Nelson & His World

Discussion on the life and times of Admiral Lord Nelson
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 10:35 pm

All times are UTC [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 1 post ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: An Old Spanish Custom
PostPosted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:54 pm 
Offline
Site Admin

Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:06 am
Posts: 2830
Location: mid-Wales
I read an interesting account, on another forum, of an event that was recorded in the Naval Chronicle of July 1810 (Vol 24).

It was apparently the custom on Spanish ships, to suspend an effigy of Judas Iscariot during Good Friday and the following day. At sunset, it was thrown into the sea, whereupon a sailor with a knife would plunge in and rip the effigy to pieces. On this occasion, the man was drowned.

The Spanish were a pious people so such a ceremony is not surprising. It set me wondering whether any similar ceremonies took place on Royal Navy ships, other than the services of the Established Church. The British are not so devout, so maybe they confined themselves to rites like 'Crossing the Line' with pagan characters such as Neptune and Amphitrite.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 1 post ] 

All times are UTC [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 84 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by p h p B B © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 p h p B B Group