The passion flower for Holy Rood

14 September · England

Lore and belief

The passion flower, blooming about Holy Rood Day, was taken to show the signs of the Cross whose feast fell on 14 September. Forster’s rhyme of the saints’ flowers links it to the feast, and he saw such pairings as emblems devised by pious minds in the Middle Ages.

The Passion Flower long has blowed / To betoken us signs of the Holy Rood.

From Forster's Perennial Calendar, p. 108. Read the original

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Folklore from the old calendars

Nutting on Holy Rood Day No longer kept EnglandHoly Rood Day, the feast of the Holy Cross, was the day for going out to gather nuts in the hazel woods.
The Eton Nutting Holiday No longer kept BuckinghamshireAn old manuscript about Eton recorded that on a certain day in September, most likely Holy Rood Day, the scholars had a holiday to go out and gather nuts.
The Rood of Grace No longer kept KentThe crucifix at Boxley Abbey, the Rood of Grace, drew pilgrims because its figure of Christ moved its eyes, lips and head.
The Holy Rood Buck in Richmond Park No longer kept SurreyOn Holy Rood Day the king's huntsmen hunted their free buck in Richmond New Park with bloodhounds.
Fools Fair at Lincoln No longer kept LincolnshireA cattle fair held in the Broad Gate at Lincoln on 14 September was known as Fools Fair.
The stag at Durham on Holy-rood Day No longer kept County DurhamA stag was once offered at the high altar of Durham Abbey on Holy Rood Day while horns were wound in the church.

The passion flower for Holy Rood

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