Hungerford Arcade is very proud to announce the return of Hocktide and Tutti Days on Monday, 25th and Tuesday, 26th April 2022 thanks to The Town and Manor of Hungerford and Liberty of Sanden Fee.
Hocktide is a two-week long festival following Easter. The most well-known day is Tutti-Day (also known as Hock Tuesday or Hockney Day), and the chief event of Tutti-Day is the holding of the Hocktide Court. There are a number of other functions and events that take place through the fortnight, including Ale-Tasting and the Commoners’ Luncheon.
The tradition of Hocktide dates back to the 14th century, when John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who owned much of the land around Hungerford, gave certain fishing rights to the townsfolk, which continue to this day. This was in addition to privileges already bestowed on the town by his father, Edward III, and grandfather Edward I, who gave the rights to hold charter markets and fairs. The festival today is the commemoration and continuation of this by the townsfolk – around 100 properties still have commoners rights and their owners are the Commoners of the court.
On Hocktide Day the festivities begin with the appearance of the Bellman on the Town Hall balcony at 8am, summoning the Commoners to Court, then perambulating the town. The special court is held upstairs at the Town Hall in the morning chaired by the Constable, whilst two nattily dressed Tuttimen (who carry flower-decorated poles with an orange on top) call at the commoners’ houses around the town accompanied by the Orangeman and Tutti Wenches, giving out oranges and asking for donations or kisses en route throughout the day.
Tuttimen & Maids having a great time at Hungerford Arcade
Tuttimen are so-called regardless of gender! The tasty Commoners Lunch takes place during the afternoon at the Corn Exchange on the ground floor of the Town Hall: expect speeches, toasts and the tasty but lethal Plantagenet Punch. The meal is followed by Shoeing the Colts, during which first-time visitors have a horseshoe nailed to their heel by the blacksmith until they call “Punch”. The residents particularly enjoy watching Colts being wrestled to the ground for their shoeing, but they’re gentler with ladies who get to sit on a chair.
After the fun and frolics, anchovies on toast are served at the Three Swans across the road from 5pm then further serious drinking takes place with the return of the Tuttimen from their rounds around 9pm. The local band also play free of charge during the evening at the Corn Exchange.
The associated Constables Sunday parade takes place on the Sunday following Tutti Day, at 10.45 am, from the Town Hall to St Lawrence’s Church for a special service.
Anyone can turn up on the day to watch the Bellman and the Tutti Procession around town and attend the Court as a Visitor (all free of charge) but you need tickets for the Lunch as places are limited.
Ann Parker (Unit 42p) decorates a window at the Arcade. At the moment, she has a beautiful Easter window, but soon it will be a Tutti Day display which you really must see. We always get a visit from the Tuttimen. There is lot of excitement in the Arcade when they arrive, with everyone gathering around hoping to get a photograph of them. We always give them a drink and the Tuttimen give the lady a kiss and an orange. Fabulous tradition.
Find out a lot more about Hocktide & Tutti Day by clicking here
