May 14, 2011
St. Pancras Festivities -- Lewes
I had a productive morning writing, so I decided to attend the Feast of St. Pancras festivities. Quaker-me had to look up who St. Pancras was, of course! Pancras was martyred c300 CE and is an important saint in England; some of his bones made their way here. He is also one of the “Ice Saints.” His Feast Day in May usually coincides with the final spring frost.
The festivities took place at the priory ruins in Lewes. Established in 1078, the monastery remained an active community into the 1530s, until Henry VII and parliament dissolved all monasteries so that the crown could control the land (among other reasons!). Thomas Cromwell brought an engineer over from Italy to literally blow up their church. The remains of the buildings have been recently restored thanks to the national lottery.
The historical foundation that maintains the priory and a local bonfire society co-sponsored the event. It’s a quirky partnership – a group that is trying to preserve a former Catholic monastery and a group that celebrates the suppression of a Catholic rebellion led by Guy Fawkes. The bonfire society’s motto is:
I see no reason
Why gun powder treason
Should ever be forgot
The festivities included a procession of drummers dressed in faux medieval garb
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| Procession of drummers seen through an old window |
crafts demonstrations, storytelling, and “Hands on History” events, such as trying on medieval armor.
You could also lock someone up in the stocks and throw wet sponges at them (I was not a victim!) and try your hand at rolling the “swede” (a large rutabaga).
Immediately outside the priory grounds, another British activity: Cricket.
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| Cricket field immediately outside the priory. In the background, you can see one of the area's many chalk cliffs. |
St. Pancras is also known as an “ice saint” because his feast day often prompts a cool spell. And he did – at least in Sussex!
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