We still talk of the twelve days of Christmas now, but they celebrated fully in medieval England, even in poor houses. Farming was relatively active. It was cold and dark. The shortest day arrived. All this darkness was alleviated somewhat by the Yule log which burned in the hearth for the duration, starting on 24th December. 6th January was twelfth night & Epiphany, when all decorations would be taken down and burned, and maybe twelfth night cake was eaten.
Also on twelfth night, the person who found a dried bean in their piece of cake (or bread) was crowned king of the feast, and lorded it over everyone. He would mimic the actions of the highest person there.
Monday Plough / Plough Monday was also celebrated on Epiphany. A sign for work to begin again, but celebrated with a plough race and some more games. Well, the ground was likely still too hard to actually plough just yet.
Arguably, festivities began even sooner. 11th November was the feast of St Martin, starting the "forty days of St Martin' which began their equivalent of Advent.
A Boy Bishop was appointed (usually from the choir) 6th December; the Feast of St Nicholas. He would preside over all offices and ceremonies except Mass until the Feast of the Holy Innocents. It seems Elizabeth I abolished this practice in England.
It was, of course, a deeply religious time. 28th December commemorated Childermass or Holy Innocents Day - when King Herod ordered the murder of all children under the age of two. Nativity plays were performed around this. I'm sorry to say that children were often whipped in their beds that morning, as a reminder of mournfulness - a practice which only really stopped in the 17th century!
1st January was the Feast of Circumcision or the Feast of Fools. Clergy would wear their clothes inside out and lead an ass into church.
People decorated their homes with holly, believed to ward off evil spirits. Mistletoe was also used, to bring in good luck. And ivy was a fitting addition to all this greenery.
There were pantomimes and games, and as much feasting as they could manage. Touring monks would perform plays. Minstrels would recite verses. Games involving cards and dice would be played. Board games such as chess, tables, backgammon on Nine Men's Morris may be enjoyed.
Alcohol flowed in vast quantities. So much so that additional watchmen would be posted on duty. However, they were paid in ale, so they may have made merry too.
I've listed various drinks before, so won't repeat myself.
Songs and carols were sung with gusto. Songs we still know, such as The Holly And The Ivy and In Dulci Jubilo were quite possibly enjoyed. Carols were different from what we understand them to be, however. Many of our Christmas favourites often date from the Victorian era.
For a (slightly dodgy) rendition of The Holly and the Ivy played by yours truly on her flute, go to the YouTube video here.
To carol was to join together in a circle to sing and dance. This was originally performed in church but became so raucous that the revellers were sent outside. And thus door-to-door carol singing began!
Gifts were given, but played a far lesser part.
Christmas Day was a quarter day, so rents were due - boo! But then 26th December arrived - St Stephen's Day. Poor boxes were placed in church. And lords would give hollow clay pots to those under their jurisdiction. These pots had little slits in the top and contained money. They were nicknamed piggies. And now you know why it's called a piggy bank!
The lord or lady of the manor may have exchanged gifts of clothes and jewllery to wear for the season on 25th December. They were expected to wear their finest garments at this time of year.
The poor would perhaps craft toys such as spinning tops or dolls for their children.
The cost of oysters, as I mentioned in my food post, went up at Christmas as they were in high demand.
For the rich, a boar's head may be the centrepiece, or a swan or peacock roasted in its feathers.
There would be a first course of soup or broth - warming and heartening.
Salmon, herring or trout and those oysters would be fine offerings for the fish course.
Entire legs of mutton or beef were spit-roasted. Venison, veal, goose, capon, suckling pig, lark and duck were suitable options too.
Custards, frumenty, tarts, nuts and fruits would make up the desserts.
If one had poorer people at the feast, and you would if you wanted to avoid purgatory, then you may well have served them umble pie. Thee umbles being the parts of the deer others didn't wish to eat e.g. brains, ears and feet.
Have I mentioned the almsgate? A lot of manors would have a place at their border where leftover food could be offered to the poor all year round, but particularly well stocked at Christmas.
Basically, everyone made as merry as they could!
And, after all that, on 1st February, Candlemas was celebrated (mentioned in my previous post). Well, I'm sure that after such an extended period of festivity, January could feel a bit woeful.
Always in love and light,
TL
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My book, Love in the Roses is available for pre-order (click here).
To protect her family, she must marry
the enemy!
The fictitious tale of a knight’s
daughter, living life as it very well may have been in 1484.
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