Shropshire representatives take part in 800-year-old London ceremony
The Shropshire Society in London took part in the historic Quit Rents Ceremony, exchanging hazel rods as rent for ancient land near Bridgnorth
Representatives of the Shropshire Society in London have taken part in an ancient ceremony dating back more than 800 years to pay rent for land near Bridgnorth.
Howard Franklin, patron of the society, and Christobel Winny represented Shropshire at the Quit Rents Ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on October 14.
The ceremony, which dates back to 1211, is described as the oldest legal ceremony after the Coronation.
It was presided over by High Court judge Jeremy David Cook, the King’s Remembrancer, whose role includes collecting dues owed to the Crown.
Wearing traditional robes, a full-bottomed wig and a tricorne hat, he oversaw proceedings that have retained many of their historic traditions.
As part of the ceremony, two hazel rods are exchanged as rent for ancient land known as The Moors, near Bridgnorth. One rod is cut with a blunt knife and the other with a very sharp knife, in keeping with the longstanding custom.
The rods were harvested from Mr Franklin’s garden last year before being treated, seasoned and polished by Leigh Northcott Hammond, a former chairman and vice-president of the society.
The society said it was honoured to be entrusted with paying Shropshire’s dues at the historic ceremony.
More information about the Shropshire Society in London is available at shropshiresociety.org.uk.