(Second Series).
This is a continuation of a Paper on the "Survival of Old Customs" in
Peterborough and the neighbourhood which was read at the Royal
Archæological Society's meeting in 1898, with an addition of a few more
old customs, and more particulars of others, to which I have also added
a collection of the quaint Weather and Folk Lore of this district. Being
at a point where four counties are almost within a stone's throw,
Peterborough possesses the traditions of the Counties of Huntingdon,
Cambridge, and Lincoln, as well as Northampton. It is rather difficult
to locate these sayings to one particular County, so I have taken those
current within a radius of about fifteen miles.
Most of them have been repeated to me personally and only in a very few
cases have I copied any which have been printed and then only to make
the collection more complete.
The two Northamptonshire Poets, Dryden and John Clare, often notice the
phases of the Weather, and John Clare, especially, describes the Rural
Customs and weather Lore of this district with a true Poets feeling and
amongst his M.S.S., now the property of the Peterborough Museum, are
many unpublished poems and also his Diary which, at present, is unknown
to the general public. John Clare was well styled the English Burns and
his notes and Memoranda on the various local events are most valuable to
those who take an interest in the sayings and doings of the early part
of the 19th century.
Many charms are used at the present time and, altho' reticent, the
villagers, (when you have gained their confidence), will tell you of
their belief in the various whims and of the successful results of their
practice.
In almost every proverb where Peterborough is mentioned it is associated
with pride, and some people say that they are still applicable.
The first and second of the following rhymes date from before the
Reformation:
Crowland as courteous, as courteous may be,
Thorney the bane of many a good tree,
Ramsey the rich and Peterborough the proud,
Sawtry, by the way, that poor Abbey,
Gave more alms than all they.
Ramsey the rich of gold and of fee,
Thorney the flower of the Fen Country,
Crowland so courteous of meat and of drink,
Peterborough the proud, as all men do think,
And Sawtry by the way, that poor Abbaye,
Gave more alms in one day, than all they.
Peterborough the proud of their ancient See,
Thorney the flower of many a fair tree,
Crowland the courteous of their meat and drink,
Spalding the gluttons as all men do think,
Sawtry by the way, that old Abbaye,
Gave more in one day than all they.
Peterborough poor and proud.
Another version gives Peterborough:
Famous for pride and Stamford for poor.
The next two belong exclusively to Peterborough, and the first I have
only just obtained from a lady who remembers the verses, as they were
repeated early in the 19th Century:
When the Clock of the Abbey strikes three minutes fast,
There will be a gay wedding before the month's past;
When the Clock of the Abbey strikes three minutes slow,
The river's bright waters will soon overflow;
When the Church Clock and Abbey Clock strike both together,
There will soon be a death or a change of the weather.
The Abbey or Cathedral is dedicated to St. Peter, and the Parish Church
to St. John. The Head Verger of the Cathedral until recently had charge
of both clocks, and St. John's Clock was always kept slightly faster
than the Cathedral Clock. Canon Jones, when Vicar of St. John's, one day
met the late Verger, (Mr. H. Plowman, Senr.) and asked him why St John's
Clock was always faster than the Cathedral Clock, and the Verger
replied:--"Well Vicar, you know, the other disciple did outrun St. Peter
on the way to the Tomb, so St. John has always kept in front ever
since."
Sometimes the coincidences mentioned in the verses occur and maintain
their reputation for veracity:
If in the Minster Close a Hare,
Should for herself have made a lair,
Be sure before the week is down,
A fire will rage within the town
It is very strange but these two events have sometimes happened.
One fire brings two more.
This too has often occurred and in April of this year (1911) three fires
occurred in this district within a week.
These are all I can remember which refer to Peterborough.
Beginning with the County of Northampton we have:
Northamptonshire, more Spires, more Squires, more haughtiness, and less
hospitality than any other County in England.
Northamptonshire for Spires and Squires.
Northamptonshire for Springs and Spinsters.
Thack and Dyke Northamptonshire like.
Marholm, a village near Peterborough.
"They held together like the men of Marholm when they lost their
Common."
This is used when people are divided one against another.
Caster where the woman is master.
"To lose a hog for a ha'porth of tar." The hog referred to is a yearling
sheep.
"To live by the penny." Buying only when anything is absolutely
required.
"As cross as two sticks."
"As cross as old Wilks." Who old Wilks was and why he was cross is lost
in oblivion.
"As wise as Walton's calf who ran nine miles to suck a bull."
"Black as the pot."
"Topsy turvey Moses Webster." Used when things are in a disorderly
state.
"Dance a jig, then come back and buy a pig."
"Go to Farcet." This is a village near Peterborough and the expression
is used instead of advising people to go to Jericho or any other place.
"As fat as moles."
"You've gotten hold of the wrong end of the stick," was a common
expression when I was a school boy, when anyone was relating something
which was incorrect.
Come day, Go day, God sends Sunday.
Sunday moon, flood before it is out.
Singing before breakfast on Monday, cry before the week is out.
As Friday so Sunday.
Friday is either the fairest or foulest day of the week.
Sun always shines on Saturday little or much.
Saturday new moon and Sunday full,
Never good and never wull.