Folk Play Links - Plough Monday; Plow Monday (Plough Bullocks; Plough Stots)
Compiled by Chris Little
Some non-play customs and their practitioners have the same names as the plays and their actors. e.g. Cakers, Guisers, Mummers, Pace Eggers, Morris Dancers, Plough Bullocks, Soulers, Sword Dancers etc. This can be confusing.
Publications listed may be cited as well as full text.
001 *
Dean - Village in the Wilds
[by C.L.F. Brown, in
Bedfordshire Magazine, Vol.1 No.2, Autumn 1947 - "small boys sang for ha'pence on Plough Monday". ]
012 *
A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely. Vol.09
[eds. by A.P.M. Wright & C.P. Lewis, 1989, p.166 - 'Madingley', by A.P.M. Wright - citation of
Cambridgeshire Customs and Folklore, by Enid Porter, 1969, pp.98-99, 102 - [itself extract from Cambridge & County Folk Museum Collection [Ref. local newspaper cutting, undated]]]
018 *
A Year in Europe
[by John Griscom, 1823, Vol.II pp.208-209 - at Cambridge, 1819]
028 *
Morris Dancers
[by Florence Rivers, in
Notes and Queries, 6th Ser. Vol.IX No.214, 2nd Feb. 1884, p.90 - still extant?]
029 *
Morris Dancers
[by W. R., in
Notes and Queries, 6th Ser. Vol.V No.114, 4th Mar. 1882, p.176 - "set" and "Moll" at Madingley, about 1848]
031 *
Plough Monday
[by J.G. Frazer, in
Folk-Lore Journal, Vol.V Pt.2, Apr? 1887, p.161 - at Cambridge]
032 *
Plough Monday
[by J.G. Frazer, in
Folk-Lore, Vol.VIII No.II, Jun. 1897, p.184 - at Witchford]
033 *
Popular Year-Book
[in
Sharpe's London Magazine, Vol.I No.12, 17th Jan. 1846, p.182 - at Cambridge, 1836]
034 *
Remarkable Days
[by [John Millard][Assistant Librarian of the Surrey Institution], in
Time's Telescope, 1816, pp.3-4 - at Cambridge]
036 *
Straw-Bear Tuesday
[by G.C. Moore Smith, in
Folk-Lore, Vol.XX No.2, Jun. 1909, pp.202-203 (- with two photos) - also Plough-Monday at Whittlesey]
039 *
A Second Notice of Customs, Notions, and Practices, at Ashford-in-the-Water, Sixty Years Ago
[by Thomas Brushfield, in
Reliquary, Vol.V No.-, Jan. 1865, pp.152-153 - "Plough Bullocks"; illustration from
The Book of Days, ed. by R. Chambers, Vol.I, 1863, pp.94-96]
045 *
The Value of European Folklore in the History of Culture
[by Charlotte Sophia Burne, in
Folk-Lore, Vol.XXI No.I, Mar. 1910, (pp.38-40 - 'Note II. The Horn Dance' - extract from
The Natural History of Stafford-shire, by Robert Plot, 1686, p.434; extract from
Links with the Past, by Mrs Charles Bagot, 1901, p.190; citation of
Sir Benjamin Stone's Pictures /) p.38 - 'Note I. Castleton']
046 *
Two Collections of Derbicisms
[by Samuel Pegge [Rector of Whittington], eds. by Rev Prof Skeat & Thomas Hallam, 1896, 'Supplement … from a Second Series' pp.(103 - entry for 'Guisers'; 112 - entry for 'Mummers';) 115 - entry for 'Plough Monday']
050 *
The Mysterious Wife
[by Gabrielli [Mary Meeke], 1797, Vol.III p.149 - "reminded Henry of the country clowns he had seen in the county of Durham adorned in womens clothes on Plow-Monday" - Literary Work - Subscription required for Gale: Eighteenth Century Collections Online]
056 *
The Folk Speech of East Yorkshire
[by John Nicholson, 1889, p.52 - entry for 'Besom' [- extract from
A Glossary of Words used in Holderness in the East-Riding of Yorkshire, by Frederick Ross, Richard Stead & Thomas Holderness, 1877, p.28 - entry for 'Besom-Bet']]
063 *
Old English Customs Extant at the Present Time
[by P.H. Ditchfield [Rector of Barkham], 1896, pp.47-48 - [paraphrasing
Plough Monday, by J.G. Frazer, in
Folk-Lore Journal, Vol.V Pt.2, Apr? 1887, p.161]; at Great Gransden; (48-49, vii - paraphrasing
A Cavalier Stronghold:, by Mrs Chaworth Musters, 1890; 49 - in Lincolnshire)]
069 *
Leicestershire & Rutland [County Folk-Lore, [Vol.I] : Printed Extracts, No. 3]
[coll. & ed. by Charles James Billson, 1895, pp.101-102 - extract from
