Easter has long been a time of celebration, blending deep Christian traditions with lively folk customs. At the Weald & Downland Living Museum, where history comes to life, we look back at the origins of Easter and the ways in which it was celebrated in England’s past. From solemn religious observances to raucous games and feasts, Easter has always been a period of renewal and festivity, marking the shift from the long, cold winter to the warmth and abundance of spring.
A Sacred Celebration
For Christians, Easter is the most significant festival of the year, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Since the early days of Christianity, the Easter weekend has been observed with solemn vigils, grand processions, and dramatic re-enactments of the Passion. In medieval England, churches were at the heart of these ceremonies, with communities coming together to participate in worship and ritual. Bells were rung joyfully on Easter morning, and candles were relit, symbolising Christ as the light of the world.
However, the nature of Easter celebrations changed over time. Before the Reformation, Lent was a strict period: people avoided meat, eggs, and dairy, abstained from pleasures like sports and dancing, and even refrained from marital relations. With such deprivation, it’s no wonder that Easter brought with it an explosion of festivity, food, and fun. Special dishes, from roasted meats to spiced cakes, became integral to Easter feasting, marking the occasion with indulgence and celebration.
Easter in the Home: Feasting and Festivities
Historical accounts describe Easter as a time of fresh beginnings in the home. The 14th-century cleric John Mirk noted that fires were extinguished and relit, homes were strewn with fresh rushes, and flowers were displayed to mark the season’s renewal. Even after the Reformation, Easter was still seen as a joyful occasion. In the 17th century, poet Nicholas Breton described it as ‘the sun’s dancing-day and the earth’s holy-day’ – a time for ‘nothing but play and mirth.’
Many of these domestic traditions persisted over the centuries. In the 18th and 19th centuries, homes were often decorated with greenery and flowers, a practice that echoed pre-Christian customs celebrating the rebirth of nature. Families would gather for special meals, with lamb, simnel cake, and later, chocolate eggs becoming central to Easter fare. These culinary traditions, passed down through generations, continue to shape our modern celebrations.
Hot Cross Buns: A Good Friday Tradition
Today, hot cross buns are a staple of the Easter season, but their origins date back centuries. The earliest recorded mention appears in Poor Robin’s Almanac of 1733:
‘Good Friday comes this Month, the old Woman runs with one or two a Penny hot cross Bunns.’
These buns were believed to possess magical properties. Bread baked on Good Friday was thought to never go mouldy and was sometimes kept for a whole year, with small pieces broken off and used for medicinal purposes. Some even believed that eating a Good Friday cake ensured good fortune and prosperity for the year ahead. The cross on the buns, originally a religious symbol, also became associated with protection and good luck.
By the 19th century, street vendors were selling hot cross buns in towns and cities across England, calling out their wares in rhyming couplets. The tradition of sharing these buns with family and friends endures today, making them one of the most recognisable Easter treats.
Games and Merriment: Easter Pastimes
Easter Monday was often marked with sports and games. Historical records tell of archery contests, horse racing, and even communal skipping, particularly in places like Cambridge and Brighton. In some areas, more unusual traditions developed. The Leicestershire village of Hallaton still hosts an annual ‘Bottle Kicking’ contest, an unruly mass game played between neighbouring villages, where wooden kegs (the ‘bottles’) are wrestled over in a test of strength and endurance.
In Workington, Cumbria, the ‘Uppies and Downies’ football match has been played over Easter weekend since at least 1779. This full-contact game has few rules, with players attempting to carry a leather ball from one end of the town to the other—a far rougher forerunner to modern football. Similar games were once widespread across England but have largely faded away, making these surviving traditions particularly fascinating.
Easter Eggs: A Symbol of New Life
The Easter egg is one of the most enduring symbols of the holiday. Early Christians in Mesopotamia dyed eggs red to symbolise Christ’s blood, and by medieval times, egg-giving had become an integral part of Easter celebrations. Since eggs were forbidden during Lent, they became a special treat on Easter Sunday, particularly for the poor.
Records show that in 1290, King Edward I ordered 450 eggs to be painted and distributed among his household. By the 18th century, the practice of ‘pace-egging’ had taken hold in northern England, where children would dress in costumes and perform in return for gifts of eggs, money, or ale. Even today, pace-egg plays can still be found in parts of Lancashire and West Yorkshire, keeping the old traditions alive.
Egg-rolling was another popular pastime, especially in Cumbria, Derby, and Preston. A report from 1867 describes thousands of children gleefully rolling eggs down hills, symbolising the rolling away of the stone from Christ’s tomb. In modern times, egg-rolling events still take place, with competitions held in parks and gardens across the country.
Easter Egg Hunts: A Victorian Delight
The Easter egg hunt, now a beloved tradition, has its roots in Germany, where eggs were hidden for children to find, symbolising the discovery of Christ’s empty tomb. Queen Victoria, with her German heritage, helped introduce the custom to England. In 1833, she recorded in her journal:
‘Mama did some pretty painted & ornamented eggs, & we looked for them.’
Though egg hunts remained a novelty for much of the 19th century, by the early 20th century, they had become a widespread Easter activity. In 1902, the famous London toy shop Hamley’s advertised an ‘Easter Egg Hunt Box’ for children, complete with hidden treasures. Today, egg hunts take place in gardens, parks, and museums, continuing a tradition that brings delight to generations.
A Celebration That Endures
Though Easter has changed over the centuries, it remains a time of renewal, joy, and tradition. Whether you enjoy a hot cross bun on Good Friday, take part in an egg hunt, or simply relish the signs of spring, Easter continues to bring people together in celebration.
As part of our Ritual Year celebrations, we invite you to experience the rich traditions of Eastertide at the Museum. Step back in time and discover how communities of the past marked this sacred season, from solemn reflection to joyful festivity.
Our Bayleaf Interpretation team will bring history to life with demonstrations exploring Easter customs, from the preparation of Lenten meals to the long-awaited Easter feast. Learn how households carefully observed the fasting period before celebrating the Resurrection with special foods, symbolic bakes, and time-honoured traditions.
Immerse yourself in the folklore, faith, and festivities of Easter as we bring the Ritual Year to life through our historic buildings and expert interpretation.
At the Weald & Downland Living Museum, we love exploring how traditions evolve while staying rooted in the past. This Easter, why not step back in time and experience the history for yourself?
To find out how we’re marking the season, explore our festive events and activities, and see how you can take part in practicing the Ritual Year, visit our What’s On page!
