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Not a popular time of year, this was a time you "Got out of hock" In the 15th
and 16th centuries, in London it was called Hob-tide, Traditionally it occurred
the Sunday after Easter and was a time for paying taxes, tolls and rents and for
collecting any debts for the first quarter of the year. Hence the name relating
to getting out of hock, debt.
Hocktide was for our ancestors such a day of high festivity and pranks. The
best known of these was 'ransoming'.
On the Monday, men would go out and about and capture women, binding them with
cords and holding them for small ransoms, which was usually given to church
restoration funds or charity.
There was equality in these fun and games, on the Tuesday the women could
take their revenge on the men in the same way.
In 1450 a bishop of Worcester inhibited these 'Hoctyde' practices. It
prevailed in all parts of England, but pretty much died out early in the 1700s.
Celebrations
Christmas Boxing Day
Easter May Day
Martinmas Advent
Halloween Michaelmas
Pentecost Candlemas
Hock Tide Plow Monday
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