Richard Fowke's "Ephemeris," or, Thoughts on Every Day in the Year, Notes on the Weather, etc., etc., 1811, by Rev Ernest F. Tower [was Rector of Elmesthorpe], in
Transactions of the Leicestershire Architectural and Archaeological Society, Vol.IV Pt.4, 1878, p.294]
072 *
RootsWeb
[Agnes Henty's diary (8th Jan. 1866) - "Plough Monday in all its absurdities." - at Rothley Temple]
074 *
The History and Antiquities of Claybrook,
[by Rev A. Macaulay [Curate of Claybrook], 1791, p.128 - Morris-dancers at Claybrook from Sapcote & Sharnford - Subscription required for Gale: Eighteenth Century Collections Online]
080 *
Chambers's Book of Days [US edition]
[ed. by R. Chambers, 1879, Vol.I pp.94-96 - 'Plough Monday' - "plough bullocks" - informed by A Correspondent [Anon]; illustration; (extract from
Whitby, by Rev G. Young)]
082 *
Examples of Printed Folk-Lore concerning Lincolnshire [County Folk-Lore, Vol.V : Printed Extracts, No. VIII]
[coll. by Mrs Gutch & Mabel Peacock [daughter of Edward Peacock], 1908, pp.174-187 - extract from
A Glossary of Words used in the Wapentakes of Manley and Corringham, Lincolnshire [1st edition], by Edward Peacock, 1877, pp.22, 153;
A Glossary of Words used in the Wapentakes of Manley and Corringham, Lincolnshire [2nd edition, revised and enlarged, only], by Edward Peacock, 1889, pp.47, 56, 273;
Old English Customs Extant at the Present Time, by P.H. Ditchfield, 1896, p.49;
The Lincoln Pocket Guide:, by Sir C.H.J. Anderson, 1880, p.79;
The History and Antiquities of Boston, by Pishey Thompson, 1856, p.718;
Provincial Words and Expressions Current in Lincolnshire, by J.Ellett Brogden, 1866, pp.151-152;
Plough Jags, by E.Bentley Wood, in
Lincolnshire Notes & Queries, Vol.II Pt.3, Jul. 1890, pp.88-89;
Plough Monday Mummeries [I], by Mabel Peacock, in
Notes and Queries, 9th Ser. Vol.VII No.174, 27th Apr. 1901, pp.322-324 &
Plough Monday Mummeries [II], by Mabel Peacock, in
Notes and Queries, 9th Ser. Vol.VII No.176, 11th May 1901, pp.363-365]
083 *
Notes of the Month
[in
Antiquary, Vol.XL No.?, Feb. 1904, p.36 - extract from
The Standard, 3rd Jan. 1904 - Haxey mummers used to perform some play]
084 *
Observations on Popular Antiquities: [with additions]
[by John Brand, rev. by Henry Ellis, 1813, Vol.I pp.400-403 - 'Sword Dance' - fnG - [Thomas] Park notes Morris-Dancers at Lincoln; (extract from Revesby Abbey, Revesby text [which he possesses - now
British Library Add. Ms. 44870]; paraphrasing
Mode of celebrating Christmas in Yorkshire, by R. S. [Robert Surtees], in
Gentleman's Magazine: and Historical Chronicle, Vol.LXXXI Pt.1:May (New Ser. Vol.4), Jan.-Jun. 1811, pp.423-424)]
085 *
Old English Customs Extant at the Present Time
[by P.H. Ditchfield [Rector of Barkham], 1896, pp.(47-48 - [paraphrasing
Plough Monday, by J.G. Frazer, in
Folk-Lore Journal, Vol.V Pt.2, Apr? 1887, p.161]; at Great Gransden; 48-49, vii - paraphrasing
A Cavalier Stronghold:, by Mrs Chaworth Musters, 1890;) 49 - in Lincolnshire]
086 *
Plough Monday' lantern slide
[As displayed, this is a mirror image of illustration from
The Book of Days, ed. by R. Chambers, Vol.I, 1863, pp.94-96]
089 *
The Book of Days [? edition]
[ed. by R. Chambers, 1869, Vol.I - 'Plough Monday' - "plough bullocks" - informed by [Anon]; illustration; (extract from
Whitby, by Rev G. Young)]
096 *
Downham
[extract from
Lynn Advertiser, 16th Jan. 1844]
099 *
The Norfolk Garland:
[comp. & ed. by John Glyde Jun, [1872], pp.110-111 - 'Plough Monday' - prior to the Reformation]
105 *
Autobiography of Mrs Fletcher
[ed. by The Survivor of Her Family [M. R. [Mary Richardson]], 1875, p.19 - "ploughstott" processions at Oxton]
108 *
Church Folklore
[by Rev J.Edward Vaux, 1894, pp.225-226, 169 - shepherds at Aldborough - informed by [Dr [Alexander D.H.] Leadman ?]]
