*Ø* Blogmanac August 16 | Medieval musicians' court at Tutbury, England
Yesterday we looked at the Tutbury hunters' procession in old England, on the Feast of the Assumption (August 15), when the wood-master and rangers of Needwood forest started the festivities that were associated with a dinner given to them at Tutbury Castle. By the way, an ancient ballad (written before the Hood tale mentioned Maid Marion) says that Robin Hood married a lady named Clorinda, at Tutbury (“Titbury”) on August 15, some time in the reign of Henry III (1216-72).
Over the years, the celebration became a big one , and because the town of Tutbury became a popular place, with many minstrels and jugglers attending, John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, fourth son of Edward III, ordered that every year on August 16, there should be elected a king of the minstrels, to try those charged with misdemeanours, and grant licences for coming year.
On August 16 the minstrels would assemble at the bailiff's house, where they were met by all the local dignitaries. They then went in a musical procession with much pomp to the church where each minstrel was paid a penny, then on to the castle where they conducted their court, made merry, played music, and elected the new king.
Baiting the bull
At end of day they were given a bull by the prior of Tutbury; they sawed off its horns, cut off his tail and ears, smeared his body with soap and filled his nose with pepper. They all rushed after the poor creature; if any minstrel could cut off a piece of its skin before he crossed the river Dove into Derbyshire, he became the property of the King of Music, but if not, he was caught and returned to the prior. If the musicians succeeded in slicing him, the bull was taken to the High Street and baited with dogs three times. The bailiff then paid the King of Music five nobles and was given the bull, which he sent to Hardwick to be eaten by the poor.
Read on at the brand-new Tutbury page at the Scriptorium
Pip Wilson's articles are available for your publication, on application. Further details
Receive similar items free each day with a free subscription to Wilson's Almanac ezine. Send a blank email
Yesterday we looked at the Tutbury hunters' procession in old England, on the Feast of the Assumption (August 15), when the wood-master and rangers of Needwood forest started the festivities that were associated with a dinner given to them at Tutbury Castle. By the way, an ancient ballad (written before the Hood tale mentioned Maid Marion) says that Robin Hood married a lady named Clorinda, at Tutbury (“Titbury”) on August 15, some time in the reign of Henry III (1216-72).
Over the years, the celebration became a big one , and because the town of Tutbury became a popular place, with many minstrels and jugglers attending, John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, fourth son of Edward III, ordered that every year on August 16, there should be elected a king of the minstrels, to try those charged with misdemeanours, and grant licences for coming year.
On August 16 the minstrels would assemble at the bailiff's house, where they were met by all the local dignitaries. They then went in a musical procession with much pomp to the church where each minstrel was paid a penny, then on to the castle where they conducted their court, made merry, played music, and elected the new king.
Baiting the bull
At end of day they were given a bull by the prior of Tutbury; they sawed off its horns, cut off his tail and ears, smeared his body with soap and filled his nose with pepper. They all rushed after the poor creature; if any minstrel could cut off a piece of its skin before he crossed the river Dove into Derbyshire, he became the property of the King of Music, but if not, he was caught and returned to the prior. If the musicians succeeded in slicing him, the bull was taken to the High Street and baited with dogs three times. The bailiff then paid the King of Music five nobles and was given the bull, which he sent to Hardwick to be eaten by the poor.
Read on at the brand-new Tutbury page at the Scriptorium
Pip Wilson's articles are available for your publication, on application. Further details
Receive similar items free each day with a free subscription to Wilson's Almanac ezine. Send a blank email
Pip Wilson posted item above at 3:47 PM | Permalink
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home