This coming Monday and Tuesday is Hocktide. It usually refers to the the Monday and Tuesday in the week following Easter Monday. In medieval times and later Hocktide was once the first major festival following Lent an occasion marked by sports, flirting, and the settling of rents and dues. In
April 25, 2025 at 7:44 AM
This coming Monday and Tuesday is Hocktide. It usually refers to the the Monday and Tuesday in the week following Easter Monday. In medieval times and later Hocktide was once the first major festival following Lent an occasion marked by sports, flirting, and the settling of rents and dues. In
April 13, 1926: Tutti Day, part of the Hocktide Festival that follows Easter, is celebrated in the English village of Hungerford. “Tutti men” carry poles, collect kisses from townswomen and pennies from men, and engage in general merriment.
April 13, 2026 at 4:10 PM
April 13, 1926: Tutti Day, part of the Hocktide Festival that follows Easter, is celebrated in the English village of Hungerford. “Tutti men” carry poles, collect kisses from townswomen and pennies from men, and engage in general merriment.
Parish. Hocktide was discouraged by the Long Parliament in the 1640s and suppressed even more strongly under Cromwellian rule. It did though have a resurgence in the Restoration area. Images: Luttrell Psalter (British Library) and Village Festival, Jan Steen. The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.
April 8, 2026 at 6:26 AM
Parish. Hocktide was discouraged by the Long Parliament in the 1640s and suppressed even more strongly under Cromwellian rule. It did though have a resurgence in the Restoration area. Images: Luttrell Psalter (British Library) and Village Festival, Jan Steen. The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.
Today is going to be an interesting day! Off to Hocktide in Hungerford… an ancient agricultural tradition of common ownership & all sorts of shenanigans… I may be caught & shod.
April 29, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Today is going to be an interesting day! Off to Hocktide in Hungerford… an ancient agricultural tradition of common ownership & all sorts of shenanigans… I may be caught & shod.
I wrote about Hocktide for @thespectator1828.bsky.social spectator.com/article/the-...
The Easter tradition of women taking men hostage
In a few communities in Victorian England, there was a custom of men tying women to chairs with ribbons on Easter Monday and lifting them up, all the while singing the hymn ‘Jesus Christ is risen toda...
spectator.com
April 6, 2026 at 1:19 PM
I wrote about Hocktide for @thespectator1828.bsky.social spectator.com/article/the-...
It’s Tutti Day (Tithing Day) or Hocktide in the partially-independent little town of #Hungerford. The last place in England this ancient (& for us, necessary) agricultural rite & right is undertaken. There is a blacksmith shoeing newcomers … #Commons. More below…
Had the honour of taking part in the most extraordinary, ancient acts & celebrations, re-affirming commoners rights this week. Hungerford is (likely) the last place Hocktide is still observed in England. It means we kept & keep our commons, & a certain independence. Buckle up, it’s a wild ride… 1/14
April 14, 2026 at 1:10 PM
It’s Tutti Day (Tithing Day) or Hocktide in the partially-independent little town of #Hungerford. The last place in England this ancient (& for us, necessary) agricultural rite & right is undertaken. There is a blacksmith shoeing newcomers … #Commons. More below…
Had the honour of taking part in the most extraordinary, ancient acts & celebrations, re-affirming commoners rights this week. Hungerford is (likely) the last place Hocktide is still observed in England. It means we kept & keep our commons, & a certain independence. Buckle up, it’s a wild ride… 1/14
May 4, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Had the honour of taking part in the most extraordinary, ancient acts & celebrations, re-affirming commoners rights this week. Hungerford is (likely) the last place Hocktide is still observed in England. It means we kept & keep our commons, & a certain independence. Buckle up, it’s a wild ride… 1/14
Hailing Hocktide in Hungerford today, & a particular kind of rural resistance & independence. Commoners rights & tithings for charity, fish, estovers
& the High Street right to keep cattle on the common, & only if you properly live there. No ferreting allowed.
& the High Street right to keep cattle on the common, & only if you properly live there. No ferreting allowed.