109 *
Examples of Printed Folk-Lore concerning the East Riding of Yorkshire [County Folk-Lore, Vol.VI : Printed Extracts, No. VIII]
[coll. & ed. by Mrs Gutch, 1912, pp.87 - extract from
Holderness and the Holdernessians, by a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society [Richard Stead], 1878, pp.69-70; 87-88 - extract from
A New and Complete History of the Town and County of Kingston-upon-Hull,, by Hadley, 1778, pp.823-825; 88-89 - extract from
Ouse Bridge to Naburn Lock, by William Camidge, 1890, pp.483-485 - "ploughboying" from Acaster Malbis at York]
114 *
The Rural Economy of Yorkshire
[by Mr [William] Marshall [born at Sinnington], 1788, Vol.II p.329 - 'Provincialisms of East-Yorkshire [Eastern moorlands and Vale of Pickering]' - entry for 'Fond-plufe' - "Mab and his wife"]
118 *
Five Parishes : Their People and Places : A History of the Villages of Castor, Ailsworth, Marholm with Milton, Upton and Sutton
[by CAMUS Project, [2004], pp.73, 80 - 'Castor Church', by [Canon] William Burke [Rector of Castor] - citation of
Parish News, Mar. 1999, p.14 - great plough used as kindling by workmen in order to dry plaster!; 348-349 - 'Appendix Eighteen' - extract from 'Castor, past and present', by John Hales, 1883 talk - great plough replaced by organ; Castor at Milton Hall, Marholm]
119 *
Glossary of Northamptonshire Words and Phrases,
[by Anne Elizabeth Baker [sister of George Baker], 1854, Vol.II pp.(41 - entry for 'Mummers' - citation of Brockett, Hunter, Carr, Halliwell;) 123-124 - entry for 'Plough Monday, or Plough-Witch Monday'; 124 - entry for 'Plough Witches', 'Plough Witching'; (429-432 - 'Appendix : Mumming' - at Brackley; Thenford Hall [Thenford House], Thenford text, some years since)]
120 *
Great Plough at Castor Church
[by R.W. Elliot, in
Notes and Queries, [1st Ser.] Vol.IV No.108, 22nd Nov. 1851, p.406 - citation of
Northern Tour, by Dibdin, p.44 Vol.I]
122 *
Old Peterborough Customs and their Survival : [First Series]
[by Charles Dack, in
Journal of the British Archaeological Association, New Ser. Vol.V, 1899, pp.323-324 - Plough-Monday - Plough Witches and Mumpers - sang ['Old Gray Goose']; (336-337 - Christmas - adjacent villages Morrice Dancers fragment)]
123 *
Plough Monday
[by Alexander Palmer, in
Northamptonshire Notes & Queries, Vol.III Pt.XXI, ? 1890, pp.152-153 - "plough witches" at [Glapthorn ?]]
124 *
The Shepherd's Calendar;
[by John Clare, 1827, pp.(95 - 'December' - "Morris-dance";) 156-157 - 'The Rivals; A Pastoral' - "Plough-witch-Monday"]
126 *
Town Plough
[by Brick [pseud], in
Notes and Queries, [1st Ser.] Vol.VII No.179, 2nd Apr. 1853, p.339 - great plough in the belfry at Castor [sic] Church - was connected with "Plough Monday"?]
