RUSTIC REVELS ON EASTON HILL

Early in the morning of 28th August 1826, William Cobbett, a political commentator of the time, rode across the downs from Everleigh to visit Easton Farm. He reined in his cob at the summit of Easton Hill and sat motionless in his saddle for half an hour taking in the beauty of the Pewsey Vale ‘although I had not yet breakfasted’. He later wrote in his classic book ‘Rural Rides’ that ‘the valley was a land of promise and beauteous to behold’.

Over half a century before then, on 23rd March 1763, a great festival for local people had been held on this same hill, arranged by Sir Thomas Brudenell-Bruce, Earl of Ailesbury to celebrate the first birthday of his son George.

Sir Thomas had married Susanna Hoare in the chapel at Tottenham Park in 1761. The arrival of baby George caused the couple great happiness, giving optimism for the future of the family and the child was lavished with love and affection.

On the day of the Easton party, there was rain and snow all morning. As the weather improved, a full complement of guests arrived from Tottenham Park to join the vast multitude of local revellers on the hills, who were enjoying the entertainment and copious amounts of ale and food provided by the Earl.

The festival featured backsword playing – a fast moving face to face battle between two contestants using yard long ash-wood sticks, attempting to draw blood an inch long anywhere above the eyebrow of their adversary.

Smock races for women involved them running in various states of undress, no doubt enhancing the revelry. For the pig contest, each participant had one hand securely tied behind him. Whoever managed to catch the pig and hold it fast by the tail, would be the winner. Then there was wrestling, with a two-guinea reward for the man who threw the most fair falls.

As evening came, John Smith of Burbage performed a ceremony to christen the two Easton hills in the manner of launching a ship.  Pronouncing their respective names with a loud voice as ‘George’s Hill’ and ‘George’s Clump’, he broke a bottle of wine against a post, at which instant a canon fired and the people gave three huzzas. A toast was then made by the crowd to the health of the young heir. The Revels concluded in a brilliant manner round the largest bonfire the spectators had ever seen, heightened with pitch and tar barrels and ‘fireworks of the greatest curiosity’.

The Earl gave instructions that as many trees as possible should be planted on George’s Clump each year on that day 23rd March. He pinned all his future hopes on George, but tragedy was to strike. George died in March 1783 just five days after his 21st birthday. Whilst the names of George’s Hill and George’s Clump died with him, it may be some of the trees planted in his honour have remained into the 21st century. 

For another 170 years or so, the Revels continued to be held each year on Trinity Monday on the Gammon of Bacon Green opposite where the Bruce Arms stands today. Locals had their own hero, a noted exponent of the art of backsword fighting called Thomas Tidcombe Waite, whose grave in the village cemetery boasts an impressive headstone.

Strolling and picnicking on the Clump became a favourite village summer pastime. Following the bad storms of 1987 and early 1990, villagers’ concerns about the many damaged trees on the Clump were passed to Wiltshire County Council.

Thanks to permission from the owner, Mr Stanley Cooper, and a grant-aided restorative project working with Task Force Trees and the Countryside Commission, a clearing and re-planting scheme ensured that Easton Clump once again became a wooded beacon which can be seen from miles around and remains one of the most constant features of the village.

George Brudenell Bruce

Backsword fighting

Easton Hill and Clump