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Dear all, I am forwarding this query from Dr. Anna Groundwater. She is not a part of our listserv, so if you are able to offer her any guidance, please email her directly at the address given below. Thank you for your consideration of her question. ----- Forwarded message from [log in to unmask] ----- From: Anna Groundwater <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Giants in Pontefract in August 1618 Ben Jonson was surrounded by dancing giants in Pontefract on Sunday 9 August 1618. We are trying to understand why - was this a festival he ran into, or was it laid on for him. There are a number of possibilities: 1. Giants came out for Midsummer festivals, but August seems too late for this? 2. St Dominic's feast day is the 8 August, and there had previously been a Dominican friary in Pontefract - but I think that 1618 is too late for a connection here? 3. The other possibility is that it was related to a licorice festival - has anyone heard of such things taking place as early as 1618? Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Dr Anna Groundwater, Ben Jonson's Walk to Scotland, English Literature, University of Edinburgh, David Hume Tower, Edinburgh EH8 9JX. E-mail: [log in to unmask] http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/literatures-languages-cultures/english-literature/research-activities/ben-jonson-walk-scotland/about