127 *
Weather and Folk Lore of Peterborough and District : (Second Series)
[by Charles Dack, 1911, pp.8 - 'January' - at Peterborough, this year; Plough witches at Northampton, 1910; (18 - 'December : St. Andrew's Day' - citation of
Old Peterborough Customs and their Survival : [First Series], by Charles Dack, in
Journal of the British Archaeological Association, New Ser. Vol.V, 1899, pp.336-337)]
128 *
West Haddon Endowed School History
[extract from logbook (9th Jan. 1882) - "… although several children are absent patrolling the village in a variety of costumes as “plough boys" in the hope of obtaining alms from the charitably disposed."]
129 *
A View of Northumberland
[by W. Hutchinson, 1778, Vol.II 'Ancient Customs' pp.17-19 - (Mell-Supper; "sword dance";) Stot Plough]
132 *
Fool's Plough"
[by R.Hedger Wallace, in
Notes and Queries, 9th Ser. Vol.I No.18, 30th Apr. 1898, p.348 - citation of
History of Northumberland, by Mackenzie]
133 *
History of Corbridge and its Antiquities:
[by Robert Forster, 1881, pp.55-57 - "Full Plough", nearly seventy years since; seen at Belsay Castle, Capheaton Hall, Swinburne Castle, etc; origin of "plough night"; (extract from
Newcastle Courant, 26th Dec. 1879 - "sword dancing")]
134 *
History of Northumberland
[by Rev John Hodgson [Vicar of Hartburn], Pt.II Vol.III, 1840, p.139fn - "like our north country fool-ploughmen (and sword-dancers)"]
135 *
Northumberland Words
[by Richard Oliver Heslop, Vol.I, 1892, pp.(52 - entry for 'Bessy' - extract from
Wor Mally Turned Bloomer;) 307 - entry for 'Full-plough'; (II, 349 - entry for 'Guizard, Guizart, Guizer'; 714 - entry for 'Sword-dancers'; 737 - entry for 'Tommies an' Bessies')]
136 *
Observations on Popular Antiquities:
[by John Brand, 1777, pp.175-179 - "White Plough"; (extract from
An English Dictionary:, by Coles) - Subscription required for Gale: Eighteenth Century Collections Online]
142 *
An Art-Student in Munich
[by Anna Mary Howitt [daughter of Mary Howitt], 1853, Vol.I p.209 - "English Plough-Bullocks" at [Nottingham ?]]
145 *
Pictorial Calendar of the Seasons
[ed. by Mary Howitt [wife of William Howitt], 1854, p.45fn - at ([Uttoxeter], Staffordshire, thirty years ago;) [Nottingham ?], Nottinghamshire, ten years ago]
152 *
The Rural Life of England:
[by William Howitt, 1838, Vol.II p.144 - Possible influence of Methodism on the demise or otherwise of calendar customs such as "plough-bullocking"]
154 *
Rutland Words
[coll. by Rev Christopher Wordsworth [lately Rector of Glaston], 1891, pp.(23 - entry for 'Mummers' - at [Stanford in the Vale]; at [Alvechurch ?]; Edith Weston [sic] seen at Lyndon - informed by Rector of Lyndon;) 27 - entry for 'Plough Monday'; entry for 'Plough-Witchers']
158 *
Antiquarian News
[in
Antiquary, Vol.VII No.?, Apr. 1883, p.180 - "plough bullocks" at Ecclesfield]
159 *
Ecclesfield History
["Plough Bullocks" at Ecclesfield Hospital Parade (displayed on a cart) on Saturday of third weekend after Whitsun]
162 *
A History of the County of Stafford. Vol.07
[ed. by M.W. Greenslade, 1996, p.146 - 'Leek : Leek and Lowe : Social and Cultural Activities', by N.J. Tringham - citation of
A History of the Ancient Parish of Leek, [2nd edition], by John Sleigh, [1883], p.218]
163 *
England Sixty Years Ago
[by Dr Luke Roden [Dr Alfred Wigan], in
Illuminated Magazine, Vol.I, May-Oct. 1843, pp.297-298 [- at Abbots Bromley, pp.300-301]]
165 *
Lectures, Verses, Speeches, Reminiscences, & c.
