The origins of popular superstitions and customs / by T. Sharper Knowlson.

  • Knowlson, T. Sharper (Thomas Sharper), 1867-1947
Date:
[between 1910 and 1919?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The origins of popular superstitions and customs / by T. Sharper Knowlson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    although there are other theories of the origin of hocktide, they can produce nothing so substantial- As to the manner of celebrating the event it may be said, in the words of Ellis, that “ the expression Hock, or Hoke-tyde, comprises both days. Tuesday was most certainly the principal day, the dies Martis ligatoria. Hoke Monday was for the men, and Hock Tuesday for the women. On both days the men and women, alternately, with great merriment intercepted the public roads with ropes, and pulled passengers to them, from whom they exacted money, to be laid out in pious uses. So that Hoketyde season, if you will allow the pleonasm, began on the Monday immediately following the second Sunday after Easter, in the same manner as several feasts of the dedications of churches, and other holidays, commenced on the day or the vigil before, and was a sort of preparation for, or introduction to, the principal feast.” Some of the entries in the Lambeth Book recording hocktyde collections, are very quaint. “1555—1557. Item of Godman Rundell’s wife, Godman Jackson’s wife, and God wife Tegg, for Hoxce money by them received to the use of the Church, xijj.” (Archseol. vol. vii. p. 252.) “1518—1519. Item of William Elyot and John Chamberlayne, for Hoke money gydered in the pareys, iijj’. \y^d. “ Item of the gaderyng of the Churchivardens wyffes on Hoke Mondaye, viijj. \V]d!' The modern celebration at Hungerford is begun by a watercress supper at the ‘John o’ Gaunt,’—(he being the patron of the place,) where his wonderful
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