from Celtic Folk Customs book by Brian Day.... Whitsuntide, Whit Week or just Whit, starts seven weeks after Easter Sunday, and is the week running from Whit Sunday until the day before Trinity Sunday. The Jewish feast of Pentecost, 50 days after Easter, commemorates the giving of the Ten Commandments by God to Moses on Mount Sinai and lies on the same day as Whit Sunday. Whit was a joyous occasion for Christians, originally celebrating the inspiration of Christ's apostles by the Holy Ghost. 'Whit' may be derived from 'white', the customary colour of baptismal robes, or alternatively perhaps from the giving of 'wit' to the disciples. The traditional religious parades, pageants, and monetary donations gave way in time to Church Ales and May games, the degree of solemnity being much reduced everywhere except in devout Catholic areas. CELTIC. In areas of English settlement (mainly Cornwall and the south and east of Wales) the Church used to organise an outdoor feast for parishioners, to take advantage of the generally fine weather at this time of year, which came to be called the Whitsun Ale after the specially brewed ale that was provided. A Lord and Lady of the Ale would often be elected to preside over the festivities, which included music, dancing, sports and games, miracle plays and much more. Fairs grew up around them and organisations held parades. As Whit Monday and Tuesday became public holidays this occasion tended to be the start of a whole week of activities, culminating in the Whit Walks on the Friday. Originating probably in Rogationtide Beating the Bounds ceremonies they were adopted by Benefit Clubs and Friendly Societies as healthy alternatives to the excesses of the Whitsun Ales. These Societies, which also had Sick Clubs, for which member paid an early form of health insurance, were teetotal, and outlived the general Protestant opposition to Whitsun Ales in the 17th century. CORNWALL. Whitsun was a time for relaxation and enjoyment. Polperro children used to go to farms and beg for milk and cream. To refuse them was considered unlucky. Whitsun fairs were held at Helston, Lanreath and Truro. Whit Sunday: Cornish folk never went out today without wearing something new, lest birds mess on them. Squab Pie (recipe to follow) was a traditional Whitsun dish made with pigeon, nowadays replaced by pork. -- Pat Connors, Sacramento CA http://www.connorsgenealogy.com Professional Genealogy Research All outgoing mail virus free, scanned by Norton 2002