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The Project Gutenberg eBook of Christmas: Its Origin and
Associations
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Title: Christmas: Its Origin and Associations
Author: W. F. Dawson
Release date: July 10, 2007 [eBook #22042]
Language: English
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22042
Credits: E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Turgut Dincer, and the
Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHRISTMAS:
ITS ORIGIN AND ASSOCIATIONS ***
E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Turgut Dincer,
and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
(http://www.pgdp.net)
Associations
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will
have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using
this eBook.
Title: Christmas: Its Origin and Associations
Author: W. F. Dawson
Release date: July 10, 2007 [eBook #22042]
Language: English
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/22042
Credits: E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Turgut Dincer, and the
Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHRISTMAS:
ITS ORIGIN AND ASSOCIATIONS ***
E-text prepared by Robert Cicconetti, Turgut Dincer,
and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
(http://www.pgdp.net)
Page 4
bringing in the yule log. Frontispiece.
CHRISTMAS:
ITS ORIGIN AND ASSOCIATIONS,
TOGETHER WITH
ITS HISTORICAL EVENTS AND FESTIVE
CELEBRATIONS DURING NINETEEN
CHRISTMAS:
ITS ORIGIN AND ASSOCIATIONS,
TOGETHER WITH
ITS HISTORICAL EVENTS AND FESTIVE
CELEBRATIONS DURING NINETEEN
Page 5
CENTURIES:
DEPICTING, BY PEN AND PENCIL,
MEMORABLE CELEBRATIONS, STATELY MEETINGS OF EARLY KINGS,
REMARKABLE EVENTS, ROMANTIC EPISODES, BRAVE DEEDS,
PICTURESQUE CUSTOMS, TIME-HONOURED SPORTS,
ROYAL CHRISTMASES, CORONATIONS AND ROYAL MARRIAGES,
CHIVALRIC FEATS, COURT BANQUETINGS AND REVELLINGS,
CHRISTMAS AT THE COLLEGES AND THE INNS OF COURT,
POPULAR FESTIVITIES, AND CHRISTMAS-KEEPING
IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD,
DERIVED FROM THE MOST AUTHENTIC
SOURCES, AND ARRANGED
CHRONOLOGICALLY.
BY
DEPICTING, BY PEN AND PENCIL,
MEMORABLE CELEBRATIONS, STATELY MEETINGS OF EARLY KINGS,
REMARKABLE EVENTS, ROMANTIC EPISODES, BRAVE DEEDS,
PICTURESQUE CUSTOMS, TIME-HONOURED SPORTS,
ROYAL CHRISTMASES, CORONATIONS AND ROYAL MARRIAGES,
CHIVALRIC FEATS, COURT BANQUETINGS AND REVELLINGS,
CHRISTMAS AT THE COLLEGES AND THE INNS OF COURT,
POPULAR FESTIVITIES, AND CHRISTMAS-KEEPING
IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD,
DERIVED FROM THE MOST AUTHENTIC
SOURCES, AND ARRANGED
CHRONOLOGICALLY.
BY
Page 6
W. F. DAWSON.
At home, at sea, in many distant lands,
This Kingly Feast without a rival stands!
LONDON
ELLIOT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C.
1902.
REPUBLISHED BY GALE RESEARCH COMPANY, BOOK TOWER, DETROIT, 1968
PREFACE.
In the third quarter of the nineteenth century, it fell to my lot to write an
article on Christmas, its customs and festivities. And, although I sought in
vain for a chronological account of the festival, I discovered many
interesting details of its observances dispersed in the works of various
authors; and, while I found that some of its greater celebrations marked
important epochs in our national history, I saw, also, that the successive
celebrations of Christmas during nineteen centuries were important links in
the chain of historical Christian evidences. I became enamoured of the
subject, for, in addition to historical interest, there is the charm of its
legendary lore, its picturesque customs, and popular games. It seemed to me
that the origin and hallowed associations of Christmas, its ancient customs
and festivities, and the important part it has played in history combine to
At home, at sea, in many distant lands,
This Kingly Feast without a rival stands!
LONDON
ELLIOT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C.
1902.
REPUBLISHED BY GALE RESEARCH COMPANY, BOOK TOWER, DETROIT, 1968
PREFACE.
In the third quarter of the nineteenth century, it fell to my lot to write an
article on Christmas, its customs and festivities. And, although I sought in
vain for a chronological account of the festival, I discovered many
interesting details of its observances dispersed in the works of various
authors; and, while I found that some of its greater celebrations marked
important epochs in our national history, I saw, also, that the successive
celebrations of Christmas during nineteen centuries were important links in
the chain of historical Christian evidences. I became enamoured of the
subject, for, in addition to historical interest, there is the charm of its
legendary lore, its picturesque customs, and popular games. It seemed to me
that the origin and hallowed associations of Christmas, its ancient customs
and festivities, and the important part it has played in history combine to
Page 7
make it a most fascinating subject. I resolved, therefore, to collect materials
for a larger work on Christmas.
Henceforth, I became a snapper-up of everything relating to Christmastide,
utilised every opportunity of searching libraries, bookstalls, and catalogues
of books in different parts of the country, and, subsequently, as a Reader of
the British Museum Library, had access to that vast storehouse of literary
and historical treasures.
Soon after commencing the work, I realised that I had entered a very
spacious field of research, and that, having to deal with the accumulated
materials of nineteen centuries, a large amount of labour would be involved,
and some years must elapse before, even if circumstances proved
favourable, I could hope to see the end of my task. Still, I went on with the
work, for I felt that a complete account of Christmas, ancient and modern,
at home and abroad, would prove generally acceptable, for while the
historical events and legendary lore would interest students and antiquaries,
the holiday sports and popular celebrations would be no less attractive to
general readers.
The love of story-telling seems to be ingrained in human nature. Travellers
tell of vari-coloured races sitting round their watch fires reciting deeds of
the past; and letters from colonists show how, even amidst forest-clearing,
they have beguiled their evening hours by telling or reading stories as they
sat in the glow of their camp fires. And in old England there is the same
love of tales and stories. One of the chief delights of Christmastide is to sit
in the united family circle and hear, tell, or read about the quaint habits and
picturesque customs of Christmas in the olden time; and one of the
purposes of CHRISTMAS is to furnish the retailer of Christmas wares with
suitable things for re-filling his pack.
From the vast store of materials collected it is not possible to do more than
make a selection. How far I have succeeded in setting forth the subject in a
way suited to the diversity of tastes among readers I must leave to their
judgment and indulgence; but I have this satisfaction, that the gems of
literature it contains are very rich indeed; and I acknowledge my great
indebtedness to numerous writers of different periods whose references to
Christmas and its time-honoured customs are quoted.
for a larger work on Christmas.
Henceforth, I became a snapper-up of everything relating to Christmastide,
utilised every opportunity of searching libraries, bookstalls, and catalogues
of books in different parts of the country, and, subsequently, as a Reader of
the British Museum Library, had access to that vast storehouse of literary
and historical treasures.
Soon after commencing the work, I realised that I had entered a very
spacious field of research, and that, having to deal with the accumulated
materials of nineteen centuries, a large amount of labour would be involved,
and some years must elapse before, even if circumstances proved
favourable, I could hope to see the end of my task. Still, I went on with the
work, for I felt that a complete account of Christmas, ancient and modern,
at home and abroad, would prove generally acceptable, for while the
historical events and legendary lore would interest students and antiquaries,
the holiday sports and popular celebrations would be no less attractive to
general readers.
The love of story-telling seems to be ingrained in human nature. Travellers
tell of vari-coloured races sitting round their watch fires reciting deeds of
the past; and letters from colonists show how, even amidst forest-clearing,
they have beguiled their evening hours by telling or reading stories as they
sat in the glow of their camp fires. And in old England there is the same
love of tales and stories. One of the chief delights of Christmastide is to sit
in the united family circle and hear, tell, or read about the quaint habits and
picturesque customs of Christmas in the olden time; and one of the
purposes of CHRISTMAS is to furnish the retailer of Christmas wares with
suitable things for re-filling his pack.
From the vast store of materials collected it is not possible to do more than
make a selection. How far I have succeeded in setting forth the subject in a
way suited to the diversity of tastes among readers I must leave to their
judgment and indulgence; but I have this satisfaction, that the gems of
literature it contains are very rich indeed; and I acknowledge my great
indebtedness to numerous writers of different periods whose references to
Christmas and its time-honoured customs are quoted.
Page 8
I have to acknowledge the courtesy of Mr. Henry Jewitt, Mr. E. Wiseman,
Messrs. Harper, and Messrs. Cassell & Co., in allowing their illustrations to
appear in this work.
My aim is neither critical nor apologetic, but historical and pictorial: it is
not to say what might or ought to have been, but to set forth from extant
records what has actually taken place: to give an account of the origin and
hallowed associations of Christmas, and to depict, by pen and pencil, the
important historical events and interesting festivities of Christmastide
during nineteen centuries. With materials collected from different parts of
the world, and from writings both ancient and modern, I have endeavoured
to give in the present work a chronological account of the celebrations and
observances of Christmas from the birth of Christ to the end of the
nineteenth century; but, in a few instances, the subject-matter has been
allowed to take precedence of the chronological arrangement. Here will be
found accounts of primitive celebrations of the Nativity, ecclesiastical
decisions fixing the date of Christmas, the connection of Christmas with the
festivals of the ancients, Christmas in times of persecution, early
celebrations in Britain, stately Christmas meetings of the Saxon, Danish,
and Norman kings of England; Christmas during the wars of the Roses,
Royal Christmases under the Tudors, the Stuarts and the Kings and Queens
of Modern England; Christmas at the Colleges and the Inns of Court;
Entertainments of the nobility and gentry, and popular festivities; accounts
of Christmas celebrations in different parts of Europe, in America and
Canada, in the sultry lands of Africa and the ice-bound Arctic coasts, in
India and China, at the Antipodes, in Australia and New Zealand, and in the
Islands of the Pacific; in short, throughout the civilised world.
In looking at the celebrations of Christmas, at different periods and in
different places, I have observed that, whatever views men hold respecting
Christ, they all agree that His Advent is to be hailed with joy, and the nearer
the forms of festivity have approximated to the teaching of Him who is
celebrated the more real has been the joy of those who have taken part in
the celebrations.
The descriptions of the festivities and customs of different periods are
given, as far as possible, on the authority of contemporary authors, or
writers who have special knowledge of those periods, and the most reliable
Messrs. Harper, and Messrs. Cassell & Co., in allowing their illustrations to
appear in this work.
My aim is neither critical nor apologetic, but historical and pictorial: it is
not to say what might or ought to have been, but to set forth from extant
records what has actually taken place: to give an account of the origin and
hallowed associations of Christmas, and to depict, by pen and pencil, the
important historical events and interesting festivities of Christmastide
during nineteen centuries. With materials collected from different parts of
the world, and from writings both ancient and modern, I have endeavoured
to give in the present work a chronological account of the celebrations and
observances of Christmas from the birth of Christ to the end of the
nineteenth century; but, in a few instances, the subject-matter has been
allowed to take precedence of the chronological arrangement. Here will be
found accounts of primitive celebrations of the Nativity, ecclesiastical
decisions fixing the date of Christmas, the connection of Christmas with the
festivals of the ancients, Christmas in times of persecution, early
celebrations in Britain, stately Christmas meetings of the Saxon, Danish,
and Norman kings of England; Christmas during the wars of the Roses,
Royal Christmases under the Tudors, the Stuarts and the Kings and Queens
of Modern England; Christmas at the Colleges and the Inns of Court;
Entertainments of the nobility and gentry, and popular festivities; accounts
of Christmas celebrations in different parts of Europe, in America and
Canada, in the sultry lands of Africa and the ice-bound Arctic coasts, in
India and China, at the Antipodes, in Australia and New Zealand, and in the
Islands of the Pacific; in short, throughout the civilised world.
In looking at the celebrations of Christmas, at different periods and in
different places, I have observed that, whatever views men hold respecting
Christ, they all agree that His Advent is to be hailed with joy, and the nearer
the forms of festivity have approximated to the teaching of Him who is
celebrated the more real has been the joy of those who have taken part in
the celebrations.
The descriptions of the festivities and customs of different periods are
given, as far as possible, on the authority of contemporary authors, or
writers who have special knowledge of those periods, and the most reliable
Page 9
authorities have been consulted for facts and dates, great care being taken to
make the work as accurate and trustworthy as possible. I sincerely wish that
all who read it may find as much pleasure in its perusal as I have had in its
compilation.
william francis dawson.
CHAPTER I. page
The Origin and Associations of Christmas 5
CHAPTER II.
The Earlier Celebrations of the Festival 10
CHAPTER III.
Early Christmas Celebrations in Britain 23
make the work as accurate and trustworthy as possible. I sincerely wish that
all who read it may find as much pleasure in its perusal as I have had in its
compilation.
william francis dawson.
CHAPTER I. page
The Origin and Associations of Christmas 5
CHAPTER II.
The Earlier Celebrations of the Festival 10
CHAPTER III.
Early Christmas Celebrations in Britain 23
Page 10
CHAPTER IV.
Christmas, From the Norman Conquest To Magna Charta 40
CHAPTER V.
Christmas, From Magna Charta To the End of the Wars of the Roses 62
(a.d. 1215-1485.)
CHAPTER VI.
Christmas Under Henry VII. and Henry VIII. 94
(a.d. 1485-1547.)
CHAPTER VII.
Christmas Under Edward VI., Mary, and Elizabeth 115
(a.d. 1547-1603.)
CHAPTER VIII.
Christmas Under James I. 151
(a.d. 1603-1625.)
CHAPTER IX.
Christmas Under Charles the First and the Commonwealth 197
(a.d. 1625-1660.)
CHAPTER X.
Christmas, From the Restoration To the Death Of George II. 215
(a.d. 1660-1760.)
CHAPTER XI.
Modern Christmases at Home 240
CHAPTER XII.
Modern Christmases Abroad 294
CHAPTER XIII.
Concluding Carol Service of the Nineteenth Century 349
INDEX 351
Christmas, From the Norman Conquest To Magna Charta 40
CHAPTER V.
Christmas, From Magna Charta To the End of the Wars of the Roses 62
(a.d. 1215-1485.)
CHAPTER VI.
Christmas Under Henry VII. and Henry VIII. 94
(a.d. 1485-1547.)
CHAPTER VII.
Christmas Under Edward VI., Mary, and Elizabeth 115
(a.d. 1547-1603.)
CHAPTER VIII.
Christmas Under James I. 151
(a.d. 1603-1625.)
CHAPTER IX.
Christmas Under Charles the First and the Commonwealth 197
(a.d. 1625-1660.)
CHAPTER X.
Christmas, From the Restoration To the Death Of George II. 215
(a.d. 1660-1760.)
CHAPTER XI.
Modern Christmases at Home 240
CHAPTER XII.
Modern Christmases Abroad 294
CHAPTER XIII.
Concluding Carol Service of the Nineteenth Century 349
INDEX 351
Page 11
Page 12
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
page
Bringing in the Yule Log Frontispiece
The Herald Angels 2
Virgin and Child 5
Joseph Taking Mary to be Taxed, and the Nativity Events 6
The Nativity (Central portion of Picture in National Gallery) 8
Virgin and Child (Relievo) 9
Group from the Angels' Serenade 10
Adoration of the Magi (From Pulpit of Pisa) 11
"The Inns are Full" 14
Grape Gathering and the Vintage (Mosaic in the Church of St. Constantine, Rome,
A.D. 320) 16
German Ninth Century Picture of the Nativity 16
Ancient Roman Illustrations 17
Ancient Roman Illustrations 18
Ancient Agape 19
Ancient Roman Illustrations 21
Early Celebrations in Britain 23
Queen Bertha 27
An Ancient Fireplace 30
Traveling in the Olden Time, with a "Christmas Fool: on the Front Seat 31
The Wild Boar Hunt: Killing the Boar 32
Adoration of the Magi (Picture of Stained Glass, Winchester Cathedral) 34
A King at Dinner 40
Blind Minstrel at a Feast 42
Minstrels' Christmas Serenade at an Old Baronial Hall 44
Westminster Hall 46
Strange Old Stories Illustrated (From Harl. MS.) 50
A Cook of the Period (Early Norman) 55
Monk Undergoing Discipline 56
Wassailing at Christmastide 57
Panoply of a Crusader 58
Royal Party Dining in State 63
Ladies Looking from the Hustings upon the Tournament 73
The Lord of Misrule 74
Curious Cuts of Priestly Players in the Olden Time 76
page
Bringing in the Yule Log Frontispiece
The Herald Angels 2
Virgin and Child 5
Joseph Taking Mary to be Taxed, and the Nativity Events 6
The Nativity (Central portion of Picture in National Gallery) 8
Virgin and Child (Relievo) 9
Group from the Angels' Serenade 10
Adoration of the Magi (From Pulpit of Pisa) 11
"The Inns are Full" 14
Grape Gathering and the Vintage (Mosaic in the Church of St. Constantine, Rome,
A.D. 320) 16
German Ninth Century Picture of the Nativity 16
Ancient Roman Illustrations 17
Ancient Roman Illustrations 18
Ancient Agape 19
Ancient Roman Illustrations 21
Early Celebrations in Britain 23
Queen Bertha 27
An Ancient Fireplace 30
Traveling in the Olden Time, with a "Christmas Fool: on the Front Seat 31
The Wild Boar Hunt: Killing the Boar 32
Adoration of the Magi (Picture of Stained Glass, Winchester Cathedral) 34
A King at Dinner 40
Blind Minstrel at a Feast 42
Minstrels' Christmas Serenade at an Old Baronial Hall 44
Westminster Hall 46
Strange Old Stories Illustrated (From Harl. MS.) 50
A Cook of the Period (Early Norman) 55
Monk Undergoing Discipline 56
Wassailing at Christmastide 57
Panoply of a Crusader 58
Royal Party Dining in State 63
Ladies Looking from the Hustings upon the Tournament 73
The Lord of Misrule 74
Curious Cuts of Priestly Players in the Olden Time 76
Page 13
A Court Fool 77
Virgin and Child (Florentine, 1480. South Kensington Museum) 83
Henry VI.'s Cradle 84
Lady Musician of the Fifteenth Century 91
Rustic Christmas Minstrel with Pipe and Tabor 92
Martin Luther and the Christmas Tree 106
The Little Orleans Madonna of Raphael 107
Magdalen College, Oxford 110
Bringing in the Boar's Head with Minstrelsy 111
Virgin and Child, Chirbury, Shropshire 118
Riding a-Mumming at Christmastide 121
A Dumb Show in the Time of Elizabeth 123
The Fool of the Old Play (From a Print by Breughel) 137
The Acting of one of Shakespeare's Plays in the Time of Queen Elizabeth 141
Neighbours with Pipe and Tabor 147
Christmas in the Hall 149
The Hobby-Horse 197
Servants' Christmas Feast 202
"The Hackin" 216
Seafaring Pilgrims 219
An Ancient Fireplace 225
A Druid Priestess Bearing Mistletoe 228
A Nest of Fools 229
"The Mask Dance" 231
The Christmas Mummers 234
The Waits 240
The Christmas Plum-Pudding 245
Italian Minstrels in London, at Christmas, 1825 246
Snap Dragon 247
Blindman's Buff 249
The Christmas Dance 250
The Giving Away of Christmas Doles 257
Poor Children's Treat in Modern Times 265
The Christmas Bells 271
Wassailing the Apple-Trees in Devonshire 279
Modern Christmas Performers: Yorkshire Sword-Actors 282
Modern Christmas Characters: "St Peter," "St. Denys" 283
A Scotch First Footing 285
Provençal Plays at Christmastide 320
Nativity Picture (From Byzantine Ivory in the British Museum) 324
Calabrian Shepherds Playing in Rome at Christmas 329
Virgin and Child (Florentine, 1480. South Kensington Museum) 83
Henry VI.'s Cradle 84
Lady Musician of the Fifteenth Century 91
Rustic Christmas Minstrel with Pipe and Tabor 92
Martin Luther and the Christmas Tree 106
The Little Orleans Madonna of Raphael 107
Magdalen College, Oxford 110
Bringing in the Boar's Head with Minstrelsy 111
Virgin and Child, Chirbury, Shropshire 118
Riding a-Mumming at Christmastide 121
A Dumb Show in the Time of Elizabeth 123
The Fool of the Old Play (From a Print by Breughel) 137
The Acting of one of Shakespeare's Plays in the Time of Queen Elizabeth 141
Neighbours with Pipe and Tabor 147
Christmas in the Hall 149
The Hobby-Horse 197
Servants' Christmas Feast 202
"The Hackin" 216
Seafaring Pilgrims 219
An Ancient Fireplace 225
A Druid Priestess Bearing Mistletoe 228
A Nest of Fools 229
"The Mask Dance" 231
The Christmas Mummers 234
The Waits 240
The Christmas Plum-Pudding 245
Italian Minstrels in London, at Christmas, 1825 246
Snap Dragon 247
Blindman's Buff 249
The Christmas Dance 250
The Giving Away of Christmas Doles 257
Poor Children's Treat in Modern Times 265
The Christmas Bells 271
Wassailing the Apple-Trees in Devonshire 279
Modern Christmas Performers: Yorkshire Sword-Actors 282
Modern Christmas Characters: "St Peter," "St. Denys" 283
A Scotch First Footing 285
Provençal Plays at Christmastide 320
Nativity Picture (From Byzantine Ivory in the British Museum) 324
Calabrian Shepherds Playing in Rome at Christmas 329
Page 14
Worshipping the Child Jesus (From a Picture in the Museum at Naples) 337
Angels and Men Worshipping the Child Jesus (From a Picture in Seville Cathedral) 338
Simeon Received the Child Jesus into his Arms (From Modern Stained Glass in
Bishopsgate Church, London) 348
Lichfield Cathedral 349
Angels and Men Worshipping the Child Jesus (From a Picture in Seville Cathedral) 338
Simeon Received the Child Jesus into his Arms (From Modern Stained Glass in
Bishopsgate Church, London) 348
Lichfield Cathedral 349
Page 15
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground;
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.
Carol.
THE HERALD ANGELS.
Lo! God hath ope'd the glist'ring gates of heaven,
And thence are streaming beams of glorious light:
All earth is bath'd in the effulgence giv'n
To dissipate the darkness of the night.
The eastern shepherds, 'biding in the fields,
O'erlook the flocks till now their constant care,
And light divine to mortal sense reveals
A seraph bright descending in the air.
Hark! strains seraphic fall upon the ear,
From shining ones around th' eternal gates:
Glad that man's load of guilt may disappear,
Infinite strength on finite weakness waits.
Why are the trembling shepherds sore afraid?
Why shrink they at the grand, the heavenly sight?
"Fear not" (the angel says), nor be dismay'd,
And o'er them sheds a ray of God-sent light.
O matchless mercy! All-embracing love!
The angel speaks and, gladly, men record:—
"I bring you joyful tidings from above:
This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord!"
Hark! "Peace on earth, and God's good-will to men!"
The angels sing, and heaven resounds with praise—
That fallen man may live with God again,
Through Christ, who deigns the sons of men to raise.
W. F. D
CHAPTER I.
All seated on the ground;
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.
Carol.
THE HERALD ANGELS.
Lo! God hath ope'd the glist'ring gates of heaven,
And thence are streaming beams of glorious light:
All earth is bath'd in the effulgence giv'n
To dissipate the darkness of the night.
The eastern shepherds, 'biding in the fields,
O'erlook the flocks till now their constant care,
And light divine to mortal sense reveals
A seraph bright descending in the air.
Hark! strains seraphic fall upon the ear,
From shining ones around th' eternal gates:
Glad that man's load of guilt may disappear,
Infinite strength on finite weakness waits.
Why are the trembling shepherds sore afraid?
Why shrink they at the grand, the heavenly sight?
"Fear not" (the angel says), nor be dismay'd,
And o'er them sheds a ray of God-sent light.
O matchless mercy! All-embracing love!
The angel speaks and, gladly, men record:—
"I bring you joyful tidings from above:
This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord!"
Hark! "Peace on earth, and God's good-will to men!"
The angels sing, and heaven resounds with praise—
That fallen man may live with God again,
Through Christ, who deigns the sons of men to raise.
W. F. D
CHAPTER I.
Page 16
THE ORIGIN AND ASSOCIATIONS OF CHRISTMAS.
The First Christmas: the Advent of Christ.
Behold, a virgin shall conceive,
And bear a Son,
And shall call His name Immanuel.
(Isaiah vii. 14.)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When His mother Mary had
been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with
child of the Holy Ghost. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man,
and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away
privily. But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord
appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not
to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the
Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son; and thou shalt call His name
Jesus; for it is He that shall save His people from their sins. Now all this is
come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord
through the prophet, saying,
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son,
And they shall call His name Immanuel;
which is, being interpreted, God with us. And Joseph arose from his sleep,
and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took unto him his
The First Christmas: the Advent of Christ.
Behold, a virgin shall conceive,
And bear a Son,
And shall call His name Immanuel.
(Isaiah vii. 14.)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When His mother Mary had
been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with
child of the Holy Ghost. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man,
and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away
privily. But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord
appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not
to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the
Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son; and thou shalt call His name
Jesus; for it is He that shall save His people from their sins. Now all this is
come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord
through the prophet, saying,
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son,
And they shall call His name Immanuel;
which is, being interpreted, God with us. And Joseph arose from his sleep,
and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took unto him his
Page 17
wife; and knew her not till she had brought forth a Son; and he called His
name Jesus.
(Matthew i. 18-25.)
name Jesus.
(Matthew i. 18-25.)
Page 18
Page 19
"There went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And
Joseph went to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child."
(Luke ii. 1-5.)
And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and
keeping watch by night over their flock. And an angel of the Lord stood by
them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore
afraid. And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you
good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to
you this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And
this is the sign unto you; Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,
and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of
the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men in whom He is well pleased.
And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the
shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see
this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the Babe
lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they made known concerning
the saying which was spoken to them about this child. And all that heard it
wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. But
Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds
returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard
and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.
(Luke ii. 8-20.)
The Place of the Nativity.
The evangelist Matthew tells us that "Jesus was born in Bethlehem of
Judæa in the days of Herod the king;" and Justin Martyr, who was born at
Shechem and lived less than a century after the time of Christ, places the
scene of the Nativity in a cave. Over this cave has risen the Church and
Convent of the Nativity, and there is a stone slab with a star cut in it to mark
the spot where the Saviour was born. Dean Farrar, who has been at the
Joseph went to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child."
(Luke ii. 1-5.)
And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and
keeping watch by night over their flock. And an angel of the Lord stood by
them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore
afraid. And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you
good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to
you this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And
this is the sign unto you; Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,
and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of
the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men in whom He is well pleased.
And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the
shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see
this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the Babe
lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they made known concerning
the saying which was spoken to them about this child. And all that heard it
wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. But
Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds
returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard
and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.
(Luke ii. 8-20.)
The Place of the Nativity.
The evangelist Matthew tells us that "Jesus was born in Bethlehem of
Judæa in the days of Herod the king;" and Justin Martyr, who was born at
Shechem and lived less than a century after the time of Christ, places the
scene of the Nativity in a cave. Over this cave has risen the Church and
Convent of the Nativity, and there is a stone slab with a star cut in it to mark
the spot where the Saviour was born. Dean Farrar, who has been at the
Page 20
place, says: "It is impossible to stand in the little Chapel of the Nativity, and
to look without emotion on the silver star let into the white marble,
encircled by its sixteen ever-burning lamps, and surrounded by the
inscription, 'Hic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus natus est.'"
To visit such a scene is to have the thoughts carried back to the greatest
event in the world's history, for it has been truly said that the birth of Christ
was the world's second birthday.
Now, death is life! and grief is turn'd to joy!
Since glory shone on that auspicious morn,
When God incarnate came, not to destroy,
But man to save and manhood's state adorn!
W. F. D.
The Nativity by Sandro Botticelli.
Centre Portion of Picture in National Gallery
The Word "Christmas": Its Orthography and Meaning.
to look without emotion on the silver star let into the white marble,
encircled by its sixteen ever-burning lamps, and surrounded by the
inscription, 'Hic de Virgine Maria Jesus Christus natus est.'"
To visit such a scene is to have the thoughts carried back to the greatest
event in the world's history, for it has been truly said that the birth of Christ
was the world's second birthday.
Now, death is life! and grief is turn'd to joy!
Since glory shone on that auspicious morn,
When God incarnate came, not to destroy,
But man to save and manhood's state adorn!
W. F. D.
The Nativity by Sandro Botticelli.
Centre Portion of Picture in National Gallery
The Word "Christmas": Its Orthography and Meaning.
Page 21
"Christmas" (pronounced Kris'mas) signifies "Christ's Mass," meaning the
festival of the Nativity of Christ, and the word has been variously spelt at
different periods. The following are obsolete forms of it found in old
English writings: Crystmasse, Cristmes, Cristmas, Crestenmes, Crestenmas,
Cristemes, Cristynmes, Crismas, Kyrsomas, Xtemas, Cristesmesse,
Cristemasse, Crystenmas, Crystynmas, Chrystmas, Chrystemes,
Chrystemasse, Chrystymesse, Cristenmas, Christenmas, Christmass,
Christmes. Christmas has also been called Noël or Nowel. As to the
derivation of the word Noël, some say it is a contraction of the French
nouvelles (tidings), les bonnes nouvelles, that is "The good news of the
Gospel"; others take it as an abbreviation of the Gascon or Provençal
nadaü, nadal, which means the same as the Latin natalis, that is, dies
natalis, "the birthday." In "The Franklin's Tale," Chaucer alludes to
"Nowel" as a festive cry at Christmastide: "And 'Nowel' crieth every lusty
man." Some say Noël is a corruption of Yule, Jule, or Ule, meaning "The
festival of the sun." The name Yule is still applied to the festival in Scotland,
and some other places. Christmas is represented in Welsh by Nadolig,
which signifies "the natal, or birth"; in French by Noël; and in Italian by Il
Natale, which, together with its cognate term in Spanish, is simply a
contraction of dies natalis, "the birthday."
