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Medieval game returns to village for annual event

Danny Lawson/PA Wire Several men watching and reaching down to get a leather tube from a man who is on the floor. They are dressed in hoodies, black tops.Danny Lawson/PA Wire
The tradition was said to have started when Lady de Mowbray was out riding between Westwoodside and Haxey and her silk riding hood was blown away

Two rival villages will once again go head-to-head in the annual medieval game Haxey Hood.

North Lincolnshire villages Haxey and Westwoodside have taken part in the rugby-style game for the past 700 years.

A large crowd will gather in Haxey on 6 January at 16:00 GMT, where they will compete in pushing a leather tube, known as the hood, back to their local pub.

Haxey Hood's Facebook page said "the excitement is building in the villages" in the lead up to the event.

Danny Lawson/PA Wire A man laughing to the side wearing a black top hat with colourful flowers and feathers on it and a red blazer. It is night-time and you can see other people stood in the background wearing coats.Danny Lawson/PA Wire
The annual game dates back to the 14th Century

Dating back to the 14th Century, a ceremonial "fool" will deliver a speech while a bonfire is lit behind him.

Rival teams then compete to get the hood, which is thrown into the crowd, back to their pub.

The rules mean no one is allowed to run with the hood or throw it.

In 2024, the event was won by the Kings Arms in Haxey, with the winning pub getting to proudly display the hood for the rest of the year.

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