Barring Out the Master

Shrove Tuesday · Bromfield, Cumberland

No longer kept

At Fasten’s Even the scholars of the free school at Bromfield claimed an old right to shut their master out for three days. They barricaded the school and held it like a besieged town, armed with pop-guns made of elder. If the master won his way back by force or trick he set them heavy tasks, but more often, after three days’ siege, he offered terms, which always included leave for the full Shrovetide sports.

The scholars of the free school of that parish assumed a right, from old use and wont, to bar out the master, and keep him out for three days.

From Chambers's Book of Days, vol. 1, p. 238; Hone's Year Book, col. 152. Read the original

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Folklore from the old calendars

Ludlow Rope-pulling No longer kept ShropshireOn Shrove Tuesday the Ludlow corporation handed a thick rope, thirty-six yards long, out of a window of the Market Hall at four o'clock.
Lent Crocking No longer kept Dorset, WiltshireIn Dorset and Wiltshire boys went shroving in small bands, armed with the year's broken crockery.
Holly Boy and Ivy Girl No longer kept KentLate in the eighteenth century a Kentish village kept a Shrovetide custom in two halves.
Threshing the Hen No longer kept Cornwall, WalesA hen that had not laid before Shrove Tuesday was counted useless.
The Ba’ of Scone No longer kept PerthshireChambers knew of no place where Shrovetide football was played with more energy than Scone, near Perth.
The Pancake Greaze Still kept LondonAt eleven on Shrove Tuesday a verger of Westminster Abbey with a silver baton led the school cook, in white apron, jacket and cap, into the schoolroom carrying a pancake.

Barring Out the Master

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