CHRISTMAS: blest Feast of the Nativity!
H eaven made thy lowly shrine
R esplendent with the gift of the eternal Deity
I n whom we live and move, whose large benignity
S pared not His Son divine:
T hat well-beloved Son by God was given,
M ankind to save with His redeeming blood;
A nd Jesus freely left the bliss of Heaven,
S uffering death, to achieve our lasting good.—W. F. D.
festival of the Nativity of Christ, and the word has been variously spelt at
different periods. The following are obsolete forms of it found in old
English writings: Crystmasse, Cristmes, Cristmas, Crestenmes, Crestenmas,
Cristemes, Cristynmes, Crismas, Kyrsomas, Xtemas, Cristesmesse,
Cristemasse, Crystenmas, Crystynmas, Chrystmas, Chrystemes,
Chrystemasse, Chrystymesse, Cristenmas, Christenmas, Christmass,
Christmes. Christmas has also been called Noël or Nowel. As to the
derivation of the word Noël, some say it is a contraction of the French
nouvelles (tidings), les bonnes nouvelles, that is "The good news of the
Gospel"; others take it as an abbreviation of the Gascon or Provençal
nadaü, nadal, which means the same as the Latin natalis, that is, dies
natalis, "the birthday." In "The Franklin's Tale," Chaucer alludes to
"Nowel" as a festive cry at Christmastide: "And 'Nowel' crieth every lusty
man." Some say Noël is a corruption of Yule, Jule, or Ule, meaning "The
festival of the sun." The name Yule is still applied to the festival in Scotland,
and some other places. Christmas is represented in Welsh by Nadolig,
which signifies "the natal, or birth"; in French by Noël; and in Italian by Il
Natale, which, together with its cognate term in Spanish, is simply a
contraction of dies natalis, "the birthday."
CHRISTMAS: blest Feast of the Nativity!
H eaven made thy lowly shrine
R esplendent with the gift of the eternal Deity
I n whom we live and move, whose large benignity
S pared not His Son divine:
T hat well-beloved Son by God was given,
M ankind to save with His redeeming blood;
A nd Jesus freely left the bliss of Heaven,
S uffering death, to achieve our lasting good.—W. F. D.
Page 22
Virgin and Child (Relievo)
CHAPTER II.
THE EARLIER CELEBRATIONS OF THE FESTIVAL.
The Earlier Celebrations.
CHAPTER II.
THE EARLIER CELEBRATIONS OF THE FESTIVAL.
The Earlier Celebrations.
Page 23
Group from the Angels' Serenade, Theodore Mintrop
The Angels' Song has been called the first Christmas Carol, and the
shepherds who heard this heavenly song of peace and goodwill, and went
"with haste" to the birthplace at Bethlehem, where they "found Mary, and
Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger," certainly took part in the first
celebration of the Nativity. And the Wise Men, who came afterwards with
presents from the East, being led to Bethlehem by the appearance of the
miraculous star, may also be regarded as taking part in the first celebration
of the Nativity, for the name Epiphany (now used to commemorate the
manifestation of the Saviour) did not come into use till long afterwards, and
when it was first adopted among the Oriental Churches it was designed to
commemorate both the birth and baptism of Jesus, which two events the
Eastern Churches believed to have occurred on January 6th. Whether the
shepherds commemorated the Feast of the Nativity annually does not
appear from the records of the Evangelists; but it is by no means
The Angels' Song has been called the first Christmas Carol, and the
shepherds who heard this heavenly song of peace and goodwill, and went
"with haste" to the birthplace at Bethlehem, where they "found Mary, and
Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger," certainly took part in the first
celebration of the Nativity. And the Wise Men, who came afterwards with
presents from the East, being led to Bethlehem by the appearance of the
miraculous star, may also be regarded as taking part in the first celebration
of the Nativity, for the name Epiphany (now used to commemorate the
manifestation of the Saviour) did not come into use till long afterwards, and
when it was first adopted among the Oriental Churches it was designed to
commemorate both the birth and baptism of Jesus, which two events the
Eastern Churches believed to have occurred on January 6th. Whether the
shepherds commemorated the Feast of the Nativity annually does not
appear from the records of the Evangelists; but it is by no means
Page 24
improbable that to the end of their lives they would annually celebrate the
most wonderful event which they had witnessed.
adoration of the magi (Relievo.) From Pulpit of Pisa-
Nicola:Pisano
Within thirty years after the death of our Lord, there were churches in
Jerusalem, Cæsarea, Rome, and the Syrian Antioch. In reference to the
latter, Bishop Ken beautifully says:—
"Fair Antioch the rich, the great,
Of learning the imperial seat,
You readily inclined,
To light which on you shined;
It soon shot up to a meridian flame,
You first baptized it with a Christian name."
Clement, one of the Apostolic Fathers and third Bishop of Rome, who
flourished in the first century, says: "Brethren, keep diligently feast-days,
and truly in the first place the day of Christ's birth." And according to
another of the early Bishops of Rome, it was ordained early in the second
century, "that in the holy night of the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour, they
do celebrate public church services and in them solemnly sing the Angels'
Hymn, because also the same night He was declared unto the shepherds by
an angel, as the truth itself doth witness."
But, before proceeding further with the historical narrative, it will be well
now to make more particular reference to the fixing of the date of the
festival.
most wonderful event which they had witnessed.
adoration of the magi (Relievo.) From Pulpit of Pisa-
Nicola:Pisano
Within thirty years after the death of our Lord, there were churches in
Jerusalem, Cæsarea, Rome, and the Syrian Antioch. In reference to the
latter, Bishop Ken beautifully says:—
"Fair Antioch the rich, the great,
Of learning the imperial seat,
You readily inclined,
To light which on you shined;
It soon shot up to a meridian flame,
You first baptized it with a Christian name."
Clement, one of the Apostolic Fathers and third Bishop of Rome, who
flourished in the first century, says: "Brethren, keep diligently feast-days,
and truly in the first place the day of Christ's birth." And according to
another of the early Bishops of Rome, it was ordained early in the second
century, "that in the holy night of the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour, they
do celebrate public church services and in them solemnly sing the Angels'
Hymn, because also the same night He was declared unto the shepherds by
an angel, as the truth itself doth witness."
But, before proceeding further with the historical narrative, it will be well
now to make more particular reference to the fixing of the date of the
festival.
Page 25
Fixing the Date of Christmas.
Whether the 25th of December, which is now observed as Christmas Day,
correctly fixes the period of the year when Christ was born is still doubtful,
although it is a question upon which there has been much controversy. From
Clement of Alexandria it appears, that when the first efforts were made to
fix the season of the Advent, there were advocates for the 20th of May, and
for the 20th or 21st of April. It is also found that some communities of
Christians celebrated the festival on the 1st or 6th of January; others on the
29th of March, the time of the Jewish Passover: while others observed it on
the 29th of September, or Feast of Tabernacles. The Oriental Christians
generally were of opinion that both the birth and baptism of Christ took
place on the 6th of January. Julius I., Bishop of Rome (A.D. 337-352),
contended that the 25th of December was the date of Christ's birth, a view
to which the majority of the Eastern Church ultimately came round, while
the Church of the West adopted from their brethren in the East the view that
the baptism was on the 6th of January. It is, at any rate, certain that after St.
Chrysostom Christmas was observed on the 25th of December in East and
West alike, except in the Armenian Church, which still remains faithful to
January 6th. St. Chrysostom, who died in the beginning of the fifth century,
informs us, in one of his Epistles, that Julius, on the solicitation of St. Cyril
of Jerusalem, caused strict inquiries to be made on the subject, and
thereafter, following what seemed to be the best authenticated tradition,
settled authoritatively the 25th of December as the anniversary of Christ's
birth, the Festorum omnium metropolis, as it is styled by Chrysostom. It
may be observed, however, that some have represented this fixing of the
day to have been accomplished by St. Telesphorus, who was Bishop of
Rome A.D. 127-139, but the authority for the assertion is very doubtful.
There is good ground for maintaining that Easter and its accessory
celebrations mark with tolerable accuracy the anniversaries of the Passion
and Resurrection of our Lord, because we know that the events themselves
took place at the period of the Jewish Passover; but no such precision of
date can be adduced as regards Christmas. Dr. Geikie[1] says: "The season
at which Christ was born is inferred from the fact that He was six months
younger than John, respecting the date of whose birth we have the help of
knowing the time of the annunciation during his father's ministrations in
Jerusalem. Still, the whole subject is very uncertain. Ewald appears to fix
Whether the 25th of December, which is now observed as Christmas Day,
correctly fixes the period of the year when Christ was born is still doubtful,
although it is a question upon which there has been much controversy. From
Clement of Alexandria it appears, that when the first efforts were made to
fix the season of the Advent, there were advocates for the 20th of May, and
for the 20th or 21st of April. It is also found that some communities of
Christians celebrated the festival on the 1st or 6th of January; others on the
29th of March, the time of the Jewish Passover: while others observed it on
the 29th of September, or Feast of Tabernacles. The Oriental Christians
generally were of opinion that both the birth and baptism of Christ took
place on the 6th of January. Julius I., Bishop of Rome (A.D. 337-352),
contended that the 25th of December was the date of Christ's birth, a view
to which the majority of the Eastern Church ultimately came round, while
the Church of the West adopted from their brethren in the East the view that
the baptism was on the 6th of January. It is, at any rate, certain that after St.
Chrysostom Christmas was observed on the 25th of December in East and
West alike, except in the Armenian Church, which still remains faithful to
January 6th. St. Chrysostom, who died in the beginning of the fifth century,
informs us, in one of his Epistles, that Julius, on the solicitation of St. Cyril
of Jerusalem, caused strict inquiries to be made on the subject, and
thereafter, following what seemed to be the best authenticated tradition,
settled authoritatively the 25th of December as the anniversary of Christ's
birth, the Festorum omnium metropolis, as it is styled by Chrysostom. It
may be observed, however, that some have represented this fixing of the
day to have been accomplished by St. Telesphorus, who was Bishop of
Rome A.D. 127-139, but the authority for the assertion is very doubtful.
There is good ground for maintaining that Easter and its accessory
celebrations mark with tolerable accuracy the anniversaries of the Passion
and Resurrection of our Lord, because we know that the events themselves
took place at the period of the Jewish Passover; but no such precision of
date can be adduced as regards Christmas. Dr. Geikie[1] says: "The season
at which Christ was born is inferred from the fact that He was six months
younger than John, respecting the date of whose birth we have the help of
knowing the time of the annunciation during his father's ministrations in
Jerusalem. Still, the whole subject is very uncertain. Ewald appears to fix
Page 26
the date of the birth as five years earlier than our era. Petavius and Usher fix
it as on the 25th of December, five years before our era; Bengel, on the 25th
of December, four years before our era; Anger and Winer, four years before
our era, in the spring; Scaliger, three years before our era, in October; St.
Jerome, three years before our era, on December 25th; Eusebius, two years
before our era, on January 6th; and Ideler, seven years before our era, in
December." Milton, following the immemorial tradition of the Church, says
that—
"It was the winter wild."
But there are still many who think that the 25th of December does not
correspond with the actual date of the birth of Christ, and regard the
incident of the flocks and shepherds in the open field, recorded by St. Luke,
as indicative of spring rather than winter. This incident, it is thought, could
not have taken place in the inclement month of December, and it has been
conjectured, with some probability, that the 25th of December was chosen
in order to substitute the purified joy of a Christian festival for the license
of the Bacchanalia and Saturnalia which were kept at that season. It is most
probable that the Advent took place between December, 749, of Rome, and
February, 750.
Dionysius Exiguus, surnamed the Little, a Romish monk of the sixth
century, a Scythian by birth, and who died a.d. 556, fixed the birth of Christ
in the year of Rome 753, but the best authorities are now agreed that 753
was not the year in which the Saviour of mankind was born. The Nativity is
now placed, not as might have been expected, in a.d. 1, but in b.c. 5 or 4.
The mode of reckoning by the "year of our Lord" was first introduced by
Dionysius, in his "Cyclus Paschalis," a treatise on the computation of
Easter, in the first half of the sixth century. Up to that time the received
computation of events through the western portion of Christendom had
been from the supposed foundation of Rome (b.c. 754), and events were
marked accordingly as happening in this or that year, Anno Urbis Conditæ,
or by the initial letters A.U.C. In the East some historians continued to
reckon from the era of Seleucidæ, which dated from the accession of
Seleucus Nicator to the monarchy of Syria, in b.c. 312. The new
computation was received by Christendom in the sixth century, and adopted
without adequate inquiry, till the sixteenth century. A more careful
it as on the 25th of December, five years before our era; Bengel, on the 25th
of December, four years before our era; Anger and Winer, four years before
our era, in the spring; Scaliger, three years before our era, in October; St.
Jerome, three years before our era, on December 25th; Eusebius, two years
before our era, on January 6th; and Ideler, seven years before our era, in
December." Milton, following the immemorial tradition of the Church, says
that—
"It was the winter wild."
But there are still many who think that the 25th of December does not
correspond with the actual date of the birth of Christ, and regard the
incident of the flocks and shepherds in the open field, recorded by St. Luke,
as indicative of spring rather than winter. This incident, it is thought, could
not have taken place in the inclement month of December, and it has been
conjectured, with some probability, that the 25th of December was chosen
in order to substitute the purified joy of a Christian festival for the license
of the Bacchanalia and Saturnalia which were kept at that season. It is most
probable that the Advent took place between December, 749, of Rome, and
February, 750.
Dionysius Exiguus, surnamed the Little, a Romish monk of the sixth
century, a Scythian by birth, and who died a.d. 556, fixed the birth of Christ
in the year of Rome 753, but the best authorities are now agreed that 753
was not the year in which the Saviour of mankind was born. The Nativity is
now placed, not as might have been expected, in a.d. 1, but in b.c. 5 or 4.
The mode of reckoning by the "year of our Lord" was first introduced by
Dionysius, in his "Cyclus Paschalis," a treatise on the computation of
Easter, in the first half of the sixth century. Up to that time the received
computation of events through the western portion of Christendom had
been from the supposed foundation of Rome (b.c. 754), and events were
marked accordingly as happening in this or that year, Anno Urbis Conditæ,
or by the initial letters A.U.C. In the East some historians continued to
reckon from the era of Seleucidæ, which dated from the accession of
Seleucus Nicator to the monarchy of Syria, in b.c. 312. The new
computation was received by Christendom in the sixth century, and adopted
without adequate inquiry, till the sixteenth century. A more careful
Page 27
examination of the data presented by the Gospel history, and, in particular,
by the fact that "Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa" before the death of
Herod, showed that Dionysius had made a mistake of four years, or perhaps
more, in his calculations. The death of Herod took place in the year of
Rome a.u.c. 750, just before the Passover. This year coincided with what in
our common chronology would be b.c. 4—so that we have to recognise the
fact that our own reckoning is erroneous, and to fix b.c. 5 or 4 as the date of
the Nativity.
"the inns are full."
by the fact that "Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa" before the death of
Herod, showed that Dionysius had made a mistake of four years, or perhaps
more, in his calculations. The death of Herod took place in the year of
Rome a.u.c. 750, just before the Passover. This year coincided with what in
our common chronology would be b.c. 4—so that we have to recognise the
fact that our own reckoning is erroneous, and to fix b.c. 5 or 4 as the date of
the Nativity.
"the inns are full."
Page 28
Now, out of the consideration of the time at which the Christmas festival is
fixed, naturally arises another question, viz.:—
The Connection of Christmas with Ancient Festivals.
Sir Isaac Newton[2] says the Feast of the Nativity, and most of the other
ecclesiastical anniversaries, were originally fixed at cardinal points of the
year, without any reference to the dates of the incidents which they
commemorated, dates which, by lapse of time, it was impossible to
ascertain. Thus the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary was placed on the 25th
of March, or about the time of the vernal equinox; the Feast of St. Michael
on the 29th of September, or near the autumnal equinox; and the Birth of
Christ at the time of the winter solstice. Christmas was thus fixed at the
time of the year when the most celebrated festivals of the ancients were
held in honour of the return of the sun which at the winter solstice begins
gradually to regain power and to ascend apparently in the horizon.
Previously to this (says William Sandys, F.S.A.),[3] the year was drawing to
a close, and the world was typically considered to be in the same state. The
promised restoration of light and commencement of a new era were
therefore hailed with rejoicings and thanksgivings. The Saxon and other
northern nations kept a festival at this time of the year in honour of Thor, in
which they mingled feasting, drinking, and dancing with sacrifices and
religious rites. It was called Yule, or Jule, a term of which the derivation has
caused dispute amongst antiquaries; some considering it to mean a festival,
and others stating that Iol, or Iul (spelt in various ways), is a primitive word,
conveying the idea of Revolution or Wheel, and applicable therefore to the
return of the sun. The Bacchanalia and Saturnalia of the Romans had
apparently the same object as the Yuletide, or feast of the Northern nations,
and were probably adopted from some more ancient nations, as the Greeks,
Mexicans, Persians, Chinese, &c., had all something similar. In the course
of them, as is well known, masters and slaves were supposed to be on an
equality; indeed, the former waited on the latter.[4] Presents were mutually
given and received, as Christmas presents in these days. Towards the end of
the feast, when the sun was on its return, and the world was considered to
be renovated, a king or ruler was chosen, with considerable power granted
to him during his ephemeral reign, whence may have sprung some of the
Twelfth-Night revels, mingled with those in honour of the Manifestation
fixed, naturally arises another question, viz.:—
The Connection of Christmas with Ancient Festivals.
Sir Isaac Newton[2] says the Feast of the Nativity, and most of the other
ecclesiastical anniversaries, were originally fixed at cardinal points of the
year, without any reference to the dates of the incidents which they
commemorated, dates which, by lapse of time, it was impossible to
ascertain. Thus the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary was placed on the 25th
of March, or about the time of the vernal equinox; the Feast of St. Michael
on the 29th of September, or near the autumnal equinox; and the Birth of
Christ at the time of the winter solstice. Christmas was thus fixed at the
time of the year when the most celebrated festivals of the ancients were
held in honour of the return of the sun which at the winter solstice begins
gradually to regain power and to ascend apparently in the horizon.
Previously to this (says William Sandys, F.S.A.),[3] the year was drawing to
a close, and the world was typically considered to be in the same state. The
promised restoration of light and commencement of a new era were
therefore hailed with rejoicings and thanksgivings. The Saxon and other
northern nations kept a festival at this time of the year in honour of Thor, in
which they mingled feasting, drinking, and dancing with sacrifices and
religious rites. It was called Yule, or Jule, a term of which the derivation has
caused dispute amongst antiquaries; some considering it to mean a festival,
and others stating that Iol, or Iul (spelt in various ways), is a primitive word,
conveying the idea of Revolution or Wheel, and applicable therefore to the
return of the sun. The Bacchanalia and Saturnalia of the Romans had
apparently the same object as the Yuletide, or feast of the Northern nations,
and were probably adopted from some more ancient nations, as the Greeks,
Mexicans, Persians, Chinese, &c., had all something similar. In the course
of them, as is well known, masters and slaves were supposed to be on an
equality; indeed, the former waited on the latter.[4] Presents were mutually
given and received, as Christmas presents in these days. Towards the end of
the feast, when the sun was on its return, and the world was considered to
be renovated, a king or ruler was chosen, with considerable power granted
to him during his ephemeral reign, whence may have sprung some of the
Twelfth-Night revels, mingled with those in honour of the Manifestation
Page 29
and Adoration of the Magi. And, in all probability, some other Christmas
customs are adopted from the festivals of the ancients, as decking with
evergreens and mistletoe (relics of Druidism) and the wassail bowl. It is not
surprising, therefore, that Bacchanalian illustrations have been found
among the decorations in the early Christian Churches. The illustration on
the following page is from a mosaic in the Church of St. Constantine,
Rome, A.D. 320.
grape gathering and the vintage.
mosaic in the church of st. constantine, rome, a.d. 320.
Dr. Cassel, of Germany, an erudite Jewish convert who is little known in
this country has endeavoured to show that
customs are adopted from the festivals of the ancients, as decking with
evergreens and mistletoe (relics of Druidism) and the wassail bowl. It is not
surprising, therefore, that Bacchanalian illustrations have been found
among the decorations in the early Christian Churches. The illustration on
the following page is from a mosaic in the Church of St. Constantine,
Rome, A.D. 320.
grape gathering and the vintage.
mosaic in the church of st. constantine, rome, a.d. 320.
Dr. Cassel, of Germany, an erudite Jewish convert who is little known in
this country has endeavoured to show that
Page 30
From an Ivory (Part of Book Cover) German Ninth Century,
British Museum.
the festival of Christmas has a Judæan origin. He considers that its customs
are significantly in accordance with those of the Jewish festival of the
Dedication of the Temple. This feast was held in the winter time, on the
25th of Cisleu (December 20th), having been founded by Judas Maccabæus
in honour of the cleansing of the Temple in b.c. 164, six years and a half
British Museum.
the festival of Christmas has a Judæan origin. He considers that its customs
are significantly in accordance with those of the Jewish festival of the
Dedication of the Temple. This feast was held in the winter time, on the
25th of Cisleu (December 20th), having been founded by Judas Maccabæus
in honour of the cleansing of the Temple in b.c. 164, six years and a half
Page 31
after its profanation by Antiochus Epiphanes. In connection with Dr.
Cassel's theory it may be remarked that the German word Weihnachten
(from weihen, "to consecrate, inaugurate," and nacht, "night") leads directly
to the meaning, "Night of the Dedication."
ancient roman illustrations.
In proceeding with our historical survey, then, we must recollect that in the
festivities of Christmastide there is a mingling of the Divine with the human
elements of society—the establishment and development of a Christian
festival on pagan soil and in the midst of superstitious surroundings. Unless
this be borne in mind it is impossible to understand some customs
connected with the celebration of Christmas. For while the festival
commemorates the Nativity of Christ, it also illustrates the ancient practices
of the various peoples who have taken part in the commemoration, and not
inappropriately so, as the event commemorated is also linked to the past.
"Christmas" (says Dean Stanley) "brings before us the relations of the
Christian religion to the religions which went before; for the birth at
Bethlehem was itself a link with the past. The coming of Jesus Christ was
not unheralded or unforeseen. Even in the heathen world there had been
anticipations of an event of a character not unlike this. In Plato's Dialogue
bright ideals had been drawn of the just man; in Virgil's Eclogues there had
been a vision of a new and peaceful order of things. But it was in the Jewish
nation that these anticipations were most distinct. That wonderful people in
all its history had looked, not backward, but forward. The appearance of
Jesus Christ was not merely the accomplishment of certain predictions; it
was the fulfilment of this wide and deep expectation of a whole people, and
that people the most remarkable in the ancient world." Thus Dean Stanley
Cassel's theory it may be remarked that the German word Weihnachten
(from weihen, "to consecrate, inaugurate," and nacht, "night") leads directly
to the meaning, "Night of the Dedication."
ancient roman illustrations.
In proceeding with our historical survey, then, we must recollect that in the
festivities of Christmastide there is a mingling of the Divine with the human
elements of society—the establishment and development of a Christian
festival on pagan soil and in the midst of superstitious surroundings. Unless
this be borne in mind it is impossible to understand some customs
connected with the celebration of Christmas. For while the festival
commemorates the Nativity of Christ, it also illustrates the ancient practices
of the various peoples who have taken part in the commemoration, and not
inappropriately so, as the event commemorated is also linked to the past.
"Christmas" (says Dean Stanley) "brings before us the relations of the
Christian religion to the religions which went before; for the birth at
Bethlehem was itself a link with the past. The coming of Jesus Christ was
not unheralded or unforeseen. Even in the heathen world there had been
anticipations of an event of a character not unlike this. In Plato's Dialogue
bright ideals had been drawn of the just man; in Virgil's Eclogues there had
been a vision of a new and peaceful order of things. But it was in the Jewish
nation that these anticipations were most distinct. That wonderful people in
all its history had looked, not backward, but forward. The appearance of
Jesus Christ was not merely the accomplishment of certain predictions; it
was the fulfilment of this wide and deep expectation of a whole people, and
that people the most remarkable in the ancient world." Thus Dean Stanley
Page 32
links Christianity with the older religions of the world, as other writers have
connected the festival of Christmas with the festivals of paganism and
Judaism. The first Christians were exposed to the dissolute habits and
idolatrous practices of heathenism, as well as the superstitious ceremonials
of Judaism, and it is in these influences that we must seek the true origin of
many of the usages and institutions of Christianity. The old hall of Roman
justice and exchange—an edifice expressive of the popular life of Greece
and Rome—was not deemed too secular to be used as the first Christian
place of worship: pagan statues were preserved as objects of adoration,
being changed but in name; names describing the functions of Church
officers were copied from the civil vocabulary of the time; the ceremonies
of Christian worship were accommodated as far as possible to those of the
heathen, that new converts might not be much startled at the change, and at
the Christmas festival Christians indulged in revels closely resembling
those of the Saturnalia.
ancient roman illustrations.
Christmas in Times of Persecution.
It is known that the Feast of the Nativity was observed as early as the first
century, and that it was kept by the primitive Christians even in dark days of
persecution. "They wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and
caves of the earth" (Heb. xi. 38). Yet they were faithful to Christ, and the
Catacombs of Rome contain evidence that they celebrated the Nativity.
The opening up of these Catacombs has brought to light many most
interesting relics of primitive Christianity. In these Christian cemeteries and
places of worship there are signs not only of the deep emotion and hope
connected the festival of Christmas with the festivals of paganism and
Judaism. The first Christians were exposed to the dissolute habits and
idolatrous practices of heathenism, as well as the superstitious ceremonials
of Judaism, and it is in these influences that we must seek the true origin of
many of the usages and institutions of Christianity. The old hall of Roman
justice and exchange—an edifice expressive of the popular life of Greece
and Rome—was not deemed too secular to be used as the first Christian
place of worship: pagan statues were preserved as objects of adoration,
being changed but in name; names describing the functions of Church
officers were copied from the civil vocabulary of the time; the ceremonies
of Christian worship were accommodated as far as possible to those of the
heathen, that new converts might not be much startled at the change, and at
the Christmas festival Christians indulged in revels closely resembling
those of the Saturnalia.
ancient roman illustrations.
Christmas in Times of Persecution.
It is known that the Feast of the Nativity was observed as early as the first
century, and that it was kept by the primitive Christians even in dark days of
persecution. "They wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and
caves of the earth" (Heb. xi. 38). Yet they were faithful to Christ, and the
Catacombs of Rome contain evidence that they celebrated the Nativity.
The opening up of these Catacombs has brought to light many most
interesting relics of primitive Christianity. In these Christian cemeteries and
places of worship there are signs not only of the deep emotion and hope
Page 33
with which they buried their dead, but also of their simple forms of worship
and the festive joy with which they commemorated the Nativity of Christ.
On the rock-hewn tombs these primitive Christians wrote the thoughts that
were most consoling to themselves, or painted on the walls the figures
which gave them the most pleasure. The subjects of these paintings are for
the most part taken from the Bible, and the one which illustrates the earliest
and most universal of these pictures, and exhibits their Christmas joy, is
"The Adoration of the Magi." Another of these emblems of joyous festivity
which is frequently seen, is a vine, with its branches and purple clusters
spreading in every direction, reminding us that in Eastern countries the
vintage is the great holiday of the year. In the Jewish Church there was no
festival so joyous as the Feast of Tabernacles, when they gathered the fruit
of the vineyard, and in some of the earlier celebrations of the Nativity these
festivities were closely copied. And as all down the ages pagan elements
have mingled in the festivities of Christmas, so in the Catacombs they are
not absent. There is Orpheus playing on his harp to the beasts; Bacchus as
the god of the vintage; Psyche, the butterfly of the soul; the Jordan as the
god of the rivers. The classical and the Christian, the Hebrew and the
Hellenic elements had not yet parted; and the unearthing of these pictures
after the lapse of centuries affords another interesting clue to the origin of
some of the customs of Christmastide. It is astonishing how many of the
Catacomb decorations are taken from heathen sources and copied from
heathen paintings; yet we need not wonder when we reflect that the vine
was used by the early Christians as an emblem of gladness, and it was
scarcely possible for them to celebrate the Feast of the Nativity—a festival
of glad tidings—without some sort of Bacchanalia. Thus it appears that
even
and the festive joy with which they commemorated the Nativity of Christ.
On the rock-hewn tombs these primitive Christians wrote the thoughts that
were most consoling to themselves, or painted on the walls the figures
which gave them the most pleasure. The subjects of these paintings are for
the most part taken from the Bible, and the one which illustrates the earliest
and most universal of these pictures, and exhibits their Christmas joy, is
"The Adoration of the Magi." Another of these emblems of joyous festivity
which is frequently seen, is a vine, with its branches and purple clusters
spreading in every direction, reminding us that in Eastern countries the
vintage is the great holiday of the year. In the Jewish Church there was no
festival so joyous as the Feast of Tabernacles, when they gathered the fruit
of the vineyard, and in some of the earlier celebrations of the Nativity these
festivities were closely copied. And as all down the ages pagan elements
have mingled in the festivities of Christmas, so in the Catacombs they are
not absent. There is Orpheus playing on his harp to the beasts; Bacchus as
the god of the vintage; Psyche, the butterfly of the soul; the Jordan as the
god of the rivers. The classical and the Christian, the Hebrew and the
Hellenic elements had not yet parted; and the unearthing of these pictures
after the lapse of centuries affords another interesting clue to the origin of
some of the customs of Christmastide. It is astonishing how many of the
Catacomb decorations are taken from heathen sources and copied from
heathen paintings; yet we need not wonder when we reflect that the vine
was used by the early Christians as an emblem of gladness, and it was
scarcely possible for them to celebrate the Feast of the Nativity—a festival
of glad tidings—without some sort of Bacchanalia. Thus it appears that
even
Page 34
ancient agape.
