Curious Church Customs and Cognate Subjects by William Andrews is a delightful exploration of some of the most unusual and whimsical traditions found within the Christian churches of England. Each chapter delves into a different custom, ranging from quaint practices to more profound rituals, offering a comprehensive look into the eccentric aspects of religious observance.
Imagine stepping into a church, expecting the usual solemnity, but instead, you stumble upon a congregation hurling hot cross buns at one another. Welcome to the world of “Curious Church Customs and Cognate Subjects,” where ecclesiastical dignity meets delightful madness.
The Clipping the Church Ceremony—once a year, parishioners join hands and encircle the church, embracing it in a literal hug. It’s like a group hug, but instead of comforting a person, you’re showing some love to cold, hard stone. Touching, isn’t it?
Boy Bishop—think being an adult is tough? Try being a kid bishop. On Saint Nicholas’ Day, a child is dressed up as a bishop, complete with mitre and crozier. He presides over services and even delivers sermons. It’s all fun and games until someone takes the sermon seriously.
Rushbearing—in the good old days before vacuum cleaners, church floors were strewn with rushes to keep them clean. Once a year, these rushes had to be replaced, which, naturally, called for a celebration. This involved a parade with children and adults carrying rushes to the church, because why miss an opportunity for a parade?
The Hocktide Play—held after Easter, this involves men of the town binding women, and vice versa, followed by demanding a kiss or a coin for release. It’s essentially a medieval form of crowdfunding mixed with mild bondage.
Beating the Bounds—parishioners, led by clergy and choir boys, walk the boundaries of their parish, hitting landmarks with sticks. Occasionally, they also bump choir boys’ heads on the stones to help them remember the boundaries. It’s practical knowledge, delivered through mild concussion.
The Ceremony of the Creeping to the Cross—on Good Friday, members of the clergy and congregation approach the cross on their knees. It’s like the ecclesiastical version of a military crawl, but in robes and with more chanting.
The Harvest of the Sea—a service where fishermen bring parts of their catch to the church to be blessed. It’s like a farmers’ market, but you get holy mackerel instead of organic kale.
In Curious Church Customs, Andrews not only documents these bizarre traditions but does so with a tone that is both reverent and slightly mocking, recognizing the absurdity in solemnity. Through his narrative, we see how these customs, no matter how strange, forge community bonds and connect generations. After all, what’s a little eccentricity among the faithful?
