Contrary Life

Contrary Life is a website covering quirky events across the UK.

  • Home
  • About
  • Events by region
    • North East
    • North West
    • Yorkshire
    • East Midlands
    • West Midlands
    • East
    • London
    • South East
    • South West
    • Scotland
    • Northern Ireland
    • Wales
Home > Alternative Sport > The Fool and his Boggans gather for the Haxey Hood Game

The Fool and his Boggans gather for the Haxey Hood Game

By Caroline King - January 3, 2014Posted in : Alternative Sport

When: 6th January 2014

Where: Haxey, Lincolnshire

£: Free

What is it?

The Haxey Hood Game is a 700 year old tradition played on the 12th day of Christmas.  It is the second oldest surviving tradition in the UK and still attracts a large crowd.

The origins of the Haxey Hood Game are unknown but legend has it that in the 13th century Lady Mowbray lost her scarlet hood as she was riding from the village of Haxey in Lincolnshire.  Twelve labourers were said to have chased after the hood and returned it to the lady.  As a reward she laid on a feast and every year afterwards a game was played for the hood.

On the day of the game a procession takes place, ending at the village green outside the church.  The procession is led by a ‘Fool’ and his twelve ‘Boggans’ (or team of players to you and me). These Boggans traditionally wear red to match the scarlet hood that Lady Mowbray is said to have lost.

Before the game begins the Fool mounts a stone and makes a speech which invites the people gathered to play the game.  He says, “Hoose agen hoose, toon agen toon, if tho’ meet a man, knock ‘im doon, but don’t ‘ut ‘im”.  While the Fool makes the speech a small heap of straw is set alight behind him.  The Fool then leads the way to the land where the game is played.  The ‘hood’ is then thrown up and the game begins.  The Boggans must try to stop the other players from taking the hood over the village boundary.

Below is a video of the event which includes the includes the unusual ceremony before the game begins.

More info: www.wheewall.com/hood

Related Posts

  • Heckington Windmill
  • Fishermen and firemen gather for Scarborough's oldest surviving custom
  • Uppies and Doonies - whose team are you on?

Tagged With: British Folk Customs, East Midlands, Free events, Haxey Hood Game, Lincolnshire events

Curiosity of the Week

Woodhenge, Stonehenge’s lesser-known neighbour
Woodhenge - ©English Heritage, Historic England Photo Library

You have heard of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, but have you heard of its lesser known neighbour, Woodhenge? Find out more in our latest Curiosity of the Week…

Top Story

HandleBards hit the pedals again to bring you a summer of outdoor theatre
HandleBards A Midsummer Night's Dream ©Rah Petherbridge Photography

The HandleBards are a Shakespearean troupe who tour by bike. And to celebrate their 10th anniversary, they’re climbing back into the saddle…

What are you looking for today?

  • Alternative Sport
  • Art
  • Cabaret and Circus
  • Cinema
  • Classes, Workshops & Talks
  • Club Night
  • Comedy
  • Dance
  • Exhibitions and Installations
  • Fairs and Markets
  • Festival
  • Food & Drink
  • Heritage and History
  • Interview
  • Literature
  • Museum
  • Music
  • Nature and Outdoors
  • Review
  • Science and Technology
  • Theatre
  • Walks and Tours

Sign up to our Newsletter

Copyright © 2023 · Contrary Life