2-799-064 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Ancient ceremony of Chopping Sticks, and Counting Horse-shoes and Hob-nails, in the Court of the Exchequer, 1844. London aldermen performing a traditional custom: '...an officer of the Court handed to him a bill-hook; the officer then took a small bundle of sticks...whilst the Alderman struck it and cut it asunder. The bill-hook was then exchanged for a small hatchet, and a similar bundle of sticks cut in like manner...the Alderman, having first counted certain horseshoes placed upon a table, and declared their number, a tray was handed to him containing a number of hob-nails, which he also counted...The senior Alderman, in fact, does suit and service for the tenants of a manor in Shropshire, by chopping the sticks in token of its having been customary for the tenants of that manor to supply their lord with fuel. The counting of the horse-shoes and nails is another suit and service of the owners of a forge in the parish of St. Clement...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1844, Vol V.