Originally (more fully Maundy ceremony): the ceremony of washing the feet of a number of poor people, performed by royal or other eminent people, or by ecclesiastics, on the Thursday before Easter (see Maundy Thursday n.), and commonly followed by the distribution of clothing, food, or money (now hist.); also in extended use. Later (also Royal Maundy): the distribution of gifts of money to a number of chosen recipients by the British sovereign on Maundy Thursday.
For the full article read here - http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/115188
Chaganomics Easter 2014
Happy Easter to Atlanta and London - CSH