If August 24th be fair and clear,
Then hope for a prosperous autumn that year.
August 24th is Saint Bartholomew's Day. Bar-Tolmai (son of Tolmai) lived and died in 1st century Palestine. It is thought he was flayed alive so becoming the patron saint of butchers and tanners. He was also the patron saint of bee keepers and it was traditional for the honey to be taken from the bees on this day.
In London a St Bartholomew's Day fair was held to raise funds for St Bartholomew's hospital.
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The fair was first held in 1133 but was banned in 1855 because of offences against public dignity and morals!
The first "toffee apples" were traditional at this fair, they were windfall apples, skewered on sticks and dipped in honey.
St. Bartholomew's mantle wipe's dry all the tears St. Swithin can cry
As St. Bart's Day, so the autumn
As St. Bart's Day, so the autumn
Other celebrations took place around the country. In Sandwich, Kent the children still run around St Bart's Chapel and are rewarded with a Bart's Bun.
Have a Happy St Bartholomew's Day and a good weekend
Back Monday
Sue
Looks like its going to be a lovely autumn if the folk lore hold true
ReplyDeleteI hope so although probably not so hot as today
DeleteThe weather predictions seem to back that up. It'll be good to have a pleasant autumn with, hopefully, fewer of the storms we have been getting in recent years.
ReplyDeleteA Happy St Barts Day to you too. Enjoy the sunny warmth.
xx
Even a bit too warm for me!
DeleteLooking at today's weather down here, we should have a prosperous autumn! It makes you wonder what went on at the St Bartholomew's fair, if it was banned for those reasons! Have to say, I love a toffee apple. Have a lovely weekend, Sue!
ReplyDeleteVictorian England, puritan and repressed.
DeleteThey liked a good fair back then
DeleteIt's. a lovely day here in Stewkley so have been to town. My daughter is coming with my S in L to paint the bathroom ceiling for me today.
ReplyDeleteHazel c uk
Hope you got your ceiling done
DeleteI do hope it's true, looking at the beautiful blue sky.
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely day here too
DeleteJust saying Hello. For the longest time I’ve not been able to comment because my Google name would not show up most days on your blog and others. But my Google name has appeared for the past week or so, so fingers crossed I’ll be able to comment from now on. Love your church posts in particular.
ReplyDeleteHow strange. Hope you keep commenting
DeleteWhat interesting history of your lovely homeland. It sounds like a wonderful celebration to me. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteCompletely forgotten nowadays
DeleteThanks for sharing. Fall is coming early here on the prairies of Canada. Trees are changing colour already and the mornings seem to be getting a bit cooler. Makes my morning walk much more enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
We are having a spell of HOT weather again after a cooler couple of weeks - autumn is on hold
DeleteThats what I love about blogs, you learn so much! Never heard of St Bartholomew's Day!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have known about it either except for my folklore books!
DeleteIt is very interesting to learn about culture and traditions in your country!
ReplyDelete