The Tudor Society

29 June – The Feast of St Peter and St Paul

Today, 29th June, is the Feast of St Peter and St Paul, which commemorated the martyrdom of the two apostles.

In medieval and Tudor times, this feast day was the traditional time for the "rushbearing" ceremony to renew the rushes strewn on the church floor, which helped to insulathe the church and keep it clean. Parishioners would collect rushes, process to church with them, strew the church floor with these freshly-cut rushes, along with new mown hay and wildflowers, and have a special service of dedication.

Such rushbearing ceremonies are still enjoyed in some parishes in the UK today and here is a video of one in Grasmere:

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29 June – The Feast of St Peter and St Paul