Apple Bobbing (Duck-apple)

The Roman festival for remembering the dead was also in October. During this time, the Romans remembered their goddess, Pomona. She was the goddess of the trees and fruits, and when the Romans came to Britain, they began to hold these two festivals on the same day as Samhain. Apple games probably became associated with Halloween because of this.

The British play the game bobbing for apples, in which apples are placed in a tub or a large basin of water. The contestants, sometimes blindfolded, must take one bite from one of the apples without using their hands. It is not permitted to edge the apple to the side of the bowl to get hold of it.

Dressing up

The tradition of dressing in costume for Halloween has both European and Celtic roots. On Halloween, it was believed that ghosts came back to the earthly world. To avoid being recognized by these ghosts, people would wear masks when they left their homes after dark so that the ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits. To keep ghosts away from their houses on Halloween, people would place bowls of food outside their homes to appease them and prevent them from attempting to enter.

Trick or Treat

Halloween was a time for making mischief – many parts of England still recognize Halloween as Mischief Night. Trick-or-treating is a customary celebration for children on Halloween. Children go in costume from house to house, asking for treats such as candy or sometimes money, with the question, " Trick or treat? " The word " trick" refers to a (mostly idle) " threat" to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given.

Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes Night)

“Remember, remember

The fifth of November,

Gunpowder, treason and plot.

We see no reason why

Gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot! ”

In November 1605, the infamous gunpowder Plot took place in which some Catholics plotted to blow up the English Parliament and King James I, on the day set for the King to open Parliament. The plot was discovered and its participants, the most famous of whom was Guy Fawkes, were executed. The story is remembered every 5^th of November.

The celebrations involve fireworks displays and the building of bonfires, traditionally on which " guys", or dummies, representing Guy Fawkes are burnt. Before the fifth, children use the dummies to beg for money with the chant " Penny for the guy ". Since 1679 Lewes has been the setting of some of England's most extravagant 5 November celebrations, the Lewes Bonfire.