Archive: Villagers take part in ‘beating the bounds’ ceremony

These folk are ‘beating the bounds’, a tradition carried out in many parishes to ensure everyone knew the village boundaries.
Beating the Bounds, Grendon Underwood, 1952Beating the Bounds, Grendon Underwood, 1952
Beating the Bounds, Grendon Underwood, 1952

This group from Grendon Underwood in 1952 were also celebrating Rogationtide, which was linked to a successful harvest.

Those taking part also cut crosses in the turf and made marks on gates to signify they had been there.

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