LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: A bizarre ritual dating back to the 12th century in which the couple who can prove to a mock-court that they have the happiest marriage wins half a pig takes place in Britain Saturday (July 12th).

The Dunmow Flitch Trials in Essex, east England, feature a judge and jury of "six maidens and six bachelors" who hear each couple tell the story of their marriage, from how they met to the proposal and how their families reacted.

The trials - mentioned in medieval poet Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" - are held every four years and this time feature five couples who have been married for at least "a year and a day", in line with the rules.

Jeff Dotts from the US, who is taking part with wife Erin Albers, told BBC radio: "The story was just too much for us to pass up - what better way for you to express your love for your wife than by trying to win bacon?"