Formal Hall

Formal Hall is the name given to a formal evening meal at any Oxbridge or Durham college. The meals are often referred to as formals. The wearing of gowns at formals is compulsory at some colleges and various other traditions are usually observed, including grace said in Latin. Different colleges have varying policies on formals. Some hold them several times a week, while others do so quite rarely. Some have elaborate traditions, while others are more relaxed. Formal Halls are separate from informal evening meals, which most colleges hold daily.

Related Topics:
Oxbridge - Durham - Gown - Grace - Latin

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The tradition of pennying is long established in most Cambridge and Durham formal halls. This, quite simply, involves someone placing a penny coin in another's wine glass. The other person then has to "down" (drink) all the wine in the glass in one go. A series of complex rules have developed from this. A double penny occurs when a penny is placed in a glass which already contains a penny. In such cases, the person who has placed the second penny in the glass must down the wine. Pennies can also be placed in food, in which case the recipient must eat the food on the plate without using his or her hands.

Related Topics:
Pennying - Cambridge - Durham - Penny

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The largest formals are believed to be at Van Mildert College, Durham, where 440 guests are usually present.

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