Plough Monday

Plough Monday is the traditional start of the English agricultural year. It is the first Monday after Epiphany on 6th January. Customs observed vary by regions, but a common feature was for a plough to be drawn from house to house in a procession collecting money. They were often accompanied by musicians, an old woman or a boy dressed as an old woman called the Bessy, and a man in the role of a fool. Plough Pudding is eaten on this day which is a boiled suet pudding containing meat and onions.