This has been a commoner’s town since the 14thC, run by the Town & Manor of Hungerford & Liberty of Sanden Fee (T&M). From the 1850s, it resisted municipalisation for 50+yrs, until imprisonment was nigh. A Town Council established, but T&M retained all assets & rights & became a charity in 1908. 2/
April 14, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Hailing Hocktide in Hungerford today, & a particular kind of rural resistance & independence. Commoners rights & tithings for charity, fish, estovers
& the High Street right to keep cattle on the common, & only if you properly live there. No ferreting allowed.
& the High Street right to keep cattle on the common, & only if you properly live there. No ferreting allowed.
Hocktide: A Medieval Fest of Flirtation and Finances 🔶
The springtime holiday of Hocktide not only allowed villagers to cross social boundaries in the name of fun, it helped them raise funds for nonsecular needs.
bit.ly/3G8VT2s
The springtime holiday of Hocktide not only allowed villagers to cross social boundaries in the name of fun, it helped them raise funds for nonsecular needs.
bit.ly/3G8VT2s
Hocktide: A Medieval Fest of Flirtation and Finances - JSTOR Daily
The springtime holiday of Hocktide not only allowed villagers to cross social boundaries in the name of fun, it helped them raise funds for nonsecular needs.
bit.ly
April 14, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Hocktide: A Medieval Fest of Flirtation and Finances 🔶
The springtime holiday of Hocktide not only allowed villagers to cross social boundaries in the name of fun, it helped them raise funds for nonsecular needs.
bit.ly/3G8VT2s
The springtime holiday of Hocktide not only allowed villagers to cross social boundaries in the name of fun, it helped them raise funds for nonsecular needs.
bit.ly/3G8VT2s
Mark your calendars for the second week after Easter: the first two days mark Hocktide, the medieval English festival of kidnapping and extortion. bit.ly/3RkTm7A
Hocktide: A Medieval Fest of Flirtation and Finances - JSTOR Daily
The springtime holiday of Hocktide not only allowed villagers to cross social boundaries in the name of fun, it helped them raise funds for nonsecular needs.
bit.ly
March 27, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Mark your calendars for the second week after Easter: the first two days mark Hocktide, the medieval English festival of kidnapping and extortion. bit.ly/3RkTm7A
🧵In the traditional English rural calendar, the year was punctuated by "Quarter days " which were the standard dates for paying rent, hiring farm workers, and switching land leases and also by festivals and holidays. Hocktide or Hock Day refers to the the Monday and Tuesday in
April 8, 2026 at 6:26 AM
🧵In the traditional English rural calendar, the year was punctuated by "Quarter days " which were the standard dates for paying rent, hiring farm workers, and switching land leases and also by festivals and holidays. Hocktide or Hock Day refers to the the Monday and Tuesday in
Sorry, I can’t work today because it’s the Feast of St. George. Also I’m getting ready to celebrate Hocktide, so the rest of the week is right out.
You have to respect my religious traditions.
You have to respect my religious traditions.
April 23, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Sorry, I can’t work today because it’s the Feast of St. George. Also I’m getting ready to celebrate Hocktide, so the rest of the week is right out.
You have to respect my religious traditions.
You have to respect my religious traditions.
The traditional Easter lasted not for four days but two weeks & in the period after the first weekend came Hocktide when women turned the world upside down
wp.me/p15p2Q-bqG
wp.me/p15p2Q-bqG
Women Turning the World Upside Down after Easter: Hocktide
Turning the World Upside Down after Easter: Hocktide British traditions are varied and confusing and those around Easter are no exception. A strand of radicalism is a frequent thread. That is, the …
wp.me
April 8, 2026 at 11:55 AM
The traditional Easter lasted not for four days but two weeks & in the period after the first weekend came Hocktide when women turned the world upside down
wp.me/p15p2Q-bqG
wp.me/p15p2Q-bqG
Down in #Hungerford today for traditional #Hocktide 'Tutti Day'... Very fruity! On the #LostTreasure trail. Vid to follow...
April 29, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Down in #Hungerford today for traditional #Hocktide 'Tutti Day'... Very fruity! On the #LostTreasure trail. Vid to follow...
Happy Easter! Here's the first of a look at Easter stories over the past few years
northeastbylines.co.uk/business/rur...
northeastbylines.co.uk/business/rur...
Hocktide: women turning the world upside down at Easter or is there a darker side?
David Walsh writes about Hocktide
northeastbylines.co.uk
April 4, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Happy Easter! Here's the first of a look at Easter stories over the past few years
northeastbylines.co.uk/business/rur...
northeastbylines.co.uk/business/rur...
