Folklore of England

24 September

Folklore from the old calendars

Crying the Neck Still kept Devon, West CountryIn Devon the last handful of standing corn was called the nack or neck.
Harvest Home and the Hock Cart No longer kept EnglandIn the southern counties the reapers chose a lord of the harvest to bargain with the farmer and lead the work, and in Buckinghamshire a lady as well, with fines for anyone who got the order of drinking wrong.
The Corn Baby and the Mell Supper No longer kept Northern EnglandIn the north of England the harvest feast was the mell supper.
The Harvest Catch in Norfolk No longer kept Essex, NorfolkThe last thing before parting at a Norfolk harvest supper was a health-drinking catch sung first to the mistress and then to the master.
The Harvest Goose No longer kept EnglandTusser advised the farmer that when harvest was in he should give his ploughman a harvest home goose.
The Norfolk Horkey No longer kept NorfolkIn Norfolk the harvest home was the horkey.

25 September

the first Sunday on or after 21 September

27 September

27 September, not tied to the day

28 September

29 September

Folklore from the old calendars

A freeholder of Macclesfield at Michaelmas Lore and belief CheshireIn Cheshire a greedy eater was said to feed like a freeholder of Macclesfield, who has neither corn nor hay at Michaelmas.
Burying the Mace at Nottingham No longer kept NottinghamshireOn Michaelmas Day, when Nottingham's new mayor took office, the corporation went in procession to St Mary's Church.
Carrying the Fly away at Michaelmas No longer kept OxfordshireOn Michaelmas Day the Oxford cooks rode out again to the green to carry away the Fly they had fetched in at Whitsun.
Chopping Sticks and Counting Hobnails Still kept London, ShropshireAt Michaelmas the new sheriffs of London went by barge to Westminster to be sworn in at the Court of Exchequer, where the City also paid two ancient quit rents.
Electing the magistrates at Michaelmas No longer kept EnglandTown councils and magistrates were chosen on Michaelmas Day, and Chambers traced the custom to the medieval belief in guardian angels.
Fresh herring and fat crones at Michaelmas No longer kept EnglandMichaelmas brought fresh herring in plenty and the fattened crones, old ewes too worn in the teeth to keep the sheepwalk.
Goose on Michaelmas Day Lore and belief EnglandRoast goose was the Michaelmas dinner, when stubble geese were at their best, and it was said that whoever ate goose that day would never want money all year.
Guardian angels at Michaelmas Lore and belief EnglandMichaelmas, the feast of St Michael and all angels, was the usual time to elect the governors of towns and cities.
Half an Apple Goes to the Core Lore and belief SuffolkThe 1849 edition of Brand prints a rhyme said to be proverbial in Suffolk for Michaelmas and the apple season.
Hipping Day No longer kept YorkshireIn Yorkshire Michaelmas Day was called Hipping Day, after a confection made from hips, the red berries of the wild rose.
Michaelmas rent and the landlord’s credit No longer kept EnglandMichaelmas, 29 September, was the quarter day when rents fell due and the landlord came to collect.
Saint Michael and the marsh wall No longer kept EnglandMichaelmas was the time to mend the sea walls round the coastal marshes before the winter tides.
Stying the boar for Hallowtide brawn No longer kept EnglandAt Michaelmas the boar was shut up in his sty to fatten for brawn, ready for killing at Hallowtide.
The devil’s foot on the brambles Lore and belief Northern EnglandNorthern children were warned never to eat blackberries after Michaelmas Day, because the devil passed his cloven foot over them then.

24 September

25 September

the first Sunday on or after 21 September

27 September

27 September, not tied to the day

28 September

29 September

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