The Buck and Doe at St Paul’s

In 1274 the dean and chapter of St Paul’s granted Sir William Baud land in Essex to enclose in his park, and in return he bound his heirs to bring a doe to the cathedral on the Conversion of St Paul in winter and a buck on the Commemoration of St Paul in summer. The venison was carried through the procession to the high altar. On the buck’s day the canons wore garlands of roses, the head was carried on a pole before the cross, and at the west door the keeper blew the death of the buck on his horn and the horners of the City answered him. Hone, following Stow, rejects the old idea that the ceremony came down from a heathen temple on the site.