Haxey Hood 2017 officially gets underway
Hundreds of people have gathered in the North Lincolnshire village of Haxey this afternoon for an ancient event.
The Haxey Hood dates back to the 14th century and is recreated every year on the 12th night.
It sees two teams of villagers play an ancient game as they try and get a long leather stick back to their favourite pub without picking it up and running with it.
It has previously been described as a messy rugby game without many rules.
Haxey Hood: Key facts
One of the oldest traditional events in England with roots traced back to 14th century
Takes place in the Village of Haxey in North Lincolnshire on the 12th day of Christmas, January 6th each year
Similar to a rugby scrum (called the Sway) which involves pushing a leather tube called the hood to 1 of 4 pubs in the parish
Thirteen characters from the original story take part: the Lord, the fool and eleven Boggins
The hood stays at whichever pub wins until the following year
The custom is thought to date back to the day when a Lady De Mowbray was riding along the fields, lost her hood, and workmen scrambled over to help.
The hood was returned but it was all tattered and torn. She was so taken by their kindness that she wanted a game to be named and played as a reminder of the act. And thus the Haxey Hood was born.