Lifting at Easter

In Lancashire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Shropshire, men lifted the women on Easter Monday and the women lifted the men on Easter Tuesday. Two strong people crossed hands to make a seat, sat the victim on it and hoisted them up two or three times, sometimes carrying them down the street, and a fee was expected. A clergyman at a Lancashire inn was surprised by women come to lift him and bought himself off with half a crown. At Chester a chair lined with white silk and hung with flowers was used, and a kiss claimed from each girl lifted.