Thurstan Peter gave an address to the Royal Institution of Cornwall at Truro in 1913. He said,
"I believe the (Padstow) Hobby Horse and the (Helston) Furry dance alike to be ancient pagan festivals of revival and of fruitfulness....."

This was of course at the height of the time when such beliefs were common-place. I am not criticising such views which were of their time.

However there was no evidence then, and I suggest there is none now for such an assertion. Just because someone says it it so does not make it so. And he clearly "believed" it to be so, not that it was so.

Hobby horses in Cornwall in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries is hardly supportive of the idea that this is a Pre-Christian festival.

However I am not dogmatic about this and I am happy to agree with any primary evidence prior to the date that E.C. Cawte mentions.

Best regards,


Dave Eyre