Montem at Salt Hill

The origins of the Eton Montem procession are surrounded in obscurity. Donations were solicited from fellow pupils and from all passers by as the procession made its way from Eton to Salt Hill, Slough, in exchange for a pinch of salt, to benefit the Captain of School on his leaving. The Montem was abolished after the 1844 event, largely it is said, on account of the railway bringing undesirable onlookers to disturb the time honoured festivities.