Greenwich Easter Monday: The Ancient Chair Lifting Ritual
For over 40 years, the Blackheath Morris Men have perpetuated a distinct Easter Monday ritual in Greenwich: chair lifting. This ancient custom involves elevating women on a florally-decorated chair above the performers’ shoulders, typically between traditional dances. Humphrey, the ‘Blackheath Bagman’, defines it as an Easter celebration and a “simple compliment of being elevated on Ēostre’s Throne of Flowers,” a tribute to the Anglo-Saxon Goddess of spring. Once a pervasive tradition across Britain until around a century ago, it is now maintained by only a handful of groups, making the Blackheath Morris Men’s dedication notable.
The ritual, intended as an “uplifting experience” to welcome spring, has a complex past. Though popular in 18th and 19th century England, it garnered criticism. In 1783, Gentleman’s Magazine controversially branded it “improper and indecent,” interpreting it as a “cheeky riff on the Crucifixion” and calling for its abolition. Historically, the practice also possessed a “frisky” dimension; in Warwickshire, “heaving-day” involved men lifting and kissing women, and vice-versa the following day. However, this “petting is not a part of the chair lifting experience anymore,” clarifying a modern distinction.
The Blackheath Morris Men, formed in the late 1960s, are seasoned performers, having graced stages nationally and even supported Hawkwind in the 1970s and performed with Eric Idle at the London 2012 Games’ closing ceremony. On Easter Monday, April 6, 2026, they will again tour Greenwich, bringing their distinctive sound of jangling bells and clacking sticks to iconic locations. Their schedule includes performances at Cutty Sark Gardens, the Old Brewery, Trafalgar Tavern, Greenwich Tavern, and a final dance outside the Ashburnham Arms, ensuring the continuation of this curious and vibrant piece of English heritage.
(Source: https://londonist.com/london/things-to-do/blackheath-morris-men-chair-lifting-easter-monday)
