Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Tuesday, 17 February 2026

Shrove Tuesday


Today is Shrove Tuesday, a day which in addition to its place in the liturgical calendar has acquired over the centuries both in Britain and Europe a wide selection of customs and practices. Some, such as the consumption of foods not officially sanctioned in Lent in pancakes might be deemed para-liturgical. Others such as barely controlled and rowdy football and related games were an opportunity for the young men and boys of a village to let off steam before Lenten sobriety took over.

Many of these have doubtless been completely lost as demographic change took place, but, happily, some still survive. I wrote about these, drawing upon and linking to previous posts, last year in Shrovetide celebrations

I have not seen anything new about these old traditions this year, but I did come upon a video from the always excellent and well researched Tasting History series from 2020 about the history of pancakes. It involves a recipe from 1658 for cooking them. It can be viewed at The Wonderful History of Pancakes.

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