Beating the Bounds

The Bounds of medieval St Albans have been beaten since 1327. This year I joined the beaters. I was issued with a willow wand tied with a yellow ribbon.

L>R Town Crier, Mace Bearer, Mayor, Deputy Mayor

We were led by The Right Worshipful the Mayor of St Albans City and District, Councillor Geoff Harrison accompanied by the Mayor's Chaplain,  Mace Bearer John Hills,  Town Crier Stephen Potter and Deputy Mayor Cllr Abidi.

L>R Mayor, Town Crier, Mayor's Chaplain at Stone Cross

We started with beating the Pudding Stone in St Michael's Village, then walked along the outline of the medieval town to Stone Cross. As the cross had long gone, we ceremoniously thrashed a bollard. 

Then to Keyfield Terrace where there was a break for refreshments in The White Hart Tap, then to Cottonmill and along the Ver to the corner of the park nearest to Ye Olde Fighting Cocks.

Then back to the Pudding Stone where the Mayor handed us certificates.

The ceremony has its roots in a rebellion in medieval times against the authority of the established church.

Following a riot by the townspeople against the Abbot, 24 citizens walked around the town in 1327 to lay down its boundaries. They declared their rights and freedoms within this area should be respected and their action has been celebrated since with the Beating the Bounds ceremony.