will it be before you are married. If a maid hears a cuckoo on the first of May, and takes off her left shoe, she will find inside a hair the co
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June.
June.
The oak's slow opening leaf, of deepening hue, Bespeaks the power of Summer once again. Clare....
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June Roses.
June Roses.
The two June sayings are very optimistic: A fine June, puts all things in tune. A rainy June, sets all things in tune....
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St. Peter's Day, 29th June.
St. Peter's Day, 29th June.
The gates of the Minster Precincts are still closed on this day to maintain the right of privacy. The Proclamations of St. Peter's and Bridge Fair by the Town Crier, in the presence of the Mayor and Corporation, is still continued. A copy of the proclamation was fortunately obtained for me before the old Beadle died. He had not a copy but used to repeat it from memory....
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Sheep Shearing. (June).
Sheep Shearing. (June).
It was the custom, when the shearing was finished, for the Shepherds and Shearers to be entertained at supper by the Farmer. The Farmer's Daughter used to tie up posies of roses with ribbons and give a posy to each man, but the Head Shepherd always had the largest and best posy. It was considered by the girls to be great fun to put a quantity of pepper in the roses for the Head Shepherd, so that the poor Shepherd had severe fits of sneezing. Being expected, the joke never failed to cause a treme
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Midsummer Eve Charms.
Midsummer Eve Charms.
As the clock strikes Midnight take some hempseed and go into the garden and begin to throw the hempseed on the ground, repeating these words:— Hempseed I sow, Hempseed I hoe, He that is my true love, Come after me and mow. After this, look over your left shoulder and you will see your future spouse. In some places the sower goes round the house. Another is to go into the garden backwards, in silence, and gather a rose and keep it in a clean sheet of paper without looking at it, until Christmas D
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Dumb Cake.
Dumb Cake.
On Midsummer Eve three girls are required to make a dumb cake. Two must make it, two bake it, two break it, and the third put a piece under each of their pillows. Strict silence must be preserved. The following are the directions given how to proceed: The two must go to the larder and jointly get the various ingredients. First they get a bowl, each holding it and wash and dry it together. Then each gets a spoonful of flour, a spoonful of water and a little salt. When making the cake they must st
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September.
September.
Right glad to meet the evening's dewy veil And see the light fade into glooms around. Clare. The Harvest Home Suppers are now almost a thing of the past. I went to one about eight years ago and suppose it will be the last. It is held when the last load of corn is taken home. This load used to be decorated with boughs and flowers and the youngest boy employed used to ride on it singing:— Harvest Home! Harvest Home; Two plum puddings are better than one, We've plowed, we've sowed, We've reaped
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Harvest Home.
Harvest Home.
Here's a health unto our Master, the giver of the feast, Not only to our Master, but to our Mistress; We wish all things may prosper whate'er he take in hand, For we are all his servants, and all at his command. Drink, boys drink, and see you do not spill, For if you do you shall drink two, it is our Master's will. I've been to France, I've been to Dover, I've been to Harvest Home all the world over, over, and over, Drink up your liquor and turn the bowl over. Another:— Here's health unto our Ma
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October.
October.
Hail, falling leaves! that patter round, Admonishers and friends. Come pensive Autumn, with thy clouds and storms, And falling leaves and pastimes lost to flowers. Clare....
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Mops.
Mops.
These were assemblies of people after Michaelmas in want of servants (male or female) who were not hired at the Statutes held before Michaelmas....
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St. Martin's Day.
St. Martin's Day.
The 11th November is generally called Martlemas Day and old people still watch for the direction of the wind at noon on this day as they believe it will continue in that quarter for the next three months. It is also a saying that if the ice will bear a duck before Martlemas it will not bear a goose all winter....
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November.
November.
When Winter comes in earnest to fulfil His yearly task at bleak November's close. Sybil of months, and worshipper of winds I love thee, rude and boisterous as thou art. Clare....
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St. Cecilia's Day. Nov. 22.
St. Cecilia's Day. Nov. 22.
The Lay Clerks of the Cathedral and friends used to be entertained by the Dean and Chapter at a dinner at which a boiled leg of mutton was the principal dish. After dinner songs and glees were sung....
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St. Catherine's Day, Nov. 25th.
St. Catherine's Day, Nov. 25th.
