Published in Windlesora 16 (1989)
© WLHG
The custom of holding processions in the fields to ask God’s protection in times of stress for the people, beasts and crops, originated in France in the 5th century. By the 8th century this custom had spread to England, but in England the long established custom of fixing the Parish boundaries by walking them prevailed. Processions were accompanied by a cross and a banner. This, however, was considered “Popish” but walking the boundaries continued and still does in some areas. Parish clergy, Vicars and many other people always attended when the procession reached a boundary mark, which was a stone, or a special tree, or other mark, and a verse from Deuteronomy was recited. Chapter 27 verse 17 says: “Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour’s land mark”.
These occasions became a pleasant walk, but the boundaries were always noted. Boundaries were very important and one way of helping children to learn them was to hold a choir boy upside down and bump his head on the stone. If the procession found fences or walls had been erected over boundaries, a man with an axe would deal with it.
A little book entitled “Windsor Parish and All Saints Churches” was written by an unknown author whose initials were HFG. The name Goodford has been linked in, but may not be correct. At the end of this book is an account of the perambulation of the Parish boundaries of May 10, 11 and 12, 1801. On this occasion the Vicar, the Rev. Joseph Lowthian, churchwardens and members of the public started the walk at the Guildhall. There were bound houses, which were just ordinary dwellings, which had to be walked through by the whole procession. Each householder, such as Mrs Bryer of Peascod Street, was expected to provide refreshments. Letters were sent to the bound houses telling the inhabitants that the walk would be through their houses, but that every care would be taken to prevent injury, and “Mrs Bryers generous disposition rendered it unnecessary for the Church Wardens to apply for the accustomed liberality”.
Most of the inhabitants of bound houses complied with their letter and provided bread, butter and wine. However, not everyone was as obliging as Mrs Bryer. Major Price of Frogmore Lodge (where Queen Charlotte lived) objected, saying that Her Majesty should be excused. This caused one of the officers to visit Major Price, and he was informed that the previous residents had always provided refreshments. So Major Price agreed and a very grand dinner was arranged, toasts were drunk and a man was engaged to sing to the people. Fifty people were entertained and the charity children and poor people were given the remains.
At Farnham Gate and Cranbourne Lodge the Hon. General Harcourt also objected saying His Majesty should be excused. Then an application was sent to a Mr Snart (sic) and an entertainment was promised on the second day, which consisted of various meats and beer as a breakfast. A great deal of bread and cheese was given to the public. Later that day an excellent dinner was given at Cranbourne. It was a four course meal with wine and brandy. As usual the remains were given to the charity children, who were entertained in the great hall.
At Mrs Marratt’s (or Marriot’s) house, a letter was sent stating that as her home adjoining Beaumont Pond was a boundary, they hoped she would entertain them as in years past, with half a dozen bottles of wine, bread and butter. This was an old established custom. On the third day they visited Dedworth including Homers Farm, where a meal had been taken when the perambulation last took place in 1783. However, Mr Townley Ward who owned Homers Farm said he would accommodate them at his house, “The Willows”, where his housekeeper would give them breakfast. Tea and coffee was served in the parlour and some under the trees in the garden. The populace was also entertained at Surley Hall.
On the third day, at the foot of the Hundred Steps, at the house at the boundary where they expected the “accustomed liberality” to be served, Dr. Goodenough, treasurer, objected, saying food was so dear now-a-days. A letter was sent to the Dean saying that the house at the foot of the Hundred Steps, which was inhabited by William Miller, had always given a “genteel dinner for many a year past, especially on May 29th 1783, when in possession of the College”; the Dean and Canons gave the charity children bread and cheese, and they hoped the usual hospitality would be given. Dr. Goodenough opposed it, but eventually a dinner was provided with beef and veal, but only a very small amount of wine – one dozen bottles was considered a small amount. A letter appeared in a local paper called the Porcupine in which it was noted that there had not been enough wine to give the loyal toast, and although many prayers were offered none were offered for Mr Miller or the Dean and Canons.
However, the churchwardens treated the nobility to a barrel of Windsor Ale. The cost of all the proceedings is noted in the book. The whole affair cost nineteen pounds, fifteen shillings and sixpence. Planks to lay over ditches needing three men to fetch and carry them cost five shillings. Three days of music cost as much as three pounds, three shillings and sixpence. For five shillings someone swam through a pond. Another person was paid three shillings for creeping through sundry arches. This account ends with the words that ended the letter in the Porcupine three days later:
“All’s well that ends well” – Shakespeare – “All’s better that mends”
Elizabeth Brown
Books consulted
HFG Windsor Parish and All Saints Churches
KIGHTLY, C The Customs and Ceremonies of Great Britain
An account of the 1801 perambulation also appears in: TIGHE RR and DAVIS JE Annals of Windsor
Windsor Local History Group 