(From Withrow's "Catacombs of Rome,' which states that the inscriptions, according to Dr. Maitland,
should be expanded thus IRENE DA CALDA[M AQVAM]—"Peace, give hot water,' and AGAPE
MISCE MI [VINVM CVM AQVA]—"Love, mix me wine with water," the allusion being to the
ancient custom of tempering wine with water, hot or cold)
beneath the palaces and temples of pagan Rome the birth of Christ was
celebrated, this early undermining of paganism by Christianity being, as it
were, the germ of the final victory, and the secret praise, which came like
muffled music from the Catacombs in honour of the Nativity, the prelude to
the triumph-song in which they shall unite who receive from Christ the
unwithering crown.
But they who would wear the crown must first bear the cross, and these
early Christians had to pass through dreadful days of persecution. Some of
them were made food for the torches of the atrocious Nero, others were
thrown into the Imperial fish-ponds to fatten lampreys for the Bacchanalian
(From Withrow's "Catacombs of Rome,' which states that the inscriptions, according to Dr. Maitland,
should be expanded thus IRENE DA CALDA[M AQVAM]—"Peace, give hot water,' and AGAPE
MISCE MI [VINVM CVM AQVA]—"Love, mix me wine with water," the allusion being to the
ancient custom of tempering wine with water, hot or cold)
beneath the palaces and temples of pagan Rome the birth of Christ was
celebrated, this early undermining of paganism by Christianity being, as it
were, the germ of the final victory, and the secret praise, which came like
muffled music from the Catacombs in honour of the Nativity, the prelude to
the triumph-song in which they shall unite who receive from Christ the
unwithering crown.
But they who would wear the crown must first bear the cross, and these
early Christians had to pass through dreadful days of persecution. Some of
them were made food for the torches of the atrocious Nero, others were
thrown into the Imperial fish-ponds to fatten lampreys for the Bacchanalian
Page 35
banquets, and many were mangled to death by savage beasts, or still more
savage men, to make sport for thousands of pitiless sightseers, while not a
single thumb was turned to make the sign of mercy. But perhaps the most
gigantic and horrible of all Christmas atrocities were those perpetrated by
the tyrant Diocletian, who became Emperor a.d. 284. The early years of his
reign were characterised by some sort of religious toleration, but when his
persecutions began many endured martyrdom, and the storm of his fury
burst on the Christians in the year 303. A multitude of Christians of all ages
had assembled to commemorate the Nativity in the temple at Nicomedia, in
Bithynia, when the tyrant Emperor had the town surrounded by soldiers and
set on fire, and about twenty thousand persons perished. The persecutions
were carried on throughout the Roman Empire, and the death-roll included
some British martyrs, Britain being at that time a Roman province. St.
Alban, who was put to death at Verulam in Diocletian's reign, is said to
have been the first Christian martyr in Britain. On the retirement of
Diocletian, satiated with slaughter and wearied with wickedness, Galerius
continued the persecutions for a while. But the time of deliverance was at
hand, for the martyrs had made more converts in their deaths than in their
lives. It was vainly hoped that Christianity would be destroyed, but in the
succeeding reign of Constantine it became the religion of the empire. Not
one of the martyrs had died in vain or passed through death unrecorded.
"There is a record traced on high,
That shall endure eternally;
The angel standing by God's throne
Treasures there each word and groan;
And not the martyr's speech alone,
But every word is there depicted,
With every circumstance of pain
The crimson stream, the gash inflicted—
And not a drop is shed in vain."
savage men, to make sport for thousands of pitiless sightseers, while not a
single thumb was turned to make the sign of mercy. But perhaps the most
gigantic and horrible of all Christmas atrocities were those perpetrated by
the tyrant Diocletian, who became Emperor a.d. 284. The early years of his
reign were characterised by some sort of religious toleration, but when his
persecutions began many endured martyrdom, and the storm of his fury
burst on the Christians in the year 303. A multitude of Christians of all ages
had assembled to commemorate the Nativity in the temple at Nicomedia, in
Bithynia, when the tyrant Emperor had the town surrounded by soldiers and
set on fire, and about twenty thousand persons perished. The persecutions
were carried on throughout the Roman Empire, and the death-roll included
some British martyrs, Britain being at that time a Roman province. St.
Alban, who was put to death at Verulam in Diocletian's reign, is said to
have been the first Christian martyr in Britain. On the retirement of
Diocletian, satiated with slaughter and wearied with wickedness, Galerius
continued the persecutions for a while. But the time of deliverance was at
hand, for the martyrs had made more converts in their deaths than in their
lives. It was vainly hoped that Christianity would be destroyed, but in the
succeeding reign of Constantine it became the religion of the empire. Not
one of the martyrs had died in vain or passed through death unrecorded.
"There is a record traced on high,
That shall endure eternally;
The angel standing by God's throne
Treasures there each word and groan;
And not the martyr's speech alone,
But every word is there depicted,
With every circumstance of pain
The crimson stream, the gash inflicted—
And not a drop is shed in vain."
Page 36
Celebrations under Constantine the Great.
With the accession of Constantine (born at York, February 27, 274, son of
the sub-Emperor Constantius by a British mother, the "fair Helena of York,"
and who, on the death of his father at York in 306, was in Britain
proclaimed Emperor of the Roman Empire) brighter days came to the
Christians, for his first act was one of favour to them. He had been present
at the promulgation of Diocletian's edict of the last and fiercest of the
persecutions against the Christians, in 303, at Nicomedia, soon after which
the imperial palace was struck by lightning, and the conjunction of the
events seems to have deeply impressed him. No sooner had he ascended the
throne than his good feeling towards the Christians took the active form of
an edict of toleration, and subsequently he accepted Christianity, and his
example was followed by the greater part of his family. And now the
Christians, who had formerly hidden away in the darkness of the
Catacombs and encouraged one another with "Alleluias," which served as a
sort of invitatory or mutual call to each other to praise the Lord, might come
forth into the Imperial sunshine and hold their services in basilicas or public
halls, the roofs of which (Jerome tells us) "re-echoed with their cries of
Alleluia," while Ambrose says the sound of their psalms as they sang in
celebration of the Nativity "was like the surging of the sea in great waves of
sound." And the Catacombs contain confirmatory evidence of the joy with
which relatives of the Emperor participated in Christian festivities. In the
tomb of Constantia, the sister of the Emperor Constantine, the only
decorations are children gathering the vintage, plucking the grapes, carrying
baskets of grapes on their heads, dancing on the grapes to press out the
wine. This primitive conception of the Founder of Christianity shows the
faith of these early Christians to have been of a joyous and festive character,
and the Graduals for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, the beautiful
Kyrie Eleisons (which in later times passed into carols), and the other
festival music which has come down to us through that wonderful
compilation of Christian song, Gregory's Antiphonary, show that Christmas
stood out prominently in the celebrations of the now established Church, for
the Emperor Constantine had transferred the seat of government to
Constantinople, and Christianity was formally recognised as the established
religion.
With the accession of Constantine (born at York, February 27, 274, son of
the sub-Emperor Constantius by a British mother, the "fair Helena of York,"
and who, on the death of his father at York in 306, was in Britain
proclaimed Emperor of the Roman Empire) brighter days came to the
Christians, for his first act was one of favour to them. He had been present
at the promulgation of Diocletian's edict of the last and fiercest of the
persecutions against the Christians, in 303, at Nicomedia, soon after which
the imperial palace was struck by lightning, and the conjunction of the
events seems to have deeply impressed him. No sooner had he ascended the
throne than his good feeling towards the Christians took the active form of
an edict of toleration, and subsequently he accepted Christianity, and his
example was followed by the greater part of his family. And now the
Christians, who had formerly hidden away in the darkness of the
Catacombs and encouraged one another with "Alleluias," which served as a
sort of invitatory or mutual call to each other to praise the Lord, might come
forth into the Imperial sunshine and hold their services in basilicas or public
halls, the roofs of which (Jerome tells us) "re-echoed with their cries of
Alleluia," while Ambrose says the sound of their psalms as they sang in
celebration of the Nativity "was like the surging of the sea in great waves of
sound." And the Catacombs contain confirmatory evidence of the joy with
which relatives of the Emperor participated in Christian festivities. In the
tomb of Constantia, the sister of the Emperor Constantine, the only
decorations are children gathering the vintage, plucking the grapes, carrying
baskets of grapes on their heads, dancing on the grapes to press out the
wine. This primitive conception of the Founder of Christianity shows the
faith of these early Christians to have been of a joyous and festive character,
and the Graduals for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, the beautiful
Kyrie Eleisons (which in later times passed into carols), and the other
festival music which has come down to us through that wonderful
compilation of Christian song, Gregory's Antiphonary, show that Christmas
stood out prominently in the celebrations of the now established Church, for
the Emperor Constantine had transferred the seat of government to
Constantinople, and Christianity was formally recognised as the established
religion.
Page 37
Episcopal References to Christmas and Cautions Against Excesses.
Cyprian, the intrepid Bishop of Carthage, whose stormy episcopate closed
with the crown of martyrdom in the latter half of the third century, began
his treatise on the Nativity thus: "The much wished-for and long expected
Nativity of Christ is come, the famous solemnity is come"—expressions
which indicate the desire with which the Church looked forward to the
festival, and the fame which its celebrations had acquired in the popular
mind. And in later times, after the fulness of festivity at Christmas had
resulted in some excesses, Bishop Gregory Nazianzen (who died in 389),
fearing the spiritual thanksgiving was in danger of being subordinated to the
temporal rejoicing, cautioned all Christians "against feasting to excess,
dancing, and crowning the doors (practices derived from the heathens);
urging the celebration of the festival after an heavenly and not an earthly
manner."
In the Council, generally called Concilium Africanum, held A.D. 408,
"stage-playes and spectacles are forbidden on the Lord's-day, Christmas-
day, and other solemn Christian festivalls." Theodosius the younger, in his
laws de Spectaculis, in 425, forbade shows or games on the Nativity, and
some other feasts. And in the Council of Auxerre, in Burgundy, in 578,
disguisings are again forbidden, and at another Council, in 614, it was
found necessary to repeat the prohibitory canons in stronger terms,
declaring it to be unlawful to make any indecent plays upon the Kalends of
January, according to the profane practices of the pagans. But it is also
recorded that the more devout Christians in these early times celebrated the
festival without indulging in the forbidden excesses.
[1] Notes to "Life of Christ."
[2] "Commentary on the Prophecies of Daniel."
[3] Introduction to "Christmas Carols," 1833.
[4] The Emperor Nero himself is known to have presided at the Saturnalia,
having been made by lot the Rex bibendi, or Master of the Revels. Indeed it
was at one of these festivals that he instigated the murder of the young Prince
Britannicus, the last male descendant of the family of the Claudii, who had
been expelled from his rights by violence and crime; and the atrocious act was
committed amid the revels over which Nero was presiding as master.
Cyprian, the intrepid Bishop of Carthage, whose stormy episcopate closed
with the crown of martyrdom in the latter half of the third century, began
his treatise on the Nativity thus: "The much wished-for and long expected
Nativity of Christ is come, the famous solemnity is come"—expressions
which indicate the desire with which the Church looked forward to the
festival, and the fame which its celebrations had acquired in the popular
mind. And in later times, after the fulness of festivity at Christmas had
resulted in some excesses, Bishop Gregory Nazianzen (who died in 389),
fearing the spiritual thanksgiving was in danger of being subordinated to the
temporal rejoicing, cautioned all Christians "against feasting to excess,
dancing, and crowning the doors (practices derived from the heathens);
urging the celebration of the festival after an heavenly and not an earthly
manner."
In the Council, generally called Concilium Africanum, held A.D. 408,
"stage-playes and spectacles are forbidden on the Lord's-day, Christmas-
day, and other solemn Christian festivalls." Theodosius the younger, in his
laws de Spectaculis, in 425, forbade shows or games on the Nativity, and
some other feasts. And in the Council of Auxerre, in Burgundy, in 578,
disguisings are again forbidden, and at another Council, in 614, it was
found necessary to repeat the prohibitory canons in stronger terms,
declaring it to be unlawful to make any indecent plays upon the Kalends of
January, according to the profane practices of the pagans. But it is also
recorded that the more devout Christians in these early times celebrated the
festival without indulging in the forbidden excesses.
[1] Notes to "Life of Christ."
[2] "Commentary on the Prophecies of Daniel."
[3] Introduction to "Christmas Carols," 1833.
[4] The Emperor Nero himself is known to have presided at the Saturnalia,
having been made by lot the Rex bibendi, or Master of the Revels. Indeed it
was at one of these festivals that he instigated the murder of the young Prince
Britannicus, the last male descendant of the family of the Claudii, who had
been expelled from his rights by violence and crime; and the atrocious act was
committed amid the revels over which Nero was presiding as master.
Page 38
CHAPTER III.
EARLY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS IN BRITAIN.
Early Celebrations in Britain.
It is recorded that there were "saints in Cæsar's household," and we have
also the best authority for saying there were converts among Roman
soldiers. Cornelius, a Roman centurion, "was a just man and one that feared
God," and other Roman converts are referred to in Scripture as having been
found among the officers of the Roman Empire. And although it is not
known who first preached the Gospel in Britain, it seems almost certain that
Christianity entered with the Roman invasion in A.D. 43. As in Palestine
some of the earlier converts served Christ secretly "for fear of the Jews," so,
in all probability, did they in Britain for fear of the Romans. We know that
some confessed Christ and closed their earthly career with the crown of
martyrdom. It is also certain that very early in the Christian era Christmas
was celebrated in Britain, mingling in its festivities some of the winter-
festival customs of the ancient Britons and the Roman invaders, for traces
of those celebrations are still seen in some of the Christmas customs of
modern times. Moreover, it is known that Christians were tolerated in
Britain by some of the Roman governors before the days of Constantine. It
was in the time of the fourth Roman Emperor, Claudius, that part of Britain
was first really conquered. Claudius himself came over in the year 43, and
his generals afterwards went on with the war, conquering one after another
of the British chiefs, Caradoc, whom the Romans called Caractacus,
holding out the longest and the most bravely. This intrepid King of the
EARLY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS IN BRITAIN.
Early Celebrations in Britain.
It is recorded that there were "saints in Cæsar's household," and we have
also the best authority for saying there were converts among Roman
soldiers. Cornelius, a Roman centurion, "was a just man and one that feared
God," and other Roman converts are referred to in Scripture as having been
found among the officers of the Roman Empire. And although it is not
known who first preached the Gospel in Britain, it seems almost certain that
Christianity entered with the Roman invasion in A.D. 43. As in Palestine
some of the earlier converts served Christ secretly "for fear of the Jews," so,
in all probability, did they in Britain for fear of the Romans. We know that
some confessed Christ and closed their earthly career with the crown of
martyrdom. It is also certain that very early in the Christian era Christmas
was celebrated in Britain, mingling in its festivities some of the winter-
festival customs of the ancient Britons and the Roman invaders, for traces
of those celebrations are still seen in some of the Christmas customs of
modern times. Moreover, it is known that Christians were tolerated in
Britain by some of the Roman governors before the days of Constantine. It
was in the time of the fourth Roman Emperor, Claudius, that part of Britain
was first really conquered. Claudius himself came over in the year 43, and
his generals afterwards went on with the war, conquering one after another
of the British chiefs, Caradoc, whom the Romans called Caractacus,
holding out the longest and the most bravely. This intrepid King of the
Page 39
Silurians, who lived in South Wales and the neighbouring parts, withstood
the Romans for several years, but was at last defeated at a great battle,
supposed to have taken place in Shropshire, where there is a hill still called
Caer Caradoc. Caradoc and his family were taken prisoners and led before
the Emperor at Rome, when he made a remarkable speech which has been
preserved for us by Tacitus. When he saw the splendid city of Rome, he
wondered that an Emperor who lived in such splendour should have
meddled with his humble home in Britain; and in his address before the
Emperor Claudius, who received him seated on his throne with the Empress
Agrippina by his side, Caradoc said: "My fate this day appears as sad for
me as it is glorious for thee. I had horses, soldiers, arms, and treasures; is it
surprising that I should regret the loss of them? If it is thy will to command
the universe, is it a reason we should voluntarily accept slavery? Had I
yielded sooner, thy fortune and my glory would have been less, and
oblivion would soon have followed my execution. If thou sparest my life, I
shall be an eternal monument of thy clemency." Although the Romans had
very often killed their captives, to the honour of Claudius be it said that he
treated Caradoc kindly, gave him his liberty, and, according to some
historians, allowed him to reign in part of Britain as a prince subject to
Rome. It is surprising that an emperor who had shown such clemency could
afterwards become one of Rome's sanguinary tyrants; but Claudius was a
man of weak intellect.
There were several of the Roman Emperors and Governors who befriended
the Christians, took part in their Christmas festivities, and professed faith in
Christ. The Venerable Bede says: "In the reign of Marcus Aurelius
Antonius, and his partner in the Empire, Lucius Verus, when Eleutherius
was Bishop of Rome, Lucius, a British king, sent a letter to his prelate,
desiring his directions to make him a Christian. The holy bishop
immediately complied with this pious request; and thus the Britons, being
brought over to Christianity, continued without warping or disturbance till
the reign of the Emperor Diocletian." And Selden says: "Howsoever, by
injury of time, the memory of this great and illustrious Prince King Lucy
hath been embezzled and smuggled; this, upon the credit of the ancient
writers, appears plainly, that the pitiful fopperies of the Pagans, and the
worship of their idol devils, did begin to flag, and within a short time would
have given place to the worship of the true God." As this "illustrious Prince
the Romans for several years, but was at last defeated at a great battle,
supposed to have taken place in Shropshire, where there is a hill still called
Caer Caradoc. Caradoc and his family were taken prisoners and led before
the Emperor at Rome, when he made a remarkable speech which has been
preserved for us by Tacitus. When he saw the splendid city of Rome, he
wondered that an Emperor who lived in such splendour should have
meddled with his humble home in Britain; and in his address before the
Emperor Claudius, who received him seated on his throne with the Empress
Agrippina by his side, Caradoc said: "My fate this day appears as sad for
me as it is glorious for thee. I had horses, soldiers, arms, and treasures; is it
surprising that I should regret the loss of them? If it is thy will to command
the universe, is it a reason we should voluntarily accept slavery? Had I
yielded sooner, thy fortune and my glory would have been less, and
oblivion would soon have followed my execution. If thou sparest my life, I
shall be an eternal monument of thy clemency." Although the Romans had
very often killed their captives, to the honour of Claudius be it said that he
treated Caradoc kindly, gave him his liberty, and, according to some
historians, allowed him to reign in part of Britain as a prince subject to
Rome. It is surprising that an emperor who had shown such clemency could
afterwards become one of Rome's sanguinary tyrants; but Claudius was a
man of weak intellect.
There were several of the Roman Emperors and Governors who befriended
the Christians, took part in their Christmas festivities, and professed faith in
Christ. The Venerable Bede says: "In the reign of Marcus Aurelius
Antonius, and his partner in the Empire, Lucius Verus, when Eleutherius
was Bishop of Rome, Lucius, a British king, sent a letter to his prelate,
desiring his directions to make him a Christian. The holy bishop
immediately complied with this pious request; and thus the Britons, being
brought over to Christianity, continued without warping or disturbance till
the reign of the Emperor Diocletian." And Selden says: "Howsoever, by
injury of time, the memory of this great and illustrious Prince King Lucy
hath been embezzled and smuggled; this, upon the credit of the ancient
writers, appears plainly, that the pitiful fopperies of the Pagans, and the
worship of their idol devils, did begin to flag, and within a short time would
have given place to the worship of the true God." As this "illustrious Prince
Page 40
King Lucy"—Lucius Verus—flourished in the latter part of the second
century, and is credited with the erection of our first Christian Church on
the site of St. Martin's, at Canterbury, it seems clear that even in those early
days Christianity was making progress in Britain. From the time of Julius
Agricola, who was Roman Commander from 78 to 84, Britain had been a
Roman province, and although the Romans never conquered the whole of
the island, yet during their occupation of what they called their province
(the whole of Britain, excepting that portion north of the Firths of Forth and
Clyde), they encouraged the Christmas festivities and did much to civilise
the people whom they had conquered and whom they governed for more
than three hundred years. They built towns in different parts of the country
and constructed good roads from one town to another, for they were
excellent builders and road-makers. Some of the Roman emperors visited
Britain and others were chosen by the soldiers of Britain; and in the reigns
of Constantine the Great and other tolerant emperors the Britains lived like
Romans, adopted Roman manners and customs, and some of them learned
to speak the Latin language. Christian churches were built and bishoprics
founded; a hierarchy was established, and at the Council of Arles, in 314,
three British bishops took part—those of York, London, and Camulodunum
(which is now Colchester or Malden, authorities are divided, but Freeman
says Colchester). The canons framed at Arles on this occasion became the
law of the British Church, and in this more favourable period for Christians
the Christmas festival was kept with great rejoicing. But this settled state of
affairs was subsequently disturbed by the departure of the Romans and the
several invasions of the Anglo-Saxons and the Danes which preceded the
Norman Conquest.
Christmas Again in Troublous Times: The Departure of the Romans and
the Invasion of the Anglo-Saxons.
century, and is credited with the erection of our first Christian Church on
the site of St. Martin's, at Canterbury, it seems clear that even in those early
days Christianity was making progress in Britain. From the time of Julius
Agricola, who was Roman Commander from 78 to 84, Britain had been a
Roman province, and although the Romans never conquered the whole of
the island, yet during their occupation of what they called their province
(the whole of Britain, excepting that portion north of the Firths of Forth and
Clyde), they encouraged the Christmas festivities and did much to civilise
the people whom they had conquered and whom they governed for more
than three hundred years. They built towns in different parts of the country
and constructed good roads from one town to another, for they were
excellent builders and road-makers. Some of the Roman emperors visited
Britain and others were chosen by the soldiers of Britain; and in the reigns
of Constantine the Great and other tolerant emperors the Britains lived like
Romans, adopted Roman manners and customs, and some of them learned
to speak the Latin language. Christian churches were built and bishoprics
founded; a hierarchy was established, and at the Council of Arles, in 314,
three British bishops took part—those of York, London, and Camulodunum
(which is now Colchester or Malden, authorities are divided, but Freeman
says Colchester). The canons framed at Arles on this occasion became the
law of the British Church, and in this more favourable period for Christians
the Christmas festival was kept with great rejoicing. But this settled state of
affairs was subsequently disturbed by the departure of the Romans and the
several invasions of the Anglo-Saxons and the Danes which preceded the
Norman Conquest.
Christmas Again in Troublous Times: The Departure of the Romans and
the Invasion of the Anglo-Saxons.
Page 41
The outgoing of the Romans and the incoming of the Angles, the Saxons,
and the Jutes disastrously affected the festival of Christmas, for the invaders
were heathens, and Christianity was swept westward before them. They had
lived in a part of the Continent which had not been reached by Christianity
nor classic culture, and they worshipped the false gods of Woden and
Thunder, and were addicted to various heathenish practices, some of which
now mingled with the festivities of Christmastide. Still, as these Angles
came to stay and have given their name to our country, it may be well to
note that they came over to Britain from the one country which is known to
have borne the name of Angeln or the Engle-land, and which is now called
Sleswick, a district in the middle of that peninsula which parts the Baltic
from the North Sea or German Ocean. The Romans having become
weakened through their conflicts with Germany and other nations, at the
beginning of the fifth century, the Emperor Honorius recalled the Roman
legions from Britain, and this made it much easier for the Angles and
Saxons (who had previously tried to get in) to come and remain in this
country. Thus our Teuton forefathers came and conquered much the greater
part of Britain, the Picts and Scots remaining in the north and the Welsh in
the west of the island. It was their custom to kill or make slaves of all the
people they could, and so completely did they conquer that part of Britain
in which they settled that they kept their own language and manners and
their own heathenish religion, and destroyed or desecrated Christian
churches which had been set up. Hence Christian missionaries were
required to convert our ancestral worshippers of Woden and Thunder, and a
difficult business it was to Christianise such pagans, for they stuck to their
false gods with the same tenacity that the northern nations did.
In his poem of "King Olaf's Christmas" Longfellow refers to the worship of
Thor and Odin alongside with the worship of Christ in the northern nations:
—
"At Drontheim, Olaf the King
Heard the bells of Yule-tide ring,
As he sat in his banquet-hall.
Drinking the nut-brown ale,
With his bearded Berserks hale
And tall.
- - - - -
O'er his drinking horn, the sign
He made of the Cross divine
and the Jutes disastrously affected the festival of Christmas, for the invaders
were heathens, and Christianity was swept westward before them. They had
lived in a part of the Continent which had not been reached by Christianity
nor classic culture, and they worshipped the false gods of Woden and
Thunder, and were addicted to various heathenish practices, some of which
now mingled with the festivities of Christmastide. Still, as these Angles
came to stay and have given their name to our country, it may be well to
note that they came over to Britain from the one country which is known to
have borne the name of Angeln or the Engle-land, and which is now called
Sleswick, a district in the middle of that peninsula which parts the Baltic
from the North Sea or German Ocean. The Romans having become
weakened through their conflicts with Germany and other nations, at the
beginning of the fifth century, the Emperor Honorius recalled the Roman
legions from Britain, and this made it much easier for the Angles and
Saxons (who had previously tried to get in) to come and remain in this
country. Thus our Teuton forefathers came and conquered much the greater
part of Britain, the Picts and Scots remaining in the north and the Welsh in
the west of the island. It was their custom to kill or make slaves of all the
people they could, and so completely did they conquer that part of Britain
in which they settled that they kept their own language and manners and
their own heathenish religion, and destroyed or desecrated Christian
churches which had been set up. Hence Christian missionaries were
required to convert our ancestral worshippers of Woden and Thunder, and a
difficult business it was to Christianise such pagans, for they stuck to their
false gods with the same tenacity that the northern nations did.
In his poem of "King Olaf's Christmas" Longfellow refers to the worship of
Thor and Odin alongside with the worship of Christ in the northern nations:
—
"At Drontheim, Olaf the King
Heard the bells of Yule-tide ring,
As he sat in his banquet-hall.
Drinking the nut-brown ale,
With his bearded Berserks hale
And tall.
- - - - -
O'er his drinking horn, the sign
He made of the Cross divine
Page 42
As he drank, and muttered his prayers;
But the Berserks evermore
Made the sign of the Hammer of Thor
Over theirs."
In England, too, Christ and Thor were worshipped side by side for at least
150 years after the introduction of Christianity, for while some of the
English accepted Christ as their true friend and Saviour, He was not
accepted by all the people. Indeed, the struggle against Him is still going
on, but we anticipate the time when He shall be victorious all along the line.
The Christmas festival was duly observed by the missionaries who came to
the South of England from Rome, headed by Augustine, and in the northern
parts of the country the Christian festivities were revived by the Celtic
missionaries from Iona, under Aidan, the famous Columbian monk. At least
half of England was covered by the Columbian monks, whose great
foundation upon the rocky island of Iona, in the Hebrides, was the source of
Christianity to Scotland. The ritual of the Celtic differed from that of the
Romish missionaries, and caused confusion, till at the Synod of Whitby
(664) the Northumbrian Kingdom adopted the Roman usages, and England
obtained ecclesiastical unity as a branch of the Church of Rome. Thus unity
in the Church preceded by several centuries unity in the State.
But the Berserks evermore
Made the sign of the Hammer of Thor
Over theirs."
In England, too, Christ and Thor were worshipped side by side for at least
150 years after the introduction of Christianity, for while some of the
English accepted Christ as their true friend and Saviour, He was not
accepted by all the people. Indeed, the struggle against Him is still going
on, but we anticipate the time when He shall be victorious all along the line.
The Christmas festival was duly observed by the missionaries who came to
the South of England from Rome, headed by Augustine, and in the northern
parts of the country the Christian festivities were revived by the Celtic
missionaries from Iona, under Aidan, the famous Columbian monk. At least
half of England was covered by the Columbian monks, whose great
foundation upon the rocky island of Iona, in the Hebrides, was the source of
Christianity to Scotland. The ritual of the Celtic differed from that of the
Romish missionaries, and caused confusion, till at the Synod of Whitby
(664) the Northumbrian Kingdom adopted the Roman usages, and England
obtained ecclesiastical unity as a branch of the Church of Rome. Thus unity
in the Church preceded by several centuries unity in the State.
Page 43
Queen Bertha.
In connection with Augustine's mission to England, a memorable story
(recorded in Green's "History of the English People") tells how, when but a
young Roman deacon, Gregory had noted the white bodies, the fair faces,
the golden hair of some youths who stood bound in the market-place of
Rome. "From what country do these slaves come?" he asked the traders
who brought them. "They are English, Angles!" the slave-dealers answered.
The deacon's pity veiled itself in poetic humour. "Not Angles, but Angels,"
he said, "with faces so angel-like! From what country come they?" "They
come," said the merchants, "from Deira." "De ira!" was the untranslatable
reply; "aye, plucked from God's ire, and called to Christ's mercy! And what
is the name of their king?" "Ælla," they told him, and Gregory seized on the
words as of good omen. "Alleluia shall be sung in Ælla's land!" he cried,
and passed on, musing how the angel-faces should be brought to sing it.
Only three or four years had gone by when the deacon had become Bishop
of Rome, and the marriage of Bertha, daughter of the Frankish king,
In connection with Augustine's mission to England, a memorable story
(recorded in Green's "History of the English People") tells how, when but a
young Roman deacon, Gregory had noted the white bodies, the fair faces,
the golden hair of some youths who stood bound in the market-place of
Rome. "From what country do these slaves come?" he asked the traders
who brought them. "They are English, Angles!" the slave-dealers answered.