The female children belonging to the Workhouse were dressed in white, trimmed with coloured ribbons, and went in a procession headed by the Workhouse Master and the tallest girl who wore a crown of gilt paper and carried a sceptre and distaff. They stopped at the houses of the principal inhabitants and sang this song. Money was given them and they had rump steak and onions for dinner, and a tea party, and games in the evening: Here comes Queen Katrin as fine as any Queen, With a coach and six ho
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December. St. Andrew's Day.
December. St. Andrew's Day.
December 11th, commonly called "Tander," used to be kept by the Lace-makers as a feast day. St. Andrew was their Patron Saint. On that day men and women used to go about dressed in each other's clothes, and calling at various houses and drinking hot elder wine. On this day the Morris Dancers or Mummers began their visits. There were from four to eight people who took part in the Mummery. The King, Beelzebub, Doctor, Doctor's man and Jack, the fool. Sometimes one took the part of the Doctor's hor
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St. Thomas's Day, 21st December.
St. Thomas's Day, 21st December.
The practice of women going Gooding is fast passing away. Very few bands of women are seen now in the towns, but at Farcet last year (1910) the widows received about two shillings each for their share....
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Christmas.
Christmas.
For a few weeks before Christmas Day the Waits and Singers still come round during the night time and on Boxing Days they call for their Christmas Boxes. The singers have now degenerated into two or three children who huddle together on the doorsteps of houses and sing through the keyhole and letter box as fast and as loud as they can utter the various hymns of which, "When shepherds watched their flocks by night." As soon as they receive a halfpenny away they trot to the next house to repeat th
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Innocents Day, December 28th.
Innocents Day, December 28th.
Called "Dyzemass Day," it is considered very unlucky to begin anything on this day and about sixty or seventy years ago many old people kept this day more sacred than an ordinary Sunday....
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Country Dances.
Country Dances.
In the old County families the Christmas or New Year's dances in which tenants and servants all united together are still kept up in this district and anticipated and enjoyed as heartily as ever. The up-to-date dances are divided by the old Country dances which go with a vim and are enjoyed by all. In these dances the Master, Mistress, family and friends dance with the servants to the mutual good will and good feeling of all concerned. The dance is generally opened by a Country dance in which th
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Sedan Chairs.
Sedan Chairs.
A Sedan Chair used to be seen in the streets of Peterborough until the early seventies. Certain old ladies would only go to Church or entertainments in it because it was taken into the entrance of the house or other place so that they could get in and out without being exposed to the weather. The harness worn by one of the men is seen in Peterborough Museum. In 1905; for the first time within the recollection of the inhabitants of Peterborough, St. John's Church Bells were not rung on Wyldbore's
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Fit Rings.
Fit Rings.
To cure fits:—If a female, she collects nine pieces of silver and nine three half-pennies from bachelors. The silver money is made into a ring, to be worn by the afflicted person and the half-pence is paid to the maker of the ring for his work. If a male, he collects from females. I knew an old silversmith who was in great request to make these rings. He used to save broken silver spoons to make the rings but lately he found out he could buy the rings ready made so he did not trouble to make any
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Wedding Rings.
Wedding Rings.
It is unlucky for a bride to reverse her wedding ring on her wedding day. If a bride can be persuaded to remove her ring and have some bride cake passed through the ring, and the cake, so passed, put under the pillow, the person will dream of her future spouse....
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Games. Earth Air and Water.
Games. Earth Air and Water.
This was a favourite game at Christmas parties for forfeits. The players sit all round the room, a small ball or a handkerchief tied up is then thrown by the leader at one. After several feints so as to catch one not watching and throw the ball at that one and shouting Earth Air, or Water, and as soon as the word is said begins to count up to ten as fast as possible. The person hit by the ball has to name a bird, beast, or fish before ten has been counted or pays a forfeit. A name must not be me
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I Love My Love.
I Love My Love.
This is another forfeit game. All sit round the room and one begins I love my love with an A, because he is amiable, and everyone follows in their turn by repeating the form and qualification, beginning with the same letter as Active, Artful, &c. Anyone using the word which has been used pays a forfeit. Then it goes round with the letter B and so on through the alphabet. The Quaker Wedding:—The leader goes round with his eyes looking on the ground and sings "Hast thou ever been to a Quak
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Handsell.
Handsell.
