The Every-day Book and Table Book, v. 1 (of 3) / or Everlasting Calendar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac

by William Hone

October 11.

Sts. Tarachus, Probus, and Andronicus, A. D. 304. St. Gummar, or Gomar, A. D. 774. St. Ethelburge, or Edilburge, A. D. 664. St. Canicus, or Kenny, Abbot in Ireland, A. D. 599.

St. Ethelburge.

In ancient times, on the festival of this saint, furmity was “an usual dish.”[348]

Old Michaelmas Day.

On this day it was a custom in Hertfordshire for young men to assemble in the fields and choose a leader, whom they were obliged to follow through ponds and ditches, “over brake and briar.” Every person they met was taken up by the arms and bumped, or swung against another. Each publican furnished a gallon of ale and plum-cake, which was consumed in the open air. This was a septennial custom and called ganging-day.[349]

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FLORAL DIRECTORY.

Holly. Ilex aquifolium.
Dedicated to St. Ethelburge.

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[348] Fesbroke’s Ency. of Antiq.

[349] Brand.

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