Page:Lancashire Legends, Traditions, Pageants, Sports, Etc., with an Appendix Containing a Rare Tract.djvu/196

 under-side is then made flat, and this is called "the belly." The trippet is then placed upon the sloping side of the boulder, with the point overhanging; and the player, having provided himself with a long, flexible, heavy-headed club, gently taps the trippet so as to make it rise from the stone. As it falls, he strikes the trippet with all his might, and the player who drives it the greatest number of yards in a certain number of strokes wins the game.

IGNAGNING AND IGNAGNUS. years ago a morris or sword-dance known by this name was common in the Fylde. Some fifty years ago there were seven actors in it. A "merryman" first entered the house for permission to act. This being granted, there advanced a "Toss-pot" in rags, the Grand Turk and his son, St George, a Doctor, and a Bessy. St George and the Turk fight; the latter falls; but the Doctor, after boasting of his qualifications and travels, brings him again to life, saying—

The whole concludes with a song. A horse-head was carried [the "hobby "], and this was formerly a sport of Whitsuntide; but now its successor, named "Jolly Lads," is performed at Easter. I believe it to be a remnant of the Danish sword-dance; but what is the derivation of ignagning? I have been told it was in honour of the sun—a kind of agnalia; whilst others say that it derives its cognomen from Ignis Agnæ.—Notes and Queries, v. 315.