The Importance of Bread Harvest Time


We have celebrated a successful harvest since pagan times in Britain. Today events are commonly held in September or October on the Sunday when there is a full moon closest to the Autumn Equinox (September 23rd).


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Prior to King Henry VIII’s break away from the Catholic Church however, celebrations took place on August 1st at the start of the Harvest season. The day was known as Lammas or ‘loaf mass’, and marked the wheat harvest specifi cally with celebrations on later days to honour fruit crops. On Lammas it was customary for farmers to make a loaf from the new crop and take it to church.


Stories of tradition then vary, with some sources saying the blessed loaf would be used for communion during a special mass thanking God for the harvest. Others say the loaf was split into four pieces and placed in the corners of the barn to protect the grain that had been gathered.


Frequently celebrations in schools and


churches include hymns such as We Plough the Fields And Scatter, and All Things Bright and Beautiful. Decorations such as corn dollies and the display of home grown produce are set out. This format is thought to emanate from when the Revered Robert Hawker invited parishioners to harvest celebrations in Morwenstow in Cornwall in 1843.


Whether you celebrate formally or not it’s a great time of year to enjoy the foods of the season, especially bread.


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