The daily life of the Guisboreans does not seem to have altered much from the time of Edward VI to the end of last century. In a letter among the Cottonian MSS., the writer, addressing Sir Thomas Chaloner, says, ‘The people bread here (Guisborough) live very longe, if they be a while absent they growe sicklye; they are altogether given to pleasure, scarce any good husband amongst them; Day and Nighte feastinge, making Matches for Horse Races, Dog runninge, or runninge on Foote,’ &c. The above was written about 1550, and we find in 1784 that things were still pretty lively, as the contents of the small hand-bill[9] (see next page) fully testify. The contents of another, setting forth the varied attractions of ‘Staithes Feast,’ are also characteristic of the time.

Gisbrough Races.

Saturday, August 14, 1784.

A MATCH between Sir William Foulis’s Ass Colt, Turkey Nab, and Mr. Chaloner’s Ass Colt, Sturdy; Catch-weights, 1l. 1s. play or pay, the last Comer-in to Win. Change of Jockeys, crossing, jostling, and kicking.

A PURSE of SILVER to be run for by Men in Sacks. Crossing and jostling.

LADIES’ PLATE.

A SHIFT to be run for by Ladies. No crossing-and-jostling. No Lady to enter who has won more than one Shift. A Pair of Cotton Stockings for the second Lady; and a Pair of Garters for the third. Free for all Weights and Ages.

⁂ After the Races, A Soap-tail’d PIG will be turn’d out. Whoever throws him over his Shoulder by the Tail is to have him for his own Property.

††† Smoaking, Cudgel-††playing, and other Entertainments.

JOHN HALE, Steward.

‡‡ An Ordinary at the Cock at Gisbrough at Half past Two o‘Clock. The Race to begin at Five o‘Clock.

Staithes Feast.

—WILL BE HELDE ON—

TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1797.

When the prizes As advertized Below will be offered to All those skilled in such matters, as well as Divers others not herin stated.

TO WIT.

⁂ A fish skin purse contayninge SILVER will be run or rolled for in sacks a man and a boy in each sack. 25 Yrds. Eric Staumer Esq. will adjudge.

††† A 50 Yrds. race. To be run for, A Hood and Cloak, each, for maidens runninge in pairs, the right legge of the one to be fast bound below the knee and at the ancle, to ye left legge of the other[10]. T. Metcalfe will Bind ye legges and Adjudge.

⁂ A CROWN piece for A MAN and WIFE race, ye wife to be hugged either on the backe, in arms, or by any other device, so as she be lifted clean from ye ground, Husbands with light wives to be put backe. No WHEELBARROWS allowed. Mr. Mat Petch will Adjudge.

The choyce of a sark or petticote offered to the best performance of skille in a Skep and Pole tryal[11]. Only for married women. One clean turn to be mayde.
Thos. Hiltune Esq. will adjudge.

††† A CŌBLE RACE for 1.l. 1.s.

⁂ A LYKE SUM will be gyven to the owners of the best kept CŌBLE. To be equally divided. W. Hymers Esq. WILL adjudge.

††† 2 new CROWN pieces will be gyven to ye maid under 18 yeares who shalle fyrst cleanly bayte 100 hooks. Mr. W. Pickles will adjudge.

⁂ Lykewise, Genning throw a Barfan, Smoaking, and other pastimes for ye entertainment of all commers will in nowise be found lacking.
All friends and nighbours are dilligently invited.
This was wrote by I. Storey, schoolmaster.

N.B. This hand-bill was not printed, but most carefully and neatly written.

CHAPTER VII
CUSTOMS OF COURTSHIP, MARRIAGE, BIRTH, AND DEATH

Superstition.

The old customs and superstitions connected with marriage festivities are perhaps more closely observed here and there in the North Riding than in any other part of Yorkshire. In some parts of Cleveland, I doubt if the bride and bridegroom would consider themselves properly wedded if there were no race for a ribbon or handkerchief. And certainly it would be a most unlucky omen, should any one but the bride cut the first piece from the bride’s cake. But I anticipate—let us commence at the beginning. Very rarely, I imagine, is it that an orthodox proposal is ever made by a Yorkshire lad to the lass of his choice. No, they just ’keep cump’ny t’ ane wi’ t’ t’other.’ ‘Keeping company’ is the Yorkshire idiom for courting; and during that happy time, in days past, were a young fellow ever caught kissing his lady-love whilst a roof was over their heads (i. e. in any one’s house), he was liable—if he did not instantly throw on the table kiss-money—to be ‘pitchered[12]’ on the spot, i.e. either have a hole burnt through his coat or his buttons cut off. This violent attack on the person of arson and robbery was usually effected by a bevy of damsels.

In time, if all went well, the twain decided to become one; to this end the ’spurrings’ were put in, i.e. the banns were published. This having been accomplished, the couple were said to be ’hanging in the bell-ropes’—no maiden would ever think of attending church during the time she was hanging in the bell-ropes, or to use another expression, ‘whilst she was suffering from a broken leg after having tumm’l’d ower t’ bauk.’

The wedding day having arrived, the happy couple, accompanied by their friends, either proceed two and two, or hire a cab.

Of course the bride is properly garnished for the occasion, and very nice and blushy she looks—that goes without saying. But whatever her toilet may be, one thing is certain—not a speck of blue or green will be found anywhere about her, both colours being considered very unlucky; neither will the wedding take place on a Friday.