The deacon's pity veiled itself in poetic humour. "Not Angles, but Angels,"
he said, "with faces so angel-like! From what country come they?" "They
come," said the merchants, "from Deira." "De ira!" was the untranslatable
reply; "aye, plucked from God's ire, and called to Christ's mercy! And what
is the name of their king?" "Ælla," they told him, and Gregory seized on the
words as of good omen. "Alleluia shall be sung in Ælla's land!" he cried,
and passed on, musing how the angel-faces should be brought to sing it.
Only three or four years had gone by when the deacon had become Bishop
of Rome, and the marriage of Bertha, daughter of the Frankish king,
Page 44
Charibert of Paris, with Æthelberht, King of Kent, gave him the opening he
sought; for Bertha, like her Frankish kinsfolk, was a Christian.
And so, after negotiations with the rulers of Gaul, Gregory sent Augustine,
at the head of a band of monks, to preach the gospel to the English people.
The missionaries landed in 597, on the very spot where Hengest had landed
more than a century before, in the Isle of Thanet; and the king received
them sitting in the open air on the chalk-down above Minster, where the eye
nowadays catches, miles away over the marshes, the dim tower of
Canterbury. Rowbotham, in his "History of Music," says that wherever
Gregory sent missionaries he also sent copies of the Gregorian song as he
had arranged it in his "Antiphonary." And he bade them go singing among
the people. And Augustine entered Kent bearing a silver cross and a banner
with the image of Christ painted on it, while a long train of choristers
walked behind him chanting the Kyrie Eleison. In this way they came to the
court of Æthelberht, who assigned them Canterbury as an abode; and they
entered Canterbury with similar pomp, and as they passed through the gates
they sang this petition: "Lord, we beseech Thee to keep Thy wrath away
from this city and from Thy holy Church, Alleluia!"
As papal Rome preserved many relics of heathen Rome, so, in like manner,
Pope Gregory, in sending Augustine over to convert the Anglo-Saxons,
directed him to accommodate the ceremonies of the Christian worship as
much as possible to those of the heathen, that the people might not be much
startled at the change; and, in particular, he advised him to allow converts to
kill and eat at the Christmas festival a great number of oxen to the glory of
God, as they had formerly done to the honour of the devil. The clergy,
therefore, endeavoured to connect the remnants of Pagan idolatry with
Christianity, and also allowed some of the practices of our British ancestors
to mingle in the festivities of Christmastide. The religion of the Druids, the
priests of the ancient Britons, is supposed to have been somewhat similar to
that of the Brahmins of India, the Magi of Persia, and the Chaldeans of
Syria. They worshipped in groves, regarded the oak and mistletoe as objects
of veneration, and offered sacrifices. Before Christianity came to Britain
December was called "Aerra Geola," because the sun then "turns his
glorious course." And under different names, such as Woden (another form
of Odin), Thor, Thunder, Saturn, &c., the pagans held their festivals of
rejoicing at the winter solstice; and so many of the ancient customs
sought; for Bertha, like her Frankish kinsfolk, was a Christian.
And so, after negotiations with the rulers of Gaul, Gregory sent Augustine,
at the head of a band of monks, to preach the gospel to the English people.
The missionaries landed in 597, on the very spot where Hengest had landed
more than a century before, in the Isle of Thanet; and the king received
them sitting in the open air on the chalk-down above Minster, where the eye
nowadays catches, miles away over the marshes, the dim tower of
Canterbury. Rowbotham, in his "History of Music," says that wherever
Gregory sent missionaries he also sent copies of the Gregorian song as he
had arranged it in his "Antiphonary." And he bade them go singing among
the people. And Augustine entered Kent bearing a silver cross and a banner
with the image of Christ painted on it, while a long train of choristers
walked behind him chanting the Kyrie Eleison. In this way they came to the
court of Æthelberht, who assigned them Canterbury as an abode; and they
entered Canterbury with similar pomp, and as they passed through the gates
they sang this petition: "Lord, we beseech Thee to keep Thy wrath away
from this city and from Thy holy Church, Alleluia!"
As papal Rome preserved many relics of heathen Rome, so, in like manner,
Pope Gregory, in sending Augustine over to convert the Anglo-Saxons,
directed him to accommodate the ceremonies of the Christian worship as
much as possible to those of the heathen, that the people might not be much
startled at the change; and, in particular, he advised him to allow converts to
kill and eat at the Christmas festival a great number of oxen to the glory of
God, as they had formerly done to the honour of the devil. The clergy,
therefore, endeavoured to connect the remnants of Pagan idolatry with
Christianity, and also allowed some of the practices of our British ancestors
to mingle in the festivities of Christmastide. The religion of the Druids, the
priests of the ancient Britons, is supposed to have been somewhat similar to
that of the Brahmins of India, the Magi of Persia, and the Chaldeans of
Syria. They worshipped in groves, regarded the oak and mistletoe as objects
of veneration, and offered sacrifices. Before Christianity came to Britain
December was called "Aerra Geola," because the sun then "turns his
glorious course." And under different names, such as Woden (another form
of Odin), Thor, Thunder, Saturn, &c., the pagans held their festivals of
rejoicing at the winter solstice; and so many of the ancient customs
Page 45
connected with these festivals were modified and made subservient to
Christianity.
Some of the English even tried to serve Christ and the older gods together,
like the Roman Emperor, Alexander Severus, whose chapel contained
Orpheus side by side with Abraham and Christ. "Rœdwald of East Anglia
resolved to serve Christ and the older gods together, and a pagan and a
Christian altar fronted one another in the same royal temple."[5] Kent,
however, seems to have been evangelised rapidly, for it is recorded that on
Christmas Day, 597, no less than ten thousand persons were baptized.
Before his death Augustine was able to see almost the whole of Kent and
Essex nominally Christian.
Christmas was now celebrated as the principal festival of the year, for our
Anglo-Saxon forefathers delighted in the festivities of the Halig-Monath
(holy month), as they called the month of December, in allusion to
Christmas Day. At the great festival of Christmas the meetings of the
Witenagemot were held, as well as at Easter and Whitsuntide, wherever the
Court happened to be. And at these times the Anglo-Saxon, and afterwards
the Danish, Kings of England lived in state, wore their crowns, and were
surrounded by all the great men of their kingdoms (together with strangers
of rank) who were sumptuously entertained, and the most important affairs
of state were brought under consideration. There was also an outflow of
generous hospitality towards the poor, who had a hard time of it during the
Christianity.
Some of the English even tried to serve Christ and the older gods together,
like the Roman Emperor, Alexander Severus, whose chapel contained
Orpheus side by side with Abraham and Christ. "Rœdwald of East Anglia
resolved to serve Christ and the older gods together, and a pagan and a
Christian altar fronted one another in the same royal temple."[5] Kent,
however, seems to have been evangelised rapidly, for it is recorded that on
Christmas Day, 597, no less than ten thousand persons were baptized.
Before his death Augustine was able to see almost the whole of Kent and
Essex nominally Christian.
Christmas was now celebrated as the principal festival of the year, for our
Anglo-Saxon forefathers delighted in the festivities of the Halig-Monath
(holy month), as they called the month of December, in allusion to
Christmas Day. At the great festival of Christmas the meetings of the
Witenagemot were held, as well as at Easter and Whitsuntide, wherever the
Court happened to be. And at these times the Anglo-Saxon, and afterwards
the Danish, Kings of England lived in state, wore their crowns, and were
surrounded by all the great men of their kingdoms (together with strangers
of rank) who were sumptuously entertained, and the most important affairs
of state were brought under consideration. There was also an outflow of
generous hospitality towards the poor, who had a hard time of it during the
Page 46
rest of the year, and who required the Christmas gifts to provide them with
such creature comforts as would help them through the inclement season of
the year.
Readers of Saxon history will remember that chieftains in the festive hall
are alluded to in the comparison made by one of King Edwin's chiefs, in
discussing the welcome to be given to the Christian missionary Paulinus:
"The present life of man, O King, seems to me, in comparison of that time
which is unknown to us, like to the swift flight of a sparrow through the hall
where you sit at your meal in winter, with your chiefs and attendants,
warmed by a fire made in the middle of the hall, while storms of rain or
snow prevail without."
an ancient fireplace.
The "hall" was the principal part of a gentleman's house in Saxon times—
the place of entertainment and hospitality—and at Christmastide the doors
were never shut against any who appeared to be worthy of welcome. And
with such modes of travelling as were in vogue in those days one can
readily understand that, not only at Christmas, but also at other seasons, the
rule of hospitality to strangers was a necessity.
To this period belong the princely pageants and the magnificent
Christmas Entertainments of King Arthur
such creature comforts as would help them through the inclement season of
the year.
Readers of Saxon history will remember that chieftains in the festive hall
are alluded to in the comparison made by one of King Edwin's chiefs, in
discussing the welcome to be given to the Christian missionary Paulinus:
"The present life of man, O King, seems to me, in comparison of that time
which is unknown to us, like to the swift flight of a sparrow through the hall
where you sit at your meal in winter, with your chiefs and attendants,
warmed by a fire made in the middle of the hall, while storms of rain or
snow prevail without."
an ancient fireplace.
The "hall" was the principal part of a gentleman's house in Saxon times—
the place of entertainment and hospitality—and at Christmastide the doors
were never shut against any who appeared to be worthy of welcome. And
with such modes of travelling as were in vogue in those days one can
readily understand that, not only at Christmas, but also at other seasons, the
rule of hospitality to strangers was a necessity.
To this period belong the princely pageants and the magnificent
Christmas Entertainments of King Arthur
Page 47
and the Knights of his Round Table. We know that some people are inclined
to discredit the accounts which have come down to us of this famous British
King and Christian hero, but for our own part we are inclined to trust the
old chroniclers, at all events so far as to believe that they give us true
pictures of the manners and customs of the times of which they write; and
in this prosaic age it may surely be permitted to us at Christmastide to
linger over the doings of those romantic days,
"When every morning brought a noble chance,
And every chance brought out a noble knight."[6]
travelling in the olden time with a "christmas fool" on the front seat.
Sir John Froissart tells us of the princely pageants which King Arthur held
at Windsor in the sixth century, and of the sumptuous Christmas
banquetings at his Round Table—the very Round Table (so we are to
believe, on the authority of Dr. Milner)[7] which has been preserved in the
old chapel, now termed the county hall, at Winchester. It consists of stout
oak plank, perforated with many bullets, supposed to have been shot by
Cromwell's soldiers. It is painted with a figure to represent King Arthur, and
with the names of his twenty-four knights as they are stated in the romances
of the old chroniclers. This famous Prince, who instituted the military order
of the Knights of the Round Table, is also credited with the reintroduction
of Christianity at York after the Saxon invaders had destroyed the first
to discredit the accounts which have come down to us of this famous British
King and Christian hero, but for our own part we are inclined to trust the
old chroniclers, at all events so far as to believe that they give us true
pictures of the manners and customs of the times of which they write; and
in this prosaic age it may surely be permitted to us at Christmastide to
linger over the doings of those romantic days,
"When every morning brought a noble chance,
And every chance brought out a noble knight."[6]
travelling in the olden time with a "christmas fool" on the front seat.
Sir John Froissart tells us of the princely pageants which King Arthur held
at Windsor in the sixth century, and of the sumptuous Christmas
banquetings at his Round Table—the very Round Table (so we are to
believe, on the authority of Dr. Milner)[7] which has been preserved in the
old chapel, now termed the county hall, at Winchester. It consists of stout
oak plank, perforated with many bullets, supposed to have been shot by
Cromwell's soldiers. It is painted with a figure to represent King Arthur, and
with the names of his twenty-four knights as they are stated in the romances
of the old chroniclers. This famous Prince, who instituted the military order
of the Knights of the Round Table, is also credited with the reintroduction
of Christianity at York after the Saxon invaders had destroyed the first
Page 48
churches built there. He was unwearying in his warfare against enemies of
the religion of Christ. His first great enterprise was the siege of a Saxon
army at York, and, having afterwards won brilliant victories in
Somersetshire and other parts of southern England, he again marched
northward and penetrated Scotland to attack the Picts and Scots, who had
long harassed the border. On returning from Scotland, Arthur rested his
wearied army at York and kept Christmas with great bountifulness.
Geoffrey of Monmouth says he was a prince of "unparalleled courage and
generosity," and his Christmas at York was kept with the greatest joy and
festivity. Then was the round table filled with jocund guests, and the
minstrels, gleemen, harpers, pipe-players, jugglers, and dancers were as
happy round about their log-fires as if they had shone in the blaze of a
thousand gas-lights.
the religion of Christ. His first great enterprise was the siege of a Saxon
army at York, and, having afterwards won brilliant victories in
Somersetshire and other parts of southern England, he again marched
northward and penetrated Scotland to attack the Picts and Scots, who had
long harassed the border. On returning from Scotland, Arthur rested his
wearied army at York and kept Christmas with great bountifulness.
Geoffrey of Monmouth says he was a prince of "unparalleled courage and
generosity," and his Christmas at York was kept with the greatest joy and
festivity. Then was the round table filled with jocund guests, and the
minstrels, gleemen, harpers, pipe-players, jugglers, and dancers were as
happy round about their log-fires as if they had shone in the blaze of a
thousand gas-lights.
Page 49
the wild boar hunt: killing the boar.
King Arthur and his Knights also indulged in out-door amusements, as
hunting, hawking, running, leaping, wrestling, jousts, and tourneys. "So,"
says Sir Thomas Malory,[8] "passed forth all the winter with all manner of
hunting and hawking, and jousts and tourneys were many between many
great lords. And ever, in all manner of places, Sir Lavaine got great
worship, that he was nobly renowned among many of the knights of the
Round Table. Thus it passed on until Christmas, and every day there were
jousts made for a diamond, that whosoever joust best should have a
diamond. But Sir Launcelot would not joust, but if it were a great joust
King Arthur and his Knights also indulged in out-door amusements, as
hunting, hawking, running, leaping, wrestling, jousts, and tourneys. "So,"
says Sir Thomas Malory,[8] "passed forth all the winter with all manner of
hunting and hawking, and jousts and tourneys were many between many
great lords. And ever, in all manner of places, Sir Lavaine got great
worship, that he was nobly renowned among many of the knights of the
Round Table. Thus it passed on until Christmas, and every day there were
jousts made for a diamond, that whosoever joust best should have a
diamond. But Sir Launcelot would not joust, but if it were a great joust
Page 50
cried; but Sir Lavaine jousted there all the Christmas passing well, and most
was praised; for there were few that did so well as he; wherefore all manner
of knights deemed that Sir Lavaine should be made a Knight of the Round
Table, at the next high feast of Pentecost."
The Anglo-Saxon Excesses
are referred to by some of the old chroniclers, intemperance being a very
prevalent vice at the Christmas festival. Ale and mead were their favourite
drinks; wines were used as occasional luxuries. "When all were satisfied
with dinner," says an old chronicler, "and their tables were removed, they
continued drinking till the evening." And another tells how drinking and
gaming went on through the greater part of the night. Chaucer's one solitary
reference to Christmastide is an allegorical representation of the jovial
feasting which was the characteristic feature of this great festival held in
"the colde frosty season of December."
"Janus sits by the fire with double beard,
And drinketh of his bugle horn the wine:
Before him stands the brawn of tuskéd swine,
And 'Nowel' cryeth every lusty man."[9]
The Saxons were strongly attached to field sports, and as the "brawn of the
tuskéd swine" was the first Christmas dish, it was provided by the pleasant
preliminary pastime of hunting the wild boar; and the incidents of the chase
afforded interesting table talk when the boar's head was brought in
ceremoniously to the Christmas festival.
Prominent among the Anglo-Saxon amusements of Christmastide, Strutt
mentions their propensity for gaming with dice, as derived from their
ancestors, for Tacitus assures us that the ancient Germans would not only
hazard all their wealth, but even stake their liberty, upon the turn of the
dice: "and he who loses submits to servitude, though younger and stronger
than his antagonist, and patiently permits himself to be bound and sold in
the market; and this madness they dignify by the name of honour." Chess
and backgammon were also favourite games with the Anglo-Saxons, and a
large portion of the night was appropriated to the pursuit of these sedentary
amusements, especially at the Christmas season of the year, when the early
darkness stopped out-door games.
was praised; for there were few that did so well as he; wherefore all manner
of knights deemed that Sir Lavaine should be made a Knight of the Round
Table, at the next high feast of Pentecost."
The Anglo-Saxon Excesses
are referred to by some of the old chroniclers, intemperance being a very
prevalent vice at the Christmas festival. Ale and mead were their favourite
drinks; wines were used as occasional luxuries. "When all were satisfied
with dinner," says an old chronicler, "and their tables were removed, they
continued drinking till the evening." And another tells how drinking and
gaming went on through the greater part of the night. Chaucer's one solitary
reference to Christmastide is an allegorical representation of the jovial
feasting which was the characteristic feature of this great festival held in
"the colde frosty season of December."
"Janus sits by the fire with double beard,
And drinketh of his bugle horn the wine:
Before him stands the brawn of tuskéd swine,
And 'Nowel' cryeth every lusty man."[9]
The Saxons were strongly attached to field sports, and as the "brawn of the
tuskéd swine" was the first Christmas dish, it was provided by the pleasant
preliminary pastime of hunting the wild boar; and the incidents of the chase
afforded interesting table talk when the boar's head was brought in
ceremoniously to the Christmas festival.
Prominent among the Anglo-Saxon amusements of Christmastide, Strutt
mentions their propensity for gaming with dice, as derived from their
ancestors, for Tacitus assures us that the ancient Germans would not only
hazard all their wealth, but even stake their liberty, upon the turn of the
dice: "and he who loses submits to servitude, though younger and stronger
than his antagonist, and patiently permits himself to be bound and sold in
the market; and this madness they dignify by the name of honour." Chess
and backgammon were also favourite games with the Anglo-Saxons, and a
large portion of the night was appropriated to the pursuit of these sedentary
amusements, especially at the Christmas season of the year, when the early
darkness stopped out-door games.
Page 51
"When they had dined, as I can you say,
Lords and ladies went to play;
Some to tables, and some to chess,
With other games more and less."[10]
Our Saxon forefathers were very superstitious. They had many pretenders
to witchcraft. They believed in the powers of philtres and spells, and
invocated spirits; and they relished a blood-curdling ghost story at
Christmas quite as much as their twentieth-century descendants. They
confided in prognostics, and believed in the influence of particular times
and seasons; and at Christmastide they derived peculiar pleasure from their
belief in the immunity of the season from malign influences—a belief
which descended to Elizabethan days, and is referred to by Shakespeare, in
"Hamlet":—
"Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes,
Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated,
The bird of dawning singeth all night long:
And then, they say, no spirit dares stir abroad;
The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike,
No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,
adoration of the magi: old glass winchester cathedral.
Lords and ladies went to play;
Some to tables, and some to chess,
With other games more and less."[10]
Our Saxon forefathers were very superstitious. They had many pretenders
to witchcraft. They believed in the powers of philtres and spells, and
invocated spirits; and they relished a blood-curdling ghost story at
Christmas quite as much as their twentieth-century descendants. They
confided in prognostics, and believed in the influence of particular times
and seasons; and at Christmastide they derived peculiar pleasure from their
belief in the immunity of the season from malign influences—a belief
which descended to Elizabethan days, and is referred to by Shakespeare, in
"Hamlet":—
"Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes,
Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated,
The bird of dawning singeth all night long:
And then, they say, no spirit dares stir abroad;
The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike,
No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,
adoration of the magi: old glass winchester cathedral.
Page 52
We cannot pass over this period without mentioning a great Christmas in
the history of our Teutonic kinsmen on the Continent, for the Saxons of
England and those of Germany have the same Teutonic origin. We refer to
The Crowning of Charlemagne Emperor of the Romans on Christmas
Day.
The coronation took place at Rome, on Christmas Day, in the year 800.
Freeman[11] says that when Charles was King of the Franks and Lombards
and Patrician of the Romans, he was on very friendly terms with the mighty
Offa, King of the Angles that dwelt in Mercia. Charles and Offa not only
exchanged letters and gifts, but each gave the subjects of the other various
rights in his dominions, and they made a league together, "for that they two
were the mightiest of all the kings that dwelt in the Western lands." As
conqueror of the old Saxons in Germany, Charles may be regarded as the
first King of all Germany, and he was the first man of any Teutonic nation
who was called Roman Emperor. He was crowned with the diadem of the
Cæsars, by Pope Leo, in the name of Charles Augustus, Emperor of the
Romans. And it was held for a thousand years after, down to the year 1806,
that the King of the Franks, or, as he was afterwards called, the King of
Germany, had a right to be crowned by the Pope of Rome, and to be called
Emperor of the Romans. In the year 1806, however, the Emperor Francis
the Second, who was also King of Hungary and Archduke of Austria,
resigned the Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Germany. Since that time
no Emperor of the Romans has been chosen; but a new German Emperor
has been created, and the event may be regarded as one of Christmastide,
for the victorious soldiers who brought it about spent their Christmas in the
French capital, and during the festival arranged for the re-establishment of
the German Empire. So it happens, that while referring to the crowning of
the first German Emperor of the Roman Empire, on Christmas Day, 800, we
are able to record that more than a thousand years afterwards the unification
of the German Empire and the creation of its first Emperor also occurred at
Christmastide, under the influence of the German triumphs over the French
in the war of 1870. The imposing event was resolved upon by the German
Princes on December 18, 1870, the preliminaries were completed during the
Christmas festival, and on January 18, 1871, in the Galerie des Glaces of
the history of our Teutonic kinsmen on the Continent, for the Saxons of
England and those of Germany have the same Teutonic origin. We refer to
The Crowning of Charlemagne Emperor of the Romans on Christmas
Day.
The coronation took place at Rome, on Christmas Day, in the year 800.
Freeman[11] says that when Charles was King of the Franks and Lombards
and Patrician of the Romans, he was on very friendly terms with the mighty
Offa, King of the Angles that dwelt in Mercia. Charles and Offa not only
exchanged letters and gifts, but each gave the subjects of the other various
rights in his dominions, and they made a league together, "for that they two
were the mightiest of all the kings that dwelt in the Western lands." As
conqueror of the old Saxons in Germany, Charles may be regarded as the
first King of all Germany, and he was the first man of any Teutonic nation
who was called Roman Emperor. He was crowned with the diadem of the
Cæsars, by Pope Leo, in the name of Charles Augustus, Emperor of the
Romans. And it was held for a thousand years after, down to the year 1806,
that the King of the Franks, or, as he was afterwards called, the King of
Germany, had a right to be crowned by the Pope of Rome, and to be called
Emperor of the Romans. In the year 1806, however, the Emperor Francis
the Second, who was also King of Hungary and Archduke of Austria,
resigned the Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Germany. Since that time
no Emperor of the Romans has been chosen; but a new German Emperor
has been created, and the event may be regarded as one of Christmastide,
for the victorious soldiers who brought it about spent their Christmas in the
French capital, and during the festival arranged for the re-establishment of
the German Empire. So it happens, that while referring to the crowning of
the first German Emperor of the Roman Empire, on Christmas Day, 800, we
are able to record that more than a thousand years afterwards the unification
of the German Empire and the creation of its first Emperor also occurred at
Christmastide, under the influence of the German triumphs over the French
in the war of 1870. The imposing event was resolved upon by the German
Princes on December 18, 1870, the preliminaries were completed during the
Christmas festival, and on January 18, 1871, in the Galerie des Glaces of
Page 53
the château of Versailles, William, King of Prussia, was crowned and
proclaimed first Emperor of the new German Empire.
Now, going back again over a millennium, we come to
Christmas in the Time of Alfred the Great.
During the reign of Alfred the Great a law was passed with relation to
holidays, by virtue of which the twelve days after the Nativity of our
Saviour were set apart for the celebration of the Christmas festival. Some
writers are of opinion that, but for Alfred's strict observance of the "full
twelve holy days," he would not have been defeated by the Danes in the
year 878. It was just after Twelfth-night that the Danish host came suddenly
—"bestole," as the old Chronicle says—to Chippenham. Then "they rode
through the West Saxons' land, and there sat down, and mickle of the folk
over sea they drove, and of others the most deal they rode over; all but the
King Alfred; he with a little band hardly fared after the woods and on the
moor-fastnesses." But whether or not Alfred's preparations for the battle just
referred to were hindered by his enjoyment of the festivities of
Christmastide with his subjects, it is quite certain that the King won the
hearts of his people by the great interest he took in their welfare. This good
king—whose intimacy with his people we delight to associate with the
homely incident of the burning of a cottager's cakes—kept the Christmas
festival quite as heartily as any of the early English kings, but not so
boisterously as some of them. Of the many beautiful stories told about him,
one might very well belong to Christmastide. It is said that, wishing to
know what the Danes were about, and how strong they were, King Alfred
one day set out from Athelney in the disguise of a Christmas minstrel, and
went into the Danish camp, and stayed there several days, amusing the
Danes with his playing, till he had seen all he wanted, and then went back
without any one finding him out.
Now, passing on to
Christmas under the Danish Kings of England,
we find that in 961 King Edgar celebrated the Christmas festival with great
splendour at York; and in 1013 Ethelred kept his Christmas with the brave
proclaimed first Emperor of the new German Empire.
Now, going back again over a millennium, we come to
Christmas in the Time of Alfred the Great.
During the reign of Alfred the Great a law was passed with relation to
holidays, by virtue of which the twelve days after the Nativity of our
Saviour were set apart for the celebration of the Christmas festival. Some
writers are of opinion that, but for Alfred's strict observance of the "full
twelve holy days," he would not have been defeated by the Danes in the
year 878. It was just after Twelfth-night that the Danish host came suddenly
—"bestole," as the old Chronicle says—to Chippenham. Then "they rode
through the West Saxons' land, and there sat down, and mickle of the folk
over sea they drove, and of others the most deal they rode over; all but the
King Alfred; he with a little band hardly fared after the woods and on the
moor-fastnesses." But whether or not Alfred's preparations for the battle just
referred to were hindered by his enjoyment of the festivities of
Christmastide with his subjects, it is quite certain that the King won the
hearts of his people by the great interest he took in their welfare. This good
king—whose intimacy with his people we delight to associate with the
homely incident of the burning of a cottager's cakes—kept the Christmas
festival quite as heartily as any of the early English kings, but not so
boisterously as some of them. Of the many beautiful stories told about him,
one might very well belong to Christmastide. It is said that, wishing to
know what the Danes were about, and how strong they were, King Alfred
one day set out from Athelney in the disguise of a Christmas minstrel, and
went into the Danish camp, and stayed there several days, amusing the
Danes with his playing, till he had seen all he wanted, and then went back
without any one finding him out.
Now, passing on to
Christmas under the Danish Kings of England,
we find that in 961 King Edgar celebrated the Christmas festival with great
splendour at York; and in 1013 Ethelred kept his Christmas with the brave
Page 54
citizens of London who had defended the capital during a siege and stoutly
resisted Swegen, the tyrant king of the Danes. Sir Walter Scott, in his
beautiful poem of "Marmion," thus pictures the "savage Dane" keeping the
great winter festival:—
"Even, heathen yet, the savage Dane
At Iol more deep the mead did drain;
High on the beach his galleys drew,
And feasted all his pirate crew;
Then in his low and pine-built hall,
Where shields and axes deck'd the wall,
They gorged upon the half-dress'd steer;
Caroused in seas of sable beer;
While round, in brutal jest, were thrown
The half-gnaw'd rib, and marrow bone:
Or listen'd all, in grim delight.
While Scalds yell'd out the joys of fight.
Then forth, in frenzy, would they hie,
While wildly-loose their red locks fly,
And dancing round the blazing pile,
They make such barbarous mirth the while,
As best might to the mind recall
The boisterous joys of Odin's hall."
When the citizens of London saw that Swegen had succeeded all over
England except their own city, they thought it was no use holding out any
longer, and they too, submitted and gave hostages. And so Swegen was the
first Dane who was king, or (as Florence calls him) "Tyrant over all
England;" and Ethelred, sometimes called the "Unready," King of the West
Saxons, who had struggled unsuccessfully against the Danes, fled with his
wife and children to his brother-in-law's court in Normandy. On the death of
Swegen, the Danes of his fleet chose his son Cnut to be King, but the
English invited Ethelred to return from Normandy and renew the struggle
with the Danes. He did so, and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says: "He held
his kingdom with great toil and great difficulty the while that his life
lasted." After his death and that of his son Edmund, Cnut was finally
elected and crowned. Freeman,[12] in recording the event, says that: "At the
Christmas of 1016-1017, Cnut was a third time chosen king over all
England, and one of the first things that he did was to send to Normandy for
the widowed Lady Emma, though she was many years older than he was.
She came over; she married the new king; and was again Lady of the
English. She bore Cnut two children, Harthacnut and Gunhild. Her three
resisted Swegen, the tyrant king of the Danes. Sir Walter Scott, in his
beautiful poem of "Marmion," thus pictures the "savage Dane" keeping the
great winter festival:—
"Even, heathen yet, the savage Dane
At Iol more deep the mead did drain;
High on the beach his galleys drew,
And feasted all his pirate crew;
Then in his low and pine-built hall,
Where shields and axes deck'd the wall,
They gorged upon the half-dress'd steer;
Caroused in seas of sable beer;
While round, in brutal jest, were thrown
The half-gnaw'd rib, and marrow bone:
Or listen'd all, in grim delight.
While Scalds yell'd out the joys of fight.
Then forth, in frenzy, would they hie,
While wildly-loose their red locks fly,
And dancing round the blazing pile,
They make such barbarous mirth the while,
As best might to the mind recall
The boisterous joys of Odin's hall."
