British customs and traditions

BRITISH CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

Almost every nation has a reputation of some kind. The English are reputed to be cold, reserved, rather haughty people. They are steady, easy-going and fond of sports. There are certain kinds of behavior, manners and customs which are peculiar to England.

FOLK CELEBRATIONS 1

From wife-carrying in Surrey to cheese-rolling in the Cotswolds, these are some of the quirkiest traditions and village pastimes still alive and well in England today.

Apparently, to anyone who grew up in England - particularly in a small village in England - there is nothing at all strange about dressing up in ribbons and bells and hitting sticks together in public, or chasing a large cheese down a steep hill, or setting fire to things and running around with them, trying not to get burned.

To outsiders, this is weird. This is wacky. These quirky customs and pastimes, with their roots in customs dating back to the middle ages, are the last bastions of English eccentricity - and are often just a little bit dangerous, too. Third-degree burns, dropping your wife on her head, or knocked out with a wellington boot is all part of the fun.

MAYPOLE DANCING

Maypole dancing is a serious business. It may look to the untrained eye like a bunch of confused schoolchildren skipping around in a random fashion, but it does in fact involve careful choreography to create complex patterns of woven, multicolored ribbons around the pole.

This ceremonial folk dance has been done to celebrate May Day and herald the arrival of spring since medieval times. The prettiest girl in the village was selected as the May Queen, and all the other bright young things of the village put on their best sackcloth and danced reels, jigs and hornpipes, accompanied by accordion, pipe and fiddle, winding their ribbons around that garlanded, phallic pole until they ended up kissing-distance close; then afterwards, they lit a funeral pyre with a post-coital cigarette and sacrificed the lucky May Queen to the pagan gods. These days a virgin sacrifice is rare, except perhaps in the remotest wilds of East Anglia.

JACK IN THE GREEN

An excellent chance to follow what looks like a moving hedge through town on the May Bank Holiday. Known as the Jack, he's attended by green-faced 'Bogies' and a Morris group, and later gets 'slain' amid the cliff-top castle ruins. It all began as a form of legalized begging for chimney sweeps out of work during the summer months - the Jack began as a garland but grew and grew until he covered the person beneath.

CHEESE ROLLING

Gloucestershire's famous Cheese Rolling tradition has attracted such numbers in the past (an estimated 15,000 in 2009) that it's now staged every year by an 'ad-hoc group of enthusiasts' and has been capped at a total of 5,000 attendees. The objective? Simple: to be the first competitor to cross the finish line following a rolling round of Double Gloucester cheese (which can gather furious speeds of up to 70mph). The winner must then perform a shirtless sprint - trophy in hand -back up Cooper's Hill, in a cheese-centric, Circle of Life-type act of symbolism that celebrates the cheese's creation, release, and eventual re-capture.

A note of warning for any wannabe cheese-chasers: despite the seemingly harmless nature of the pastime, multiple injuries have been suffered historically as a result of chasing the cheeses down the hill, ranging from concussion to broken bones.

WIFE CARRYING

The practice of Wife Carrying - a race hosted annually in The Nower, Dorking, in which men carry their partner along a hilly 380m course - has a significantly less jovial history than the modern event suggests. Dating back to the Viking invasion of 793 AD, the race evolved out of the Nordics' rampage, in which a monastery was destroyed and local women were carried off against their will. It was only in 2008 that the tradition was revived in the UK - albeit with a whole new, 21st century set of rules (principally that women participate willingly).

The conditions of competing? Wives must weigh at least 50kg - and those lacking in kilos must make up the weight in the equivalent of baked bean cans - and must wear a helmet; and competitors must complete the course (beset by hay-bale hurdles and the occasional cold-water hazard). The prizes? £100 and a barrel of Pilgrim ale for the winning couple, who will go on to participate in the world championships in Finland; a pound of sausage for the carrier of the heaviest wife, and mini-kegs for the runners up. The losers can look forward to receiving a 'ceremonial' tin of dog food and a Pot Noodle.

MORRIS DANCING

The roots of morris dancing are as strange as the dance itself. OK, that's not true, there is perhaps nothing as strange as morris dancing. Historically, the dance may come from a Spanish celebration of the removal of Moors from Spain in the 15th century - but that's just speculation. Morris aficionados will know that there are at least six different styles of morris dancing, so nailing it down to one formula is difficult. Usually it involves men (and occasionally women) dressed in white trousers (or breeches) and tops with red braces, dancing with a folky hop-and-a-skip while carrying sticks, handkerchiefs or possibly swords.

