Beating the Bounds

Beating the Bounds is an ancient custom still observed in many English parishes. Its roots go back to mediaeval times when parishes reaffirmed their boundaries by processing round them at Rogationtide, stopping to beat each boundary mark with wands and to pray for protection and blessings for the land. Here at All Hallows we still beat the bounds of our parish every year on Ascension Day.

The All Hallows' Beating Party is made up of students from St Dunstan's College, Catford, who return to their roots in the parish of St Dunstan-in-the-East to take an active part in the proceedings. The south boundary of the parish is mid-stream of the Thames and the Beating Party, together with the clergy and the Masters of the Livery Companies associated with the parish, board a boat which takes them out onto the river where one of the students beats that boundary mark. They then return to shore and the procession moves around the parish, stopping at various points for the beating party to mark the boundaries with canes as they go.

Every third year the ceremony includes a 'confrontation' with the Resident Governor and Yeomen Warders of HM Tower of London at the boundary mark shared by the Tower and the Church. During the middle ages the boundary was always in dispute, and this meeting commemorates an occasion in 1698 when a riot took place between the people of the Tower and those of the parish. Fortunately for all concerned, the exchange is rather more peaceful in present times!


This year's event will take place on Thursday 13th May, departing All Hallows for Tower Pier at approx 2.45pm,
and will be followed by Festal Evensong in the church at 5.30pm.

To see pictures of the 2009 event, go to the Beating of the Bounds photo gallery.