When the citizens of London saw that Swegen had succeeded all over
England except their own city, they thought it was no use holding out any
longer, and they too, submitted and gave hostages. And so Swegen was the
first Dane who was king, or (as Florence calls him) "Tyrant over all
England;" and Ethelred, sometimes called the "Unready," King of the West
Saxons, who had struggled unsuccessfully against the Danes, fled with his
wife and children to his brother-in-law's court in Normandy. On the death of
Swegen, the Danes of his fleet chose his son Cnut to be King, but the
English invited Ethelred to return from Normandy and renew the struggle
with the Danes. He did so, and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says: "He held
his kingdom with great toil and great difficulty the while that his life
lasted." After his death and that of his son Edmund, Cnut was finally
elected and crowned. Freeman,[12] in recording the event, says that: "At the
Christmas of 1016-1017, Cnut was a third time chosen king over all
England, and one of the first things that he did was to send to Normandy for
the widowed Lady Emma, though she was many years older than he was.
She came over; she married the new king; and was again Lady of the
English. She bore Cnut two children, Harthacnut and Gunhild. Her three
Page 55
children by Ethelred were left in Normandy. She seems not to have cared at
all for them or for the memory of Ethelred; her whole love passed to her
new husband and her new children. Thus it came about that the children of
Ethelred were brought up in Normandy, and had the feelings of Normans
rather than Englishmen, a thing which again greatly helped the Norman
Conquest."
Cnut's first acts of government in England were a series of murders; but he
afterwards became a wise and temperate king. He even identified himself
with the patriotism which had withstood the stranger. He joined heartily in
the festivities of Christmastide, and atoned for his father's ravages by costly
gifts to the religious houses. And his love for monks broke out in the song
which he composed as he listened to their chant at Ely: "Merrily sang the
monks in Ely when Cnut King rowed by" across the vast fen-waters that
surrounded their Abbey. "Row, boatmen, near the land, and hear we these
monks sing."[13]
"'All hail!' the monks at Christmas sang;
The merry monks who kept with cheer
The gladdest day of all the year."[14]
It is said that Cnut, who is also called Canute, "marked one of his royal
Christmases by a piece of sudden retributive justice: bored beyond all
endurance by the Saxon Edric's iteration of the traitorous services he had
rendered him, the King exclaimed to Edric, Earl of Northumberland: 'Then
let him receive his deserts, that he may not betray us as he betrayed
Ethelred and Edmund!' upon which the ready Norwegian disposed of all
fear on that score by cutting down the boaster with his axe, and throwing
his body into the Thames."[15]
In the year 1035, King Cnut died at Shaftesbury, and was buried in
Winchester Cathedral. His sons, Harold and Harthacnut, did not possess the
capacity for good government, otherwise the reign of the Danes might have
continued. As it was, their reigns, though short, were troublesome. Harold
died at Oxford in 1040, and was buried at Westminster (being the first king
who was buried there); Harthacnut died at Lambeth at a wedding-feast in
1042, and was buried beside his father in Winchester Cathedral. And thus
ended the reigns of the Danish kings of England.
all for them or for the memory of Ethelred; her whole love passed to her
new husband and her new children. Thus it came about that the children of
Ethelred were brought up in Normandy, and had the feelings of Normans
rather than Englishmen, a thing which again greatly helped the Norman
Conquest."
Cnut's first acts of government in England were a series of murders; but he
afterwards became a wise and temperate king. He even identified himself
with the patriotism which had withstood the stranger. He joined heartily in
the festivities of Christmastide, and atoned for his father's ravages by costly
gifts to the religious houses. And his love for monks broke out in the song
which he composed as he listened to their chant at Ely: "Merrily sang the
monks in Ely when Cnut King rowed by" across the vast fen-waters that
surrounded their Abbey. "Row, boatmen, near the land, and hear we these
monks sing."[13]
"'All hail!' the monks at Christmas sang;
The merry monks who kept with cheer
The gladdest day of all the year."[14]
It is said that Cnut, who is also called Canute, "marked one of his royal
Christmases by a piece of sudden retributive justice: bored beyond all
endurance by the Saxon Edric's iteration of the traitorous services he had
rendered him, the King exclaimed to Edric, Earl of Northumberland: 'Then
let him receive his deserts, that he may not betray us as he betrayed
Ethelred and Edmund!' upon which the ready Norwegian disposed of all
fear on that score by cutting down the boaster with his axe, and throwing
his body into the Thames."[15]
In the year 1035, King Cnut died at Shaftesbury, and was buried in
Winchester Cathedral. His sons, Harold and Harthacnut, did not possess the
capacity for good government, otherwise the reign of the Danes might have
continued. As it was, their reigns, though short, were troublesome. Harold
died at Oxford in 1040, and was buried at Westminster (being the first king
who was buried there); Harthacnut died at Lambeth at a wedding-feast in
1042, and was buried beside his father in Winchester Cathedral. And thus
ended the reigns of the Danish kings of England.
Page 56
Now we come to
The Reign of Edward the Confessor
who, we are told, was heartily chosen by all the people, for the two very
good reasons, that he was an Englishman by birth, and the only man of
either the English or the Danish royal families who was at hand. He was the
son of Ethelred and Emma, and at the Christmas festival of his coronation
there was great rejoicing. As his early training had been at the court of his
uncle, Richard the Good, in Normandy, he had learnt to prefer Norman-
French customs and life to those of the English. During his reign, therefore,
he brought over many strangers and appointed them to high ecclesiastical
and other offices, and Norman influence and refinement of manners
gradually increased at the English court, and this, of course, led to the more
stately celebration of the Christmas festival. The King himself, being of a
pious and meditative disposition, naturally took more interest in the
religious than the temporal rejoicings, and the administration of state affairs
was left almost entirely to members of the house of Godwin during the
principal part of his reign. Many disturbances occurred during Edward's
reign in different parts of the country, especially on the Welsh border. At the
Christmas meeting of the King and his Wise Men, at Gloucester, in 1053, it
was ordered that Rhys, the brother of Gruffydd, the South Welsh king, be
put to death for his great plunder and mischief. The same year, the great
Earl Godwine, while dining with the king at Winchester at the Easter feast,
suddenly fell in a fit, died four days after, and was buried in the old
cathedral. A few years later (1065), the Northumbrians complained that Earl
Tostig, Harold's brother, had caused Gospatric, one of the chief Thanes, to
be treacherously murdered when he came to the King's court the Christmas
before. King Edward kept his last Christmas (1065), and had the meeting of
his Wise Men in London instead of Gloucester as usual. His great object
was to finish his new church at Westminster, and to have it hallowed before
he died. He lived just long enough to have this done. On Innocent's Day the
new Minster was consecrated, but the King was too ill to be there, so the
Lady Edith stood in his stead. And on January 5, 1066, King Edward, the
son of Ethelred, died. On the morning of the day following his death, the
body of the Confessor was laid in the tomb, in his new church; and on the
same day—
The Reign of Edward the Confessor
who, we are told, was heartily chosen by all the people, for the two very
good reasons, that he was an Englishman by birth, and the only man of
either the English or the Danish royal families who was at hand. He was the
son of Ethelred and Emma, and at the Christmas festival of his coronation
there was great rejoicing. As his early training had been at the court of his
uncle, Richard the Good, in Normandy, he had learnt to prefer Norman-
French customs and life to those of the English. During his reign, therefore,
he brought over many strangers and appointed them to high ecclesiastical
and other offices, and Norman influence and refinement of manners
gradually increased at the English court, and this, of course, led to the more
stately celebration of the Christmas festival. The King himself, being of a
pious and meditative disposition, naturally took more interest in the
religious than the temporal rejoicings, and the administration of state affairs
was left almost entirely to members of the house of Godwin during the
principal part of his reign. Many disturbances occurred during Edward's
reign in different parts of the country, especially on the Welsh border. At the
Christmas meeting of the King and his Wise Men, at Gloucester, in 1053, it
was ordered that Rhys, the brother of Gruffydd, the South Welsh king, be
put to death for his great plunder and mischief. The same year, the great
Earl Godwine, while dining with the king at Winchester at the Easter feast,
suddenly fell in a fit, died four days after, and was buried in the old
cathedral. A few years later (1065), the Northumbrians complained that Earl
Tostig, Harold's brother, had caused Gospatric, one of the chief Thanes, to
be treacherously murdered when he came to the King's court the Christmas
before. King Edward kept his last Christmas (1065), and had the meeting of
his Wise Men in London instead of Gloucester as usual. His great object
was to finish his new church at Westminster, and to have it hallowed before
he died. He lived just long enough to have this done. On Innocent's Day the
new Minster was consecrated, but the King was too ill to be there, so the
Lady Edith stood in his stead. And on January 5, 1066, King Edward, the
son of Ethelred, died. On the morning of the day following his death, the
body of the Confessor was laid in the tomb, in his new church; and on the
same day—
Page 57
Harold was crowned King
in his stead. Thus three very important events—the consecration of
Westminster Abbey, the death of Edward the Confessor, and the crowning
of Harold—all occurred during the same Christmas festival.
In the terrible year 1066 England had three kings. The reign of Harold, the
son of Godwine, who succeeded Edward the Confessor, terminated at the
battle of Senlac, or Hastings, and on the following
Christmas Day William the Conqueror was Crowned King
by Archbishop Ealdred. He had not at that time conquered all the land, and
it was a long while before he really possessed the whole of it. Still, he was
the king, chosen, crowned, and anointed, and no one ever was able to drive
him out of the land, and the crown of England has ever since been held by
his descendants.
[5] Green's "History of the English People."
[6] Tennyson.
[7] "History of Winchester."
[8] "History of King Arthur and His Noble Knights."
[9] "The Franklin's Tale."
[10] "Romance of Ipomydon."
[11] "Old English History."
[12] "Short History of the Norman Conquest."
[13] "History of the English People."
[14] J. G. Whittier.
[15] "Chambers's Journal," Dec. 28, 1867.
in his stead. Thus three very important events—the consecration of
Westminster Abbey, the death of Edward the Confessor, and the crowning
of Harold—all occurred during the same Christmas festival.
In the terrible year 1066 England had three kings. The reign of Harold, the
son of Godwine, who succeeded Edward the Confessor, terminated at the
battle of Senlac, or Hastings, and on the following
Christmas Day William the Conqueror was Crowned King
by Archbishop Ealdred. He had not at that time conquered all the land, and
it was a long while before he really possessed the whole of it. Still, he was
the king, chosen, crowned, and anointed, and no one ever was able to drive
him out of the land, and the crown of England has ever since been held by
his descendants.
[5] Green's "History of the English People."
[6] Tennyson.
[7] "History of Winchester."
[8] "History of King Arthur and His Noble Knights."
[9] "The Franklin's Tale."
[10] "Romance of Ipomydon."
[11] "Old English History."
[12] "Short History of the Norman Conquest."
[13] "History of the English People."
[14] J. G. Whittier.
[15] "Chambers's Journal," Dec. 28, 1867.
Page 58
CHAPTER IV.
CHRISTMAS, FROM THE NORMAN CONQUEST TO MAGNA
CHARTA.
(1066 to 1215.)
a king at dinner.
Now we come to the
Christmas Celebrations under the Normans.
Lord Macaulay says "the polite luxury of the Normans presented a striking
contrast to the coarse voracity and drunkenness of their Saxon and Danish
neighbours." And certainly the above example of a royal dinner scene (from
a manuscript of the fourteenth century) gives an idea of stately ceremony
which is not found in any manuscripts previous to the coming over of the
Normans. They "loved to display their magnificence, not in huge piles of
food and hogsheads of strong drink, but in large and stately edifices, rich
CHRISTMAS, FROM THE NORMAN CONQUEST TO MAGNA
CHARTA.
(1066 to 1215.)
a king at dinner.
Now we come to the
Christmas Celebrations under the Normans.
Lord Macaulay says "the polite luxury of the Normans presented a striking
contrast to the coarse voracity and drunkenness of their Saxon and Danish
neighbours." And certainly the above example of a royal dinner scene (from
a manuscript of the fourteenth century) gives an idea of stately ceremony
which is not found in any manuscripts previous to the coming over of the
Normans. They "loved to display their magnificence, not in huge piles of
food and hogsheads of strong drink, but in large and stately edifices, rich
Page 59
armour, gallant horses, choice falcons, well-ordered tournaments, banquets
delicate rather than abundant, and wines remarkable rather for their
exquisite flavour than for their intoxicating power." Quite so. But even the
Normans were not all temperate. And, while it is quite true that the refined
manners and chivalrous spirit of the Normans exercised a powerful
influence on the Anglo-Saxons, it is equally true that the conquerors on
mingling with the English people adopted many of the ancient customs to
which they tenaciously clung, and these included the customs of
Christmastide.
The Norman kings and nobles displayed their taste for magnificence in the
most remarkable manner at their coronations, tournaments, and their
celebrations of Christmas, Easter, and Whitsuntide. The great councils of
the Norman reigns which assembled at Christmas and the other great
festivals, were in appearance a continuation of the Witenagemots, but the
power of the barons became very formal in the presence of such despotic
monarchs as William the Conqueror and his sons. At the Christmas festival
all the prelates and nobles of the kingdom were, by their tenures, obliged to
attend their sovereign to assist in the administration of justice and in
deliberation on the great affairs of the kingdom. On these occasions the
King wore his crown, and feasted his nobles in the great hall of his palace,
and made them presents as marks of his royal favour, after which they
proceeded to the consideration of State affairs. Wherever the Court
happened to be, there was usually a large assemblage of gleemen, who were
jugglers and pantomimists as well as minstrels, and were accustomed to
associate themselves in companies, and amuse the spectators with feats of
strength and agility, dancing, tumbling, and sleight-of-hand tricks, as well
as musical performances. Among the minstrels who came into England with
William the Conqueror was one named Taillefer, who was present at the
battle of Hastings, and rode in front of the Norman army, inspiriting the
soldiers by his songs. He sang of Roland, the heroic captain of
Charlemagne, tossing his sword in the air and catching it again as he
approached the English line. He was the first to strike a blow at the English,
but after mortally wounding one or two of King Harold's warriors, he was
himself struck down.
At the Christmas feast minstrels played on various musical instruments
during dinner, and sang or told tales afterwards, both in the hall and in the
delicate rather than abundant, and wines remarkable rather for their
exquisite flavour than for their intoxicating power." Quite so. But even the
Normans were not all temperate. And, while it is quite true that the refined
manners and chivalrous spirit of the Normans exercised a powerful
influence on the Anglo-Saxons, it is equally true that the conquerors on
mingling with the English people adopted many of the ancient customs to
which they tenaciously clung, and these included the customs of
Christmastide.
The Norman kings and nobles displayed their taste for magnificence in the
most remarkable manner at their coronations, tournaments, and their
celebrations of Christmas, Easter, and Whitsuntide. The great councils of
the Norman reigns which assembled at Christmas and the other great
festivals, were in appearance a continuation of the Witenagemots, but the
power of the barons became very formal in the presence of such despotic
monarchs as William the Conqueror and his sons. At the Christmas festival
all the prelates and nobles of the kingdom were, by their tenures, obliged to
attend their sovereign to assist in the administration of justice and in
deliberation on the great affairs of the kingdom. On these occasions the
King wore his crown, and feasted his nobles in the great hall of his palace,
and made them presents as marks of his royal favour, after which they
proceeded to the consideration of State affairs. Wherever the Court
happened to be, there was usually a large assemblage of gleemen, who were
jugglers and pantomimists as well as minstrels, and were accustomed to
associate themselves in companies, and amuse the spectators with feats of
strength and agility, dancing, tumbling, and sleight-of-hand tricks, as well
as musical performances. Among the minstrels who came into England with
William the Conqueror was one named Taillefer, who was present at the
battle of Hastings, and rode in front of the Norman army, inspiriting the
soldiers by his songs. He sang of Roland, the heroic captain of
Charlemagne, tossing his sword in the air and catching it again as he
approached the English line. He was the first to strike a blow at the English,
but after mortally wounding one or two of King Harold's warriors, he was
himself struck down.
At the Christmas feast minstrels played on various musical instruments
during dinner, and sang or told tales afterwards, both in the hall and in the
Page 60
chamber to which the king and his nobles retired for amusement. Thus it is
written of a court minstrel:—
"Before the King he set him down
And took his harp of merry soun,
And, as he full well can,
Many merry notes he began.
The king beheld, and sat full still,
To hear his harping he had good will.
When he left off his harping,
To him said that rich king,
To him said that rich king,
Minstrel, we liketh well thy glee,
What thing that thou ask of me
Largely I will thee pay;
Therefore ask now and asay." (Sir Orpheo.)
blind minstrel at a feast.
After the Conquest the first entertainments given by William the Conqueror
were those to his victorious warriors:—
"Every warrior's manly neck
written of a court minstrel:—
"Before the King he set him down
And took his harp of merry soun,
And, as he full well can,
Many merry notes he began.
The king beheld, and sat full still,
To hear his harping he had good will.
When he left off his harping,
To him said that rich king,
To him said that rich king,
Minstrel, we liketh well thy glee,
What thing that thou ask of me
Largely I will thee pay;
Therefore ask now and asay." (Sir Orpheo.)
blind minstrel at a feast.
After the Conquest the first entertainments given by William the Conqueror
were those to his victorious warriors:—
"Every warrior's manly neck
Page 61
Chains of regal honour deck,
Wreathed in many a golden link:
From the golden cup they drink
Nectar that the bees produce,
Or the grape's extatic juice.
Flush'd with mirth and hope they burn."
The Gododin.
In 1067 the Conqueror kept a grand Christmas in London. He had spent
eight months of that year rewarding his warriors and gratifying his subjects
in Normandy, where he had held a round of feasts and made a grand display
of the valuable booty which he had won by his sword. A part of his plunder
he sent to the Pope along with the banner of Harold. Another portion,
consisting of gold, golden vases, and richly embroidered stuffs, was
distributed among the abbeys, monasteries, and churches of his native
duchy, "neither monks nor priests remaining without a guerdon." After
spending the greater part of the year in splendid entertainments in
Normandy, apparently undisturbed by the reports which had reached him of
discontent and insurrection among his new subjects in England, William at
length embarked at Dieppe on the 6th of December, 1067, and returned to
London to celebrate the approaching festival of Christmas. With the object
of quieting the discontent which prevailed, he invited a considerable
number of the Saxon chiefs to take part in the Christmas festival, which was
kept with unusual splendour; and he also caused a proclamation to be read
in all the churches of the capital declaring it to be his will that "all the
citizens of London should enjoy their national laws as in the days of King
Edward." But his policy of friendship and conciliation was soon changed
into one of cruelty and oppression.
At the instigation of Swein, the King of Denmark, who appeared in the
Humber with a fleet, the people in the north of England and in some other
parts rose in revolt against the rule of the Conqueror in 1068. So skilfully
had the revolt been planned that even William was taken by surprise. While
he was hunting in the Forest of Dean he heard of the loss of York and the
slaughter of his garrison of 3,000 Normans, and resolved to avenge the
disaster. Proceeding to the Humber with his horsemen, by a heavy bribe he
got the King of Denmark to withdraw his fleet; then, after some delay, spent
in punishing revolters in the Welsh border, he attacked and took the city of
York. The land in Durham and Northumberland was still quite unsubdued,
and some of William's soldiers had fared badly in their attempts to take
Wreathed in many a golden link:
From the golden cup they drink
Nectar that the bees produce,
Or the grape's extatic juice.
Flush'd with mirth and hope they burn."
The Gododin.
In 1067 the Conqueror kept a grand Christmas in London. He had spent
eight months of that year rewarding his warriors and gratifying his subjects
in Normandy, where he had held a round of feasts and made a grand display
of the valuable booty which he had won by his sword. A part of his plunder
he sent to the Pope along with the banner of Harold. Another portion,
consisting of gold, golden vases, and richly embroidered stuffs, was
distributed among the abbeys, monasteries, and churches of his native
duchy, "neither monks nor priests remaining without a guerdon." After
spending the greater part of the year in splendid entertainments in
Normandy, apparently undisturbed by the reports which had reached him of
discontent and insurrection among his new subjects in England, William at
length embarked at Dieppe on the 6th of December, 1067, and returned to
London to celebrate the approaching festival of Christmas. With the object
of quieting the discontent which prevailed, he invited a considerable
number of the Saxon chiefs to take part in the Christmas festival, which was
kept with unusual splendour; and he also caused a proclamation to be read
in all the churches of the capital declaring it to be his will that "all the
citizens of London should enjoy their national laws as in the days of King
Edward." But his policy of friendship and conciliation was soon changed
into one of cruelty and oppression.
At the instigation of Swein, the King of Denmark, who appeared in the
Humber with a fleet, the people in the north of England and in some other
parts rose in revolt against the rule of the Conqueror in 1068. So skilfully
had the revolt been planned that even William was taken by surprise. While
he was hunting in the Forest of Dean he heard of the loss of York and the
slaughter of his garrison of 3,000 Normans, and resolved to avenge the
disaster. Proceeding to the Humber with his horsemen, by a heavy bribe he
got the King of Denmark to withdraw his fleet; then, after some delay, spent
in punishing revolters in the Welsh border, he attacked and took the city of
York. The land in Durham and Northumberland was still quite unsubdued,
and some of William's soldiers had fared badly in their attempts to take
Page 62
possession. At the Christmas feast of 1068 William made a grant of the
earldom of Northumberland to Robert of Comines, who set out with a
Norman army to take possession. But he fared no better than his
predecessors had done. The men of the land determined to withstand him,
but through the help of Bishop Æthelwine he entered Durham peaceably.
But he let his men plunder, so the men of the city rose and slew him and his
followers. And now, says Freeman,[16] William "did one of the most
frightful deeds of his life. He caused all Northern England, beginning with
Yorkshire, to be utterly laid waste, that its people might not be able to fight
against him any more. The havoc was fearful; men were starved or sold
themselves as slaves, and the land did not recover for many years. Then
King William wore his crown and kept his Christmas at York" (1069).
Now the Conqueror set barons in different parts of the country, and each of
them kept his own miniature court and celebrated Christmas after the costly
Norman style. In his beautiful poem of "The Norman Baron" Longfellow
pictures one of these Christmas celebrations, and tells how—
"In the hall, the serf and vassal
Held, that night, their Christmas wassail;
Many a carol, old and saintly,
Sang the minstrels and the waits.
And so loud these Saxon gleemen
Sang to slaves the songs of freemen,
That the storm was heard but faintly
Knocking at the castle-gates.
Till at length the lays they chaunted
Reached the chamber terror-haunted,
Where the monk, with accents holy,
Whispered at the baron's ear.
Tears upon his eyelids glistened
As he paused awhile and listened,
And the dying baron slowly
Turned his weary head to hear.
'Wassail for the kingly stranger
Born and cradled in a manger!
King, like David, priest, like Aaron,
Christ is born to set us free!'"
earldom of Northumberland to Robert of Comines, who set out with a
Norman army to take possession. But he fared no better than his
predecessors had done. The men of the land determined to withstand him,
but through the help of Bishop Æthelwine he entered Durham peaceably.
But he let his men plunder, so the men of the city rose and slew him and his
followers. And now, says Freeman,[16] William "did one of the most
frightful deeds of his life. He caused all Northern England, beginning with
Yorkshire, to be utterly laid waste, that its people might not be able to fight
against him any more. The havoc was fearful; men were starved or sold
themselves as slaves, and the land did not recover for many years. Then
King William wore his crown and kept his Christmas at York" (1069).
Now the Conqueror set barons in different parts of the country, and each of
them kept his own miniature court and celebrated Christmas after the costly
Norman style. In his beautiful poem of "The Norman Baron" Longfellow
pictures one of these Christmas celebrations, and tells how—
"In the hall, the serf and vassal
Held, that night, their Christmas wassail;
Many a carol, old and saintly,
Sang the minstrels and the waits.
And so loud these Saxon gleemen
Sang to slaves the songs of freemen,
That the storm was heard but faintly
Knocking at the castle-gates.
Till at length the lays they chaunted
Reached the chamber terror-haunted,
Where the monk, with accents holy,
Whispered at the baron's ear.
Tears upon his eyelids glistened
As he paused awhile and listened,
And the dying baron slowly
Turned his weary head to hear.
'Wassail for the kingly stranger
Born and cradled in a manger!
King, like David, priest, like Aaron,
Christ is born to set us free!'"
Page 63
minstrels' christmas serenade at an old baronial hall.
According to Strutt, the popular sports and pastimes prevalent at the close
of the Saxon era were not subjected to any material change by the coming
of the Normans. But William and his immediate successors restricted the
privileges of the chase, and imposed great penalties on those who presumed
to destroy the game in the royal forests without a proper license. The wild
boar and the wolf still afforded sport at the Christmas season, and there was
an abundance of smaller game. Leaping, running, wrestling, the casting of
darts, and other pastimes which required bodily strength and agility were
also practised, and when the frost set in various games were engaged in
According to Strutt, the popular sports and pastimes prevalent at the close
of the Saxon era were not subjected to any material change by the coming
of the Normans. But William and his immediate successors restricted the
privileges of the chase, and imposed great penalties on those who presumed
to destroy the game in the royal forests without a proper license. The wild
boar and the wolf still afforded sport at the Christmas season, and there was
an abundance of smaller game. Leaping, running, wrestling, the casting of
darts, and other pastimes which required bodily strength and agility were
also practised, and when the frost set in various games were engaged in
Page 64
upon the ice. It is not known at what time skating made its first appearance
in England, but we find some traces of such an exercise in the thirteenth
century, at which period, according to Fitzstephen, it was customary in the
winter, when the ice would bear them, for the young citizens of London to
fasten the leg bones of animals under the soles of their feet by tying them
round their ankles; and then, taking a pole shod with iron into their hands,
they pushed themselves forward by striking it against the ice, and moved
with celerity equal, says the author, to a bird flying through the air, or an
arrow from a cross-bow; but some allowance, we presume, must be made
for the poetical figure: he then adds, "At times, two of them thus furnished
agree to start opposite one to another, at a great distance; they meet, elevate
their poles, attack, and strike each other, when one or both of them fall, and
not without some bodily hurt; and, even after their fall, are carried a great
distance from each other, by the rapidity of the motion, and whatever part of
the head comes upon the ice it is sure to be laid bare."
The meetings of the King and his Wise Men for the consideration of state
affairs were continued at the great festivals, and that held at Christmas in
1085 is memorable on account of the resolution then passed to make the
Domesday survey, in reference to which Freeman says: "One of the greatest
acts of William's reign, and that by which we come to know more about
England in his time than from any other source, was done in the assembly
held at Gloucester at the Christmas of 1085. Then the King had, as the
Chronicle says, 'very deep speech with his Wise Men.' This 'deep speech' in
English is in French parlement; and so we see how our assemblies came by
their later name. And the end of the deep speech was that commissioners
were sent through all England, save only the Bishopric of Durham and the
earldom of Northumberland, to make a survey of the land. They were to set
down by whom every piece of land, great and small, was held then, by
whom it was held in King Edward's day, what it was worth now, and what it
had been worth in King Edward's day. All this was written in a book kept at
Winchester, which men called Domesday Book. It is a most wonderful
record, and tells us more of the state of England just at that moment than we
know of it for a long time before or after."
The Domesday Book was completed in 1086, and the following year (1087)
William the Conqueror died, and his son, William Rufus, succeeded him.
in England, but we find some traces of such an exercise in the thirteenth
century, at which period, according to Fitzstephen, it was customary in the
winter, when the ice would bear them, for the young citizens of London to
fasten the leg bones of animals under the soles of their feet by tying them
round their ankles; and then, taking a pole shod with iron into their hands,
they pushed themselves forward by striking it against the ice, and moved
with celerity equal, says the author, to a bird flying through the air, or an
arrow from a cross-bow; but some allowance, we presume, must be made
for the poetical figure: he then adds, "At times, two of them thus furnished
agree to start opposite one to another, at a great distance; they meet, elevate
their poles, attack, and strike each other, when one or both of them fall, and
not without some bodily hurt; and, even after their fall, are carried a great
distance from each other, by the rapidity of the motion, and whatever part of
the head comes upon the ice it is sure to be laid bare."
The meetings of the King and his Wise Men for the consideration of state
affairs were continued at the great festivals, and that held at Christmas in
1085 is memorable on account of the resolution then passed to make the
Domesday survey, in reference to which Freeman says: "One of the greatest
acts of William's reign, and that by which we come to know more about
England in his time than from any other source, was done in the assembly
held at Gloucester at the Christmas of 1085. Then the King had, as the
Chronicle says, 'very deep speech with his Wise Men.' This 'deep speech' in
English is in French parlement; and so we see how our assemblies came by
their later name. And the end of the deep speech was that commissioners
were sent through all England, save only the Bishopric of Durham and the
earldom of Northumberland, to make a survey of the land. They were to set
down by whom every piece of land, great and small, was held then, by
whom it was held in King Edward's day, what it was worth now, and what it
had been worth in King Edward's day. All this was written in a book kept at
Winchester, which men called Domesday Book. It is a most wonderful
record, and tells us more of the state of England just at that moment than we
know of it for a long time before or after."
The Domesday Book was completed in 1086, and the following year (1087)
William the Conqueror died, and his son, William Rufus, succeeded him.
Page 65
The Coronation of William the Red
took place at Westminster on September 26, 1087, Archbishop Lanfranc
officiating. The King kept his first Christmas sumptuously at Westminster,
and, Freeman says, "it seems to have been then that he gave back the
earldom of Kent to his uncle, Bishop Odo." The character of the Royal
Christmases degenerated during the reign of Rufus, whose licentiousness
fouled the festivities. In the latter part of his reign Rufus reared the spacious
hall at Westminster, where so many Royal Christmases were afterwards
kept, and which Pope calls
took place at Westminster on September 26, 1087, Archbishop Lanfranc
officiating. The King kept his first Christmas sumptuously at Westminster,
and, Freeman says, "it seems to have been then that he gave back the
earldom of Kent to his uncle, Bishop Odo." The character of the Royal
Christmases degenerated during the reign of Rufus, whose licentiousness
fouled the festivities. In the latter part of his reign Rufus reared the spacious
hall at Westminster, where so many Royal Christmases were afterwards
kept, and which Pope calls
Page 66
"Rufus's roaring hall."
westminster hall.