It's most popular in villages around the Cotswolds and Welsh borders, though it's also common in the north-west and can often be found in even the remotest parts of rural England. Some dancers in the borders with Wales paint their faces black, while elsewhere it is not unusual to find one of the male dancers (the Morris fool) to be dressed as a woman.

Banned by the puritans led by Oliver Cromwell, the dance is steeped in folklore, and can most commonly be found amidst May Day celebrations - usually near a pub. Beer is a common accompaniment for both dancers and audiences.

LEWES FIREWORKS

For 364 days of the year, Lewes, near Brighton in Sussex, is the sort of town to take afternoon tea in. Maybe browse an antiques shop, visit the castle, wander its pretty ancient streets and, if you're feeling reckless, perhaps make a visit to the local brewery. But on 5 November, the town takes on a very different personality. Steeped in traditions going back 500 years, Lewes takes fireworks night very seriously, and only those ready for a night of protestant, flame-throwing revelry, fraught with raucousness and danger, should enter.

In a world ruled by health and safety regulations it is amazing that Lewes fireworks night (public injury count: approximately 80 per year) is allowed to exist at all. This is now known as one of Britain's most anarchic nights of the year, when 30 rival fireworks societies march the streets with burning crosses, effigies of (often famous) people stuffed to the brim with fireworks, and messages against the pope.

The tradition of fireworks follows the foiling of Guy Fawkes' gunpowder plot to blow up Parliament in 1605, celebrated across England on the same night. However, Lewes also remembers the burning of the seven 'Lollard' martyrs, who died at the stake during the reign of Henry VIII. They were sentenced to death for teaching the bible in English rather than Latin, and rejecting the concept of church wealth and holy communion. It's this that gives the night its edge beyond anything you'll find in your local park.

PANCAKE FLIPPING

While the rest of the world carnivals Shrove Tuesday away with colourful Mardi Gras celebrations, the English - in classic, off-the-wall style - get out their frying pans to flip pancakes.

There are religious roots behind the consumption of the sweet and savoury treats on Shrove Tuesday: pancakes were historically served as a means of using up fatty foods prior to fasting for Lent. It's the zany racing element of the tradition that is quintessentially quirky: the practise is said to have originated with a housewife from Olney, Buckinghamshire, who became so absorbed in her cooking that when the bells rang for church, she made a dash for the service with her pan still in hand.

Races have taken place across the country ever since. Even the House of Lords and House of Commons pit themselves against one another in the highly competitive Parliamentary Pancake Race in aid of charity (the House of Commons lot are the current reigning champions). In Buckinghamshire, the town of Olney still hosts an annual all-female Pancake Race, too - and, bizarrely, the town also participates in a transatlantic pancake race-off with the Kansas town of Liberal, in the USA.

The best bit of the pancake race tradition is that after all the strenuous athleticism is over, there's a tasty reward ready and waiting in the pan - preferably to be doused in lemon and sugar.

ROYAL EVENTS AND CELEBRATIONS 2

Royal events and ceremonies hold a powerful fascination. Occasions such as the State Opening of Parliament, Trooping the Colour and Garter Day are some of the most colourful and exciting events of the year. More modest ceremonies such as Audiences and Investitures, form an important part of the Royal working day.

These official occasions are full of symbolism, tradition and meaning, and an integral part of The Queen's role as Head of State.

SWAN UPPING

Swan Upping is the annual census of the swan population on stretches of the Thames in the counties of Middlesex, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire. This historic ceremony dates from the twelfth century, when the Crown claimed ownership of all mute swans. At that time swans were regarded as a delicious dish at banquets and feasts.

Today, the Crown retains the right to ownership of all unmarked mute swans in open water, but The Queen only exercises her ownership on certain stretches of the Thames and its surrounding tributaries.

This ownership is shared with the Worshipful Company of Vintners and the Worshipful Company of Dyers, who were granted rights of ownership by the Crown in the fifteenth century. Nowadays, of course, the swans are no longer eaten.

In the Swan Upping ceremony, The Queen's Swan Marker, the Royal Swan Uppers and the Swan Uppers of the Vintners' and Dyers' livery companies use six traditional Thames rowing skiffs in their five-day journey up-river. The Queen's Swan Uppers wear traditional scarlet uniforms and each boat flies appropriate flags and pennants.