It is still a custom if a child has anything new to wear, to handsell it. That is to give a small coin to put in the pocket. The first money received on the day is called taking Handsell, and some spit on it and turn it to get good luck. When anything is used for the first time it is handselled....
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Boot.
Boot.
This was a kind of punishment for such boys as have carelessly neglected their duty in the harvest, or treated their labour with negligence instead of attention, as letting their cattle get pounded or overthrowing their loads, etc. A long form is placed in the kitchen upon which the boys who have worked well sit, as a terror and disgrace to the rest in a bent posture, with their hands laid on each others backs forming a hedge for the "boys," as the truant boys are called to pass over; while a st
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Cutting Nails.
Cutting Nails.
Cut your nails on a Monday, cut for a gift. Cut your nails on a Tuesday, cut them for thrift. Cut your nails on a Wednesday, cut them for news. Cut your nails on a Thursday, cut for a new pair of shoes. Cut your nails on a Friday, cut them for sorrow, Cut your nails on a Saturday, see your sweetheart to-morrow. Cut them on Sunday, cut them for evil. Cut them all the week round, and you'll go to the devil. Better that child had ne'er been born, Who cuts its nails on a Sunday morn. Of a Friday's p
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Marriage.
Marriage.
Three times a bridesmaid, will die an old maid....
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Bride's Dress.
Bride's Dress.
Married in Grey, you will go far away. Married in Black, you will wish yourself back. Married in Brown, you will live out of town. Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead. Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl. Married in Green, ashamed to be seen. Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow. Married in Blue, he will always be true. Married in Pink, your spirits will sink. Monday for health, Tuesday for wealth, Wednesday the best day of all. Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, Saturd
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Animals.
Animals.
If a dog howls in front of a house it is a sign of a death very soon. If a woman in the house takes off her left shoe and turns it upside down and puts her foot on it the dog ceases howling. I know of one instance where a dog howled in front of a house, and the mistress seeing and hearing the dog took off her left shoe and put her foot on it. The dog was in the midst of a howl, and he finished it with a yell and turned away and ran from the house as fast as possible, but he returned very soon an
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Whooping Cough.
Whooping Cough.
On the 22nd January, 1908, two women were talking together in Long Causeway. One asked the other how her child was? (It was suffering from whooping cough). The mother replied, "No better. The other day Mrs. —— told me to steal a bit of raw meat from a butcher's and cut a hole in it, and put a lock of my hair in the hole and give it to a dog to eat. I did it, but it is no better." I had previously heard this, but with the difference that it should be a lock of the child's hair....
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Washing.
Washing.
They who wash on a Monday have all the week to dry, They who wash on a Tuesday are not so much awry, They who wash on a Wednesday not so much to blame, They who wash on a Thursday wash for shame, They who wash on a Friday wash in need, But they who wash on Saturday are sluts indeed. It is unlucky to wash on "Good Friday." The legend says:—"A woman who was washing when Our Lord was passing on his way to be crucified threw some dirty water over him." Two persons washing together in the same basin
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Sneezing.
Sneezing.
Sneeze on Monday, sneeze for danger, sneeze on Tuesday, kiss a stranger, sneeze on Wednesday get a letter, sneeze on Thursday, something better, sneeze on Friday, sneeze for sorrow, Saturday, see your true love to-morrow. To sneeze three times in succession, is a sign of a gift....
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Peterborough Cathedral.
Peterborough Cathedral.
On July 26th, 1681, the Rev. John Wray, M.A., F.R.S., writes in his diary:— "We (Mr. Wray and Mr. Willoughby) began our journey northwards from Cambridge, and that day, passing through Huntingdon and Stilton, we rode as far as Peterborough, 25 miles. There I first heard the Cathedral Service. The Choristers made us pay money for coming into the choir with our spurs on."...
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Bells.
Bells.
Helpston cracked pippins, And Northborough cracked pans, Glinton fine Organs, And Peakirk tin pans. The Churches of Tansor and Cotterstock are not very far from each other. Cotterstock has four bells, and Tansor only two. The villagers say that the Cotterstock bells ask: "Who rings the best? Who rings the best?" and Tansor proudly and rapidly replies, "We do, We do, We do, We do." Tansor now possesses three bells, so their answer now is "We three do." The Pancake bell is still rung regularly in
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Personal.
Personal.
