A bit of Boar's Head history!

So where exactly did Laurier students get the idea to hold a Boar’s Head Dinner? Read on and learn about the tradition that we continue to honour every year!

The story behind the Boar’s Head Dinner...

The roots of this story date back at least 600 years to Oxford University in England. The Boar’s Head tradition is said to begin with a certain philosophy student who was known for procrastination. After putting off his studies for a while, he decided it was time to cram for his exam. Finding no comfort in the dorm, he decided to set up shop in the crisp outdoors. He found a comfortable spot near the edge of a forest and opened his books.

While studying, a wild boar suddenly emerged from the forest. The student froze in fear. The wild boar, with his mouth wide open, charged at the student. The quick-thinking student grabbed frantically for his enormous textbook. As the boar got closer, the student took good aim and threw his textbook straight into the throat of the boar. Stunned, the wild boar choked to death!

The student cut off the boar’s head and carried it back to the university where he became an instant celebrity. His fellow students celebrated his great feat by holding a feast in his honor. The boar’s head was carried in a symbolic procession through Queen’s College Great Hall at Oxford.

Not only did these students celebrate a victory, they started a tradition - one which has been continued for the last 58 years at Laurier! On December 1st, 2008, students will get to experience the 59th installment of this long-lived and well-loved tradition.