A QUAINT CUSTOM

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 120, 18 February 1928, Page 19

A QUAINT CUSTOM

Following the centuries-old custom of collecting wroth silver at Knightlow Hill, near Coventry (England), on a recent Friday, over 600 hardy spirits, who had faced the particuarly chilly dawn, drank the Duke of Buccleuch’s heath in hot rum and milk at a breakfast which he had provided. Those taking part in the ceremony had gathered in a field at a square, hollow stone, the remnant of an old praying cross, and into this the representatives of the various parishes threw their contributions of wroth silver to the Duke of Buccleuch as Lord of the Manor of the Hundred of Knightlow. The fine for default of payment is 20s. for every penny not forthcoming, or else the forfeit of a white bull with a red nose, and ears of the same colour. It is not on record whether the latter penalty has ever been paid. During the last century a wild white bull was offered in satisfaction, but was rejected on account of failing to answer the description. The quaint custom dates back to 1170. On the Friday of this year, at sunrise, the Duke of Buccleuch’s agent took his stand facing the east, and, the usual formalities having been observed, the parishioners deposited their wroth silver in sums ranging from one penny to two shillings and threepence halfpenny in the hallowed stone.