THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

Bride-ducking was still prevalent in Fryup hardly more than half a century ago.  On Boxing Day, from dawn till dusk, a suitor would seek to kidnap the object of his affection and transport them over five miles of rugged moorland to the beach to be “ducked”, whereupon it would be acknowledged that a marital commitment had been achieved, irrespective of the true feelings of the sodden “bride”.  However, such a mission was fraught with risk, for the girls’ relatives would stop at nothing to prevent her submersion into matrimony, which would be seen to have brought shame upon them. They would give chase with gusto, and threats and violence were not uncommon.  Brothers of particularly sought-after girls would often keep them under lock and key for the duration of the day in question, especially if, as was true in some cases, they were suspected of plotting with an illicit lover to submit.  Just as a successful “ducking” would earn the perpetrator his permanent reward, so a failure would lead to painful repercussions, for example a spell in the village stocks, tarring-and-feathering, or even in the failed groom being driven out of the dale for good.

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