“That the ceremony took place, as usual, on Palm Sunday, in this year.
“Your petitioner therefore prays that your Lordships will be pleased to ascertain from the bishop of the diocese why the ceremony took place; that, if the existing law enables any ecclesiastical persons to prevent it, the law may be hereafter enforced; and that, if the present law is insufficient, a law may be passed enabling the bishop to interfere for the purpose of saving the national Church from scandal.
“And your petitioner will ever pray.”
Northamptonshire.
It is the universal custom, with both rich and poor, to eat figs on this day. On the Saturday previous, the market at Northampton is abundantly supplied with figs, and there are more purchased at this time than throughout the rest of the year; even the charity children, in some places, are regaled with them.
No conjecture is offered as to the origin or purpose of this singular custom. May it not have some reference to Christ’s desiring to eat figs the day after his triumphant entrance into Jerusalem?—Baker, Glossary of Northamptonshire Words and Phrases, 1854, i. p. 232.
Oxfordshire.
In some parts of this country figs are eaten on Palm Sunday, which is in consequence called Fig Sunday.[25]—N. & Q. 2nd S. vol. i. p. 227.
[25] See [Mid-Lent Sunday].