Courtship Rituals

During the "wooing' stage of the courtship, the suitor brings a wheel barrow with him to the pub, which is naturally left outside the establishment.

 

The wheelbarrow became such a vital part of courting that young men would build their own or in traditional manner, beg, borrow, or steal one.   Obviously stealing one wasn't  the best decision.   When the time came to use the barrow the thief might come to find that it had been reclaimed by the owner and considerable embarrassment would ensue.

Often times the barrow would be dressed out in ribbons or have a blanket in it.

We find no plague like being deprived of dear womankind.
--Aphra Behn

If at the conclusion of the evening, his companion was too inebriated to walk home without spilling her drink, he would convey her in the barrow.

Skill at transporting both Widow & Drink home without spilling either, tripled a suitor's worth in the eyes of the Clan.

Courtship Rituals Continue. . .

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Ivan Lair of the Northwest Hellcats Clan Customs

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Created: May 9, 2001
Last modified: September 12, 2006