Maundy money

Press, 1 April 1980, Page 14

Maundy money

An old custom dating back to the fourth century is observed in Britain on the day before Good Friday. The day is known as Maundy Thursday. Since the seventeenth century it has been the custom for the ruling monarch to distribute specially minted silver coins to a number of poor people at a Maundy service that, was held in Westminster Abbey. In more recent years the service has taken place, in different cathedrals. Maundy money consists of silver roins worth one penny, twopence, threepence and fourpence (the equivalent total is a little less than 10 cer ts). The coins are the same size as the ones minted more than 300 years ago, in the reign of King Charles IL . The custom originated in the monasteries of Britain during the fourth century;: but it was. observed in- a : different . way.,J In memory of Jesus who washed the feet of his dis-; ciples on the night- before he . died, .the monks washed thelfeet.of t as. many poor people as 1 : there were. monks in the particular religiouscommunity/ In -the' thirteenth cento* iy. when-King- Edward I

established the custom of the ruling monarch giving money to the poor on the day before Good Friday, feetpwashing continued, to be part of the ceremony. At that time food and clothing were given as well. King James II is said to have been the last monarch to perform the feet-washing ceremony, during the seventeenth century. The practice of giving food and clothing as well as the Maundy money was dropped during the reign of Queen Victoria who preferred to give a purse of ordinary money instead. When Queen Elizabeth II takes part in the ancient ceremony on Thursday, each person will receive two long-stringed purses —- a white one holding the traditional Maundy Money, and a red one containing money in place, of the food and clothing that used to be given... : ~ The purses will be carried on a large gold alms-dish by a uniformed . Yeoman of the Guard. Times have changed, but the spirit of Maundy Thursday remains the same because it originated from the humble act of Jesus as related in the New Testament.