Haxey Hood Game
Haxey Hood Game
The game known as Throwing the Hood, which takes place on Old Christmas Day (January 6) each year, involves a Lord (who acts as umpire and master of ceremonies), 13 Plough-Boggins (presumably named for the way the original 13 men turned up the soil in their efforts to capture the hood), a Fool, and as many others as care to participate.
After several warm-up rounds with sham hoods, the real contest begins. The participants wrestle over a piece of leather stuffed with straw, coins, and other fillings. The winners carry it back to their village pub, where a victory celebration takes place. Later, the Boggins go from house to house, singing and collecting money for the celebration.
Scunthorpe Tourist Information Centre
Scunthorpe Central Library
Carlton St.
Scunthorpe, DN15 6TX United Kingdom
44-17-2486-0161; fax: 44-17-2485-9737
www.visitnorthlincolnshire.com
OxYear-1999, p. 25