Laudator Temporis Acti

Eliza Gutch, Examples of Printed Folk-Lore Concerning the East Riding of Yorkshire (London: David Nutt for the Folk-Lore Society, 1912), pp. 111-112:

The good old Yorkshire custom of sending a present at pig-killing time to neighbours is in full life in Holderness. Holderness, however, differs somewhat from other parts of the country. In the neighbourhood of the city of York, for instance, it is always "pig-fry" which is sent—that is, a taste of liver, "leets" (or lungs), heart, etc., the whole neatly covered with a bit of the diaphragm. This part of the business also obtains in Holderness, but here there is an additional present sent later on. This second present consists of cooked, or at any rate prepared, articles, and generally includes a mince pie, a link or two of sausage, a bit of black-pudding, a "standin' pie" (pork raised pie), with some times a bit of "chine." The whole stock of articles sent, prepared or unprepared, is spoken of as "pig-cheer." The liberality of the cottager on such occasions is very remarkable.

See Martin W. Walsh, "Medieval English 'Martinmesse': The Archaeology of a Forgotten Festival," Folklore 111.2 (October, 2000) 231-254.

Hat tip: Eric Thomson, who also sent this photo of pig-cheer: Related posts:

• Martinmas
• Nulla Dies Sine Suilla
• Ham
• Pork Products
• Culture and Civilization