Beating the bounds of the Tower of London 1906

Beating the bounds is still carried out in the Tower of London today every three years on Ascension Day. One of London's oddest traditions, dating back to medieval times a group of people ('beating party'), made up of clergy and schoolchildren born or residing in the square mile are brought together and provided with long willow wands. They walk around the edges of the parish, beating boundary markers with long sticks, and praying for protection of the land

Ascension Beating Boundaries Boundary Bounds Canes Ceremonies Custom Hallow Hollows Nov17 Sticks Traditions Yeomen

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