History Extra Podcast: "Cheese-rolling, horse skulls & morris dancers: Britain's strange folk customs" Summary
Release Date: March 10, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of the History Extra Podcast, produced by Immediate Media, host Ellie Cawthorn delves into the intriguing world of Britain's folk customs. Featuring insights from Liz Williams, author of Rough Music: Folk Customs, Transgression and Alternative Britain, the conversation explores the origins, evolution, and modern revival of various British folk traditions. From the energetic chaos of cheese rolling to the mysterious rituals of Morris dancing, Williams provides a comprehensive analysis of these unique cultural practices.
Defining Folklore
Liz Williams begins by addressing the broad and complex nature of folklore. She emphasizes that folklore encompasses both historical and contemporary practices, blending ancient traditions with modern adaptations.
"It's not just practices of the past, but also practices of the present... the customs of the country, what people actually get out onto the streets and into the fields and do to celebrate the turning seasons or current events or historical events."
— Liz Williams [03:02]
Williams highlights that folklore includes both written traditions, such as Arthurian legends and grimoires, and unwritten, oral traditions like supernatural beliefs and seasonal customs.
Evolution and Nature of Folk Customs
Williams discusses the dynamic nature of folk customs, challenging the notion that these traditions remain static over time. She asserts that many customs evolve, adapting to societal changes and contemporary contexts.
"They evolve a lot more than people think they do... it's an evolving, fluid thing, like most customs."
— Liz Williams [10:54]
She also addresses the misconception that all British folk traditions have pre-Christian or pagan origins, clarifying that many are rooted in the medieval period or later.
"A lot of them are sort of medieval at the latest... Some of them can be traced reasonably easily back to much more recent times."
— Liz Williams [04:26]
Examples of British Folk Customs
The episode explores several distinct British folk traditions, each with its unique characteristics and historical significance.
Morris Dancing
Morris dancing is one of Britain's most recognizable folk customs. Williams explains its origins and contemporary practices, including the lesser-known "molly dancing" where men dress in women's clothing.
"Molly dancing is a form of Morris dancing in which men dress up in women's clothing... it gives them the opportunity to do something that not violate that, but stretch it."
— Liz Williams [07:26]
She also touches on recent controversies, such as the use of blackface in Morris dancing, attributing varying theories to its origins and advocating for more culturally sensitive adaptations.
"A lot of Morris teams have taken to blueface or greenface now rather than blackface."
— Liz Williams [10:42]
Charivari (Rough Music)
Charivari, also known as Rough Music, was a form of social control in historical Britain. Williams describes it as a public shaming ritual used to punish individuals who transgressed social norms.
"The Charivari is basically where you shame somebody. You make an effigy of them... paraded through the town with everybody shouting and yelling."
— Liz Williams [11:49]
She underscores the intimidating and often traumatic impact these rituals had on their targets, linking them to broader themes of bullying and social conformity.
Mari Lloyd
Moving to Wales, the Mari Lloyd tradition involves processions featuring figures with horse skulls. Williams recounts her personal experiences observing these events and discusses their symbolic complexity.
"The Mari Lloyd... dressed in long white robes with a horse's skull on the top... it's creepy, but they're also jolly and they're also quite funny."
— Liz Williams [15:51]
She draws parallels between these processions and other global traditions, noting their evolving nature and growing popularity.
Cheese Rolling
Perhaps one of the most eccentric British traditions, cheese rolling takes place annually at Cooper's Hill near Gloucester. Williams provides a vivid description of the event and speculates on its origins.
"It's just something that happened every year... extremely steep hill, big wheel of cheese, everybody runs after it... completely bonkers British exercise."
— Liz Williams [23:38]
She dismisses the romantic notion that cheese rolling is an ancient Celtic solar festival, suggesting instead that it simply became a tradition through repeated annual participation.
Green Man
The Green Man is another enduring figure in British folklore, symbolizing the connection to nature and seasonal cycles. Williams differentiates between the Green Man representations in medieval church carvings and contemporary folklore processions.
"There are two types of Green Man... the heads found in churches and the ones seen in folklore processions like Hastings' Jack in the Green festival."
— Liz Williams [19:06]
She acknowledges the unclear origins of the Green Man but emphasizes its enduring presence in British cultural expressions.
Beltane
Beltane, traditionally a Gaelic festival marking the beginning of summer, has seen a revival in modern pagan celebrations. Williams discusses its transformation from a fertility festival to a more generalized celebration of spring.
"Beltane is a revivalist term... pagans use it instead of May Day... it's becoming increasingly regarded in paganism as a festival of fertility."
— Liz Williams [20:39]
Bonfire Night
Another quintessentially British tradition, Bonfire Night commemorates the failure of Guy Fawkes' plot to blow up the British Parliament. Williams describes the elaborate celebrations in towns like Lewes, highlighting both their historical roots and contemporary manifestations.
"Bonfire Night commemorates the failure of a plotter, Guy Fawkes, to blow up the British Parliament... people started rolling barrels of gunpowder through the streets and holding bonfires."
— Liz Williams [26:14]
She notes the continued popularity of these events despite their inherent dangers, attributing their longevity to their deep cultural significance.
Significance and Modern Revival
Williams emphasizes that these folk customs offer valuable insights into both historical and contemporary British society. They serve as windows into communal values, social structures, and the human desire for connection and celebration.
"They are a window into the past... and how we see our own culture."
— Liz Williams [28:05]
She observes that modern revivals of these traditions often aim to be inclusive, reflecting younger generations' values of diversity and community.
"Younger people... are much more inclusive. They want to celebrate it, but not at the exclusion of anybody else."
— Liz Williams [29:07]
Williams argues that the enduring nature of these customs lies in their ability to provide a sense of belonging and to reconnect individuals with their heritage and the natural world.
"People do want something to do, but they also want to feel part of something... celebrate the land and the trees and the fruit and the harvest around you."
— Liz Williams [29:13]
Conclusion
The episode concludes with Liz Williams advocating for the support and participation in ongoing folk traditions. She highlights some of her favorite modern celebrations and encourages listeners to engage with their local customs to preserve and appreciate these vibrant aspects of British culture.
"Some of these things are organic community enterprises and they really need a bit of support. So yeah, go out and see what's going on in your locality."
— Liz Williams [30:14]
Ellie Cawthorn thanks Williams for her insightful contributions, wrapping up an episode that not only celebrates Britain's peculiar folk customs but also underscores their cultural and historical importance.
Notable Quotes
-
"Folklore encompasses both historical and contemporary practices, blending ancient traditions with modern adaptations."
— Liz Williams [03:02] -
"They evolve a lot more than people think they do... it's an evolving, fluid thing, like most customs."
— Liz Williams [10:54] -
"A lot of these things are harvest oriented, and I think people like that because we become very attenuated from the natural world."
— Liz Williams [29:13]
Recommended Listening
For enthusiasts looking to explore British folk customs further, Liz Williams' book Rough Music: Folk Customs, Transgression and Alternative Britain provides an in-depth examination of these traditions. Additionally, attending local folk festivals and processions can offer firsthand experience of these vibrant cultural practices.
This summary was crafted based on the transcript provided, focusing solely on the content delivered by host Ellie Cawthorn and guest Liz Williams, and excluding all advertisement segments.