St Michael’s Bannock

29 September · Western Isles

No longer kept

Martin’s account of the Western Isles, quoted by Hone, says the islanders kept St Michael’s Day with a cavalcade in each parish, and at Kilbar with a turn round the church. Afterwards every family baked St Michael’s bannock or cake, which Macaulay describes as a huge loaf of mixed ingredients belonging to the archangel. Everyone in the house, strangers included, had to eat a share that night, which gave them some claim on the archangel’s protection.

Every family, as soon as the solemnity is ended, is accustomed to bake St. Michael's cake, and all strangers, together with those of the family, must eat the bread that night.

From Hone's Every-Day Book, vol. 1, col. 1340. Read the original

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Folklore from the old calendars

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.
The Old Mayor’s Geese at Nottingham No longer kept NottinghamshireNottingham chose its mayor on Michaelmas Day, and Deering's History of Nottingham records that the outgoing mayor used to give hot roast geese at his house that morning, before the election of his successor.
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.
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.
The Lawless Hour at Kidderminster No longer kept WorcestershireWhen Kidderminster chose its bailiff at Michaelmas, the town-house bell gave the signal for an hour in which the townspeople pelted each other with cabbage stalks in the main streets.
The Moon and the Michaelmas Floods Lore and belief EnglandAn old weather saying held that you could count the floods of the coming season from the moon on Michaelmas Day.
St Michael’s Sheep in Ireland No longer kept IrelandMacaulay, quoted by Hone, says that in Ireland every family that could afford it killed a sheep on Michaelmas Day, and part of it had by law to go to the poor.
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.

St Michael’s Bannock

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