Happy Old Man's Day!

Ghost lore is full of tales about people being buried alive.  In a time before modern medical technology and widespread embalming, many unfortunate souls were believed to have been buried prematurely...only to awake inside their own cold, dark coffin. More often than not, despite whatever supernatural message they tried to pass on to friends and loved ones about their plight, these occurrences ended with a tragic and horrifying death.

Fortunately for Matthew Wall of Braughing, England, he was one of the lucky few to avoid a similar fate!

Matthew Wall was a farmer who lived in the area during the 16th century.  As a young man, it is believed he slipped into a coma, caused by an epileptic episode.  Believing Matthew to be dead, his family and friends prepared him for burial.  The funeral procession, complete with Matthew in his wooden coffin, began the journey down Fleece Lane from his home to the local church, St. Mary the Virgin.  This is where fate would step in.

It was October 2, 1571 and the road was covered in damp, fallen autumn leaves.  One of the pallbearers carrying Matthew's coffin slipped on the wet leaves, causing the coffin to fall to the ground.  The jolt was enough to shake Matthew out of his coma and he began pounding on the side of the coffin with his fist.  His life had been saved, and a year later, Matthew became a husband.

But, no one can live forever and Matthew did die (for real this time) in 1595.  Before his death, however, Matthew left instructions in his will for the village to commemorate the anniversary of his 'first death' each year by ringing of the church bells and giving Fleece Lane a good sweeping.

The tradition continues on to this day. Each October 2nd, the village gathers outside the Golden Fleece to hear the local vicar tell the tale of Matthew's near mishap.  The village school children then take to the street with brooms, giving Fleece Lane the required sweeping as per Matthew's will. The church bells are rung, prayers are said, songs are sung, and sweets are distributed.  A small graveside service at Matthew's final resting place concludes the festivities of Braughing's Old Man's Day for another year. 

Photos and information for today's blog come from the Calendar Customs website.