We’re planning to re-create the ancient practice of ‘Beating the Bounds’ on Bank Holiday Monday, 26th May.
‘Beating the Bounds’ is a tradition which dates back to medieval Britain (before the Norman Conquest) and is a way of marking the boundary lines of church parishes. It generally took place during ‘Rogation tide’, a time when crops were blessed, which this year falls on 25th-28th May. Before maps were commonplace, beating the bounds was a way of re-affirming the territories of each parish, as well as a way to pass the knowledge on from one generation to another. The parish boundaries determined important issues, such as where parishioners could graze their livestock, so parishioners needed to understand the boundaries.
The practice involved walking the boundary of the parish tapping the boundary markers – stones, gate posts, walls, and trees – with sticks or canes as they passed. In medieval times, when the boundary stones were reached, any boys in attendance were whipped to make sure they would remember where the boundaries were (to pass it on to future generations) and were paid two pence each “for their pains”. We are not planning to recreate this part of the tradition!
Walking the entire Parish boundary would take 6-8 hours and follow some very twisty routes over private land…so our walk, all along public footpaths, is as follows:
- Start at the Crown public house at 10am.
- walk to the eastern boundary
- walk to the western boundary
- walk back to the Crown.
We will try to walk roughly together, so no-one gets left behind. In total, the walk is about 3.5 miles and should take 1.5-2 hours at a leisurely pace with a stop for refreshments. Dogs on leads are welcome.
Let us know you’re coming by booking (free) via our event calendar here.