When a brood of cygnets is sighted, a cry of "All up!" is given to signal that the boats should get into position. On passing Windsor Castle, the rowers stand to attention in their boat with oars raised and salute "Her Majesty The Queen, Seigneur of the Swans".

The cygnets are weighed and measured to obtain estimates of growth rates and the birds are examined for any sign of injury (commonly caused by fishing hooks and line).The swans are also given a health check and ringed with individual identification numbers are then set free again. Swan Upping takes place in the third week of July each year.

CHANGING THE GUARD

Changing the Guard or Guard Mounting is the process involving a new guard exchanging duty with the old guard.

The Guard which mounts at Buckingham Palace is called The Queen’s Guard and is divided into two Detachments: the Buckingham Palace Detachment (which is responsible for guarding Buckingham Palace), and the St. James’s Palace Detachment, (which guards St. James’s Palace). These guard duties are normally provided by a battalion of the Household Division and occasionally by other infantry battalions or other units.

When Guardsmen are on duty, the soldiers are drawn from one of the five regiments of Foot Guards in the British Army: the Scots Guards, the Irish Guards, the Welsh Guards, the Grenadier Guards and the Coldstream Guards.

GARDEN PARTIES

With tea, cakes and a beautiful garden to stroll in, garden parties are among the most relaxed and informal Royal events.

Every summer, The Queen hosts at least three at Buckingham Palace, as well as one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. Over 30,000 people attend.

Garden parties have been held at Buckingham Palace since the 1860s, when Queen Victoria instituted what were known as 'breakfasts' (though they took place in the afternoon). In the 1950s the number of garden parties held at Buckingham Palace was increased from two to three a year. They took the place of presentation parties attended by debutantes, but have evolved into a way of rewarding and recognising public service. They are attended by people from all walks of life.

TROOPING THE COLOUR

The Sovereign's birthday is officially celebrated by the ceremony of Trooping the Colour on a Saturday in June.

Although The Queen was born on 21 April, it has long been the tradition to celebrate the Sovereign's birthday publicly on a day in the summer, when good weather is more likely.

Trooping the Colour is carried out by fully trained and operational troops from the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry) on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, watched by members of the Royal Family, invited guests and members of the public.

This military ceremony dates back to the early eighteenth century or earlier, when the colours (flags) of the battalion were carried (or 'trooped') down the ranks so that they could be seen and recognized by the soldiers. Since 1748, this parade has also marked the Sovereign's official birthday. From the reign of Edward VII onwards, the Sovereign has taken the salute in person at Trooping the Colour.

During the ceremony, The Queen is greeted by a Royal salute and carries out an inspection of the troops. After the massed bands have performed a musical 'troop', the escorted Regimental Colour is carried down the ranks.

The Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry then march past Her Majesty, and The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, rank past. The Queen rides in a carriage back to Buckingham Palace at the head of her Guards, before taking the salute at the Palace from a dais. The troops then return to barracks. Her Majesty then joins other members of the Royal Family on the palace balcony for a fly-past by the Royal Air Force. The Queen has attended Trooping the Colour every year of her reign, except in 1955 when a national rail strike cancelled the event.

PURELY BRITISH 3

MILITARY RAVENS

The Tower of London is one of the most famous places in the United Kingdom. It is also home to some of the most bizarre customs in the world. Thanks to a decree by King Charles II, at least 6 ravens must be kept at the Tower of London – a move made by the King when he considered doing away with the Tower ravens and was warned by a courtier, “if the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it.”

The ravens, however, are more than mere residents at the Tower. They are officially enlisted as soldiers and have to take an ‘oath’ when they join the Tower of London (which comes in the form of an attestation card with an oath written on it), according to various authorities, this is so that the ravens can be dismissed, like soldiers, for poor conduct.

‘THE QUEEN… OUR DUKE’?

The Queen is known by many titles around the world. In Papua New Guinea for example, she is known ‘Missis Kwin’ and ‘Mama belong big family’, though perhaps the strangest naming style Her Majesty uses is that of Duke of Lancaster. Yes, that’s right Duke!

The reason for this is said to be that Queen Victoria considered that the title of Duke was superior to that of Duchess because it showed the Dukedom was held by the substantively. In other words, the title of Duchess meant that the person used their title through right of their husband.

Her Majesty is also known in the Channel Islands as Duke of Normandy, for the same reason. To this day, she is still greeted as ‘The Queen, Our Duke’ on the Channel Islands and in Lancaster, Her Majesty is still toasted as ‘The Queen, Duke of Lancaster’.

