The New Murrey and Blue blog

Well, today I came across something that I had never heard of before, and it’s such an oddity that I cannot believe it isn’t more well known. Now, if I mentioned the “king’s lenten cock-crower” would it mean anything to you? OK, don’t all rush at once to tell me I’m the only daftie in the world who’s been ignorant of this quaint medieval er, tradition.

I was combing through a book called His Grace the Steward and Trials of Peers, which is a mine of information about the history of trials and goings-on at Parliament. I had to do a double-take when I came to the following: “The history of court offices and serjeanties in England presents us with countless services, ranging…..[from]….the sublime from the ridiculous…for example….the king’ lenten cock-crower was a character too strange for fiction….”

Aha, thought I, someone’s havin’ a laff! But no, there really was such a post, and had been every Ash Wednesday for centuries until the accession of the House of Hanover, when an heir to the throne was frightened by the sudden appearance of this crowing individual. The tradition was abandoned forthwith. It seems that on the first day of Lent, “chanticleer” would march into the dining hall and crow the hour. Yes, really. Cross my heart!

Well, still being slightly suspicious that April the first had somehow sneaked up on me, I decided to look further. My first port of call was https://www.traditioninaction.org/religious/d062_Lent_3.htm

Apparently the custom centred around the office of watchman, and was to remind everyone of St Peter’s betrayal and repentance when the cock crowed three times. An officer would be selected to be the King’s Cock Crower (or Cockerel), and it was his task to announce the hour each night by imitating the crow of a cockerel.

As stated by T.F. Thiselton-Dyer: “….Had the practice continued throughout the year, the impenitent would become as habituated and as indifferent to the crow of the mimic cock as they are to that of the real one, or to the cry of the watchmen. The adaptation to the precincts of the Court seems also to have had a view, as if the Institutor (probably the Royal Confessor) had considered that the greater and more obdurate sinners resided within the purlieus of the Palace….”

Yes, I can see the reasoning, but in my opinion the thought of a man pretending to be a cockerel is rather more laughable than meaningful. You can read about the occasion here as well: https://etiquipedia.blogspot.com/2016/07/court-etiquette-and-crowing.html.

I have to apologise for my irreverence, because the custom was obviously meant seriously. In medieval times people were far more pious and respectful about such things than we are now. But if someone goes on to tell me that the watchmen dressed up as cockerels as well, I’ll dissolve….

by viscountessw