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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Dunmow Flitch
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One of Britain's oldest popular ceremonies, dating from at least the 14C. In the Essex town of Dunmow a flitch (a cured and salted side of pork) is given to a couple who can prove that not once in a year and a day have they regretted marrying. One of the earliest references is in The *Canterbury Tales, where the Wife of Bath boasts that none of her five husbands would have dreamt of claiming the flitch. At various times the custom died out, but it has been continuous (held now in each leap year) since it was revived in 1885 with the addition of a mock court involving judge, jury and witnesses.
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