Brewer's: Montem

A custom formerly observed every three years by the boys of Eton school, who proceeded on Whit Tuesday ad montem (to a mound called Salt Hill), near the Bath Road, and exacted a gratuity called salt from all who passed by. Sometimes as much as 1,000 was thus collected. The custom was abolished in 1847.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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