[Anon.], ‘Country Wakes’, Penny Magazine of The Society For The Diffusion of Useful Knowledge (1837)

In the rural districts where wakes and village-feasts are still celebrated, there are few, or perhaps none, of the persons who partake in the sports usual on such occasions who are at all aware of their origin. In different parts of the country the holidays are known as Wakes, Feasts of Dedication, Rush-bearings, Revels, and Hoppings. In the rural districts where wakes and village-feasts are still celebrated, there are few, or perhaps none, of the persons who partake in the sports usual on such occasions who are at all aware of their origin. In the 28th canon given under King Edgar decent behaviour was enjoined at church-wakes: the people were commanded to pray devoutly, and not betake themselves to drinking or debauchery, which were failings too common from the numbers that attended. The number of young people ascending and descending the hill called Conley Pike, and boys tumbling down afforded much pleasure to the graver spectators.