It is a magnificent relic of the profuse hospitality of former times. Richard
the Second heightened its walls and added its noble roof of British oak,
which shows the excellence of the wood carving of that period. Although
Sir Charles Barry has shortened the Hall of its former proportions to fit it as
a vestibule to the New Houses of Parliament, it is still a noble and spacious
building, and one cannot walk through it without in imagination recalling
some of the Royal Christmases and other stately scenes which have been
witnessed there. The last of these festal glories was the coronation of
George the Fourth, which took place in 1821. This grand old hall at
Westminster was the theatre of Rufus's feasting and revelry; but, vast as the
edifice then was, it did not equal the ideas of the extravagant monarch. An
old chronicler states that one of the King's courtiers, having observed that
westminster hall.
It is a magnificent relic of the profuse hospitality of former times. Richard
the Second heightened its walls and added its noble roof of British oak,
which shows the excellence of the wood carving of that period. Although
Sir Charles Barry has shortened the Hall of its former proportions to fit it as
a vestibule to the New Houses of Parliament, it is still a noble and spacious
building, and one cannot walk through it without in imagination recalling
some of the Royal Christmases and other stately scenes which have been
witnessed there. The last of these festal glories was the coronation of
George the Fourth, which took place in 1821. This grand old hall at
Westminster was the theatre of Rufus's feasting and revelry; but, vast as the
edifice then was, it did not equal the ideas of the extravagant monarch. An
old chronicler states that one of the King's courtiers, having observed that
Page 67
the building was too large for the purposes of its construction, Rufus
replied, "This halle is not begge enough by one half, and is but a
bedchamber in comparison of that I mind to make." Yet this hall was for
centuries the largest of its kind in Europe, and in it the Christmas feasts
were magnificently kept.
After a reign of thirteen years the vicious life of William Rufus met with a
tragical close. His dead body was found by peasants in a glade of the New
Forest with the arrow either of a hunter or an assassin in his breast. Sir
Walter Tyrrel, a Norman knight, who had been hunting with the king just
before his death, fled to Normandy immediately afterwards, and was
suspected of being a regicide. The body of Rufus was buried in Winchester
Cathedral.
Christmas in the Reign of Henry I.
Henry the First's Christmas festival at Windsor, in 1126, was a memorable
one. In that year Henry's daughter Matilda became a widow by the death of
her husband, Henry V. of Germany, and King Henry determined to appoint
her his successor to the throne of England and the Dukedom of Normandy.
On Christmas Day, 1126, a general assembly of the nobles and higher
ecclesiastics of the kingdom was held at Windsor for the purpose of
declaring the Empress Matilda (as she was still called) the legitimate
successor of Henry I., and the clergy and Norman barons of both countries
swore allegiance to her in the event of the king's death. This appointment of
Matilda was made by Henry in consequence of the calamity which occurred
just before Christmas, in 1120, when he lost his much-loved son, Prince
William—the only male legitimate issue of Henry—through the wreck of
La Blanche Nef (the White Ship). On board the vessel were Prince William,
his half-brother Richard, and Henry's natural daughter the Countess of
Perche, as well as about a hundred and forty young noblemen of the most
distinguished families in England and Normandy, all of whom were lost in
their passage home, only a few hours after the safe arrival of the king in
England. Henry is said to have swooned at the intelligence, and was never
afterwards seen to smile. He had returned home anticipating a joyous
Christmas festival, a season of glad tidings, but he was closely followed by
this sad news of the death of the heir apparent. The incident has called forth
replied, "This halle is not begge enough by one half, and is but a
bedchamber in comparison of that I mind to make." Yet this hall was for
centuries the largest of its kind in Europe, and in it the Christmas feasts
were magnificently kept.
After a reign of thirteen years the vicious life of William Rufus met with a
tragical close. His dead body was found by peasants in a glade of the New
Forest with the arrow either of a hunter or an assassin in his breast. Sir
Walter Tyrrel, a Norman knight, who had been hunting with the king just
before his death, fled to Normandy immediately afterwards, and was
suspected of being a regicide. The body of Rufus was buried in Winchester
Cathedral.
Christmas in the Reign of Henry I.
Henry the First's Christmas festival at Windsor, in 1126, was a memorable
one. In that year Henry's daughter Matilda became a widow by the death of
her husband, Henry V. of Germany, and King Henry determined to appoint
her his successor to the throne of England and the Dukedom of Normandy.
On Christmas Day, 1126, a general assembly of the nobles and higher
ecclesiastics of the kingdom was held at Windsor for the purpose of
declaring the Empress Matilda (as she was still called) the legitimate
successor of Henry I., and the clergy and Norman barons of both countries
swore allegiance to her in the event of the king's death. This appointment of
Matilda was made by Henry in consequence of the calamity which occurred
just before Christmas, in 1120, when he lost his much-loved son, Prince
William—the only male legitimate issue of Henry—through the wreck of
La Blanche Nef (the White Ship). On board the vessel were Prince William,
his half-brother Richard, and Henry's natural daughter the Countess of
Perche, as well as about a hundred and forty young noblemen of the most
distinguished families in England and Normandy, all of whom were lost in
their passage home, only a few hours after the safe arrival of the king in
England. Henry is said to have swooned at the intelligence, and was never
afterwards seen to smile. He had returned home anticipating a joyous
Christmas festival, a season of glad tidings, but he was closely followed by
this sad news of the death of the heir apparent. The incident has called forth
Page 68
one of the most beautiful poems of Mrs. Hemans, from which we quote two
verses:—
"The bark that held a prince went down,
The sweeping waves rolled on;
And what was England's glorious crown
To him that wept a son?
He lived—for life may long be borne,
Ere sorrow break its chain:
Why comes not death to those who mourn?
He never smiled again!
He sat where festal bowls went round,
He heard the minstrel sing;
He saw the tourney's victor crowned,
Amidst the kingly ring;
A murmur of the restless deep
as blent with every strain,
A voice of winds that would not sleep,—
He never smiled again!"
In 1127 Henry invited the king of the Scots to Windsor to join in the royal
celebration of Christmas, but the festivities were marred by an unseemly
quarrel between the two primates. Thurstan, Archbishop of York,
encroaching upon the privileges of his brother of Canterbury (William de
Corbeuil), insisted upon placing the crown upon the king's head ere he set
out for church. This the partisans of Canterbury would not allow, settling
the matter by turning Thurstan's chaplain and followers out of doors, and
thereby causing such strife between the heads of the Church that they both
set off to Rome to lay their grievances before the Pope. And, subsequently,
appeals to Rome became frequent, until a satisfactory adjustment of the
powers and privileges of the two archbishops was arrived at. The
Archbishop of Canterbury was acknowledged Primate of all England and
Metropolitan; but, while the privilege of crowning the sovereign was
reserved for the Archbishop of Canterbury, that of crowning the Queen
Consort was given to the Archbishop of York.
verses:—
"The bark that held a prince went down,
The sweeping waves rolled on;
And what was England's glorious crown
To him that wept a son?
He lived—for life may long be borne,
Ere sorrow break its chain:
Why comes not death to those who mourn?
He never smiled again!
He sat where festal bowls went round,
He heard the minstrel sing;
He saw the tourney's victor crowned,
Amidst the kingly ring;
A murmur of the restless deep
as blent with every strain,
A voice of winds that would not sleep,—
He never smiled again!"
In 1127 Henry invited the king of the Scots to Windsor to join in the royal
celebration of Christmas, but the festivities were marred by an unseemly
quarrel between the two primates. Thurstan, Archbishop of York,
encroaching upon the privileges of his brother of Canterbury (William de
Corbeuil), insisted upon placing the crown upon the king's head ere he set
out for church. This the partisans of Canterbury would not allow, settling
the matter by turning Thurstan's chaplain and followers out of doors, and
thereby causing such strife between the heads of the Church that they both
set off to Rome to lay their grievances before the Pope. And, subsequently,
appeals to Rome became frequent, until a satisfactory adjustment of the
powers and privileges of the two archbishops was arrived at. The
Archbishop of Canterbury was acknowledged Primate of all England and
Metropolitan; but, while the privilege of crowning the sovereign was
reserved for the Archbishop of Canterbury, that of crowning the Queen
Consort was given to the Archbishop of York.
Page 69
Strange Old Stories of Christmastide.
The progress of literature under the Conqueror and his sons was very great,
many devoting themselves almost entirely to literary pursuits. Lanfranc and
Anselm, the Archbishops of Canterbury, had proved themselves worthy of
their exalted station. Their precepts and examples had awakened the clergy
and kindled an ardour for learning unknown in any preceding age. Nor did
this enthusiasm perish with its authors: it was kept alive by the honours
which were lavished on all who could boast of literary acquirements.
During the reign of Henry I. Geoffrey of Monmouth published his History
of the Britons, and William of Malmesbury assures us that every poet
hastened to the court of Henry's Queen Matilda, at Westminster, to read his
verses to the Queen and partake of her bounty. William of Malmesbury
carefully collected the lighter ballads which embodied the popular traditions
of the English kings, and he tells an amusing story which is connected with
the festival of Christmas. In early times dancing developed into a sort of
passion, men and women continually dancing and singing together, holding
one another by the hands, and concluding the dances with kisses. These
levities were at first encouraged by the Church, but afterwards, seeing the
abuse of them, the priests were compelled to reprimand and restrain the
people. And the story told by William of Malmesbury describes the singular
punishment which came upon some young men and women for disturbing a
priest who was performing mass on the eve of Christmas. "I, Othbert, a
The progress of literature under the Conqueror and his sons was very great,
many devoting themselves almost entirely to literary pursuits. Lanfranc and
Anselm, the Archbishops of Canterbury, had proved themselves worthy of
their exalted station. Their precepts and examples had awakened the clergy
and kindled an ardour for learning unknown in any preceding age. Nor did
this enthusiasm perish with its authors: it was kept alive by the honours
which were lavished on all who could boast of literary acquirements.
During the reign of Henry I. Geoffrey of Monmouth published his History
of the Britons, and William of Malmesbury assures us that every poet
hastened to the court of Henry's Queen Matilda, at Westminster, to read his
verses to the Queen and partake of her bounty. William of Malmesbury
carefully collected the lighter ballads which embodied the popular traditions
of the English kings, and he tells an amusing story which is connected with
the festival of Christmas. In early times dancing developed into a sort of
passion, men and women continually dancing and singing together, holding
one another by the hands, and concluding the dances with kisses. These
levities were at first encouraged by the Church, but afterwards, seeing the
abuse of them, the priests were compelled to reprimand and restrain the
people. And the story told by William of Malmesbury describes the singular
punishment which came upon some young men and women for disturbing a
priest who was performing mass on the eve of Christmas. "I, Othbert, a
Page 70
sinner," says the story, "have lived to tell the tale. It was the vigil of the
Blessed Virgin, and in a town where was a church of St. Magnus. And the
priest, Rathbertus, had just begun the mass, and I, with my comrades,
fifteen young women and seventeen young men, were dancing outside the
church. And we were singing so loud that our songs were distinctly heard
inside the building, and interrupted the service of the mass. And the priest
came out and told us to desist; and when we did not, he prayed God and St.
Magnus that we might dance as our punishment for a year to come. A
youth, whose sister was dancing with us, seized her by the arm to drag her
away, but it came off in his hand, and she danced on. For a whole year we
continued. No rain fell on us; cold, nor heat, nor hunger, nor thirst, nor
fatigue affected us; neither our shoes nor our clothes wore out; but still we
went on dancing. We trod the earth down to our knees, next to our middles,
and at last were dancing in a pit. At the end of the year release came."
Giraldus Cambrensis, amongst many ridiculous Christmas stories of
miracles, visions, and apparitions, tells of one devil who acted a
considerable time as a gentleman's butler with great prudence and probity;
and of another who was a very diligent and learned clergyman, and a
mighty favourite of his archbishop. This last clerical devil was, it seems, an
excellent historian, and used to divert the Archbishop with telling him old
stories, some of which referred to the incarnation of our Saviour, and were
related at the Christmas season. "Before the incarnation of our Saviour,"
said the Archbishop's historian, "the devils had great power over mankind,
but after that event their power was much diminished and they were obliged
to fly. Some of them threw themselves into the sea; some concealed
themselves in hollow trees, or in the clefts of rocks; and I myself plunged
into a certain fountain. As soon as he had said this, finding that he had
discovered his secret, his face was covered with blushes, he went out of the
room, and was no more seen."
The following cut (taken from MS. Harl., No. 4751, of the end of the
twelfth century) represents an elephant, with its castle and armed men,
engaged in battle. The bestiaries relate many strange things of the elephant.
They say that, though so large and powerful, and so courageous against
larger animals, it is afraid of a mouse; that its nature is so cold that it will
never seek the company of the female until, wandering in the direction of
Blessed Virgin, and in a town where was a church of St. Magnus. And the
priest, Rathbertus, had just begun the mass, and I, with my comrades,
fifteen young women and seventeen young men, were dancing outside the
church. And we were singing so loud that our songs were distinctly heard
inside the building, and interrupted the service of the mass. And the priest
came out and told us to desist; and when we did not, he prayed God and St.
Magnus that we might dance as our punishment for a year to come. A
youth, whose sister was dancing with us, seized her by the arm to drag her
away, but it came off in his hand, and she danced on. For a whole year we
continued. No rain fell on us; cold, nor heat, nor hunger, nor thirst, nor
fatigue affected us; neither our shoes nor our clothes wore out; but still we
went on dancing. We trod the earth down to our knees, next to our middles,
and at last were dancing in a pit. At the end of the year release came."
Giraldus Cambrensis, amongst many ridiculous Christmas stories of
miracles, visions, and apparitions, tells of one devil who acted a
considerable time as a gentleman's butler with great prudence and probity;
and of another who was a very diligent and learned clergyman, and a
mighty favourite of his archbishop. This last clerical devil was, it seems, an
excellent historian, and used to divert the Archbishop with telling him old
stories, some of which referred to the incarnation of our Saviour, and were
related at the Christmas season. "Before the incarnation of our Saviour,"
said the Archbishop's historian, "the devils had great power over mankind,
but after that event their power was much diminished and they were obliged
to fly. Some of them threw themselves into the sea; some concealed
themselves in hollow trees, or in the clefts of rocks; and I myself plunged
into a certain fountain. As soon as he had said this, finding that he had
discovered his secret, his face was covered with blushes, he went out of the
room, and was no more seen."
The following cut (taken from MS. Harl., No. 4751, of the end of the
twelfth century) represents an elephant, with its castle and armed men,
engaged in battle. The bestiaries relate many strange things of the elephant.
They say that, though so large and powerful, and so courageous against
larger animals, it is afraid of a mouse; that its nature is so cold that it will
never seek the company of the female until, wandering in the direction of
Page 71
Paradise, it meets with the plant called the mandrake, and eats of it, and that
each female bears but one young one in her life.
Absurd as we consider such stories, they were believed by the Normans,
who were no less credulous than the Anglo-Saxons. This is evident from the
large number of miracles, revelations, visions, and enchantments which are
related with great gravity by the old chroniclers.
each female bears but one young one in her life.
Absurd as we consider such stories, they were believed by the Normans,
who were no less credulous than the Anglo-Saxons. This is evident from the
large number of miracles, revelations, visions, and enchantments which are
related with great gravity by the old chroniclers.
Page 72
The Misrule of King Stephen.
Stephen of Blois was crowned at Westminster Abbey during the Christmas
festival (December 26, 1135). As a King of Misrule, he was fitly crowned at
Christmastide, and it would have been a good thing for the nation if his
reign had been of the ephemeral character which was customary to Lords of
Misrule. The nineteen years of his reign were years of disorder unparalleled
in any period of our history. On the landing of Henry the First's daughter,
"the Empress Matilda," who claimed the English crown for her son Henry, a
long struggle ensued, and the country was divided between the adherents of
the two rivals, the West supporting Matilda, and London and the East
Stephen. For a time the successes in war alternated between the two parties.
A defeat at Lincoln left Stephen a prisoner in the hands of his enemies; but
after his escape he laid siege to the city of Oxford, where Matilda had
assembled her followers. "The Lady" of the English (as Matilda was then
called) had retreated into the castle, which, though a place of great strength,
proved to be insufficiently victualled. It was surrounded and cut off from all
supplies without, and at Christmastide (1142), after a siege of three months,
Matilda consulted her own safety by taking flight. On a cold December
night, when the ground was covered with snow, she quitted the castle at
midnight, attended by four knights, who as well as herself were clothed in
white, in order that they might pass unobserved through the lines of their
enemies. The adventurous "Lady" made good her escape, and crossing the
river unnoticed on the ice, found her way to Abingdon. The long anarchy
was ended by the Treaty of Wallingford (1153), Stephen being recognised
as king during his life, and the succession devolving upon Matilda's son
Henry. A year had hardly passed from the signing of the treaty, when
Stephen of Blois was crowned at Westminster Abbey during the Christmas
festival (December 26, 1135). As a King of Misrule, he was fitly crowned at
Christmastide, and it would have been a good thing for the nation if his
reign had been of the ephemeral character which was customary to Lords of
Misrule. The nineteen years of his reign were years of disorder unparalleled
in any period of our history. On the landing of Henry the First's daughter,
"the Empress Matilda," who claimed the English crown for her son Henry, a
long struggle ensued, and the country was divided between the adherents of
the two rivals, the West supporting Matilda, and London and the East
Stephen. For a time the successes in war alternated between the two parties.
A defeat at Lincoln left Stephen a prisoner in the hands of his enemies; but
after his escape he laid siege to the city of Oxford, where Matilda had
assembled her followers. "The Lady" of the English (as Matilda was then
called) had retreated into the castle, which, though a place of great strength,
proved to be insufficiently victualled. It was surrounded and cut off from all
supplies without, and at Christmastide (1142), after a siege of three months,
Matilda consulted her own safety by taking flight. On a cold December
night, when the ground was covered with snow, she quitted the castle at
midnight, attended by four knights, who as well as herself were clothed in
white, in order that they might pass unobserved through the lines of their
enemies. The adventurous "Lady" made good her escape, and crossing the
river unnoticed on the ice, found her way to Abingdon. The long anarchy
was ended by the Treaty of Wallingford (1153), Stephen being recognised
as king during his life, and the succession devolving upon Matilda's son
Henry. A year had hardly passed from the signing of the treaty, when
Page 73
Stephen's death gave Henry the crown, and his coronation took place at
Christmastide, 1154, at Westminster.
The Reign of Henry II.,
it has been truly said, "initiated the rule of law," as distinct from despotism,
whether personal or tempered by routine, of the Norman kings. And now
the despotic barons began gradually to be shorn of their power, and the
dungeons of their "Adulterine" castles to be stripped of their horrors, and it
seemed more appropriate to celebrate the season of glad tidings. King
Henry the Second kept his first Christmas at Bermondsey with great
solemnity, marking the occasion by passing his royal word to expel all
foreigners from the kingdom, whereupon William of Ypres and his
Flemings decamped without waiting for further notice. In 1158 Henry,
celebrating the Christmas festival at Worcester, took the crown from his
head and placed it upon the altar, after which he never wore it. But he did
not cease to keep Christmas. In 1171 he went to Ireland, where the chiefs of
the land displayed a wonderful alacrity in taking the oath of allegiance, and
were rewarded by being entertained in a style that astonished them. Finding
no place in Dublin large enough to contain his own followers, much less his
guests, Henry had a house built in Irish fashion of twigs and wattles in the
village of Hogges, and there held high revelry during Christmastide,
teaching his new subjects to eat cranes' flesh, and take their part in miracle
plays, masques, mummeries, and tournaments. And a great number of oxen
were roasted, so that all the people might take part in the rejoicings.
Christmas Entertainments at Constantinople.
In his description of Christian Constantinople, Benjamin of Tudela, a
Spanish Jew, who travelled through the East in the twelfth century (1159 or
1160), describes a "place where the king diverts himself, called the
hippodrome, near to the wall of the palace. There it is that every year, on
the day of the birth of Jesus the Nazarene, the king gives a grand
entertainment. There are represented by magic arts before the king and
queen, figures of all kinds of men that exist in the world; thither also are
taken lions, bears, tigers, and wild asses, which are made to fight together;
as well as birds. There is no such sight to be seen in all the world." At
Christmastide, 1154, at Westminster.
The Reign of Henry II.,
it has been truly said, "initiated the rule of law," as distinct from despotism,
whether personal or tempered by routine, of the Norman kings. And now
the despotic barons began gradually to be shorn of their power, and the
dungeons of their "Adulterine" castles to be stripped of their horrors, and it
seemed more appropriate to celebrate the season of glad tidings. King
Henry the Second kept his first Christmas at Bermondsey with great
solemnity, marking the occasion by passing his royal word to expel all
foreigners from the kingdom, whereupon William of Ypres and his
Flemings decamped without waiting for further notice. In 1158 Henry,
celebrating the Christmas festival at Worcester, took the crown from his
head and placed it upon the altar, after which he never wore it. But he did
not cease to keep Christmas. In 1171 he went to Ireland, where the chiefs of
the land displayed a wonderful alacrity in taking the oath of allegiance, and
were rewarded by being entertained in a style that astonished them. Finding
no place in Dublin large enough to contain his own followers, much less his
guests, Henry had a house built in Irish fashion of twigs and wattles in the
village of Hogges, and there held high revelry during Christmastide,
teaching his new subjects to eat cranes' flesh, and take their part in miracle
plays, masques, mummeries, and tournaments. And a great number of oxen
were roasted, so that all the people might take part in the rejoicings.
Christmas Entertainments at Constantinople.
In his description of Christian Constantinople, Benjamin of Tudela, a
Spanish Jew, who travelled through the East in the twelfth century (1159 or
1160), describes a "place where the king diverts himself, called the
hippodrome, near to the wall of the palace. There it is that every year, on
the day of the birth of Jesus the Nazarene, the king gives a grand
entertainment. There are represented by magic arts before the king and
queen, figures of all kinds of men that exist in the world; thither also are
taken lions, bears, tigers, and wild asses, which are made to fight together;
as well as birds. There is no such sight to be seen in all the world." At
Page 74
Constantinople, on the marriage of the Emperor Manuel with Mary,
daughter of the Prince of Antioch, on Christmas Day, 1161, there were great
rejoicings, and similar spectacular entertainments to those described by
Benjamin of Tudela.
An Archbishop Murdered at Christmastide.
During the Christmas festival of 1170 (December 29th) occurred an event
memorable in ecclesiastical history—the murder of Thomas Becket,
Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1162 Becket (who had previously been
Chancellor to Henry II.) was made Archbishop, in succession to Archbishop
Theobald. The King soon found that he who had served him faithfully as
Chancellor would oppose him doggedly as Archbishop. Henry determined
to subject the Church as well as the State to the supremacy of the law; and
Becket determined to resist the King to the end, thus manifesting his desire
for martyrdom in the cause of the Church. Henry had greatly offended the
Archbishop by causing his eldest son to be crowned by the Archbishop of
York. For this violation of the rights of Canterbury Becket threatened to lay
the country under an interdict, which he had the power from the Pope to
pronounce. A sort of reconciliation was effected between the King and the
Archbishop at Freteval on July 21, 1170, but a further dispute arose on
Becket delaying his return to England, the King being anxious to get him
out of France. The Archbishop was full of complaints against Henry for the
injuries he had done to his see, and the King stood upon his dignity,
regardless of the threatened interdiction. The Archbishop returned to
England on the 1st of December, and was joyfully received by the people.
His enemies, however, and especially the family of De Broc, did all they
could to annoy him; and on Christmas Day he uttered a violent anathema
against them. He preached from the text, "I come to die among you,"
evidently anticipating what might be the personal consequences of his
action. He told his congregation that one of the archbishops had been a
martyr, and they would probably soon see another; but before he departed
home he would avenge some of the wrongs the Church had suffered during
the previous seven years. Then he thundered forth his sentence of
excommunication against Ranulph and Robert de Broc, and Nigellus, rector
of Harrow. Meanwhile news had reached the King that Becket had
excommunicated certain bishops who had taken part in his son's coronation.
daughter of the Prince of Antioch, on Christmas Day, 1161, there were great
rejoicings, and similar spectacular entertainments to those described by
Benjamin of Tudela.
An Archbishop Murdered at Christmastide.
During the Christmas festival of 1170 (December 29th) occurred an event
memorable in ecclesiastical history—the murder of Thomas Becket,
Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1162 Becket (who had previously been
Chancellor to Henry II.) was made Archbishop, in succession to Archbishop
Theobald. The King soon found that he who had served him faithfully as
Chancellor would oppose him doggedly as Archbishop. Henry determined
to subject the Church as well as the State to the supremacy of the law; and
Becket determined to resist the King to the end, thus manifesting his desire
for martyrdom in the cause of the Church. Henry had greatly offended the
Archbishop by causing his eldest son to be crowned by the Archbishop of
York. For this violation of the rights of Canterbury Becket threatened to lay
the country under an interdict, which he had the power from the Pope to
pronounce. A sort of reconciliation was effected between the King and the
Archbishop at Freteval on July 21, 1170, but a further dispute arose on
Becket delaying his return to England, the King being anxious to get him
out of France. The Archbishop was full of complaints against Henry for the
injuries he had done to his see, and the King stood upon his dignity,
regardless of the threatened interdiction. The Archbishop returned to
England on the 1st of December, and was joyfully received by the people.
His enemies, however, and especially the family of De Broc, did all they
could to annoy him; and on Christmas Day he uttered a violent anathema
against them. He preached from the text, "I come to die among you,"
evidently anticipating what might be the personal consequences of his
action. He told his congregation that one of the archbishops had been a
martyr, and they would probably soon see another; but before he departed
home he would avenge some of the wrongs the Church had suffered during
the previous seven years. Then he thundered forth his sentence of
excommunication against Ranulph and Robert de Broc, and Nigellus, rector
of Harrow. Meanwhile news had reached the King that Becket had
excommunicated certain bishops who had taken part in his son's coronation.
Page 75
In a fit of exasperation the King uttered some hasty words of anger against
the Archbishop. Acting upon these, four of Henry's knights—Hugh de
Morville, Reginald FitzUrse, William de Tracy, and Richard Brito—crossed
to England, taking with them Ranulf de Broc and a band of men, and
murdered the Archbishop in Canterbury Cathedral. In the altercation which
took place before the consummation of the terrible deed, the Primate was
asked to absolve the bishops whom he had excommunicated, but he refused
in a defiant and insulting manner. "Then die," exclaimed FitzUrse, striking
at Becket's head with his weapon; but the devoted cross-bearer warded off
the blow with his own arm, which was badly cut, so that the Archbishop
was but slightly injured. One of the attacking party then called out, "Fly, or
thou diest!" The Archbishop, however, clasped his hands, and, with the
blood streaming down his face, fervently exclaimed, "To God, to St. Mary,
to the holy patrons of this Church, and to St. Denis I commend my soul and
the Church's cause." He was then struck down by a second blow, and the
third completed the tragedy; whereupon one of the murderers, putting his
foot on the dead prelate's neck, cried, "Thus dies a traitor!" In 1173 the
Archbishop was canonised, and his festival was appointed for the day of his
martyrdom; and for three centuries after his death the shrine of St. Thomas
at Canterbury was a favourite place of pilgrimage, so great was the
impression that his martyrdom made on the minds of the English people. As
early as the Easter of 1171 Becket's sepulchre was the scene of many
miracles, if Matthew Paris, the historian, is to be believed. What must have
been the credulity of the people in an age when an historian could gravely
write, as Matthew Paris did in 1171? "In this year, about Easter, it pleased
the Lord Jesus Christ to irradiate his glorious martyr Thomas Becket with
many miracles, that it might appear to all the world he had obtained a
victory suitable to his merits. None who approached his sepulchre in faith
returned without a cure. For strength was restored to the lame, hearing to
the deaf, sight to the blind, speech to the dumb, health to the lepers, and life
to the dead. Nay, not only men and women, but even birds and beasts were
raised from death to life."
Royal Christmases at Windsor.
Windsor Castle appears to have been the favourite residence of Henry II.
When, in 1175, he had united with him his son Henry in his crown and
the Archbishop. Acting upon these, four of Henry's knights—Hugh de
Morville, Reginald FitzUrse, William de Tracy, and Richard Brito—crossed
to England, taking with them Ranulf de Broc and a band of men, and
murdered the Archbishop in Canterbury Cathedral. In the altercation which
took place before the consummation of the terrible deed, the Primate was
asked to absolve the bishops whom he had excommunicated, but he refused
in a defiant and insulting manner. "Then die," exclaimed FitzUrse, striking
at Becket's head with his weapon; but the devoted cross-bearer warded off
the blow with his own arm, which was badly cut, so that the Archbishop
was but slightly injured. One of the attacking party then called out, "Fly, or
thou diest!" The Archbishop, however, clasped his hands, and, with the
blood streaming down his face, fervently exclaimed, "To God, to St. Mary,
to the holy patrons of this Church, and to St. Denis I commend my soul and
the Church's cause." He was then struck down by a second blow, and the
third completed the tragedy; whereupon one of the murderers, putting his
foot on the dead prelate's neck, cried, "Thus dies a traitor!" In 1173 the
Archbishop was canonised, and his festival was appointed for the day of his
martyrdom; and for three centuries after his death the shrine of St. Thomas
at Canterbury was a favourite place of pilgrimage, so great was the
impression that his martyrdom made on the minds of the English people. As
early as the Easter of 1171 Becket's sepulchre was the scene of many
miracles, if Matthew Paris, the historian, is to be believed. What must have
been the credulity of the people in an age when an historian could gravely
write, as Matthew Paris did in 1171? "In this year, about Easter, it pleased
the Lord Jesus Christ to irradiate his glorious martyr Thomas Becket with
many miracles, that it might appear to all the world he had obtained a
victory suitable to his merits. None who approached his sepulchre in faith
returned without a cure. For strength was restored to the lame, hearing to
the deaf, sight to the blind, speech to the dumb, health to the lepers, and life
to the dead. Nay, not only men and women, but even birds and beasts were
raised from death to life."
