Britain’s plethora of traditions and customs reflect the country’s rich cultural history. These celebrations are almost all tied to either the agricultural calendar, local folklore, religious festivals, historical events, or communal identity. However, the relatively recent past has seen Britain undergo major technological advances, rapid urbanisation and mass immigration. These developments have fuelled a tremendous shift in Britain’s social norms. As a result, once well-supported customs and traditions have increasingly been forgotten.
Here’s a brief overview of the once-popular celebration of Carlin Sunday:
Carlin Sunday
The Minerva Pea (Carlin) Plant. Photo credit: CC PDM 1.0.
When Is It?
Carlin Sunday is a North of England tradition that falls on the fifth Sunday of Lent, i.e. the Sunday before Good Friday. Though the day coincides with the Anglican church’s Passion Sunday, the day has no religious connotations. The carlin is a small, hard, marbled legume and a member of the pea family. Its alternative names include the black pea, grey pea, parched pea, Maple pea, Minerva pea and pigeon pea. The latter originates from the carlin being a staple of the domestic pigeon’s diet.
What’s the History?
Some proclaim that the origin of Carlin Sunday is rooted in the English Civil War. Legend has it that in 1644, whilst under Scottish siege, the townsfolk of Newcastle were on the verge of starvation. They were only saved after a French (or Norwegian) ship breached the blockage and docked with a large consignment of carlins. However, a rival tale tells of a ship laden with carlins running aground off the coast of South Shields during Lent. The story goes that the peas eventually washed ashore and were duly salvaged by locals. Yet another anecdote tells of the 1327 siege of South Shields by Robert the Bruce. With several other similar narratives existing, the exact origins of Carlin Sunday are difficult to ascertain.
Serving Up the Treat
The celebration of Carlin Sunday involves nothing more than cooking and eating carlins at some point during the day. The hard brown nutty-flavoured peas are boiled until they become soft. They are then seasoned, most usually, with salt and vinegar, before being eaten. Alternatively, they may be served with a splash of rum and brown sugar or a dash of mint sauce. Traditionally, pubs and other drinking establishments would serve a portion of the tasty snack to their regular clientele on Carlin Sunday.
Carlin Sunday Today
Carlin Sunday was once widely observed throughout the North East region of England as well as parts of Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire. However, the tradition’s popularity has steadily declined over the last several decades. Today, Carlin Sunday is generally poorly observed even in its former stronghold areas. However, the highly nutritious legume is still readily available to buy from many leading supermarkets, health food outlets and internet suppliers. Fancy growing carlins yourself? Widely marketed as the Minerva pea, you can buy seeds from most major nursery plant suppliers.
Header Photo Credit: CC BY 2.0