[by William Challinor, 1891, p.34 - as
A Few Gleanings Connected with the 'History of Leek', in
Staffordshire Sentinel, 26th Mar. 1864 - ("Soul caking",) Plough Monday, (guisers at Christmas)]
166 *
Pictorial Calendar of the Seasons
[ed. by Mary Howitt [wife of William Howitt], 1854, p.45fn - at [Uttoxeter], Staffordshire, thirty years ago; ([Nottingham ?], Nottinghamshire, ten years ago)]
167 *
The Folklore of Staffordshire
[by C.S. Burne, in
Journal of the British Archaeological Association, New Ser. Vol.II, 1896, p.32 - villages on the Trent near Burton]
170 *
Verses and Notes
[by John Wilson, 1903, pp.181-186 - '"Plough Stotting"' - at North Elmsall; ('"Raper" or Sword Dancing' - at North Elmsall; '"The Horse-Head," or, "The Queen's Pony"' - Poor Old Horse at Kirk Smeaton [sic])]
174 *
Albions England
[by William Warner, 1589, p.108 Pt.II - "Rock, & plow Modaies gams sal gang, with Saint-feast[s] & kirk-sights" - Literary Work - Subscription required for Chadwyck-Healey: Early English Books Online]
175 *
An English Dictionary:
[by E. Coles, 1676 - entry for 'Plow-Monday' [- probably just via
Glossographia: [4th edition only], by T. B., 1674, p.497] - Subscription required for Chadwyck-Healey: Early English Books Online]
177 *
Dandelion Days
[by Henry Williamson, 1922, pp.179-181 - Literary Work]
178 *
Five Hundreth Points of Good Husbandry
[by Thomas Tusser, 1573, fol.77r - 'The plowmans feasting daies : Plough Munday' - see above - Subscription required for Chadwyck-Healey: Early English Books Online]
179 *
Fool's Plough"
[by C.P. Hale, in
Notes and Queries, 9th Ser. Vol.II No.27, 2nd Jul. 1898 p.11 (- citation of
A Glossary of Yorkshire Words and Phrases, Collected in Whitby and the Neighbourhood, by An Inhabitant [Francis Kildale Robinson], 1855, pp.131-132 - entry for 'Plufe Stots or Plough Stots')]
180 *
Fool's Plough"
[by W.C. B. [Rev W. Consitt Boulter], in
Notes and Queries, 9th Ser. Vol.II No.27, 2nd Jul. 1898, p.11 - citation of
Observations on the Popular Antiquities of Great Britain: by John Brand, rev. by Sir Henry Ellis, 1849, Vol.I pp.505-510]
181 *
Glossographia: [4th edition only]
[by T. B. [Thomas Blount], 1674, p.497 - entry for 'Plow-Monday' - Subscription required for Chadwyck-Healey: Early English Books Online]
182 *
Observations on Popular Antiquities: [with additions]
[by John Brand, rev. by Henry Ellis, 1813, Vol.I pp.396-400 - 'Fool Plough' - fnA - extract from
A View of Northumberland, by W. Hutchinson, 1778, Vol.II ad finem pp.18-19; extract from
Illustrations of the Manners and Expences of Antient Times in England, by [John Nichols], 1797, pp.169fn, 240fn; fnC - extract from
On the Octaves of Festivals - Low-Sunday and Plough-Monday, by T. Rowe [Rev Samuel Pegge the Elder [the Rector of Whittington]], in
Gentleman's Magazine, Vol.32, Dec. 1762, pp.567-569; extract from
The History and Antiquities of Claybrook, by Rev A. Macaulay, 1791, p.128; extract from
Five Hundreth Points of Good Husbandry, by Thomas Tusser, 1573, fol.77]
183 *
Plough Monday
[by William Hone, in
The Every-Day Book;, Vol.I, 18??, cols.71-77 - illustration, by [Samuel Williams ?];
History of Norfolk, by Blomefield]
184 *
Plough Monday
[by William Hone, in
The Every-Day Book;, Vol.I, 1826, cols.71-77- illustration, by [Samuel Williams ?];
History of Norfolk, by Blomefield]
185 *
Plough Monday Custom
[by R.W. Hackwood, in
Notes and Queries, 2nd Ser. Vol.I No.24, 14th Jun. 1856, pp.475-476]
186 *
Plough Monday Custom
[by Henry Kensington, in
Notes and Queries, 2nd Ser. Vol.I No.20, 17th May 1856, p.386]
189 *
The Life of Thomas Telford
[by Samuel Smiles, 1867, Chapter III - 'Manners And Customs Influenced By The State Of The Roads']
Contact us with any new or updated links.
© 2000-2012, TDRG.
Contact: c/o webmaster@folkplay.info,
Last updated: 31/10/2012