Wilson's Almanac on Tutbury Minstrels' Fair

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folklore legend minstrels bullfighting bullbaiting bull baiting

Tutbury Fair

Robin Hood, bull-baiting and the King of Music

By Pip Wilson

Tutbury hunters' procession, Middle Ages August 15 and 16 In old England, on the Feast of the Assumption (August 15), the wood-master and rangers of Needwood forest started the festivities (that went on till the next day, by meeting at Berkley Lodge, in the forest, to arrange for the dinner that was given to them on this day at Tutbury Castle. The buck they were allowed for the feast was killed, as another that was their annual present to the prior of Tutbury. They would ride into town in procession, each carrying a green bough, and one bearing the buck's head, with a piece of fat fastened to each antler. The town's minstrels accompanied them. When they reached the centre of town the hunters blew their horns, then all went to the church and each paid a penny offering. Mass was celebrated, then a grand dinner prepared for them in the castle. The prior gave them 30 shillings towards the feast, and the following day there were further festivities. Musicians' court Over the years, the celebration became a big one , and because the town of Tutbury became a popular place, with many minstrels and jugglers attending, John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, fourth son of Edward III, ordered that every year on August 16, there should be elected a king of the minstrels, to try those charged with misdemeanours, and grant licences for coming year. On August 16 the minstrels would assemble at the bailiff's house, where they were met by all the local dignitaries. They then went in a musical procession with much pomp to the church where each minstrel was paid a penny, then on to the castle where they conducted their court, made merry, played music, and elected the new king.

 

Baiting the bull

At end of day they were given a bull by the prior of Tutbury; they sawed off its horns, cut off his tail and ears, smeared his body with soap and filled his nose with pepper. They all rushed after the poor creature; if any minstrel could cut off a piece of its skin before he crossed the river Dove into Derbyshire, he became the property of the King of Music, but if not, he was caught and returned to the prior. If the musicians succeeded in slicing him, the bull was taken to the High Street and baited with dogs three times. The bailiff then paid the King of Music five nobles and was given the bull, which he sent to Hardwick to be eaten by the poor.

Tutbury was one of the possessions of the Dukes of Lancaster. The one who started this tradition, John of Gaunt, had styled himself King of Castille and Leon in Spain, so the day’s bull-baiting might have been in imitation of Spanish bullfighting.

Tutbury Castle was finally demolished in 1647 on the orders of Oliver Cromwell who wanted to make sure that it wasn’t used against him. was finally demolished in 1647 on the orders of Oliver Cromwell who wanted to make sure that it wasn’t used against him. After the Restoration of the Monarchy, parts of it were repaired and in 1681 it was leased to Lord Vernon of Sudbury Hall. One of the later Vernons, believing that it would improve the skyline and impress visitors at Sudbury, built a ‘folly’ or mock ruin atop a hill in the vicinity (pictured).

After Tutbury castle’s destruction in the Civil War, the minstrelsy fell into disrepute – and besides, without the castle they had no occupation. Soon, the locals sensibly began to have an antipathy to bull baiting. The Duke of Devonshire abolished the cruel custom in 1778, after 400 years of observance.

Modern morris dancers at Tutbury Castle     Ten Great British Follies

 

 

Robin Hood at Tutbury By the way, an ancient ballad (written before the Hood tale mentioned Maid Marion) says that Robin Hood married a lady named Clorinda, at Tutbury (“Titbury”) on August 15, some time in the reign of Henry III (1216-72). Clorinda said, “Tell me your name, gentle sir.” And he said, “’Tis bold Robin Hood; Squire Gamwel's my uncle, but all my delight Is to dwell in the merry Sherwood. “For ’tis a fine life, and ’tis void of all strife.” “So ’tis sir,” Clorinda reply’d. ”But oh,” said bold Robin, “how sweet would it be, If Clorinda would be my bride!"   She blusht at the notion, yet after a pause Said, “Yes, sir, and with all my heart.” ”Then let's send for a priest,” said Robin Hood ”And be married before we do part.”   But she said, “It may not be so, gentle sir, For I must be at Titbury feast; And if Robin Hood will go thither with me, I'll make him the most welcome guest.” More on Robin Hood Rhinoceros and hippopotamus found in Robin Hood Cave

 

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Read about another August 16 oddity from England: 
William Harrison, The Campden Wonder