On this day a fair is held in York for all sorts of small wares, though
it is commonly called “_Dish Fair_,” from the quantity of wooden dishes,
ladles, &c. brought to it. There was an old custom at this fair, of
bearing a wooden ladle in a sling on two stangs, carried by four sturdy
labourers, and each labourer supported by another. This, without doubt,
was a ridicule on the meanness of the wares brought to this fair, small
benefit accruing to the labourers at it. It is held by charter, granted
25th Jan., 17th Hen. VII.
St. Luke’s day is also known in York by the name of “_Whip-Dog Day_,”
from a strange custom that schoolboys use there, of whipping all the
dogs that are seen in the streets on that day. Whence this uncommon
persecution took its rise is uncertain. The tradition of its origin
seems very probable; that, in times of popery, a priest, celebrating
mass at this festival in some church in York, unfortunately dropped the
pix after consecration, which was forthwith snatched up suddenly and
swallowed by a dog that laid under the altar. The profanation of this
high mystery occasioned the death of the dog; the persecution, so begun,
has since continued to this day, though now greatly abridged by the
interference of some of the minor members of the honourable corporation,
against the whole species in that city.