Dunmow Flitch Trials

E637947

The Dunmow Flitch Trials are a traditional English ceremony, dating back centuries, in which married couples publicly prove they have not regretted their marriage in order to win a flitch (side) of bacon.

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Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf English custom
marriage ritual
traditional ceremony
alsoKnownAs Dunmow Flitch NERFINISHED
Flitch of Bacon custom NERFINISHED
associatedWith Dunmow Flitch chair NERFINISHED
Dunmow Flitch of Bacon sculpture NERFINISHED
conditionForReward couple must satisfy a mock jury
couple must swear they have not regretted their marriage for a year and a day
country England
culturalSignificance example of English folk tradition
symbol of marital fidelity
documentedIn The Canterbury Tales NERFINISHED
The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale (indirect reference to flitch custom) NERFINISHED
featuredIn local festivals in Great Dunmow
hasJuryOf six bachelors
hasJuryOf six maidens
hasMotto ‘It is the custom of the manor’
hasPart mock trial
oath-taking
presentation of bacon
procession
inspired other flitch of bacon customs
involves married couples
public ceremony
language English
legalForm mock court
locatedIn Essex
Great Dunmow NERFINISHED
mainReward flitch of bacon
side of bacon
mediaCoverage British press NERFINISHED
television features
organisedBy local committee in Great Dunmow
purpose to reward marital harmony
to test whether couples regret their marriage
recursEvery four years
revivedIn 19th century
ritualAction carrying winners in a chair
parading winners through the town
theme lifelong marital contentment
public affirmation of marriage vows
tourismAttraction Great Dunmow NERFINISHED
traditionStartTime at least the 14th century
medieval period
typicalDate summer
uses flitch of bacon as prize
oath on a book

Referenced by (2)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Dunmow hasEvent Dunmow Flitch Trials
subject surface form: Great Dunmow
Dunmow knownFor Dunmow Flitch Trials
subject surface form: Great Dunmow