Beating the Bounds

In medieval times the annual “beating of the bounds” confirmed the extent of a parish’s jurisdiction and responsibilities. Only two Oxford churches keep up the custom: the City Church of St Michael-at-the-Northgate, and the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. Today, Ascension Day, members of St Michael's and St Mary' congregation, as well as many who just wanted to participate for fun, marched through Oxford marking out the parish boundary by beating specially marked stones with sticks. Since some of the stones are in bars, pubs and shops, startled and bemused onlookers like me were fairly common.

A short service was held in each church, followed by a procession of clergy, dignitaries, and common folk who followed the ancient route around the landmarks, beat them with white sticks, marked them with chalk and called “Mark! Mark! Mark!”.  The walk took about two hours and  the end was at Lincoln College where the participants were fed and watered with Ivy Beer. 

High Street

St Michael's Street

Boots the Chemist, CornmarketFormerly parish boundary of St Martin
and St Michael-at-the-Northgate

Brasenose College, High Street

Clarendon Building, Broad St, side of pillar

Back of Boots the Chemist, Market Street 

"Mark! Mark! Mark!"