Great London Traditions: The Seventeenth Century Shrovetide riots
Shrovetide, nowadays called Shrove Tuesday was an informal holiday amongst apprentices and other young workers in London. The day before Lent it was also time to challenge authority. The locations for such activities tended to be on the northern edge of the City of London such as Moorgate and Norton Folgate (between Liverpool St and Shoreditch)
Some examples are below
‘a reall reformacon of the lyncentious & rude custome formerly used by base and lewde persons at Shrovetide’ Privy Council 1622
The Venetian Ambassador to London called Shrovetide a day of ‘furious misrule’
1629 Privy Council took action to prevent ‘ryotts or tumults’ by apprentices
Something to ponder while deciding what pancakes you are planning to eat on Tuesday,if any. although worth noting that as with all riots and tumults what went on may not necessarily have been progressive.
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