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Description: | Song descriptive of the Assize Sunday rituals in Newcastle.Courts of Assize are thought to have been held in Newcastle since the thirteenth century. The assizes were traditionally held at Newcastle's old Moot Hall until it was taken down in 1810. The ceremony was then held at St. Nicholas Church whilst new county buildings were erected. Processions were held over a number of days, through Newcastle and up into Gateshead.For the people of Newcastle and the surrounding villages, the most exciting event of the assizes was the attendance of the judges at St. Nicholas Church on the Sunday. This was known as Assize Sunday. An elaborate procession was conducted from the Mansion House to the church, drawing large crowds. This extravagant procession consisted of two mounted trumpeters in court livery preceding the carriage of the Sheriff of the county, containing the Judges. This was accompanied by the Mayor in his state carriage, and other Corporation officials.This song describes the trip of favourite fictional character 'Bob Cranky' to see the assize procession. The song was written by John Selkirk around 1804. Selkirk was born in Gateshead in 1783. Author of 'Swalwell Hoppings' and 'Newcastle Fair', songs both highly popular in their day, Selkirk enjoyed limited success as a songwriter and merchant before dying in relative poverty.'Bob Cranky's 'Size Sunday' is part of the John Bell Collection. ; A collection of broadsheets on various subjects, with accompanying press cuttings and manuscript notes in the hand of John Bell. | Publisher: | M. Angus and Son Newcastle upon Tyne | Rights holder: | rights holder : Newcastle University | Subjects: | Assize Sunday & Judges & processions & law law and order & festivities | Temporal: | start=1801;end=1840; | Source: | Folk Archive Resource North East | Identifier: | farne:N0102601 | Go to resource |
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