I know I should be giving an erudite exposition on the recent European elections just now, but I don’t wannna. I’d rather show you this deeply English, deeply Saxon cultural event that means far more and has far more weight than the EU elections. The Haxey Hood Game is one of deep old ones. There are many similar games up and down England. I’ve taken part in less formal, more visceral versions in my youth;
It’s a deep, deep ancestor of football, Rugby, American and of all the other forms of footie. I hope you enjoy it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Su4XASv-Bo&gl=GB&hl=en-GB
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIo3A1WBt3U
“hoose agen hoose, toon agen toon, if a man meets a man knock ‘im doon, but doan’t ‘ot ‘im,”
Which translates as: “house against house, town against town, if a man meets a man, knock him down but don’t hurt him.”
Another version here, Ashbourne Shrovetide football, from Derbyshire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYSA4oHrJvs
Football as played by cavemen, one of the many things that still scream out “We are the English!”
2 replies on “Our deep traditions…”
Fascinating
Looks like good fun.