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The Tailby letter Bottle kicking is first described in a letter written by John Tailby in 1796. Tailby calls it an ancient custom and describes a ritual very similar to the modern one. It included a church service, a procession to Hare Pie Bank (where the bottle kicking starts today), and scrambling for pieces of hare pie and two small bottles (barrels) of ale. But in those days there was no contest between Hallaton and Medbourne. Instead people scrambled for as much pie and ale as they could grab. Before then, Hare Pie Bank is mentioned as far back as 1698 in lists of land owned by the church. The name suggests that the custom was, even then, well established. |
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Ancient roots Further information |
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Tailby wrote to John Nichols after being a spectator at Hallaton on Easter Monday 1796. Here is an extract from the letter addressed to Nichols: "An Ancient annual Custom at Hallaton. A piece of land was many years ago given, the rents and profits of which the rector for the time being was to receive for his own use, on condition of providing two Hare Pies, a quantity of Ale, and two dozen Penny Loaves, to be scrambled for on Easter Monday annually, after divine service and a sermon preached. The land, during the open-field state, was called Hare Crop Leys; and when the enclosure took place in 1770, land was allotted to the rector in his allotment in lieu of the said Hare Crop Leys. The manner of scrambling is thus: two large Pies (which, instead of Hares, are now made out of Veal and Bacon) are made in raised crusts at the rector's house; and, when baked, are cut into quarters or parts, and put into a sack; the Ale (now about two gallons) is put into two wooden bottles, without handles or strings to hold them by, the corks well thrust in, and cut off close to the bottle mouths, and put into a sack also; the Penny Loaves are quartered and put into a basket, which a man carries; as do two others the sacks; when the procession begins, consisting of men, women, and children. The spot appropriated for the scrambling for the Pies and Ale is about a quarter of a mile south of the town, a small oblong bank, 10 yards long and 6 wide; with a small old trench round it, and a circular hole in the centre; and is called Hare-Pie Bank. After they have left the town, the man with the bread walks towards the Bank; and, as he proceeds, at times throws the pieces of bread before him, which is eagerly caught by the boys which surround him, the bread being all distributed before they arrive at the spot destined for the scrambling for the Pies and Ale. As soon as the men with the sacks arrive at the Bank, the Pies and Ale are tumbled promiscuously out of the sacks into the hole in the centre, when a scene of noise and confusion takes place, and bloody noses and bruised fingers are often the consequence: one will seize a piece of the Pie, or a bottle of the Ale; a second will trip up his heels, and fall upon him; and a third perhaps seize and keep possession of the prize, until a fourth serves him with the same; and so on, until four of five fellows agree to form a party, and assist each other in bearing away the wished-for bottle to a convenient place, and there divide the spoil. The afternoon is spent in festivity, ringing of bells, fighting of cocks, quoits, and such like exercises, by Hallaton and the neighbouring youth.”
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