'Plough Bullocks' and Related Plough Monday Customs in the Nottingham Area, 1800-1930

Abstract

This paper describes Plough Monday activities in the city of Nottingham, which died out in the inter-war years, and chronicles the establishment of its Plough Day Fair in 1712. Elsewhere in Nottinghamshire, house visits by folk play performers were an important feature of Plough Monday. However, it is concluded that these were not part of the 'Plough Bullocks' tradition in Nottingham city. Nottingham's Plough Monday activities provoked conflicts between certain sections of local society, which led to active suppression during the 19th century. These non-play conflicts contrast with the folk play customs, which were more socially acceptable