A mole spot on the body, is considered lucky. One with the mole on the neck, will gather money by the peck. A mole on the left shoulder, betokens a drunken husband. Right eye itching, sign of joy, Left eye itching, sign of sorrow. Right eye joy, left eye cry. If your nose itches, you will kiss or shake hands with a fool. Nose itching, going to hear news. Rub it on wood and it's sure to come good. Palm of right hand itching, you will receive money. Left palm itching, you will pay money away. If y
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Folk Lore (3)
Folk Lore (3)
The moon, meek guardian of the night. John Clare (unpub.) To see the new moon for the first time through glass is unlucky especially the first one in the year. You should always turn the money in your pockets when you see the first new moon in the year, and if one of the other sex is near an interchange of kisses increases the good luck. To see the new moon the first time over your right shoulder is lucky, but if over the left shoulder it is unlucky. The first new moon in the year is stronge
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Birds.
Birds.
Crows foretell rain when they caw and walk along on the banks of rivers and pools. A crow alighting in front of anyone walking is unlucky. Two crows bring good luck, and if they fly away over the person's head it is very great good luck. Four crows foretell a death in the person's family. I was recently told that two crows alighting on a house betokens a death, and a very peculiar instance was given. My informant told me that his coat of arms bears three Choughs and the night before his father d
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Bees.
Bees.
On the death of their master or mistress one of the family or household must go to the hives and tap on them and say who is dead and who is to be their new master. If this is neglected the bees will pine away. Some sugared beer is given to the bees at these times. The various flights of bees are named as follows: A swarm. 2. A cast. 3. A colt or second cast, and should there be a fourth, which is very rare, it is called a spem—a swarm from a swarm is called a virgin swarm. The different values o
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Insects.
Insects.
Spiders were considered efficacious in cases of Ague. If put alive in a bag and tied round the neck or swallowed alive wrapped in paste. If you wish to live and thrive Let the spiders run alive. Spider webs in the air or on the grass and nets foretells fair weather. A spider on one's clothes means a new suit or dress. Woodlice, of the kind which roll themselves up when touched, if swallowed in that state, were taken for the ague. With regard to wearing out boots, there is a doggrel on this subje
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General.
General.
"Grandfather" Clocks, and especially those which have been in a family for two or three generations, are regarded as capable of foretelling deaths in a family. If one falls down, stops without any apparent cause, or strikes several times more that it ought to do without stopping, then these events are certain signs of death. A well known barrister told me he had bought an old Grandfather clock, and his man had entire charge of it. One morning the man found the clock had fallen down during the ni
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Plants.
Plants.
When the Dandelion clocks are blowing children carefully pluck them and with as perfect a head as possible hold it upright in front of them and say:— Clicketty, Clock, what's o'clock? and then try and blow as much off the head as possible, and as many times as it takes to blow the down off the heads such will be the time. Children gather Timothy grass and beginning with the top seed say:— Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor, Rich man, Poor man, Beggar man, Thief. At each word the hand touches the ne
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Flowers and Seeds.
Flowers and Seeds.
Clare mentions these signs in his Shepherds Calender. And scarlet-starry points of flowers, Pimpernel, dreading nights and showers Oft call'd "the Shepherd's weather-glass," That sleeps till suns have dried the grass, Then wakes, and spreads its creeping bloom, Till clouds with threatening shadows come, Then close it shuts to sleep again; Which weeders see and talk of rain, And boys, that mark them shut so soon, Call "John that goes to bed at noon." Seeds should be sown and plants and roots plan
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King's Cliffe.
King's Cliffe.
On Palm Sunday the Church used to be decorated with palm branches in the seats and windows. On Christmas Day the parishoners and clerk used to meet at the Church, at three o'clock in the morning and sing a Psalm and then proceed to the Cross, and to every gentleman's house in the town for which they received a largesse during the holidays. A winding bell used be tolled on a dead person being put into her shroud....
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Godmanchester.
Godmanchester.
If a man dies intestate and leaves a family the youngest son becomes the heir to the property....
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Huntingdon.
Huntingdon.
Once a year, the Freemen of Huntingdon used to meet on the Market Hill, they then proceeded in procession dragging a horse's skull with them and perambulated the bounds of the Freemen's lands. At certain points there are boundry holes dug, these holes they re-dig and hold a boy (one of the Freemen's sons) up by his heels with his head in the hole, and strike him (on the part prepared by nature for that purpose), with the spade. This is done at each hole. A different boy was whipped at every hole
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