PRICKING

In England, High Sheriffs – nowadays ceremonial officers for counties across the country – are appointed in a very unusual way. In February or March each year, during a meeting of the Privy Council, The Queen will choose High Sheriffs in a ceremony called ‘pricking’, during which she will choose names off the list by piercing it with a bodkin – an implement used for sewing.

This unusual tradition is believed to have stemmed from the first Queen Elizabeth who, when she was asked to mark her choice for High Sheriffs whilst she was doing embroidery, decided to use a bodkin to mark the names as she didn’t have a pen to hand. It’s a tradition that continues to this day and, whilst not generally publicised or photographed, it is reported in the Court Circular.

TAKING A HOSTAGE

The State Opening of Parliament is one of the most dazzling spectacles the British Monarchy has to offer. It is also one of the key events in the calendar year when the best British traditions is on show, including the most bizarre ones. Prior to The Queen arriving at the State Opening, the Royal Household traditionally take a Member of Parliament as a hostage in exchange for The Queen’s safe return.

This tradition harks back to the days when the Monarch and Parliament didn’t get on so well and in order to ensure the wellbeing of the Sovereign whilst in Parliament, the Royal Household insisted on taking a hostage. The hostage, who is usually a Government whip, is taken to Buckingham Palace for the duration of the ceremony where he or she is well looked after by Palace staff.

THE CEREMONY OF THE KEYS

Another interesting tradition from the Tower of London is the Ceremony of the Keys. Despite the strength of modern security techniques, for over 700 years – and without missing a single day – a traditional ceremony has been performed to ensure the tower is locked and secured for the night from any unwanted intruders. During the ceremony, performed just before 10pm every night, a Yeoman Warder accompanied by a military escort marches round the Tower ensuring all the gates are closed.

During WW2, the ceremony was interrupted by an enemy bomb which reportedly blew the Chief Yeoman Warder off his feet. The escort dusted themselves off, before carrying on with the ceremony – there is a letter from the captain of the guard written to King George VI apologising for the delay in the ceremony and also a reply from the King which says the officer is not to be punished as it was due to enemy action the ceremony was delayed.

The ceremony is also filled with its own mini-traditions, for example, when the sentry issues a challenge to the escort when they come to march along water lane (you can see the whole thing on YouTube by clicking here) as well as the saluting of The Queen’s keys at the end.

GUN SALUTES

Gun salutes are used in the 21st century to herald royal and state occasions across the country. The way in which these salutes are conducted, and how the number of rounds is decided is something of an oddity. The number of shots fired in a salute is laid down by convention – coming from the days when ships would fire off all their guns as a salute to prove they meant no harm.

A basic 21 rounds forms a royal salute. Then, if the salute is in a royal park, you add another 20 rounds. Similarly, you add another 20 for a royal palace and 21 if it’s in the City of London. Confused yet?

The Tower of London happens to hold the record for the most shots fired in a salute. 124 shots are fired when the Duke of Edinburgh’s birthday is on the same day as The Queen’s official birthday – 10th June. Salutes are fired across the country on senior royals’ birthdays, accession day, coronation day and The Queen’s official birthday. They are also fired on the birth of a member of the Royal Family, the death of the Sovereign, state visits and the prorogation of Parliament.

MAJESTIC PLURAL

Queen Victoria is often attributed with having said the phrase ‘we are not amused’ during her reign, which is recognised as an example of something called the Royal We (or Majestic Plural). In essence, the royal we is the use of a plural pronoun to refer to the Sovereign. It is a form which is still used today in the most formal circumstances such as in letters patent and acts of Parliament. Traditionally, it was used as a way of showing that the Monarch was speaking with the voice of God as well as their own – though now it is taken to be the Monarch speaking on behalf of the nation.

This bizarre tradition has been remarked upon several times by Her Majesty herself during her reign, perhaps most prominently in a speech at the Guildhall on the occasion of her and the Duke of Edinburgh’s silver wedding anniversary in 1972, when she started her speech by saying, “we, and by that I mean the both of us…”

A ROYAL PECULIAR

There are several places of worship in the United Kingdom which fall under the control of the Sovereign instead of a bishop as would be the case for most churches. These are known as royal peculiars – peculiar not because they are unusual, but because they pertain to The Queen.

Among these royal peculiars are Westminster Abbey, the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace, St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle and the Savoy Chapel near the Strand in London among others.

The Monarch also happens to be the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and in order to be Monarch, a person must be in communion with the Church of England.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-04