Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 5, 1894.djvu/196

188 At the coming in from church a cake, which in old time was made of oatmeal, was broken over the head of the bride. This is frequently done still.

Another small cake, made of sugar, flour, etc., used also to be made, and in this were stuck nine pound-pins (a tenth having been thrown away). This was left on the table and handed by the groom to the bride, and it was considered lucky if it broke into four quarters in her hand; but if not, something evil would happen to them within twelve months.

At the supper, the "wedding candlestick" was brought in. This held four candles for the groom's friends, and one in the midst for the bride. The candles were then lighted, and if the bride's candle burnt before the others something would happen either the bride or the groom within the year. The groom took away the ends of all the candles, placed them in his right sock tied up with twine with nine knots in it, and placed it secretly over the inside of the kitchen door of his house.

It is after supper that a visit is to be apprehended from the "band-beggars", as a band of men sometimes as many as forty in number, dressed up in straw and with blackened faces and carrying thick sticks, is called. Having settled to visit the bride's house, they come in the evening after supper, and demand admittance. This cannot safely be refused, and the captain of the band (distinguished by a broad plait on his straw headdress) then dances with the bride. Refreshment is expected by the whole band, after which they go away. Sometimes the visit is purely for amusement, but at others the opportunity is taken of the disguise to pay off old scores, especially if the groom or the bride's father is disliked. A visit is consequently dreaded, particularly by the women of the wedding party, and notice is sent to the police if there is any probability of one taking place. This, combined with the fact that a blackened face at night-time would possibly get its owner