Combe Martin’s Hunting of the Earl of Rone is about to begin

Rhythmic pounding drums, a Hobby Horse and much merriment can only mean one thing – Combe Martin’s Hunting of the Earl of Rone is back this weekend!

The village’s unique and quirky custom with pagan roots will see a series of four processions beginning on Friday evening (May 23) and culminating in a huge parade with hundreds of people on the Bank Holiday Monday evening.

Colourful characters including a Hobby Horse, Fool and Grenadiers will ‘hunt’ the elusive Earl accompanied by drummers and dancers will make their way up and down the long village street during the weekend.

Above: The fearsome Hobby Horse is a common fixture in Combe Martin’s Hunting of the Earl of Rone. Credit: Viral PR

On Friday a smaller procession of Grenadiers, Hobby Horse and Fool, accompanied by drums, will leave the Fo'c's'le Inn at the seaside at 7pm and make their way to the Stable at the Castle Inn.

Then on Saturday it is the turn of local children to have their own procession, leaving the junior school at 11am and making their way up the village.

Saturday evening will see a Hunting of the Earl of Rone Ceilidh at the Village Hall, with music from The Oggle Band. Doors open at 6.30pm and there will be a bar, raffle and the traditional strawberry cake. Tickets are available on the door or from 07792 799880.

Sunday will see the hunt take to the lanes and byways around the village, leaving Sandaway holiday park at the beach at 1.30pm.

Then on Monday evening the whole party gathers at Holdstone Way at 6pm, with the grenadiers setting off at 5.45pm to locate the Earl in Lady’s Wood.

He is then paraded down the main street, sometimes sat back-to-front on a donkey, periodically ‘shot’ and revived by the Hobby Horse and Fools to much clamour of drums, before the procession reaches the beach at sunset and he is cast into the sea.

Above: The Earl himself, a-donkey back. Credit: Viral PR

The origins of the custom are unclear, but it is often thought to have either medieval May or even pagan roots. A local legend says the Earl was the unlucky Earl was Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone, who was forced to flee from Ireland in 1607 and was shipwrecked in Rapparee Cove in nearby Ilfracombe.

Hiding in the woods and surviving only on ships’ biscuits, he was eventually captured by a party of Grenadiers sent from Barnstaple.

Above: The Earl is ‘shot’ quite a few times as his donkey makes its way down the long Combe Martin street. Credit: Viral PR

During procession times, traffic is likely to be slower in the village and expect delays during the Monday evening procession, though it will step aside regularly to let traffic through.

You can find out more about The Hunting of the Earl of Rone at https://earl-of-rone.org.uk.

Edited on 21/05 to update procession schedule