Cramp-Rings, Hallowing

views updated

Cramp-Rings, Hallowing

A ceremony that took place in England on Good Friday. It consisted of the repetition of certain psalms and prayers, during which the king rubbed the rings between his hands. It was said that rings consecrated on Good Friday by the kings of England had the power of curing cramp. The rings, which were given away, were much in request even by foreign ambassadors.

(See also king's evil )

More From encyclopedia.com