Today, 30 May, marks Ascension Day, the end of the season of Easter.

As is traditional Univ’s day started with members of the Chapel Choir singing in Main Quad, with parishioners of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin later visiting College for the traditional “Beating of the Bounds”.

“Beating of the Bounds” is an ancient tradition that sees members of the community walking the parish boundary to remind all of where these lay and to pray for blessings. At the latest this dates from Anglo-Saxon times (it’s mentioned in Laws of Alfred the Great – who definitely didn’t found Univ), but may actually derive from the Roman Terminalia, which honoured Terminus, god of landmarks.

Parishioners, along with members of the Univ community, attended the chalking and beating with canes of the boundary mark in Main Quad before singing in the Master’s Garden and the traditional three cheers to Univ.

Lady Crewe then distributed coins and sweets to the gathered children from the upper window of the Lodgings, another tradition associated with Ascension Day.

Please enjoy this short video of images, which captures some of what made Ascension Day so special at Univ.

Published: 30 May 2019

Explore Univ on social media