Shrove Tuesday- aka Pancake day-パンケーキデー
Guildhall London(ギルドホール）
March 4, 2025, is Shrove Tuesday – known as Pancake Day in the UK.
Its origins?
Shrove Tuesday is an old Christian religious observance where people would traditionally enjoy rich foods made with butter and sugar before the fasting period of Lent. It falls 47 days before Easter, meaning the date changes each year. In 2025, Shrove Tuesday will be on March 4.
As part of the celebrations, pancake races are held. These races are said to have begun in 1445, and according to legend, a woman was so engrossed in making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday that she lost track of time. Upon hearing the church bells ring, she ran to the church still holding her frying pan.
Whether this story is true or simply a folk tale passed down through generations remains unknown, but pancake races have become a well-established tradition in many parts of England on Shrove Tuesday.
You must run while holding a frying pan and flip the pancake at the designated spots marked within the red lines on both the way there and back. Dropping your hat is not allowed either!
The most well-known location for the Pancake Race is Guildhall in the City of London, where the event has been held for over 15 years. It is one of the most lively events in the City, with members of Livery Companies competing against each other.
What is a Livery Company?
The City of London is where the history of London began nearly 2,000 years ago. Just like the River Thames, this area has always been of great significance to Londoners. Even today, remnants of the Roman-built city walls can be found within the one-square-mile boundary, indicating the historical regulations and trade restrictions that once governed the area.
Dating back to the 12th century, medieval Livery Companies originally developed as guilds, overseeing wages, working conditions, and trade regulations for various professions.
Livery Companies are trade-specific guilds within the City of London, and nearly all of them bear the title "The Worshipful Company of..." followed by their respective craft, trade, or profession. The oldest Livery Company is the The Worshipful Company of Weavers, while the newest, the Worshipful Company of Communicators, was officially recognized in March of this year. As of today, there are 113 Livery Companies in the City of London.
Guildhall
The headquarters of the City of London Corporation. The present Guildhall was built in 1411 and is the only secular stone structure in the City that survived both the Great Fire of London and the Blitz. It remains one of the few pre-1666 buildings still standing in the City of London today.
