The tradition of celebrating Plough (or Plow) Monday dates from medieval times.  It occurs on the first Monday in January after Epiphany or Twelfth Night, and marks the date when workers returned to the plough (or theses days more usually their computer screens) after the Christmas festivities.

Traditionally, the ceremony involved dragging the plough from door to door through the parish, soliciting ‘Plough Money’ to spend on a jollification to help ease the transition back into work.  The Church, to ensure a vigorous and successful year ahead, also blessed the plough and its operators.  The well-known saying ‘God speed the plough’ is taken from the old song sung by the ploughmen on this occasion, and is an expression of good wishes for success and prosperity.

In the City of London, Plow Monday is celebrated with a banquet hosted by the Lord Mayor at Mansion House, at which the guests are staff from the Corporation, particularly those who are about to retire from its service.  It is also the date on which our Master entertains the Sheriffs of the City of London, who are released from their duties with the Lord Mayor for this particular evening, together with his special guests and the members of the Court.

This year, the Plough Monday Dinner was held at Innholders’ Hall, and we were delighted that Mr Alderman and Sheriff David Lewis and Mr Sheriff Richard Regan were both able to join us, along with the Master’s principal guests, Lord Bell and Baroness Sarah Hogg.  This was the first Plough Monday that I have attended, as I was introduced onto the Court before dinner on the same evening.  As well as the excellent food and wine, and the good company that I have come to expect from all Feltmakers’ events, the evening had a particularly warm and intimate, as well as a lighted hearted, feel to it.  It was certainly one that I felt very privileged to attend.

Judy George