"Perambulations" or processions, for intercession for ruined fields, freedom from plague and so on, were introduced to England in the eighth and ninth centuries, as part of the Christian Liturgy. There was originally a Major Rogation on St Mark's Day (25th April), as well as three days of Minor Rogation on the three days before the Ascension. They were derived from earlier pagan ceremonies and were designed to combat war, illness, violent death and other non-agricultural terrors. This page documents Jackstraws Morris taking part in one present-day perambulation at Croxteth, on Rogation Sunday 1999.

There were many different perambulations taking place by the 1500s, which the Reformation saw as part of the "pagan" trappings of the Catholic Church. In 1547, a set of Royal Injunctions put a stop to most of them, with the perambulation of the parish at Rogationtide being the sole survivor. The Minor Rogation was retained and the Royal Injunctions of 1559 changed its purpose to perambulate the bounds, give thanks for the fruits of the earth and pray for good weather and a fruitful harvest.

George Herbert's "The Country Parson" gives four reasons why it should be encouraged -

"A blessing of God for the fruits of the field
 
"Justice, in the preservation of the bounds
 
"Charitie, in loving walking and neighbourly accompanying one another, with reconciling of differences at that time, if they be any
 
"Mercie, in relieving the poor by a liberal distribution of largess, which at that time is or ought to be used."

During the nineteenth century, similar processions - "club walks" were introduced at Whitsuntide, replacing an earlier longer celebration, but the purpose of these was different - "...- to conclude the day happily, not in the church house for the benefit of the poor, but in a public house to the great advantage of the publican: the Agapæ certainly had a strange posterity." (William Howett, The Rural Life of England, 1839).

Although the Rogation-tide perambulations have a loftier end in mind, they were and are very much a community event. Sometimes legacies provided for refreshments like bread, beer and cheese, for those perambulating. Here at Cruxteth, there's a pipe band to lead the perambulation (so when they start up it's time to move off). There's a silver band to accompany the hymns (so when they start up it's time to find where you put the hymn sheet). This saves enormous amounts of milling around.

The modern form of the rogationtide worship derives from a pamphlet published by SPCK in response to the pastoral letter of the Bishop of Chichester in 1944, inviting people to "observe Rogation Sunday, now happily chosen by the Minister of Agriculture as Farm Sunday". Three hundred years after Cromwell, again in time of war and hardship, the same custom was being adapted to a contemporary context.

Here, the local maypole dancers perform. The local singers lead the hymn singing. When neither is happening, then either there are prayers or one of the two local clergy is giving an address. There are also morris dancers, who perform half-way round the perambulation and again at the end. Even the Lord of the Manor joined in the dancing.

Sadly they've stopped beating the whole bounds - it's too far for the small children to do the whole distance and insurance premiums for providing support transport in the form of floats have become prohibitive. Although, there's talk of doing the whole distance again next year. Which would be nice.