Tag: Penny Hedge

Out on Ye – Whitby pays its penance for another year

Whitby Anchor by Emma Ryan

The annual tradition of the planting of the penny hedge on the banks of the River Esk in Whitby attracted a bumper crowd who lined Church Street to watch.

As he has since he took over the role as the Bailiff of the Manor of Fyling Court Leet, Lol Hodgson carried out the ceremony – which dates back around 900 years – on Wednesday morning watched by more than 80 people.

Lol Hodgson and Tim Osborne construct the penny hedge on the bank of the River Esk. Wednesday May 13. Picture: Ceri Oakes

Joined by Tim Osborne, they weaved the the hazel hedge together, using a penny knife, and then Mr Osborne acting as hornblower, sounded the horn three times before Mr Hodgson gave three cries of “Out on Ye”.

The planting of the penny hedge was overseen by Amy Arnold, who is the first female Seneschal (legally qualified representative) to The Manor of Fyling Court Leet, established in the 1500s.

Lol Hodgson, Amy Arnold and Tim Osborne. Wednesday 13 May. Picture: Ceri Oakes

Each year the same order of service is followed, in line with the legendary story, which goes that three local hunters were pursuing a wild boar, which was given refuge in a hermitage by a hermit or monk.

When he refused to let the hunters at the boar, they fatally attacked him. However, before he cast his last breath, the hermit issued a lifelong penance, which they and then their descendants must carry out, or lose their lands.

So on the eve of Ascension, the hedge has to be planted, and it has to withstand three tides.

Fable or fact? The planting of the penny hedge takes place this week

Whitby Anchor by Emma Ryan

Whitby has many weird and wonderful traditions but the annual planting of the penny hedge is one so old, no-one in living memory could attest to it being fact or fable.

However, as Lol Hodgson, who has been overseeing the ceremony for more than 25 years once said, “the whole country is built on legend, how can anybody argue”.

At the time he also said that with life as it is at present, “we have to have some light-hearted moments”. Few would argue with that either.

When Mr Hodgson took the job as the Bailiff of the Manor of Fyling Court Leet, which involves responsibilities for managing common land, it was also required that he perform this 900-year-old tradition.

The legendary story goes that three local hunters were pursuing a wild boar which sought refuge in a hermitage at Eskdaleside.

When the hermit, or monk, closed the door and refused to let the hounds or hunters in, they attacked him, causing fatal wounds.

As he was dying, rather than call for punishment, the hermit ordered them to carry out a lifelong penance, which their descendants must carry out, or lose their lands.

The penance was that on the eve of Ascension, a hedge – constructed from stakes woven together having been cut by a penny knife (hence the name penny hedge) – should be planted on the east side of the bank of the River Esk.

It had to withstand three tides and if it didn’t, it was feared the town of Whitby would suffer, or that the descendants of the murderers would lose their land.

And ever since, the ceremony has been carried out followed by the blowing of a cow horn and three cries of ‘Out on Ye’.

Crowds turn out to watch the ceremony on Church Street and, over recent years, it has attracted visitors from around the country and abroad.

This year, the planting of the penny hedge will be on Wednesday May 13 at around 8.40am.

Ascension Day is traditionally celebrated on a Thursday, 40 days after Easter making Ascension Eve fall on the Wednesday prior.

Whitby Anchor