Modern May Day usually involves fairs, pubs and morris dancers but if you go back to the 16th & 17th Century the celebrations get a whole lot weirder.
The original May Day involved a character called Jack in the Green which was in itself a progression from garlands of flowers, created from the new Spring foliage.
Jack in the Green involved a man (or presumably woman) being dressed head to toe in flowers and leaves, with quite elaborate costumes being created especially when towns were competing against each other for the best and most covered Jack.
This tradition died out by the 1800s with the accompanying The Lord and Lady of the May who generally paraded in front of Jack, being replaced by the May Queen. Jack himself completely vanished from the proceedings.
However, in a few towns including Deptford in South East London, the tradition was revived in the 1980s and each year Jack in the Green and The Lord and Lady of the May parade through the streets on May Day, generally confusing people who watch this parade go by.
Today the Deptford event has gotten much larger with a two day festival including all the usual things you’d associate with May Day. At least this time it will take place on a Sunday, so no need to nip back to the office afterwards.
There’s more information here on Jack in the Green in Deptford including pictures of previous events.
London Links:
Deptford hotels
Year round attractions in Deptford
One Comment
Great Post, bring on the Green Men !
thought you might enjoy my Beltane Blessing machinima film
which also features a Green Man aka Jack in The Green,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VElZSplpxQc
Bright Blessings
elf ~