Haxey Hood is said to go back to the 14th century, when Lady de Mowbray, the wife of the local landowner, was out riding and the wind blew her hood off. Some farm workers chased and caught it and as a reward, she gave them land on the condition that they re-enacted the chase every year.
keep the High Middle Ages alive boys.. the Great Khan himself was terrorizing the civilized world when Her Ladyship started this quest..