In the May Day procession the King and Queen of May follow behind the May Garland. They are accompanied by four young males who each bear a staff decorated like the Maypole. The figure of the May Queen is traceable to the Roman Goddess Flora whose rites were celebrated on May 1.
On the Isle of Man, as late as the eighteenth century, May Day was marked by a battle between the Queen of May and the Queen of Winter. The Queen of Winter was a man dressed like woman. Each Queen had a company of followers commanded by a Captain. The followers of May were dressed in summer clothes and the followers of winter were in writing garb accordingly. On May morning the two companies met in a mock battle. If the May Queen was captured, she was ransomed for the cost of the festival arrangements.
