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Hundreds join huge scrum for medieval game

Jake Zuckerman/BBC A large crowd of people prepare to take part in a medieval rugby-style game in the centre of a village. They are surrounding the fool, who is dressed in red and holding a leather tube (the ball) aloft. Some people are filming the spectacle on their phones. Houses and trees can be seen in the background.Jake Zuckerman/BBC
The game begins with the ceremonial "fool" delivering a speech while a bonfire is lit behind him covering him in smoke

Hundreds of people have turned out to take part in a centuries-old rugby-style game involving rival villagers.

The annual Haxey Hood game between pubs in the North Lincolnshire villages of Haxey and Westwoodside dates back to the 14th Century.

It involves large crowds of people facing off in a mass scrum to push a leather tube, known as the hood.

This year's event was won by The Loco pub in Haxey, which will proudly display the prize for the rest of 2025.

Christopher Furlong/Getty Images A large group of men and boys battling for the leather "hood". Some are on the ground, while others surround them.Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
The game involves large crowds attempting to gain control of the hood

The game begins with the ceremonial "fool" delivering a speech while a bonfire is lit behind him, covering him in smoke.

Traditionally the game – which can run for hours and attracts hundreds of spectators and participants – involves pushing the 3ft (1m) hood to one of the four pubs in the two villages.

James Chatwin, who plays the character of the "fool", said the event resembled a huge rugby scrum.

"It's not nasty, but it is physical – it's not for the faint-hearted," he said.

The best part was the community spirit, with everyone from the local area getting involved.

"It's the best school reunion you could ever wish for," he added.

The fool's speech ends with the chant: "Hoose agen hoose, toon agen toon, if a man meets a man knock 'im doon, but doan't 'ot 'im,"

Put simply, Mr Chatwin said it meant players should look out for each other and enjoy the day.

What is Haxey Hood?

Hulton Archive/Getty Images A black-and-white archive photograph from 1938 showing a large crowd gathered around the "fool" ahead of the game.Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The contest is held annually on the Twelfth Day of Christmas except when 6 January falls on a Sunday

The tradition is said to have started when Lady de Mowbray was out riding between Westwoodside and Haxey – between Gainsborough, Scunthorpe and Doncaster – when her silk riding hood was blown away by the wind.

She is said to have been so amused to see local farm workers chasing it, she rewarded them land – on condition that the chase be re-enacted every year.

According to the story, the worker who caught the hood was too shy to approach her and handed it to a fellow worker to return.

It is said that Lady de Mowbray thanked the man who returned the hood and said he had acted like a lord. The worker who caught it was labelled a fool.

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