April 29, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Fabulous thread, Nicola, feels like i was there. Happy Hocktide!
May 4, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Fabulous thread, Nicola, feels like i was there. Happy Hocktide!
We are then led to the Corn Exchange for Hocktide Luncheon. The tutti/ tithing ‘men’ are received with cheers. The top table of Constable’s guests are community & local charity leaders & activists. The meal is comprised of fish & watercress from the river & beef from the common. 8/14
May 4, 2025 at 10:08 AM
We are then led to the Corn Exchange for Hocktide Luncheon. The tutti/ tithing ‘men’ are received with cheers. The top table of Constable’s guests are community & local charity leaders & activists. The meal is comprised of fish & watercress from the river & beef from the common. 8/14
Watch out for Hocktide, guys!
I wrote about Hocktide for @thespectator1828.bsky.social spectator.com/article/the-...
The Easter tradition of women taking men hostage
In a few communities in Victorian England, there was a custom of men tying women to chairs with ribbons on Easter Monday and lifting them up, all the while singing the hymn ‘Jesus Christ is risen toda...
spectator.com
April 6, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Watch out for Hocktide, guys!
Chaperoned by an Orangeman, the Tuttimen, boys & girls (any & all genders here) collect ‘tithes’ from each of 102 houses, rented or owned, but neccessarily lived in full-time. The tithe can be a kiss for an orange. A drink is had in Each. House. Meanwhile, the Hocktide Court takes place. 5/14
May 4, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Chaperoned by an Orangeman, the Tuttimen, boys & girls (any & all genders here) collect ‘tithes’ from each of 102 houses, rented or owned, but neccessarily lived in full-time. The tithe can be a kiss for an orange. A drink is had in Each. House. Meanwhile, the Hocktide Court takes place. 5/14
Reposted by @jopriestleynovels.bsky.social
lisettebrodey @lisettebrodey.bsky.social
Hocktide: A Medieval Fest of Flirtation and Finances not only allowed villagers to cross social boundaries in the name of fun, it helped them raise funds for nonsecular needs.
bit.ly/3G8VT2s
lisettebrodey @lisettebrodey.bsky.social
Hocktide: A Medieval Fest of Flirtation and Finances not only allowed villagers to cross social boundaries in the name of fun, it helped them raise funds for nonsecular needs.
bit.ly/3G8VT2s
Hocktide: A Medieval Fest of Flirtation and Finances - JSTOR Daily
The springtime holiday of Hocktide not only allowed villagers to cross social boundaries in the name of fun, it helped them raise funds for nonsecular needs.
bit.ly
April 15, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Reposted by @jopriestleynovels.bsky.social
lisettebrodey @lisettebrodey.bsky.social
Hocktide: A Medieval Fest of Flirtation and Finances not only allowed villagers to cross social boundaries in the name of fun, it helped them raise funds for nonsecular needs.
bit.ly/3G8VT2s
lisettebrodey @lisettebrodey.bsky.social
Hocktide: A Medieval Fest of Flirtation and Finances not only allowed villagers to cross social boundaries in the name of fun, it helped them raise funds for nonsecular needs.
bit.ly/3G8VT2s
earlier times, it brought communities together in celebration and obligation alike. Today, however, it slips by with barely a trace, its traditions largely forgotten. Traditionally the young men and women in the village would tie or “bind” each other, only being released upon a payment which was
April 25, 2025 at 7:44 AM
earlier times, it brought communities together in celebration and obligation alike. Today, however, it slips by with barely a trace, its traditions largely forgotten. Traditionally the young men and women in the village would tie or “bind” each other, only being released upon a payment which was
When women tied up men for Jesus: why Henry VIII tried to ban the medieval festival of Hocktide... www.historyextra.com/period/medie...
When women tied up men for Jesus: why Henry VIII tried to ban the medieval festival of Hocktide
Hocktide was a medieval festival that used to involve tying people up to raise money for the church; today, its modern equivalent involves exchanging kisses for oranges, and hammering nails into peopl...
www.historyextra.com
April 30, 2025 at 8:23 AM
When women tied up men for Jesus: why Henry VIII tried to ban the medieval festival of Hocktide... www.historyextra.com/period/medie...