P.Herring (1926)

Source:

Paul Herring (Auth.)
PLOUGH MONDAY REVELS IN THE MIDLANDS
Nottinghamshire Guardian, 9th Jan.1926, No.4208, p.1 a-b,e-f

This extensive feature article describes Plough Monday activities of Plough Bullocks, Guisers and Plough-licks in Notts., the East Midlands and Norfolk using information derived from published sources.

A Notts. Plough Bullocks' play is described, with textual fragments, and the characters; [an Introducer], St. George, Turkish Knight, Doctor, Old Squire, Beelzebub. This seems to be taken from C.Brown (1891) and W.Hone (1837).

Plough Bullocks collecting money in Nottingham are mentioned.

S.R.Hole's (1902) account of morris dancers at Caunton, Notts. is extensively quoted. including the play with characters; Robin Hood, Little John, Maid Marion and Fool.

A description of the trailing of a Fool Plough, with its attendant dancers and Bessy, also seems to be taken from W.Hone (1837).

Finally there is a brief account of the plough boys' daily life, taken from Gervase Markham's (1653) "Farewell to husbandry", and J.Prior's novel "Forest Folk"

[I recollect having seen the actual newspaper containing this article at one time, and thought I saw two illustrations taken from W.Hone (1837). However, these are lacking from the clippings in Notts. County Library's folklore box. On the other hand these illustrations are included with clippings of M.W.M. (1926a & 1926b) where they appear to be a little out of context. I suspect a mix up.]

Index Terms:

Locations: Caunton, Notts. (SK7460); Notts.; Lincs.; Derbys.; Norfolk; Nottingham, Notts. (SK5739)
Years: Publ. 1926
Subjects: Plough Trailing; House Visiting; Dance; Plough Lights; Plough Monday; Mummers; Plough Bullocks; Plough-licks; Guisers; Plays; Brown,C. (1891); Hole,S.R. (1902); Hone,W. (1837); Markham,G. (1653) "Farewell to husbandry"; Prior,J. (1901) "Forest Folk"; Introducer; St. George; Turkish Knight; Doctor; Old Squire; Beelzebub; Morris Dancers; Robin Hood; Little John; Maid Marion; Fool; Fool Plough; Bessy
Archives: TDRG Archive, Ref. TD00060;
W.E.Doubleday Scrapbook, Vol.I, pp.69-70;;
Notts. County Library, County Folklore Box, L39.9

Last Updated Mar 1989 by Idwal Jones.