Royal Christmases at Windsor.
Windsor Castle appears to have been the favourite residence of Henry II.
When, in 1175, he had united with him his son Henry in his crown and
Page 76
prerogatives, the two kings held an assembly at Windsor, attended by the
judges, deputies of counties and districts, and all the great officers of state.
Henry also kept his ensuing Christmas with the magnificence and display
peculiar to the times, and all the ancient sports and usages; in which the
nobles and gentry of the surrounding country assisted with much splendour
at the hunt and tourney, and bestowed lavish gifts on the spectators and the
people. After the kingdom was parcelled out into four jurisdictions, another
assembly was held at the castle, in 1179, by the two kings; and, in 1184,
Henry for the last time celebrated his Christmas in the same hall of state:
his son, who had shared the throne with him, being then dead.
For the festivals of this period the tables of princes, prelates, and great
barons were plentifully supplied with many dishes of meat dressed in
various ways. The Normans sent agents into different countries to collect
the most rare dishes for their tables, by which means, says John of
Salisbury, this island, which is naturally productive of plenty and variety of
provisions, was overflowed with everything that could inflame a luxurious
appetite. The same writer says he was present at an entertainment which
lasted from three o'clock in the afternoon to midnight; at which delicacies
were served up which had been brought from Constantinople, Babylon,
Alexandria, Palestine, Tripoli, Syria, and Phœnicia. The sumptuous
entertainments which the kings of England gave to their nobles and prelates
at the festivals of Christmas, Easter, and Whitsuntide diffused a taste for
profuse and expensive banqueting; for the wealthy barons, prelates, and
gentry, in their own castles and mansions, imitated the splendour of the
royal entertainments. Great men had some kinds of provisions at their tables
which are not now to be found in Britain. When Henry II. entertained his
own court, the great officers of his army, and all the kings and great men in
Ireland, at the feast of Christmas, 1171, the Irish princes and chieftains were
quite astonished at the profusion and variety of provisions which they
beheld, and were with difficulty prevailed on by Henry to eat the flesh of
cranes, a kind of food to which they had not been accustomed. Dellegrout,
maupigyrum, karumpie, and other dishes were then used, the composition
of which is now unknown, or doubtful. Persons of rank and wealth had
variety of drinks, as well as meats; for, besides wines of various kinds, they
had pigment, morat, mead, hypocras, claret, cider, perry, and ale. The claret
judges, deputies of counties and districts, and all the great officers of state.
Henry also kept his ensuing Christmas with the magnificence and display
peculiar to the times, and all the ancient sports and usages; in which the
nobles and gentry of the surrounding country assisted with much splendour
at the hunt and tourney, and bestowed lavish gifts on the spectators and the
people. After the kingdom was parcelled out into four jurisdictions, another
assembly was held at the castle, in 1179, by the two kings; and, in 1184,
Henry for the last time celebrated his Christmas in the same hall of state:
his son, who had shared the throne with him, being then dead.
For the festivals of this period the tables of princes, prelates, and great
barons were plentifully supplied with many dishes of meat dressed in
various ways. The Normans sent agents into different countries to collect
the most rare dishes for their tables, by which means, says John of
Salisbury, this island, which is naturally productive of plenty and variety of
provisions, was overflowed with everything that could inflame a luxurious
appetite. The same writer says he was present at an entertainment which
lasted from three o'clock in the afternoon to midnight; at which delicacies
were served up which had been brought from Constantinople, Babylon,
Alexandria, Palestine, Tripoli, Syria, and Phœnicia. The sumptuous
entertainments which the kings of England gave to their nobles and prelates
at the festivals of Christmas, Easter, and Whitsuntide diffused a taste for
profuse and expensive banqueting; for the wealthy barons, prelates, and
gentry, in their own castles and mansions, imitated the splendour of the
royal entertainments. Great men had some kinds of provisions at their tables
which are not now to be found in Britain. When Henry II. entertained his
own court, the great officers of his army, and all the kings and great men in
Ireland, at the feast of Christmas, 1171, the Irish princes and chieftains were
quite astonished at the profusion and variety of provisions which they
beheld, and were with difficulty prevailed on by Henry to eat the flesh of
cranes, a kind of food to which they had not been accustomed. Dellegrout,
maupigyrum, karumpie, and other dishes were then used, the composition
of which is now unknown, or doubtful. Persons of rank and wealth had
variety of drinks, as well as meats; for, besides wines of various kinds, they
had pigment, morat, mead, hypocras, claret, cider, perry, and ale. The claret
Page 77
of those times was wine clarified and mixed with spices, and hypocras was
wine mixed with honey.
a cook of the period.
The profusion of viands and drinks, obtained at great expense from different
parts of the world for the gratification of the animal appetites at such
festivals as have been described, naturally led to
wine mixed with honey.
a cook of the period.
The profusion of viands and drinks, obtained at great expense from different
parts of the world for the gratification of the animal appetites at such
festivals as have been described, naturally led to
Page 78
Excesses in Eating and Drinking,
and from the statements and illustrations in old manuscripts it would appear
that "the merry monks" were prominent in gastronomical circles. And
extant records also state that the abbots of some of the monasteries found it
necessary to make regulations restraining the monks, and to these
regulations the monks objected. Consequently the monks of St. Swithin at
Winchester made a formal complaint to Henry II. against their abbot for
taking away three of the thirteen dishes they used to have at dinner. The
monks of Canterbury were still more luxurious, for they had at least
seventeen dishes every day besides a dessert; and these dishes were dressed
with spices and sauces which excited the appetite as well as pleased the
taste. And of course the festive season of Christmas was an occasion of
special indulgence. Sometimes serious excesses were followed by severe
discipline, administered after the manner shown in the ancient illustration
which is reproduced here.
monk undergoing discipline.
But these excesses were by no means confined to the monks. The Norman
barons and gentry adopted many of the manners of the English among
whom they lived, and especially was this the case in regard to the drinking
customs of Christmastide. Instead of commending the Normans of his time
for their sobriety, as he might have done their ancestors, Peter of Blois, who
was chaplain to Henry II., says: "When you behold our barons and knights
going upon a military expedition you see their baggage horses loaded, not
with iron but wine, not with lances but cheeses, not with swords but bottles,
not with spears but spits. You would imagine they were going to prepare a
great feast rather than to make war. There are even too many who boast of
their excessive drunkenness and gluttony, and labour to acquire fame by
and from the statements and illustrations in old manuscripts it would appear
that "the merry monks" were prominent in gastronomical circles. And
extant records also state that the abbots of some of the monasteries found it
necessary to make regulations restraining the monks, and to these
regulations the monks objected. Consequently the monks of St. Swithin at
Winchester made a formal complaint to Henry II. against their abbot for
taking away three of the thirteen dishes they used to have at dinner. The
monks of Canterbury were still more luxurious, for they had at least
seventeen dishes every day besides a dessert; and these dishes were dressed
with spices and sauces which excited the appetite as well as pleased the
taste. And of course the festive season of Christmas was an occasion of
special indulgence. Sometimes serious excesses were followed by severe
discipline, administered after the manner shown in the ancient illustration
which is reproduced here.
monk undergoing discipline.
But these excesses were by no means confined to the monks. The Norman
barons and gentry adopted many of the manners of the English among
whom they lived, and especially was this the case in regard to the drinking
customs of Christmastide. Instead of commending the Normans of his time
for their sobriety, as he might have done their ancestors, Peter of Blois, who
was chaplain to Henry II., says: "When you behold our barons and knights
going upon a military expedition you see their baggage horses loaded, not
with iron but wine, not with lances but cheeses, not with swords but bottles,
not with spears but spits. You would imagine they were going to prepare a
great feast rather than to make war. There are even too many who boast of
their excessive drunkenness and gluttony, and labour to acquire fame by
Page 79
swallowing great quantities of meat and drink." The earliest existing carol
known to antiquaries is in the Anglo-Norman language, and contains
references to the drinking customs of the period:—
"To English ale, and Gascon wine,
And French, doth Christmas much incline—
And Anjou's too;
He makes his neighbour freely drink,
So that in sleep his head doth sink
Often by day.
May joys flow from God above
To all those who Christmas love.
Lords, by Christmas and the host
Of this mansion hear my toast—
Drink it well—
Each must drain his cup of wine,
And I the first will toss off mine:
Thus I advise,
Here then I bid you all Wassail,
Cursed be he who will not say Drinkhail." [17]
known to antiquaries is in the Anglo-Norman language, and contains
references to the drinking customs of the period:—
"To English ale, and Gascon wine,
And French, doth Christmas much incline—
And Anjou's too;
He makes his neighbour freely drink,
So that in sleep his head doth sink
Often by day.
May joys flow from God above
To all those who Christmas love.
Lords, by Christmas and the host
Of this mansion hear my toast—
Drink it well—
Each must drain his cup of wine,
And I the first will toss off mine:
Thus I advise,
Here then I bid you all Wassail,
Cursed be he who will not say Drinkhail." [17]
Page 80
wassailing at christmastide.
Proceeding with our historical narrative we come now to
The Romantic Reign of Richard the First,
surnamed Cœur de Lion, the second son of Henry II. and Eleanor of
Aquitaine, who succeeded to the English throne on the death of his father in
1189. Richard is generally supposed to have derived his surname from a
superiority of animal courage; but, if the metrical romance bearing his
name, and written in the thirteenth century, be entitled to credit, he earned it
Proceeding with our historical narrative we come now to
The Romantic Reign of Richard the First,
surnamed Cœur de Lion, the second son of Henry II. and Eleanor of
Aquitaine, who succeeded to the English throne on the death of his father in
1189. Richard is generally supposed to have derived his surname from a
superiority of animal courage; but, if the metrical romance bearing his
name, and written in the thirteenth century, be entitled to credit, he earned it
Page 81
nobly and literally, by plucking out the heart of
a lion, to whose fury he had been exposed by the
Duke of Austria for having slain his son with a
blow of his fist. In the numerous descriptions
afforded by the romance Richard is a most
imposing personage. He is said to have carried
with him to the Crusades, and to have
afterwards presented to Tancred, King of Sicily,
the wonder-working sword of King Arthur—
"The gude sword
that Arthur luffed so well."
He is also said to have carried a shaft, or lance,
14 feet in length, and
"An axe for the nones,
To break therewith the Sarasyns bones.
The head was wrought right wele,
Therein was twenty pounds of steel."
But, without attempting to follow Richard
through all the brilliant episodes of his romantic
career, there can be no doubt that he was a king of great strength and
courage, and that his valorous deeds won the admiration of poets and
chroniclers, who have surrounded him with a splendid halo of romance.
Contemporary writers tell us that while Richard kept magnificent
Christmases abroad with the King of Sicily and other potentates, his
justiciars (especially the extravagant William Longchamp, Bishop of Ely)
were no less lavish in their expenditure for festive entertainments at home.
And the old romance of "Richard Cœur de Lion" assures us that—
"Christmas is a time full honest;
Kyng Richard it honoured with gret feste.
All his clerks and barouns
Were set in their pavylouns,
And seryed with grete plenté
Of mete and drink and each dainté."
There is no doubt that the Crusades had a vast influence upon our literary
tastes, as well as upon the national manners and the festivities of
Christmastide. On their return from the Holy Land the pilgrims and
a lion, to whose fury he had been exposed by the
Duke of Austria for having slain his son with a
blow of his fist. In the numerous descriptions
afforded by the romance Richard is a most
imposing personage. He is said to have carried
with him to the Crusades, and to have
afterwards presented to Tancred, King of Sicily,
the wonder-working sword of King Arthur—
"The gude sword
that Arthur luffed so well."
He is also said to have carried a shaft, or lance,
14 feet in length, and
"An axe for the nones,
To break therewith the Sarasyns bones.
The head was wrought right wele,
Therein was twenty pounds of steel."
But, without attempting to follow Richard
through all the brilliant episodes of his romantic
career, there can be no doubt that he was a king of great strength and
courage, and that his valorous deeds won the admiration of poets and
chroniclers, who have surrounded him with a splendid halo of romance.
Contemporary writers tell us that while Richard kept magnificent
Christmases abroad with the King of Sicily and other potentates, his
justiciars (especially the extravagant William Longchamp, Bishop of Ely)
were no less lavish in their expenditure for festive entertainments at home.
And the old romance of "Richard Cœur de Lion" assures us that—
"Christmas is a time full honest;
Kyng Richard it honoured with gret feste.
All his clerks and barouns
Were set in their pavylouns,
And seryed with grete plenté
Of mete and drink and each dainté."
There is no doubt that the Crusades had a vast influence upon our literary
tastes, as well as upon the national manners and the festivities of
Christmastide. On their return from the Holy Land the pilgrims and
Page 82
Crusaders brought with them new subjects for theatrical representation,
founded on the objects of their devotion and the incidents in their wars, and
these found expression in the early mysteries and other plays of
Christmastide—that of St. George and the Dragon, which survived to
modern times, probably owing its origin to this period. It is to Richard
Cœur de Lion that we are indebted for the rise of chivalry in England. It
was he who developed tilts and tournaments, and under his auspices these
diversions assumed a military air, the genius of poetry flourished, and the
fair sex was exalted in admiration. How delightful was it then, beneath the
inspiring gaze of the fair—
"Sternly to strike the quintin down;
Or fiercely storm some turf-formed town;
To rush with valour's doughty sway,
Against a Babylon of clay;
A Memphis shake with furious shock,
Or raze some flower-built Antioch!"[18]
On the death of Richard, in 1199, his brother
John was crowned King of England.
The youngest and favourite son of Henry II., John, was humoured in
childhood and grew to be an arrogant and petulant man, and was one of the
worst of English kings. He possessed ability, but not discipline. He could
neither govern himself nor his kingdom. He was tyrannical and passionate,
and spent a good deal of time in the gratification of his animal appetites. He
was fond of display and good living, and extravagant in his Christmas
entertainments. When, in 1201, he kept Christmas at Guildford he taxed his
purse and ingenuity in providing all his servitors with costly apparel, and he
was greatly annoyed because the Archbishop of Canterbury, in a similar fit
of sumptuary extravagance, sought to outdo his sovereign. John, however,
cunningly concealed his displeasure at the time, but punished the prelate by
a costly celebration of the next Easter festival at Canterbury at the
Archbishop's expense. In consequence of John's frequent quarrels with his
nobles the attendance at his Christmas feasts became smaller every year,
until he could only muster a very meagre company around his festive board,
and it was said that he had almost as many enemies as there were nobles in
the kingdom.
founded on the objects of their devotion and the incidents in their wars, and
these found expression in the early mysteries and other plays of
Christmastide—that of St. George and the Dragon, which survived to
modern times, probably owing its origin to this period. It is to Richard
Cœur de Lion that we are indebted for the rise of chivalry in England. It
was he who developed tilts and tournaments, and under his auspices these
diversions assumed a military air, the genius of poetry flourished, and the
fair sex was exalted in admiration. How delightful was it then, beneath the
inspiring gaze of the fair—
"Sternly to strike the quintin down;
Or fiercely storm some turf-formed town;
To rush with valour's doughty sway,
Against a Babylon of clay;
A Memphis shake with furious shock,
Or raze some flower-built Antioch!"[18]
On the death of Richard, in 1199, his brother
John was crowned King of England.
The youngest and favourite son of Henry II., John, was humoured in
childhood and grew to be an arrogant and petulant man, and was one of the
worst of English kings. He possessed ability, but not discipline. He could
neither govern himself nor his kingdom. He was tyrannical and passionate,
and spent a good deal of time in the gratification of his animal appetites. He
was fond of display and good living, and extravagant in his Christmas
entertainments. When, in 1201, he kept Christmas at Guildford he taxed his
purse and ingenuity in providing all his servitors with costly apparel, and he
was greatly annoyed because the Archbishop of Canterbury, in a similar fit
of sumptuary extravagance, sought to outdo his sovereign. John, however,
cunningly concealed his displeasure at the time, but punished the prelate by
a costly celebration of the next Easter festival at Canterbury at the
Archbishop's expense. In consequence of John's frequent quarrels with his
nobles the attendance at his Christmas feasts became smaller every year,
until he could only muster a very meagre company around his festive board,
and it was said that he had almost as many enemies as there were nobles in
the kingdom.
Page 83
In 1205 John spent his Christmas at the ancient town of Brill, in the Vale of
Aylesbury, and in 1213 he kept a Royal Christmas in the great hall at
Westminster.
Magna Charta demanded at a Christmas Festival.
The Christmas of 1214 is memorable in English history as the festival at
which the barons demanded from King John that document which as the
foundation of our English liberties is known to us by the name of Magna
Charta, that is, the Great Charter. John's tyranny and lawlessness had
become intolerable, and the people's hope hung on the fortunes of the
French campaign in which he was then engaged. His defeat at the battle of
Bouvines, fought on July 27, 1214, gave strength to his opponents; and after
his return to England the barons secretly met at St. Edmundsbury and swore
to demand from him, if needful by force of arms, the restoration of their
liberties by charter under the king's seal. Having agreed to assemble at the
Court for this purpose during the approaching festival of Christmas they
separated. When Christmas Day arrived John was at Worcester, attended
only by a few of his immediate retainers and some foreign mercenaries.
None of his great vassals came, as was customary at Christmas, to offer
their congratulations. His attendants tried in vain to assume an appearance
of cheerfulness and festivity; but John, alarmed at the absence of the
barons, hastily rode to London and there shut himself up in the house of the
Knights Templars. On the Feast of the Epiphany the barons assembled in
great force at London and presenting themselves in arms before the King
formally demanded his confirmation of the laws of Edward the Confessor
and Henry I. At first John assumed a bold and defiant air and met the barons
with an absolute refusal and threats; but, finding the nobles were firm, he
sank to the meanness of subterfuge, and pleaded the necessity of time for
the consideration of demands so weighty. With some reluctance the barons
granted the delay, and ultimately, in 1215, the tyrant bowed to the
inevitable, called the barons to a conference at Runnymede, and there
signed the Great Charter, whose most important clauses protect the personal
liberty and property of every freeman in the kingdom by giving security
from arbitrary imprisonment and unjust exactions.
Aylesbury, and in 1213 he kept a Royal Christmas in the great hall at
Westminster.
Magna Charta demanded at a Christmas Festival.
The Christmas of 1214 is memorable in English history as the festival at
which the barons demanded from King John that document which as the
foundation of our English liberties is known to us by the name of Magna
Charta, that is, the Great Charter. John's tyranny and lawlessness had
become intolerable, and the people's hope hung on the fortunes of the
French campaign in which he was then engaged. His defeat at the battle of
Bouvines, fought on July 27, 1214, gave strength to his opponents; and after
his return to England the barons secretly met at St. Edmundsbury and swore
to demand from him, if needful by force of arms, the restoration of their
liberties by charter under the king's seal. Having agreed to assemble at the
Court for this purpose during the approaching festival of Christmas they
separated. When Christmas Day arrived John was at Worcester, attended
only by a few of his immediate retainers and some foreign mercenaries.
None of his great vassals came, as was customary at Christmas, to offer
their congratulations. His attendants tried in vain to assume an appearance
of cheerfulness and festivity; but John, alarmed at the absence of the
barons, hastily rode to London and there shut himself up in the house of the
Knights Templars. On the Feast of the Epiphany the barons assembled in
great force at London and presenting themselves in arms before the King
formally demanded his confirmation of the laws of Edward the Confessor
and Henry I. At first John assumed a bold and defiant air and met the barons
with an absolute refusal and threats; but, finding the nobles were firm, he
sank to the meanness of subterfuge, and pleaded the necessity of time for
the consideration of demands so weighty. With some reluctance the barons
granted the delay, and ultimately, in 1215, the tyrant bowed to the
inevitable, called the barons to a conference at Runnymede, and there
signed the Great Charter, whose most important clauses protect the personal
liberty and property of every freeman in the kingdom by giving security
from arbitrary imprisonment and unjust exactions.
Page 84
[16] "Short History of the Norman Conquest."
[17] Wassail and Drinkhail are both derived from the Anglo-Saxon. They were
the common drinking pledges of the age. Wassail is equivalent to the phrase,
"Your health," of the present day. Drinkhail, which literally signifies "drink
health," was the usual acknowledgment of the other pledge. The carol from
which the verses are quoted was evidently sung by the wandering minstrels
who visited the castles of the Norman nobility at the festive season of
Christmas.
[18] Grattan.
CHAPTER V.
CHRISTMAS, FROM MAGNA CHARTA TO THE END OF THE
WARS OF THE ROSES.
(1215-1485.)
Soon after the disaster which overtook John's army at the Wash the King
ended his wretched career by death. He died on October 18, 1216, in the
castle of Newark on the Trent, and the old chroniclers describe him as dying
in an extremity of agony and remorse.
Henry the Third,
sometimes called "Henry of Winchester," came to the throne in troublous
times, before he was ten years of age. The tyranny of his father had
alienated every class of his subjects, and the barons who had obtained
[17] Wassail and Drinkhail are both derived from the Anglo-Saxon. They were
the common drinking pledges of the age. Wassail is equivalent to the phrase,
"Your health," of the present day. Drinkhail, which literally signifies "drink
health," was the usual acknowledgment of the other pledge. The carol from
which the verses are quoted was evidently sung by the wandering minstrels
who visited the castles of the Norman nobility at the festive season of
Christmas.
[18] Grattan.
CHAPTER V.
CHRISTMAS, FROM MAGNA CHARTA TO THE END OF THE
WARS OF THE ROSES.
(1215-1485.)
Soon after the disaster which overtook John's army at the Wash the King
ended his wretched career by death. He died on October 18, 1216, in the
castle of Newark on the Trent, and the old chroniclers describe him as dying
in an extremity of agony and remorse.
Henry the Third,
sometimes called "Henry of Winchester," came to the throne in troublous
times, before he was ten years of age. The tyranny of his father had
alienated every class of his subjects, and the barons who had obtained
Page 85
Magna Charta from King John had called in Louis of France. But through
the conciliatory measures of the Regent Pembroke towards the barons, and
the strong support which the Roman Church gave the boy-king (whose
father had meanly done homage to the Pope), the foreigners were expelled,
and the opposition of the barons was suppressed for a time, though in later
years they again struggled with the crown for supremacy of power. When
Henry had grown to manhood and the responsibility of government rested
upon his own shoulders, he still exulted in the protection of the Holy See,
which found in him a subservient vassal. He fasted during Lent, but feasted
right royally both at Christmas and Easter. In 1234 he kept a grand
Christmas in the Great Hall at Westminster, and other royal Christmases
were celebrated at Windsor Castle and at his palace at Winchester. He made
large additions to Windsor Castle, and some of his mandates giving minute
directions for the decoration of his palace at Winchester are still preserved.
He enjoyed the old plays and ballets of Christmastide introduced from
France at this period.
Henry the Third's most splendid Christmas was in the twentieth year of his
reign, when he welcomed Eleanor, daughter of the Count of Provence, to
whom he was married on January 14, 1236. The youthful princess left
Provence amidst the rejoicings
the conciliatory measures of the Regent Pembroke towards the barons, and
the strong support which the Roman Church gave the boy-king (whose
father had meanly done homage to the Pope), the foreigners were expelled,
and the opposition of the barons was suppressed for a time, though in later
years they again struggled with the crown for supremacy of power. When
Henry had grown to manhood and the responsibility of government rested
upon his own shoulders, he still exulted in the protection of the Holy See,
which found in him a subservient vassal. He fasted during Lent, but feasted
right royally both at Christmas and Easter. In 1234 he kept a grand
Christmas in the Great Hall at Westminster, and other royal Christmases
were celebrated at Windsor Castle and at his palace at Winchester. He made
large additions to Windsor Castle, and some of his mandates giving minute
directions for the decoration of his palace at Winchester are still preserved.
He enjoyed the old plays and ballets of Christmastide introduced from
France at this period.
Henry the Third's most splendid Christmas was in the twentieth year of his
reign, when he welcomed Eleanor, daughter of the Count of Provence, to
whom he was married on January 14, 1236. The youthful princess left
Provence amidst the rejoicings
Page 86
royal party dining in state.
of the whole kingdom. She was accompanied by Henry's ambassadors and a
grand cavalcade, in which were more than three hundred ladies on
horseback. Her route lay through Navarre and France. On reaching
England, at Dover, the princess and her train proceeded to Canterbury,
where Henry awaited their coming. It was in that ancient city that the royal
pair were married by the Archbishop Edmund and the prelates who
accompanied Eleanor. From Canterbury the newly-wedded king and queen
set out for London, attended by a splendid array of nobles, prelates, knights
and ladies. On the 20th of January, Eleanor was crowned at Westminster
with great splendour. Matthew Paris, the historian, gives an interesting
description of the royal procession, and the loyal welcome of the citizens of
London: "There had assembled together so great a number of the nobility of
both sexes, so great a number of religious orders, so great a concourse of
the populace, and so great a variety of players, that London could scarcely
contain them in her capacious bosom. Therefore was the city adorned with
silk hangings, and with banners, crowns, palls, tapers, and lamps, and with
certain marvellous ingenuities and devices; all the streets being cleaned
of the whole kingdom. She was accompanied by Henry's ambassadors and a
grand cavalcade, in which were more than three hundred ladies on
horseback. Her route lay through Navarre and France. On reaching
England, at Dover, the princess and her train proceeded to Canterbury,
where Henry awaited their coming. It was in that ancient city that the royal
pair were married by the Archbishop Edmund and the prelates who
accompanied Eleanor. From Canterbury the newly-wedded king and queen
set out for London, attended by a splendid array of nobles, prelates, knights
and ladies. On the 20th of January, Eleanor was crowned at Westminster
with great splendour. Matthew Paris, the historian, gives an interesting
description of the royal procession, and the loyal welcome of the citizens of
London: "There had assembled together so great a number of the nobility of
both sexes, so great a number of religious orders, so great a concourse of
the populace, and so great a variety of players, that London could scarcely
contain them in her capacious bosom. Therefore was the city adorned with
silk hangings, and with banners, crowns, palls, tapers, and lamps, and with
certain marvellous ingenuities and devices; all the streets being cleaned
Page 87
from dirt, mud, sticks and everything offensive. The citizens of London
going to meet the king and queen, ornamented and trapped and wondrously
sported their swift horses; and on the same day they went from the City to
Westminster, that they might discharge the service of butler to the king in
his coronation, which is acknowledged to belong to them of ancient right.
They went in well-marshalled array, adorned in silken vestments, wrapped
in gold-woven mantles, with fancifully-devised garments, sitting on
valuable horses refulgent with new bits and saddles: and they bore three
hundred and sixty gold and silver cups, the king's trumpeters going before
and sounding their trumpets; so that so wonderful a novelty produced a
laudable astonishment in the spectators." The literary monk of St. Albans
also describes the splendour of the feast, and the order of the service of the
different vassals of the crown, many of whom were called upon at the
coronation to perform certain peculiar services. According to the ancient
City records, "these served in order in that most elegant and unheard-of
feast: the Bishop of Chichester, the Chancellor, with the cup of precious
stones, which was one of the ancient regalia of the king, clothed in his
pontificals, preceded the king, who was clad in royal attire, and wearing the
crown. Hugh de Pateshall walked before with the patine, clothed in a
dalmatica; and the Earls of Chester, Lincoln, and Warren, bearing the
swords, preceded him. But the two renowned knights, Sir Richard Siward
and Sir Nicholas de Molis, carried the two royal sceptres before the king;
and the square purple cloth of silk, which was supported upon four silver
lances, with four little bells of silver gilt, held over the king wherever he
walked, was carried by the barons of the Cinque Ports; four being assigned
to each lance, from the diversity of ports, that one port should not seem to
be preferred before the other. The same in like manner bore a cloth of silk
over the queen, walking behind the king, which said cloths they claimed to
be theirs by right, and obtained them. And William de Beauchamp of
Bedford, who had the office of almoner from times of old, found the striped
cloth or burel, which was laid down under the king's feet as he went from
the hall as far as the pulpit of the Church of Westminster; and that part of
the cloth that was within the Church always fell to the sexton in whatever
church the king was crowned; and all that was without the church was
distributed among the poor, by the hands of William the almoner." The
ancient records contain many other particulars respecting the ceremonies
going to meet the king and queen, ornamented and trapped and wondrously
sported their swift horses; and on the same day they went from the City to
Westminster, that they might discharge the service of butler to the king in
his coronation, which is acknowledged to belong to them of ancient right.
They went in well-marshalled array, adorned in silken vestments, wrapped
in gold-woven mantles, with fancifully-devised garments, sitting on
valuable horses refulgent with new bits and saddles: and they bore three
hundred and sixty gold and silver cups, the king's trumpeters going before
and sounding their trumpets; so that so wonderful a novelty produced a
laudable astonishment in the spectators." The literary monk of St. Albans
also describes the splendour of the feast, and the order of the service of the
different vassals of the crown, many of whom were called upon at the
coronation to perform certain peculiar services. According to the ancient
City records, "these served in order in that most elegant and unheard-of
feast: the Bishop of Chichester, the Chancellor, with the cup of precious
stones, which was one of the ancient regalia of the king, clothed in his
pontificals, preceded the king, who was clad in royal attire, and wearing the
crown. Hugh de Pateshall walked before with the patine, clothed in a
dalmatica; and the Earls of Chester, Lincoln, and Warren, bearing the
swords, preceded him. But the two renowned knights, Sir Richard Siward
and Sir Nicholas de Molis, carried the two royal sceptres before the king;
and the square purple cloth of silk, which was supported upon four silver
lances, with four little bells of silver gilt, held over the king wherever he
walked, was carried by the barons of the Cinque Ports; four being assigned
to each lance, from the diversity of ports, that one port should not seem to
be preferred before the other. The same in like manner bore a cloth of silk
over the queen, walking behind the king, which said cloths they claimed to
be theirs by right, and obtained them. And William de Beauchamp of
Bedford, who had the office of almoner from times of old, found the striped
cloth or burel, which was laid down under the king's feet as he went from
the hall as far as the pulpit of the Church of Westminster; and that part of
the cloth that was within the Church always fell to the sexton in whatever
church the king was crowned; and all that was without the church was
distributed among the poor, by the hands of William the almoner." The
ancient records contain many other particulars respecting the ceremonies
Page 88
which graced the marriage feast of Henry and Eleanor of Provence, but
enough has been quoted to show the magnificence of the celebration.
