Associated with the Rowan in the folklore connected with temple worship is the Hawthorn, Whitethorn or “May” (_Crategus oxyocantha_), which also flowers at the beginning of May, while its berries or “haws,” like those of the Rowan, are conspicuous in November. We see, then, that there is a most obvious reason in this for the association of the two trees. According to Rhys,[42] the English name appears to be of Scandinavian origin, the Old Norse being _reynir_, Danish _rönne_, Swedish _rönn_; and the old Norsemen treated the tree as holy and sacred to Thor. These two trees interest us from three points of view. We find them connected with:-- 1. May and November celebrations. 2. Superstitions concerning witchcraft, &c. 3. Holy wells. In this chapter I shall deal with the two former. I. _The May Celebrations._ Seeing that the year beginning in May was established because that month really opened the vegetation year, it is little to be wondered at that among the chief features of New Year’s Day was what we may term a flower worship; it is probable that we are here dealing with the sacred-tree side of the general festival at all the monuments erected in connection with the May year worship. The old traditions have lingered longest around the things we have still with us, the trees and flowers; and it is in connection with this side of the worship that most information is available. From the facts I have already stated, for Britain the Rowan and Hawthorn were most naturally selected as the typical forms.[43] Many poets have written of this festival[44]: Chaucer, Shakspere, Milton, Bourne, Herrick and others. Chaucer writes: “Fourth goeth al the Court both most and lest, To fetch the flouris fresh and branche and blome,” when not the courtiers only, but lowliest of men and maidens sallied forth “To do observaunce to a morn of May.” There is a vast literature connected with May Day celebrations, among it references to Celtic customs, and I may add that, besides May Day, August, November and February had their flower festivals also. I shall, however, deal chiefly with May in this book to keep it within bounds. May Day in Manx was termed _Shenn Laa Boaldyn_; it is the _belltaine_ of Cormac’s _Glossary_, the Scotch Gaelic equivalent of which is _bealtuinn_. The traditions and customs connected with May Day in Great Britain have survived longest in the West of England; even now, as will be seen by the account of recent celebrations at Helston in Cornwall, given below, they are still continued. Altogether the customs, ancient and modern, of which the flower worship formed a part, may be summed up as follows:-- 1. Lighting of bonfires,[45] and, in the evening, houses illuminated with candles, torches carried about, and fireballs played with. 2. Man and beast passed through the fire or between two fires.