Mysterious Britain & Ireland

Category: November

Festivals / November

Guy Fawkes Night Tar Barrels, Ottery St Mary

There is a tradition dating back to the 17th century in Ottery St Mary, where tar soaked barrels lighted and carried through the Devonshire town. Only those who are born and lived within the town are eligible to carry one of the seventeen barrels which begin their journey from outside the local pubs.

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English Fairies / Fairies / Festivals / Folklore / November

Cobs And Knops

Cobs and knops were hobgoblins, much feared. They were originally demon horses, and it is clear that belief in them remained strong in Warwickshire, for in parts of the county on All Souls’ Day (2nd November) those brave enough went out carrying a simulated horse’s head covered with a sheet to frighten the timid.
[The Folklore Of Warwickshire (1976) by Roy Palmer]

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Festivals / November

St Andrews Day

30 November – St Andrews Day, patron Saint of Scotland.

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Festivals / November

St Clement’s Day

23 November – The Patron Saint of Iron workers, it is possibly an earlier festival date of Wayland or another smith god.

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Festivals / November

Martinmas

11 November – The feast of St Martin of Tours, a Roman soldier who became famous as a bishop. It marked the onset of winter time proper.

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Festivals / November

Guy Fawkes Night

5 November – Celebration to commemorate the saving of the Houses of Parliament from the Gunpowder Plotters in 1605. The festival was decreed by an act of parliament. It is celebrated with bonfires and fireworks and the traditional burning of a dummy called the Guy. The original plotters were hung, drawn and quartered in London.

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Festivals / November

Souls Day

2 November – All Souls Day is related to Samhain and commemorating the dead.