Introduction
Up
until the middle of the 19th century it was common on
Plough Monday, for the plough men to lead a procession through the
streets and lanes, going from village to hamlet and farm to farm,
collecting money and whatever else folk might give them.
The
plough men roped themselves to the plough and dragged it about
dressed in their clean smock-frocks worm over their jackets with
ribbons on shoulders and hats.
The
plough was decked with ribbons and other decorations, known as the
Fools Plough.
Lead
by a man dressed as an old woman known as Bessy who would rattle a
money box. Small clusters of corn would be worn in her hat, but were
quickly lost in lumberous dancing. Bessy was accompanied by a fool
dressed in fantastic attire.
The
women (Mollies) would ensure that their men (Johns) were well turned
out and would shout after them: 'Larks John, thou does look smart
surely'.
Threshers,
reapers and carters would join in with their respective implements,
even the smith and miller might attend, perhaps accompanied by Morris
men.
The
money collected was spent in a public house at the end of the day.
Plough
Monday - early 19th
century
The
plough procession, came winding along,
The
quiet long rutted lanes.
Pulling
the plough, from village to hamlet,
With
plough hands at the reins.
Old
woman 'Bessy', is leading the pack,
Hoping
a cheerful glass.
And
John the fool in, fantastic attire,
Seeking
a little brass.
Twenty
'sons of the soil', in clean smock-frocks,
To
the plough they are tied.
The
'old woman' prances a fetter dance,
'God
speed the plough' she cried.
Threshers
with their flails, reapers with sickles,
Carters
cracking their whips.
Then
smith and miller, join in the Morris,
With
Bessy a dance trips.
A
long bullocks tail, under jaunty gown,
Held
in hand while dancing.
Small
clusters of corn, in her finest hat,
Lost
in graceless prancing.
Flowing
ribbons pinned, on shoulders and hat,
Molly
waves to her John.
'Larks
John, thou does look smart surely' says she,
Drink
your load down, go on!
Finally
arrive, at the far farm house,
Molly's
money box now filled.
After
eating cheese, and hot spiced farm ale,
T'pub
go the merry guild.
Copyright Andrew Rea Candelmas 2019
