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Ballet - Circus - Comedians - Dancers - Entertainers - Plays

Feb. 29 Guernsey Relives La Chev/U Chee De St Michel Olivia De Havilland takes the part of her ancestor: More than 500 inhabitants of Guernsey today took part in a ceremony as similar as they could make it to that in 1813 and which has not taken place for 100 years. It marks 900 years of association with the British Crown and self-government. The occasion has its roots in pre-Christian days and in fertility rites for crops, and which took the form of processions round the island and even. It is said, of sex orgies. The more acceptable parts were made into a Christian ceremony by the monks of Mont St.Michel, and it was performed regularly until the influence of Methodism finished it off in the 1830ies. Taking part today was Olivia de Havilland who now lives in France, who came specially to play her part as a descendant of Lady de Havilland, wife of the then Bailiff, Sir Peter de Havilland. She wore a dress specially made for her in Paris. The procession was formed of horseriders and footmen (pions) and actors in regency costumes. Women crossing their path are subject to a forcible kiss. Chief organiser is Dr.Northcote Parkinson, of Parkinson's Law fame and who is seigneur of two Guernsey fiefs. Watching was the Lt. Gov. General Sir Charles Coleman. Olivia De Havilland talks with her husband Sir Peter de Havilland, played by wine sasman Freddy Nash

Picture No
13209662
Media ID
46955010
Size
4429px x 5535px (1.7MB)
Credit
(c) Keystone Pictures USA/ZUMAPRESS.com/Mary Evans
Usage Restrictions
Editorial Use Only - No Property or Model Releases. For any non-editorial use, please contact Mary Evans direct
Source
Keystone Pictures USA

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1813 Acceptable Ancestor Bailiff Chee Coleman Crops Descendant Fertility Finished Footmen Forcible Formed Freddy Guernsey Horseriders Influence Inhabitants Methodism Monks Mont Nash Organiser Orgies Parkinson Parkinsons Pre-christian Processions Regularly Rites Roots Seigneur Self-government Similar Specially Wore


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