A Quick Pancake Day History Lesson

Shrove Tuesday is the last day before Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday. The word 'shrove' comes from the Old English 'shrivan' meaning 'to absolve' or 'to confess', as this was the day of the one time compulsary pre-Lent confessions or 'shrifts'. On Shrove Tuesday, in the Middle Ages, people used to confess their sins so that they were forgiven before the season of Lent began.

Shrove Tuesday was the last day for using up all the fat, butter and eggs before the Lent fast, so pancakes were traditionally made, as they still are today - hence 'pancake day'. In the old days there were many foods that observant Christians would not eat during Lent: foods such as meat and fish, fats, eggs, and milky foods.

So that no food was wasted, families would have a feast on the shriving Tuesday, and eat up all the foods that wouldn't last the forty days of Lent without going off.

The need to eat up all the fats also gave rise to the French name Mardi Gras; meaning fat Tuesday. Pancakes became associated with Shrove Tuesday as they were a dish that could use up all the eggs, fats and milk in the house with just the addition of flour.

Traditionally this day has been a day for fun, feasting and pranks before the long period of self-denial ans self discipline of Lent. The pancake race is a custom that still carries on today, with some races dating back to the 1400's.