Folklore of Northern England

29 May

1 June

1 June, not tied to the day

2 June, not tied to the day

59 days after Easter

Corpus Christi

10 June, not tied to the day

11 June

23 June

Folklore from the old calendars

Bede’s Well on Midsummer Eve No longer kept County DurhamAbout a mile west of Jarrow stood Bede's Well, where until about 1740 sick children were brought to be dipped; a crooked pin was dropped in and the well was laved dry between each dipping.
Birch trees at the Chester doors No longer kept CheshireOn St John the Baptist's Eve the people of Chester brought in a multitude of young birch trees and planted them before their doors to wither.
Broughton on Midsummer Eve No longer kept NorthumberlandNorthumbrian households sat down on Midsummer Eve to broughton, two cakes baked with thin slices of cheese between them.
The Chester Midsummer show Still kept CheshireChester set its watch on St John's Eve with a great pageant.
The Cooks’ bonfires on the Sandhill No longer kept NorthumberlandThe ordinary of the Company of Cooks at Newcastle, drawn up in 1575, bound the fellowship to keep up at its own cost the town's two bonfires on the Sandhill, as the ancient custom was.
The Cumwhitton wake on St John’s Eve No longer kept CumberlandHutchinson's History of Cumberland says that the parish of Cumwhitton held its wake on the eve of St John, with the lighting of fires and dancing.
The phantom army on Souter Fell Lore and belief CumberlandOn Midsummer Eve 1735 a farm servant at Wilton Hill saw a regular army marching for over an hour along the east side of Souter Fell.
The Ripon welcome table No longer kept YorkshireAt Ripon on Midsummer Eve, every householder who had moved into a new neighbourhood during the year set a table in the street before his door with bread, cheese and ale for anyone who cared to come.

24 June

Folklore from the old calendars

A red rose for Highhead at Midsummer No longer kept CumberlandIn the reign of Edward III Highhead Castle, near Dalston, was held by the service of bringing a red rose to the king's exchequer in Carlisle every year on the feast of St John the Baptist.
Midsummer cushions No longer kept NorthumberlandIn Northumberland on Midsummer Day stools were dressed with a cushion of flowers.
The Dutton minstrels’ court at Chester Midsummer Fair No longer kept CheshireEvery Midsummer all the minstrels and musicians of Cheshire had to attend their lord at Chester, play before him in procession to St John's church, and then answer at his court for their lives and conduct.
The Melmerby dedication feast No longer kept CumberlandMelmerby, under Cross Fell, kept a dedication feast on St John's day, the saint to whom its church is dedicated.
White cake and kidgelled cream at Whitby No longer kept YorkshireAt Whitby people ate white cake and "kidgelled" cream on Midsummer Day, and the milkmen sent their customers presents of cream for the feast.

Folklore of Northern England

29 May

1 June

1 June, not tied to the day

2 June, not tied to the day

59 days after Easter

Corpus Christi

10 June, not tied to the day

11 June

23 June

24 June

26 June, not tied to the day

Image credits