At Durham also on the 29th of May, the choir ascend the large tower of the cathedral, and sing anthems from the three sides of it. This is done in remembrance of the monks chanting masses from it in behalf of Queen Philippa, when engaged in the sanguinary battle of Redhills with the Scotch King, David I., 1346. The battle is commonly called the battle of Neville’s Cross, from the beautiful cross erected on the field of victory by the powerful Baron of that name, a fragment of which still remains. The reason given why anthems are only sung from three sides of the tower, not from the fourth, is that a chorister once overbalanced himself, and falling from it was killed.--_Times_, May 6th, 1875. HAMPSHIRE. The working men of Basingstoke and other towns in Hampshire arise early on the 29th of May to gather slips of oak with the galls on; these they put in their hats or anywhere about their persons. They also hang pieces to the knockers, latches, or other parts of the house-doors of the wealthy, who take them in to place in their halls, &c. After breakfast these men go round to such houses for beer, &c. Should they not receive anything the following verses should be said: “Shig-shag, penny a rag [Bang his head in Croommell’s bag], All up in a bundle.”-- but fear often prevents them. However, the lads have no fear, and use it freely to any one without an oak-apple or oak leaf on some part of his person, and visible--ill-treating him for his want of loyalty. After noon the loyalty ceases and then if any one be charged with having _shig-shag_, the following verses are said: “Shig-shag’s gone past, You’re the biggest fool at last; When shig-shag comes again, You’ll be the biggest fool then.” And the one who charges the other with the oak-leaf receives the ill-treatment.--_N. & Q. 1st S._ vol. xii. p. 100. MIDDLESEX. It was the custom, some years ago, to decorate the monument of Richard Penderell (in the churchyard of St. Giles-in-the-Fields, London), on the 29th of May, with oak branches; but in proportion to the decay of popularity in kings, this practice has declined.--Canfield, _Portraits, Memoirs, and Characters of Remarkable Persons_, 1794, p. 186. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.