The Penny Hedge.

Living within the vicinity of Whitby for the short span of around 12 years, and yet never having heard of this tradition that dates back to the 1100’s was something of a surprise. Through speaking to people as part of my work with Revival North Yorkshire CIC, I was able to track down and get permission to photograph the booklet below dated 1858 to share with whoever else may be interested.

Following the blowing of the horn in the audio file above, there is a brief discussion about the age of the tools used for this ceremony. The horn and the mallet are believed to be hundreds of years old and are kept securely locked away between ceremonies. In all previously photographed events, the horn appears to be the same as that used today.

The Penny Hedge from the previous year had been built so securely, that it had to be removed by hand the night before Ascension Eve!

Briefly, the Penny Hedge tradition in Whitby, Yorkshire, has deep roots in history. Originating in 1159, it stems from a tale of penance imposed by the Abbot of Whitby upon three hunters and their descendants for the murder of a hermit in Eskdale. Pursuing a wild boar near Whitby, the hunters cornered the creature in the hermitage, resulting in a confrontation with the monk dwelling there. Despite the monk's forgiveness before his demise, the hunters and their kin were tasked with an annual penance: constructing a sturdy hedge from woven stakes on the eve of Ascension Day, using a knife costing no more than a penny.

To this day, the ritual persists in Whitby, enacted by the land occupants once owned by the Abbot. Accompanied by the sounding of a horn and a ceremonial cry, the tradition's timing, 38 days from Easter Sunday, ensures low tides for the hedge's completion. Though interruptions occurred over its 858-year span, notably in 1981 due to high tides, historical documents confirm its continuity.

While folklore intertwines the tradition with the death of a hermit, some scholars speculate it originated from an obligation known as Horngarth, wherein tenants maintained hedges to avoid forfeiting their lands to the Abbot. This narrative suggests the hermit's demise might be a later embellishment, blending with the hedge upkeep tradition over time.