Why do we celebrate Pancake Day?
Delve into the history behind Shrove Tuesday
With Easter on the horizon, Shrove Tuesday marks the last day of indulgence before Lent begins. For many, it's better known as Pancake Day – a time to whip up batter, flip frying pans and add sweet toppings.
But why do we celebrate with pancakes? What exactly do the treats have to do with Easter? Here's everything you need to know about the history and customs behind the annual celebration.
When is Pancake Day 2025?
Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, will be celebrated on Tuesday, 4 March this year.
The exact date moves every year because, like Easter, it is based on a calendar calculation involving the moon. However, it always falls one day before Lent, the 40-day period leading up to Easter.
Why do we celebrate Pancake Day?
Lent is traditionally a period of fasting and sacrifice, as Christians believe that Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert following his baptism.
The name "Shrove" comes from the English word "shrive", which means seek forgiveness or absolution from one's sins. A "shriving bell" would be rung to call people to church to confess their sins.
The link between pancakes and Shrove Tuesday dates back to the Middle Ages, when people were outlawed from consuming dairy over Lent. Needing to use up their eggs, milk and butter before the fasting period began, they would make pancakes or fritters.
According to English Heritage, children would go "Shroving", which involved knocking on their neighbours' doors and singing: "We be come a-shroving, for a piece of pancake, or a bite of bacon."
As well as pancake-making, another medieval tradition still endures on Shrove Tuesday: the Buckinghamshire town of Olney holds a 'pancake race' every year. The race, thought to be the world's oldest of its kind, is only open to female residents, who must complete the 415-yard course while clutching a frying pan.
According to folklore, the contest began in 1445 after a housewife ran to a church service on Shrove Tuesday with a pan still in her hand.
Another ancient annual event is the Shrovetide football game in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Locals are split into two teams, the Up'ards and the Down'ards, and must manoeuvre a huge, cork-filled ball thorough the town.
The aim is to "goal" a ball by hitting it three times on stone plinths placed three miles apart. However, with very few rules in place, injuries are common as players grapple and wrestle for control of the ball.
Local historian Tim Baker told the BBC in 2024: "This type of game can't be played without injury – everyone plays at their own risk," he told me. "Things can get quite harsh on the day if tempers fray, especially if they've been in the pub a little while before, but it's a friendly rivalry.
"If you're in the hug and someone's biting your hand, and you don't know who's doing it and you turn round and thump him on the head and it turns out to be your best mate… well, that's just unfortunate."
Read more on pancakes:
Four ways to make pancakes healthier (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
Our favourite savoury pancake recipes (Good Housekeeping, 2-min read)
Mary Berry's unexpected secret ingredient for the best pancakes (HuffPost, 2-min read)
