One of many 100s of quirky events throughout Britain is the “Hunting of the Earl of Rone” which takes place every May in Combe Martin, North Devon.
As with many of these traditions, the actual reason for its existence is a little lost in time, but there is believed to be a strong Irish connection to the festival possibly with one Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone, although the historical element does seem a little twisted.
The festival takes place over 4 days during which the the Grenadiers, Hobby Horse, Fool and villagers hunt through the village of Combe Martin for the Earl of Rone. Strangely, they always find the Earl on the 4th day and then he is paraded through the town while sitting backwards on a donkey (where available) to be dispatched in the nearby sea.
One of the main attractions of this event is the colourful costumes and the amount of effort many of the villagers go to during this festival. Most costumes are 19th Century peasant in style although exactly why that was chosen isn’t too clear.
In the past, this festival also has a little notoriety resulting in it being banned in 1837 and not resurrected until 1974, from whence it has been running ever since.
Anyone from Combe Martin and surrounding villages is allowed to take part, and the village welcomes visitors from all over the world to watch, especially on the 4th day when the Earl is found.
There’s more information on the official Hunting of the Earl of Rone web site.
The event runs from the 27th May to Monday 30th May 2011.
More Combe Martin Links:
Hotels in Ilfracombe (near Combe Martin)
Tourist attractions in Combe Martin
Combe Martin holiday cottages
