Castleton Garland Ceremony

The Castleton Garland Ceremony is believed to originate from a Pagan fertility right. Although keeping ancient traditions, it's celebrated on 29th May, Oak Apple day (unless that's a Sunday), to commemorate the restoration of the monarchy in Britain in 1660. The procession is led by the "King", wearing the garland, and his Consort.

The garland is a large beehive shape, and the frame is covered with flowers gathered from around the village. Traditionally it's the men who dress the garland.

The King and his Consort ride the boundary of the village, and then go to the host public house. The pubs take it in turns to host the ceremony. The Castleton Silver Band arrive behind them playing the Garland Tune. Also a group of village girls gather wearing all white with flowers attached to clothes and in their hair.
The garland is then placed over the head of the King as the band again play the Garland Tune, and the girls begin to dance the Garland Step.

The procession then heads to the eastern end of the village and turns to head back through, stopping at each hostelry along the way. At each stop the girls dance the Circle, and the Chain Dance.

Eventually after visiting all the hostelry's, the King and Consort ride into the church yard and to the base of the tower. A rope is lowered and the garland is attached and hauled to the top and placed on a pinnacle where it will stay until the flowers die.

Now the girls can gather around the Maypole in the Market Place where they entertain the crowds with six dances of varying complexity.

When the Maypole dances have ended, the King and Consort ride the short distance to the War Memorial followed by the band and the girls. There is a solemn ceremony and the King lays the Queen Posy to commemorate the dead of Castleton in the two World Wars. The band play the Last Post which is followed by a silence. Finally the band play the National Anthem.

 As they leave, the band play the Garland Tune again as the girls dance the Garland Step, or the Cross-over Dance. And so ends the Garland Ceremony.

For more photos: http://www.expono.com/purple_t/album/9482

This year, 2010, was the first time i've been to the Garland Ceremony. It was a wet and VERY overcast day. I arrived early afternoon and walked around for a while. I met up with some old friends and together we checked out the Garland making, visited the tourist shops, and eventually the chip shop. When we saw the King and Consort walking around the town we followed so as to see them start their ride, then went to the host pub and waited.
The Garland is quite impressive when seen close up, and must weigh a considerable amount. It must also be difficult, if not impossible for the King to see through it. Fortunately his horse is well behaved and not bothered by the crowds. The Consort was a bonny lass with a bright smile and could be seen talking good naturedly with the villagers.
At each pub stop drink was brought out and handed round the followers, and the band members.
Although there are apparently only six pubs, it's still a slow process stopping at each one, and the band had to play as the girls danced. The King could be seen at least once without his Garland, and with beer in hand, but that's hardly surprising considering the weight, and the fact he can't see anything through it.

Probably the highlight for me was the Maypole dancing. It's a long time since i watched any, and was quite impressed with the complexity of it all. It's something i'd very much like to see more of.

Traditions such as the Garland Ceremony are what we should be supporting. It's part of our past, our heritage. It's what makes us who we are in England, and Britain as a whole. In this case it's the mixing of Paganism and the Restoration of the Monarchy becoming entwined that helps make it even more interesting. Everybody is expected to wear an oak leaf to show allegiance to the crown. People walk around selling oak leaves, and so i heard, sometimes they have a person with them carrying nettles to attack you with if you refuse, all good naturedly of course.
As i'm not exactly a monarchist i felt like an treacherous soul wearing a sprig of oak, but better that than be beaten with nettles, or worse.........


This is the sort of event that makes me proud to be English. Our ancient traditions being kept alive. Instead of screaming and shouting about us losing our heritage, perhaps people should get out and support these events, yet it seems those who make the most noise cause the most trouble, and do nothing to protect our heritage, and that sickens me.
Personally i look forward to the next event of this type i can get to, and to visiting our ancient sites and trying to learn more of our past, and what makes us who we are, English!