Welcome

The Hunting of the Earl of Rone is an annual custom, unique to the village of Combe Martin on the coast of North Devon. Taking place each year over the four days of the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, at the end of May.

An ongoing, evolving tradition

Combe Martin beach on monday night of The Hunting of the Earl of Rone

The Hunting of the Earl of Rone.

This ancient ceremony of Combe Martin, is unique among the folk traditions of Great Britain.

It’s History goes back into antiquity, and although local legend has it that the Earl is the Earl of Tyrone who fled from Ireland in 1607, comparison of the ceremony with some of it’s European Parallels indicates that it has it’s roots in the pre-Christian seasonal rites of the ancient peoples.

Last gathering above the beach in Combe Martin on monday night of The Hunting of the Earl of Rone

The Hunting of the Earl of Rone took place annually, for a week around Ascension Day, up until 1837. The reconstruction first took place in 1970 and continues to the current day, the information and details largely being drawn from written accounts given by people who experienced the old ceremony.

Combe Martin, view of The Hunting of the Earl of Rone

The Hunting of the Earl of Rone is now firmly established back in the village as a living tradition.

Dates for 2024 Hunting

Friday 24th May 20247:00 pm Procession with Drums only.
Saturday 25th May 202411:00 amChildren’s Day Procession
Sunday 26th May 20241:30 pm Full Procession
Monday 27th May 20246:00 pm Procession with EoR

For Full Details, See Earl of Rone Council notifications.
Children’s Rehearsals 2024 – Village Hall: Saturday May 11th 2-5pm & Sunday May 19th 1-3pm
Washup meeting TBC.

Images following the progress of Monday nights procession.

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