Village resumes centuries old battle over Haxey Hood
Hundreds of people in the Lincolnshire village of Haxey will be marking an ancient tradition today.
The Haxey Hood, which dates back to the 14th century, takes place every January 6th, the twelfth day of Christmas. A leather hood is thrown into the crowd and then 'swayed' by teams representing different villages. The game is won when one of the teams reaches their local pub with the 'hood' and the landlord keeps it until the following year
One of the oldest traditional events in England with roots traced back to 14th century
Takes place in the Village of Haxey in north Lincolnshire on the 12th day of Christmas, January 6th each year
Similar to a rugby scrum (called the Sway) which involves pushing a leather tube called the hood to 1 of 4 pubs in the parish
Thirteen characters from the original story take part: the Lord, the fool and eleven Boggins
The hood stays at whichever pub wins until the following year
The custom is thought to date back to the day when a Lady De Mowbray was riding along the fields, lost her hood, and workmen scrambled over to help.
The hood was returned but it was all tattered and torn. She was so taken by their kindness that she wanted a game to be named and played as a reminder of the act. And thus the Haxey Hood was born.
The hood is currently held by the Loco pub, who ended a ten year drought to win it in 2015 - but only after they had 'smoked' the fool...