Clock Tower at Dunkirk, Procession of Giants, 19th century
Illustration from Cassell's illustrated history of England published circa 1896. Probably related to the Dunkirk carnival which became established following Charles II's sale of Dunkirk to France in 1662. Judging by the dress in the crowd this would look to be an event that occurred in the Victorian era. Info from Northern France tourism site: The earliest known official document noting these festivities is dated 16 January 1676. At the time, Dunkirk was a port servicing cod fishing off Iceland. These risky expeditions would last six months. Many men never came back. Because of the danger, the shipowners would pay the fishermen an advance before departure. Insurance for the families. They also laid on a feast ("Foye"), a chance to let off steam before braving the sea. From the "Foye", the "Visschersbende" (band of fishermen in Flemish) originated. It originally took place over three days ending on Ash Wednesday - the beginning of Lent.
Size: 3417px × 4070px
Photo credit: © Historical Images Archive / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 16, 1676, 19th, ash, braving, carnival, century, chance, charles, clock, crowds, days, documented, dunkirk, earliest, engraving, era, established, feast, fishermen, foye, giants, ii, illustration, image, january, originally, picture, place, procession, revellers, sale, sea, steam, tower, victorian, wednesday
