The 1912 Flitch Trail: shot using an early Canon Rebel
For all those with a keen interest in true-love and cured, salted bacon, this is a time of great anticipation.
Many of you will have read an earlier blog entitled ‘The Quest for the Flitch,’ which was a heart-warming tale about three American couples applying to compete in the upcoming ‘Flitch Trials,’ which are held in Great Dunmow every four years.
The next trials, where six maidens, and six bachelors decide whether the married couples being tried have not wished themselves assunder in the previous twelve months, will take place on Saturday July 12th.
Victorious couples are paraded around the town with their Flitch (a cured side of salted pork), on a chair held aloft by a cohort of brawny hunks. The losing couples, meanwhile, walk behind in shame - with a mere ham as reward for their efforts.
It’s a tradition that goes back to 1104 and five couples are tried throughout the day. Competition is extremely fierce to even reach this stage, and although I’m unable to give specific details (for fear of breaching some sort of rule would end up with me in the stocks), I am optomistic one of the competing couples will be speaking with an American accent.
I applaud the propriety with which the blogs author treats this hallowed event and the selection and announcement of its participants.
Word to your mom!!
Comment by Jefferds of Corntastings — July 3, 2008 @ 12:00 am