MEDIEVAL AGRICULTURE IN EVERTON-CUM-TETWORTH
Aerial photographs taken during the autumn and winter months have revealed extensive evidence of medieval ridge and furrow on the clayey soils of the low land above the River Ivel as well as on the sandy ridge top. Hundreds of years of subsequent ploughing have eradicated most of the surface evidence but outlines or ridge and furrow can be seen in some of the fields. The practise of the Three Field System was in use during this period. Each large field unit was divided into a number of long, narrow strips which the Lord of the Manor, as well as the vicar, would have allowed local residents to farm. They received rent in kind from their tenants in the form of agricultural produce or livestock. The parish tithe was 10% of all the produce raised each year and was given to St Mary’s Church for St Neots Priory. It was stored in the tithe barn which stood in the farmyard opposite the church.
PLOUGH MONDAY
In Fowler’s ‘History of Gamlingay’ he recorded several unusual local practices. Plough Monday was similar to the type of dressing up at Halloween or what is now “Trick or Treat.” He stated that “plough witches” or “bullocks” went round the parish with their faces "riddled." One of the party was dressed as a female and everyone was covered with ribbons and shreds of finery. They would threaten to plough up the lawn of anyone who refused to give them a treat. Another local custom was on Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday) when the pancake bell was rung at noon. Flour or pancake money was given to the poorest women in the parish to enable them to provide children with the traditional treat. Palm Sunday used to be called Fig Sunday, when both rich and poor indulged in fruit. On Easter Sunday everyone used to wear new clothes for the day. Even the poorest would buy new gloves to put on. “But these with many precious rites and customs of our rural ancestry are gone, or stealing from us.” (Fowler, p.12)