Mythic Monday: Plough Monday

In some villages, particularly in northern and eastern England, a rowdy procession of young men dragged a decorated plough from house to house, collecting money along the way and originally carrying a lit candle or “plough light.” The participants blackened their faces to keep from being recognized and made mock threats against any homeowner who did not contribute money or at least food and drink. They were often accompanied by musicians, decked out women, a feisty old woman or a boy dressed as an old woman, called the “Bessy,” and a man in the role of the “jester” or “fool.” The fool’s attire consisted of skins and a tail, and he would sometimes carry a pig’s bladder containing a suet pudding on a stick. The atmosphere involved singing, dancing, feasting, and rollicking revelry as a last ditch “paint the town” before rising by sun up the following morning to commence their labors.

The merriment of Plough Monday is well documented back to the 16th century, and even 13th century papers describe a “plough candle” being lit in churches. In medieval times the church customarily bestowed a blessing upon the decorated plough as a symbol of a steady work ethic and bountiful harvest to come.
After falling out of favor, Plough Monday celebrations resumed in more modern times, including the renowned observance at Maldon in Essex.

A traditional food for Plough Monday is “Plough Pudding,” a boiled suet pudding.
Ingredients: 1 pound suet (the hard white fat on the kidneys and loins of cattle, sheep, and other animals, used to make puddings and mincemeat), 1 1/4 pounds dried fruit, 6 eggs, 2 tablespoons flour, several pinches nutmeg, 1 glass of brandy. Instructions: Mix. Wrap in sturdy cloth and boil for six hours.

http://balshamploughmen.weebly.com/history-of-plough-monday.html

http://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/plough_mon.htm

Cheers & Happy Reading!

Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Romance