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Every nation boasts its own quirky customs, and Britain is no exception. However, its lack of a major, sweeping revolution has allowed its traditions to endure. As a result, British culture is filled with some truly bizarre ceremonies. Here are 10 of the most unusual events in the British calendar.
10. The State Opening of Parliament
The union of monarchy and democracy can be a tumultuous one—just ask the severed head of Charles I. Back in the days when monarchs wielded nearly all the power, Parliament was only summoned when the Crown needed funds through taxes, which could only be imposed with the consent of the Commons. Today, Parliament holds the power, yet it can still only convene at the Crown's invitation. So, every May, the monarch travels to the Palace of Westminster to open a new session of Parliament.
Before the Queen arrives, Yeomen of the Guard in their colorful, striped uniforms inspect the vaults beneath the building for gunpowder, ensuring that Guy Fawkes' legacy of attempted regicide hasn’t inspired any modern-day plots. In addition, a Member of Parliament is taken to Buckingham Palace as a hostage to guarantee the Queen’s safety.
Due to the historically tense relationship between the Crown and Parliament, the Queen is barred from entering the House of Commons. Instead, she visits the House of Lords and sends a messenger, The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, to summon the Commons to her. However, the doors of the Commons are slammed in Black Rod’s face as a reminder of who holds the power. Nevertheless, the MPs eventually go to ‘the other place’ anyway.
To ensure everything proceeds according to tradition, individuals with impressive titles like Garter King of Arms, Fitzalan Pursuivant Extraordinary, and Maltravers Herald Extraordinary are included in the Queen's procession.
9. The Weighing of the Mayor of High Wycombe
Since the dawn of public office, there have always been those who take a little more than their fair share from the public funds. In High Wycombe in 1678, they had a particularly scandalous mayor, Henry Shepard. When his term ended, the townspeople rang church bells and literally drummed him out of town.
To ensure no one ever followed in his footsteps, the town devised a unique solution. Each year, they weigh the mayor and other council members in public. If they have gained weight, likely from enjoying a lavish lifestyle at the taxpayer’s expense, they are met with the crowd’s disapproval. Modern-day mayors can count themselves fortunate—those with more substantial figures in the past were pelted with rotten fruit.
8. The Knollys Rose Ceremony
London in the 14th century was a filthy place, far worse than it is today. The streets were narrow, muddy, and overflowing with animal and human waste. For Lady Constance Knollys, however, there was another frustration. Across from her house, a threshing yard sent clouds of dust and chaff into her garden.
To solve this dilemma, Lady Knollys purchased the land and transformed it into a rose garden. But how could she access this garden without stepping foot on the grimy streets? She built an unauthorized bridge overhead.
For her illicit bridge, Lady Knollys was fined by the Lord Mayor. The cost? One red rose. Since the fine was to be paid by her and her ‘heirs and assigns forever,’ the tradition continues to this day. Each year, a red rose is cut, placed on a velvet cushion, and paraded through the streets of London to Mansion House where it is presented to the Lord Mayor.
7. The Election of the Mayor of Ock Street
Weighing your mayor isn’t the only way to ensure his moral character. In Abingdon, they have the tradition of the mock mayor of Ock Street. The residents of Ock Street and nearby areas elect one of their own to serve as an unofficial mayor.
The elected mayor is given the right—and the responsibility—to tell the ‘real’ mayor when they’re making mistakes, much like a court jester being allowed to mock a king. While this role is mostly ceremonial today, the elections are still held annually.
When the mayor of Ock Street is elected, he is carried through the streets in a chair adorned with flowers by the Ock Street Horns. This wooden bull’s head on a pole symbolizes a brawl that took place in 1700 over who would claim the horns of an ox roasted in the market.
6. Clipping The Church
How can you express your love for your church? Have you ever considered hugging it?
This is exactly what the ceremony of 'church clipping' involves. On Shrove Tuesday, Easter Monday, or another holy day linked to the church, the congregation forms a large circle, holding hands around the building.
Hymns are sung, a dance may take place, and then, at once, everyone rushes to the church to embrace it. While the origin of this ceremony remains unknown, its name is believed to come from the Anglo-Saxon clyppan, meaning to 'clasp' or 'embrace.'
5. The Dunmow Flitch
The bacon was nat fet for hem, I trowe, That som men han in Essex at Dunmowe.
–Chaucer, The Wife of Bath’s Prologue
Typically, the reward for a happy marriage is simply avoiding a miserable life. But in Dunmow, Essex, they have a unique twist. If you and your partner can swear—and prove—that 'neither of [you] in a year and a day, neither sleeping nor waking, repented of their marriage,' you will be granted a flitch (side) of bacon.
A jury made up of six bachelors and six maidens listens as the couple presents their case, with their testimony being scrutinized by a lawyer acting for the bacon. The victorious couple is then paraded through the streets with their well-earned prize of breakfast.
4. John Stow New Quill
Born in 1515, John Stow was much like many writers, holding down another job to support his writing. By profession, he was a tailor, but he is regarded as the father of London history due to his monumental work, Survey of London.
Stow’s tomb features an image of him writing at his desk, but there’s one important detail missing—a quill. Every three years, however, the Merchant Taylors’ Company and the Lord Mayor of London place a real quill in his hand, replacing the stone one.
3. Up Helly Aa
Unlike many of the older ceremonies on this list, Up Helly Aa is a relatively recent tradition, dating back to the 1880s, according to its official website. However, it stands out as one of the most breathtaking British customs.
Every year in Lerwick, Shetland, 1,000 men known as Jarls carry their leader, the Guizer Jarl, in a replica Viking ship through the streets. Once they reach the designated location, they form a circle around the ship with torches lit in flames. At the sound of a horn, the torches are cast onto the ship, resulting in the dramatic destruction of four months of hard work by the shipbuilders as it all goes up in smoke.
2. Beating The Bounds
In a time when detailed maps were scarce, it was crucial that everyone knew the boundaries of their parish. To ensure this, parishioners would go out to beat the bounds, marking the parish limits. This tradition—still practiced today—includes striking boundary markers with wooden wands.
This custom dates back to the Anglo-Saxon era and could even be connected to Roman traditions. In High Wycombe, not only do they weigh their mayors, but they also have their own unique approach to beating the bounds. Instead of using wands, they mark the boundaries by striking a child’s head against a box at specific locations.
1. Planting The Penny Hedge
The ritual of 'Planting the Penny Hedge' might sound like a simple game for children, but its origin is rooted in a grim tale. In 1159, three hunters chased a boar that took refuge in the home of a hermit. When the hermit denied the hunters’ dogs entry, they attacked him. As he lay dying, the hermit offered forgiveness if the hunters and their descendants would complete a penance.
The penance they were given was to plant a hedge, which is why it’s called the 'Penny Hedge.' Every Ascension Day, under the supervision of the Fyling manor's bailiff, a small hedge of nine hazel saplings is planted by the harbor. Upon finishing, a ram’s horn is blown three times. To fulfill the penance, the hedge must remain standing for three tides.
