John Aubrey, in his 1714 Miscellanies states based on an account of an account (1682) of Newnton in North Wiltshire; where to perpetuate the memory of a donation of a common to that place, by King Athelstan:
“Upon every Trinity Sunday, the parishioners being come to the door of the hayward’s house, the door was struck thrice in honour of the Holy Trinity; they then entered. The bell was rung; after which, silence being ordered, they read their prayers aforesaid.”
The custom centred on a garland which in 1660 he reports one was killed striving to take away the garland. This flower garland was:
“made upon a hoop, brought forth by a maid of the town upon her neck, and a young man (a bachelor) of another parish first saluted her three times in honour of the Trinity, in respect of God the Father.”
A curious ritual was then observed that describes that:
“Then she puts the garland upon his neck and kisses him three times in honour of the Trinity, particularly God the Son. Then he puts the garland on her neck again, and kisses her three times in honour of the Holy Trinity and particularly the Holy Ghost. Then he takes the garland from her neck, and, by the custom, must give her a penny at least, which, as fancy leads, is now exceeded, as 2s. 6d., &c. The method of giving this garland is from house to house annually, till it comes round.”
Aubrey records the further custom that:
“In the evening, every commoner sends his supper to this house, which is called the Eale-house; and having before laid in there equally a stock of malt, which was brewed in the house, they sup together, and what was left was given to the poor.”
When this custom denied out is unclear but it appears to have been forgotten locally.
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