WALES.
A custom prevails in Wales of carrying about at Christmas time a horse’s skull dressed up with ribbons, and supported on a pole by a man who is concealed under a large white cloth. There is a contrivance for opening and shutting the jaws, and the figure pursues and bites everybody it can lay hold of, and does not release them except on payment of a fine. It is generally accompanied by some men dressed up in a grotesque manner, who, on reaching a house, sing some extempore verses requesting admittance, and are in turn answered by those within, until one party or the other is at a loss for a reply. The Welsh are undoubtedly a practical people, and these verses often display a good deal of cleverness. This horse’s head is called Mari Lwyd, which I have heard translated “Grey mare.” Lwyd certainly is grey, but Mari is not a mare in Welsh.[95]—N. & Q. 1st S. vol. i. p. 173.
[95] This custom was also practised in one or two places in Lancashire about the year 1840. The horse was played in a similar way, but the performer was called “Old Ball.” It is no doubt a vestige of the old “hobby-horse.”—Ibid. p. 245.
Upon Christmas Day, about three o’clock in the morning, the Welsh in many parts used to assemble in church, and after prayers and a sermon, continue there singing psalms and hymns with great devotion, till it was daylight; and if, through age or infirmity, any were disabled from attending, they never failed having prayers at home, and carols on our Saviour’s nativity. This act of devotion was called Pulgen, or the crowning of the cock. It was a general belief among the superstitious that instantly—
“At his warning,
Whether in sea, or fire, in earth, or air,
Th’ extravagant, and erring spirit, hies
To his confine—”
During Christmas time, the cock was supposed to exert his power throughout the night, from which no doubt originated the Welsh word “Pulgen” as applied to this custom.—Bingley’s Tour Round North Wales, 1800, vol. ii. p. 226.
At Tenby it was customary at 4 o’clock on Christmas morning for the young men of the town to escort the rector with lighted torches from his residence to church.—Mason’s Tales and Traditions of Tenby, 1858, p. 4.
Sometimes also before or after Christmas Day the fishermen of Tenby dressed up one of their number whom they called the “Lord Mayor of Pennyless Cone,” with a covering of evergreens and a mask over his face; they would then carry him about, seated on a chair, with flags flying, and a couple of violins playing before him. Before every house the “Lord Mayor” would address the occupants, wishing them a merry Christmas and a happy new year. If his good wishes were responded to with money his followers gave three cheers, the masquer would himself return thanks, and the crowd again cheered.—Ibid. p. 5.