Year by year, as the Christmas festival came round, it was royally
celebrated wherever the Court happened to be, even though the king had to
pledge his plate and jewels with the citizens of London to replenish his
exchequer. But Henry's Royal Christmases did not allay the growing
disaffection of his subjects on account of his showing too much favour to
foreigners; and some of the barons who attended the Royal Christmas at
Westminster in 1241, left in high dudgeon, because the place of honour at
the banquet was occupied by the papal legate, then about to leave England,
"to the sorrow of no man but the king." In 1252, Henry gave in marriage his
beautiful daughter Margaret, to Alexander, King of the Scots, and held his
Christmas at the same time. The city of York was the scene of the regal
festivities. The marriage took place on Christmas Day, the bridegroom and
many of his nobles receiving knighthood at the hands of the English king.
Henry seems to have conciliated the English barons for a time, for most of
them were present at the marriage festivities, and he counted a thousand
knights in his train; while Alexander brought sixty splendidly-attired
Scottish knights with him. That the banqueting was on no mean scale is
evident from the fact that six hundred fat oxen were slaughtered for the
occasion, the gift of the Archbishop of York, who also subscribed four
thousand marks (£2,700) towards the expenses. The consumption of meats
and drinks at such feasts was enormous. An extant order of Henry's,
addressed to his keeper of wines, directs him to deliver two tuns of white
and one of red wine, to make garhiofilac and claret 'as usual,' for the king at
Christmas; and upon another occasion the Sheriffs of Gloucestershire and
Sussex were called upon to supply part of the necessary provisions; the first
named being directed to get twenty salmon, and make pies of them; while
the latter was instructed to send ten peacocks, ten brawns with their heads,
and other things. And all this provision was necessary, for while Henry
feasted the rich, he did not forget the poor. When he kept his Christmas at
Winchester in 1248, he ordered his treasurer to fill Westminster Hall with
poor people, and feast them there for a week. Twenty years afterwards, he
kept his Royal Christmas in London for fifteen days, opening a fair
meantime at Westminster, and forbidding any shop to be opened in London
as long as the festival lasted. This prohibition of business naturally
enough has been quoted to show the magnificence of the celebration.
Year by year, as the Christmas festival came round, it was royally
celebrated wherever the Court happened to be, even though the king had to
pledge his plate and jewels with the citizens of London to replenish his
exchequer. But Henry's Royal Christmases did not allay the growing
disaffection of his subjects on account of his showing too much favour to
foreigners; and some of the barons who attended the Royal Christmas at
Westminster in 1241, left in high dudgeon, because the place of honour at
the banquet was occupied by the papal legate, then about to leave England,
"to the sorrow of no man but the king." In 1252, Henry gave in marriage his
beautiful daughter Margaret, to Alexander, King of the Scots, and held his
Christmas at the same time. The city of York was the scene of the regal
festivities. The marriage took place on Christmas Day, the bridegroom and
many of his nobles receiving knighthood at the hands of the English king.
Henry seems to have conciliated the English barons for a time, for most of
them were present at the marriage festivities, and he counted a thousand
knights in his train; while Alexander brought sixty splendidly-attired
Scottish knights with him. That the banqueting was on no mean scale is
evident from the fact that six hundred fat oxen were slaughtered for the
occasion, the gift of the Archbishop of York, who also subscribed four
thousand marks (£2,700) towards the expenses. The consumption of meats
and drinks at such feasts was enormous. An extant order of Henry's,
addressed to his keeper of wines, directs him to deliver two tuns of white
and one of red wine, to make garhiofilac and claret 'as usual,' for the king at
Christmas; and upon another occasion the Sheriffs of Gloucestershire and
Sussex were called upon to supply part of the necessary provisions; the first
named being directed to get twenty salmon, and make pies of them; while
the latter was instructed to send ten peacocks, ten brawns with their heads,
and other things. And all this provision was necessary, for while Henry
feasted the rich, he did not forget the poor. When he kept his Christmas at
Winchester in 1248, he ordered his treasurer to fill Westminster Hall with
poor people, and feast them there for a week. Twenty years afterwards, he
kept his Royal Christmas in London for fifteen days, opening a fair
meantime at Westminster, and forbidding any shop to be opened in London
as long as the festival lasted. This prohibition of business naturally
Page 89
displeased the citizens of London, but the king would not withdraw his
prohibition until they agreed to make him a present of two thousand
pounds, upon the receipt of which the prohibition was withdrawn.
We cannot pass over this period without reference to the summoning of
The First English Parliament,
which was a great event of Christmastide.
The Barons' Wars interfered seriously with the Christmas festivities, but
they solved the problem of how to ensure the government of the realm in
accordance with the provisions of the Great Charter. The King (Henry III.)
had sworn again and again to observe the Charter, but his oath was no
sooner taken than it was unscrupulously broken. The barons, with the
patriotic Simon de Montfort at their head, were determined to uphold the
rights of the people, and insisted on the king's compliance with the
provisions of the Charter; and this struggle with the Crown yielded one of
the greatest events of Christmastide: the summoning of the first national
Parliament. By summoning the representatives of the cities and boroughs to
sit beside the knights of the shires, the barons and the bishops in the
Parliament of the realm, Simon de Montfort created a new force in English
politics. This first national assembly met at Westminster, in January, 1265,
while the king was a prisoner of Earl Simon. The form of national
representation thus inaugurated had an immense influence on the rising
liberties of the people, and has endured to our own times. It is not
surprising, therefore, that the adoption of this measure by the great Earl of
Leicester invested his memory with a lustre which has not been dimmed by
the lapse of centuries. The paltering of the king called forth the patriotism
of the people. "So may a glory from defect arise." The sevenfold lustre of
the rainbow is only seen when there is rain as well as sun.
"Only the prism's obstruction shows aright
The secret of a sunbeam, breaks its light
Into the jewelled bow from blankest white;
So may a glory from defect arise."[19]
prohibition until they agreed to make him a present of two thousand
pounds, upon the receipt of which the prohibition was withdrawn.
We cannot pass over this period without reference to the summoning of
The First English Parliament,
which was a great event of Christmastide.
The Barons' Wars interfered seriously with the Christmas festivities, but
they solved the problem of how to ensure the government of the realm in
accordance with the provisions of the Great Charter. The King (Henry III.)
had sworn again and again to observe the Charter, but his oath was no
sooner taken than it was unscrupulously broken. The barons, with the
patriotic Simon de Montfort at their head, were determined to uphold the
rights of the people, and insisted on the king's compliance with the
provisions of the Charter; and this struggle with the Crown yielded one of
the greatest events of Christmastide: the summoning of the first national
Parliament. By summoning the representatives of the cities and boroughs to
sit beside the knights of the shires, the barons and the bishops in the
Parliament of the realm, Simon de Montfort created a new force in English
politics. This first national assembly met at Westminster, in January, 1265,
while the king was a prisoner of Earl Simon. The form of national
representation thus inaugurated had an immense influence on the rising
liberties of the people, and has endured to our own times. It is not
surprising, therefore, that the adoption of this measure by the great Earl of
Leicester invested his memory with a lustre which has not been dimmed by
the lapse of centuries. The paltering of the king called forth the patriotism
of the people. "So may a glory from defect arise." The sevenfold lustre of
the rainbow is only seen when there is rain as well as sun.
"Only the prism's obstruction shows aright
The secret of a sunbeam, breaks its light
Into the jewelled bow from blankest white;
So may a glory from defect arise."[19]
Page 90
The Death of Robin Hood on Christmas Eve.
The famous freebooter, Robin Hood, who, according to tradition, flourished
in Sherwood Forest in the distracted reign of Henry the Third, is said to
have died on Christmas Eve, in the year 1247. The career of this hero of
many popular ballads is not part of our subject, though Hone[20] records his
death as a Christmas event; and Stowe, writing in 1590, evidently believes
in Robin Hood as an historical personage, for he says, "he suffered no
woman to be oppressed ... poor men's goods he spared, abundantly relieving
them with that which by theft he got from the abbeys, and the houses of rich
old earles."
From the doubtful doings of the romantic chief and his band of freebooters,
we now pass on to the
Reign of Edward the First.
The famous freebooter, Robin Hood, who, according to tradition, flourished
in Sherwood Forest in the distracted reign of Henry the Third, is said to
have died on Christmas Eve, in the year 1247. The career of this hero of
many popular ballads is not part of our subject, though Hone[20] records his
death as a Christmas event; and Stowe, writing in 1590, evidently believes
in Robin Hood as an historical personage, for he says, "he suffered no
woman to be oppressed ... poor men's goods he spared, abundantly relieving
them with that which by theft he got from the abbeys, and the houses of rich
old earles."
From the doubtful doings of the romantic chief and his band of freebooters,
we now pass on to the
Reign of Edward the First.
Page 91
Edward the First was in the truest sense a national king. He was English to
the core, and he won the love of his people by his bravery, justice, and good
government. He joined freely in the national sports and pastimes, and kept
the Christmas festival with great splendour. There was much of the chivalric
in his character, and he shared to the full his people's love of hard fighting.
He was invested with the honour of knighthood and went to foreign courts
to display his prowess. Matthew of Westminster states that while Edward
was travelling in France, he heard that a lord of Burgundy was continually
committing outrages on the persons and property of his neighbours. In the
true spirit of chivalry Edward attacked the castle of the uncourteous baron.
His prowess asserted the cause of justice, and he bestowed the domains
which he had won upon a nobler lord. For the sake of acquiring military
fame he exposed himself to great dangers in the Holy Land, and, during his
journey homeward, saved his life by sheer fighting in a tournament at
Challon. At his "Round Table of Kenilworth" a hundred lords and ladies
"clad all in silk" renewed the faded glories of Arthur's Court, and kept
Christmas with great magnificence. In 1277, Llewellyn, Prince of Wales,
bidden from his mountain fastnesses "with a kiss of peace," sat a guest at
the Christmas feast of Edward, but he was soon to fall the last defender of
his weeping country's independence in unequal battle with the English
King. In 1281-2, Edward kept his feast of Christmas at Worcester, and there
was "such a frost and snow as no man living could remember the like."
Rivers were frozen over, even including the Thames and Severn; fish in
ponds, and birds in woods died for want of food; and on the breaking up of
the ice five of the arches of old London bridge were carried away by the
stream, and the like happened to many other bridges. In 1286 Edward kept
his Christmas at Oxford, but the honour was accompanied by an unpleasant
episode in the hanging of the Mayor by the King's command. In 1290,
1292, and 1303, Edward the First kept Royal Christmases in the great hall
the core, and he won the love of his people by his bravery, justice, and good
government. He joined freely in the national sports and pastimes, and kept
the Christmas festival with great splendour. There was much of the chivalric
in his character, and he shared to the full his people's love of hard fighting.
He was invested with the honour of knighthood and went to foreign courts
to display his prowess. Matthew of Westminster states that while Edward
was travelling in France, he heard that a lord of Burgundy was continually
committing outrages on the persons and property of his neighbours. In the
true spirit of chivalry Edward attacked the castle of the uncourteous baron.
His prowess asserted the cause of justice, and he bestowed the domains
which he had won upon a nobler lord. For the sake of acquiring military
fame he exposed himself to great dangers in the Holy Land, and, during his
journey homeward, saved his life by sheer fighting in a tournament at
Challon. At his "Round Table of Kenilworth" a hundred lords and ladies
"clad all in silk" renewed the faded glories of Arthur's Court, and kept
Christmas with great magnificence. In 1277, Llewellyn, Prince of Wales,
bidden from his mountain fastnesses "with a kiss of peace," sat a guest at
the Christmas feast of Edward, but he was soon to fall the last defender of
his weeping country's independence in unequal battle with the English
King. In 1281-2, Edward kept his feast of Christmas at Worcester, and there
was "such a frost and snow as no man living could remember the like."
Rivers were frozen over, even including the Thames and Severn; fish in
ponds, and birds in woods died for want of food; and on the breaking up of
the ice five of the arches of old London bridge were carried away by the
stream, and the like happened to many other bridges. In 1286 Edward kept
his Christmas at Oxford, but the honour was accompanied by an unpleasant
episode in the hanging of the Mayor by the King's command. In 1290,
1292, and 1303, Edward the First kept Royal Christmases in the great hall
Page 92
at Westminster. On his way to Scotland, in the year 1299, the King
witnessed the Christmas ceremonial of the Boy Bishop. He permitted one of
the boy bishops to say vespers before him in his chapel at Heton, near
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and made a present to the performers of forty
shillings, no inconsiderable sum in those days. During his Scotch wars, in
1301, Edward, on the approach of winter, took up his quarters in
Linlithgow, where he built a castle and kept his Christmas; and during his
reign he celebrated the festival at other places not usually so honoured—
namely, Bury, Ipswich, Bristol, Berwick, Carlisle, and Lincoln.
Edward the Second
succeeded his father in 1307, being the fourth son of Edward I. and Eleanor
of Castile. He took great delight in the Christmas revels and expended large
sums of money in the entertainment of his court favourites. In 1311 he kept
his Christmas at York, rejoicing in the presence of Piers Gaveston, whom he
had recalled from banishment in utter disregard of advice given to him by
his father (Edward I.) on his death-bed. Edward II. kept his Christmas in the
great hall at Westminster in 1317, when, however, few nobles were present,
"because of discord betwixt them and the King;" but in 1320 the Royal
Christmas was kept at Westminster "with great honour and glorie." In 1324-
5 the King's Christmas was sumptuously observed at Nottingham, but the
following year found Edward a prisoner at Kenilworth, while his wife, who
had successfully intrigued with Roger Mortimer, leader of the Barons,
observed the Christmas festivities with her son at Wallingford, glad at the
downfall of her husband. Edward was an irresolute and weak-minded king.
He displayed singular incapacity for government, wasting almost all his
time in frivolous amusements. The chief characteristics of his reign were
defeat and disgrace abroad, and misrule ending in misery at home. Instead
of following the example of his noble father, Edward I., who has been
deservedly styled "the greatest of the Plantagenets," he proved himself the
weakest of that line of kings, spending his time in such trifling diversions as
"cross and pile," a game of chance with coins. He was so utterly devoid of
self-respect that he even borrowed money of his barber to carry on this
frivolous pastime, such items as the following being found in his wardrobe
rolls:—"Item, paid to Henry, the king's barber, for money which he lent the
king to play at cross and pile, five shillings. Item, paid to Pires Barnard,
witnessed the Christmas ceremonial of the Boy Bishop. He permitted one of
the boy bishops to say vespers before him in his chapel at Heton, near
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and made a present to the performers of forty
shillings, no inconsiderable sum in those days. During his Scotch wars, in
1301, Edward, on the approach of winter, took up his quarters in
Linlithgow, where he built a castle and kept his Christmas; and during his
reign he celebrated the festival at other places not usually so honoured—
namely, Bury, Ipswich, Bristol, Berwick, Carlisle, and Lincoln.
Edward the Second
succeeded his father in 1307, being the fourth son of Edward I. and Eleanor
of Castile. He took great delight in the Christmas revels and expended large
sums of money in the entertainment of his court favourites. In 1311 he kept
his Christmas at York, rejoicing in the presence of Piers Gaveston, whom he
had recalled from banishment in utter disregard of advice given to him by
his father (Edward I.) on his death-bed. Edward II. kept his Christmas in the
great hall at Westminster in 1317, when, however, few nobles were present,
"because of discord betwixt them and the King;" but in 1320 the Royal
Christmas was kept at Westminster "with great honour and glorie." In 1324-
5 the King's Christmas was sumptuously observed at Nottingham, but the
following year found Edward a prisoner at Kenilworth, while his wife, who
had successfully intrigued with Roger Mortimer, leader of the Barons,
observed the Christmas festivities with her son at Wallingford, glad at the
downfall of her husband. Edward was an irresolute and weak-minded king.
He displayed singular incapacity for government, wasting almost all his
time in frivolous amusements. The chief characteristics of his reign were
defeat and disgrace abroad, and misrule ending in misery at home. Instead
of following the example of his noble father, Edward I., who has been
deservedly styled "the greatest of the Plantagenets," he proved himself the
weakest of that line of kings, spending his time in such trifling diversions as
"cross and pile," a game of chance with coins. He was so utterly devoid of
self-respect that he even borrowed money of his barber to carry on this
frivolous pastime, such items as the following being found in his wardrobe
rolls:—"Item, paid to Henry, the king's barber, for money which he lent the
king to play at cross and pile, five shillings. Item, paid to Pires Barnard,
Page 93
usher of the king's chamber, money which he lent the king, and which he
lost at cross and pile; to Monsieur Robert Wattewille eightpence." At length
the barons, tired of Edward's misgovernment, revolted, and made the king a
prisoner. During the Christmas festival of 1326, Edward was imprisoned in
Kenilworth Castle. While there he was informed that in a Parliament held at
Westminster, during Christmas 1326-7, he was deposed, and his son
Edward, then only fourteen years of age, elected in his stead. On the 21st of
September in the same year Edward II. ended his miserable career in
Berkeley Castle, being, it is supposed, cruelly murdered by his keepers.
Edward The Third's Coronation
festivities were a sumptuous enlargement of the Christmas celebration,
which usually extended over Twelfth Night. It is said that the banqueting
cost the equivalent of forty thousand pounds of our money; and before the
young king there appeared quite a multitude of minstrels, mimics, and
gleemen. Professor Henry Morley[21] gives a specimen of the metrical
romances which were translated from the French for recitation at the royal
and noble banquets of this period. They were "busy with action, and told
with a lively freedom;" and, in the one quoted, "The Fabliau of Sir Cleges,"
we catch some interesting references to the celebration of Christmas:—
"Every year Sir Cleges would
At Christmás a great feast hold
In worship of that day,
As royál in allé thing
As he haddé been a king
For sooth as I you say.
Rich and poor in the country about
Should be there withouten doubt;
There would no man say nay.
Minstrels would not be behind,
For there they might most mirthés find
There would they be aye.
"Minstrels when the feast was done
Withouten giftés should not gon,
And that both rich and good:
Horsé, robes and riché ring,
Gold, silver, and other thing,
To mend with their mood.
Ten yearé such feast be held,
In the worship of Mary mild
lost at cross and pile; to Monsieur Robert Wattewille eightpence." At length
the barons, tired of Edward's misgovernment, revolted, and made the king a
prisoner. During the Christmas festival of 1326, Edward was imprisoned in
Kenilworth Castle. While there he was informed that in a Parliament held at
Westminster, during Christmas 1326-7, he was deposed, and his son
Edward, then only fourteen years of age, elected in his stead. On the 21st of
September in the same year Edward II. ended his miserable career in
Berkeley Castle, being, it is supposed, cruelly murdered by his keepers.
Edward The Third's Coronation
festivities were a sumptuous enlargement of the Christmas celebration,
which usually extended over Twelfth Night. It is said that the banqueting
cost the equivalent of forty thousand pounds of our money; and before the
young king there appeared quite a multitude of minstrels, mimics, and
gleemen. Professor Henry Morley[21] gives a specimen of the metrical
romances which were translated from the French for recitation at the royal
and noble banquets of this period. They were "busy with action, and told
with a lively freedom;" and, in the one quoted, "The Fabliau of Sir Cleges,"
we catch some interesting references to the celebration of Christmas:—
"Every year Sir Cleges would
At Christmás a great feast hold
In worship of that day,
As royál in allé thing
As he haddé been a king
For sooth as I you say.
Rich and poor in the country about
Should be there withouten doubt;
There would no man say nay.
Minstrels would not be behind,
For there they might most mirthés find
There would they be aye.
"Minstrels when the feast was done
Withouten giftés should not gon,
And that both rich and good:
Horsé, robes and riché ring,
Gold, silver, and other thing,
To mend with their mood.
Ten yearé such feast be held,
In the worship of Mary mild
Page 94
And for Him that died on the rood.
By that his good began to slake
For the great feasts that he did make.
The knight gentil of blood."
"Kepe Open Court" At Christmas.
Froissart, in Cap. XIIII. of his "Chronicles,"[22] gives the following account
of the Christmas Celebration at which Edward the Third was crowned:—
"After that the most part of the company of Heynaulte were departed, and
syr John Heynaulte lorde of Beamonde taryed, the Quene gave leve to her
people to departe, savynge a certayne noble knightis the whiche she kept
styl about her and her sōne, to counsell them, and commaunded all them
that departed, to be at London the next Christmas, for as than she was
determyned to kepe open court, and all they promysed her so to do. And
whan Christmas was come, she helde a great court. And thyther came
dukes, erles, barons, knightis, and all the nobles of the realme, with
prelates, and burgesses of good townes, and at this assemble it was advised
that the realme coud nat long endure without a head and a chief lord. Than
they put in wrytynge all the dedis of the kyng who was in prison, and all
that he had done by evyll counsell, and all his usages, and evyll behavyngis,
and how evyll he had governed his realme, the which was redde openly in
playn audience, to thentent that the noble sagis of the realme might take
therof good advyce, and to fall at acorde how the realme shuld be governed
from thensforth; and whan all the cases and dedis that the kyng had done
and cōsented to, and all his behavyng and usages were red, and wel
understand, the barons and knightis and al ye coūsels of the realme, drew
them aparte to coūsell, and the most part of them accorded, and namely the
great lordes and nobles, with the burgesses of ye good townes, accordyng as
they had hard say, and knew themselfe the most parte of his dedis.
Wherfore they cōcluded that such a man was nat worthy to be a kyng. But
they all accorded that Edward his eldeste son who was ther present, and was
ryghtful heyre, shuld be crowned kyng in stede of his father, so that he
would take good counsell, sage and true about hym, so that the realme from
thensforth myght be better governed than it was before, and that the olde
kyng his father shuld be well and honestly kept as long as he lyved
accordyng to his astate; and thus as it was agreed by all the nobles, so it was
By that his good began to slake
For the great feasts that he did make.
The knight gentil of blood."
"Kepe Open Court" At Christmas.
Froissart, in Cap. XIIII. of his "Chronicles,"[22] gives the following account
of the Christmas Celebration at which Edward the Third was crowned:—
"After that the most part of the company of Heynaulte were departed, and
syr John Heynaulte lorde of Beamonde taryed, the Quene gave leve to her
people to departe, savynge a certayne noble knightis the whiche she kept
styl about her and her sōne, to counsell them, and commaunded all them
that departed, to be at London the next Christmas, for as than she was
determyned to kepe open court, and all they promysed her so to do. And
whan Christmas was come, she helde a great court. And thyther came
dukes, erles, barons, knightis, and all the nobles of the realme, with
prelates, and burgesses of good townes, and at this assemble it was advised
that the realme coud nat long endure without a head and a chief lord. Than
they put in wrytynge all the dedis of the kyng who was in prison, and all
that he had done by evyll counsell, and all his usages, and evyll behavyngis,
and how evyll he had governed his realme, the which was redde openly in
playn audience, to thentent that the noble sagis of the realme might take
therof good advyce, and to fall at acorde how the realme shuld be governed
from thensforth; and whan all the cases and dedis that the kyng had done
and cōsented to, and all his behavyng and usages were red, and wel
understand, the barons and knightis and al ye coūsels of the realme, drew
them aparte to coūsell, and the most part of them accorded, and namely the
great lordes and nobles, with the burgesses of ye good townes, accordyng as
they had hard say, and knew themselfe the most parte of his dedis.
Wherfore they cōcluded that such a man was nat worthy to be a kyng. But
they all accorded that Edward his eldeste son who was ther present, and was
ryghtful heyre, shuld be crowned kyng in stede of his father, so that he
would take good counsell, sage and true about hym, so that the realme from
thensforth myght be better governed than it was before, and that the olde
kyng his father shuld be well and honestly kept as long as he lyved
accordyng to his astate; and thus as it was agreed by all the nobles, so it was
Page 95
accomplysshed, and than was crowned with a crowne royall at the palaice
of Westminster, beside Lōdon, the yong kyng Edward the III. who in his
dayes after was right fortunate and happy in armes. This coronacion was in
the yere of our Lorde MCCCXXVI, on Christymas day, and as than the
yong kyng was about the age of XVI., and they held the fest tyl the
cōvercion of saynt Paule followyng: and in the mean tyme greatly was
fested sir John of Heynaulte and all the princis and nobles of his coūtre, and
was gyven to hym, and to his company, many ryche jewels. And so he and
his company in great feast and solas both with lordis and ladyes taried tyll
the XII. day."
Edward Balliol, of Scotland, defeated at Christmas.
The Christmas of 1332 is memorable in Scottish annals as the time of the
defeat of Edward Balliol, the "phantom king" of Scotland. His success was
as unreal as a dream. He was solemnly crowned at Scone in the month of
September, 1332, fondly imagining that he had permanently conquered the
patriotic Scottish nobles who had opposed him. His reign, however, only
lasted for a few months. The leaders of the national party suddenly
assembled a force, and attacked him, while he was feasting at Annan, in
Dumfriesshire, where he had gone to keep his Christmas. A body of horse
under Sir Archibald, the young Earl of Moray, and Sir Simon Fraser, made a
dash into the town to surprise Balliol, and he escaped only by springing
upon a horse without any saddle, leaving behind him his brother Henry
slain. Balliol escaped to England and was kindly received by Edward III.,
who afterwards made fresh expeditions into Scotland to support him.
"Whenever the English king appeared the Scots retired to their mountain
fastnesses, while Edward and his army overran the country with little
opposition, burnt the houses, and laid waste the lands of those whom he
styled rebels; but whenever he returned to England they came forth again,
only the more embittered against the contemptible minion of the English
king, the more determined against the tyranny of England. The regent, Sir
Andrew Murray, pursued, with untiring activity, Balliol and his adherents.
When Edward marched homeward to spend in London the Christmas of
1336, he left Scotland to all appearance prostrate, and flattered himself that
it was completely subdued. Never was it further from such a condition.
Only one spirit animated the Scottish nation—that of eternal resistance to
of Westminster, beside Lōdon, the yong kyng Edward the III. who in his
dayes after was right fortunate and happy in armes. This coronacion was in
the yere of our Lorde MCCCXXVI, on Christymas day, and as than the
yong kyng was about the age of XVI., and they held the fest tyl the
cōvercion of saynt Paule followyng: and in the mean tyme greatly was
fested sir John of Heynaulte and all the princis and nobles of his coūtre, and
was gyven to hym, and to his company, many ryche jewels. And so he and
his company in great feast and solas both with lordis and ladyes taried tyll
the XII. day."
Edward Balliol, of Scotland, defeated at Christmas.
The Christmas of 1332 is memorable in Scottish annals as the time of the
defeat of Edward Balliol, the "phantom king" of Scotland. His success was
as unreal as a dream. He was solemnly crowned at Scone in the month of
September, 1332, fondly imagining that he had permanently conquered the
patriotic Scottish nobles who had opposed him. His reign, however, only
lasted for a few months. The leaders of the national party suddenly
assembled a force, and attacked him, while he was feasting at Annan, in
Dumfriesshire, where he had gone to keep his Christmas. A body of horse
under Sir Archibald, the young Earl of Moray, and Sir Simon Fraser, made a
dash into the town to surprise Balliol, and he escaped only by springing
upon a horse without any saddle, leaving behind him his brother Henry
slain. Balliol escaped to England and was kindly received by Edward III.,
who afterwards made fresh expeditions into Scotland to support him.
"Whenever the English king appeared the Scots retired to their mountain
fastnesses, while Edward and his army overran the country with little
opposition, burnt the houses, and laid waste the lands of those whom he
styled rebels; but whenever he returned to England they came forth again,
only the more embittered against the contemptible minion of the English
king, the more determined against the tyranny of England. The regent, Sir
Andrew Murray, pursued, with untiring activity, Balliol and his adherents.
When Edward marched homeward to spend in London the Christmas of
1336, he left Scotland to all appearance prostrate, and flattered himself that
it was completely subdued. Never was it further from such a condition.
Only one spirit animated the Scottish nation—that of eternal resistance to
Page 96
the monarch who had inflicted on it such calamities, and set a slave on its
throne."[23]
Cottage Christmas-Keeping in the Fourteenth Century.
At this period the greatest of the Bishops of Winchester, William of
Wykeham, was a schoolboy. He was born of humble parents, educated at
Winchester school, and afterwards became secretary to Uvedale, Lord of
Wickham Manor, through whom he was introduced to King Edward III. In
his interesting "Story of the Boyhood of William of Wykeham," the Rev. W.
A. C. Chevalier thus pictures William's Christmas holidays:—
"Three days after William's arrival home was Christmas-eve. There were
great preparations in the cottage for spending Christmas worthily, for if
there was one thing more than another that John Longe believed in, it was
the proper keeping of Christmas. It was a part of the worthy yeoman's faith.
He was a humble and thorough believer in all the tenets of Christianity, he
worshipped the Saviour and adored His Nativity, but his faith was a
cheerful one, and he thought he best honoured his Master by enjoying the
good gifts which He sent. Hence it was a part of his creed to be jovial at
Christmas-tide. And so Dame Alice had been busy all that day, and a part of
the day before, making Christmas pies, dressing Christmas meats, and
otherwise making ready for the great festival. John Longe, too, had not been
idle. He and his men had been working hard all day getting in huge Yule-
logs for the great kitchen fire, whilst William and little Agnes had been
employed in decorating the kitchen with evergreens and mistletoe,
displaying in great profusion the red berries of the holly bushes. Everything
was decked with evergreens, from the cups and platters on the shelves to the
hams and bacon hanging from the ceiling."
At length the preparations were completed; then came the telling of tales
and cheerful gossip round the blazing fire on Christmas Eve, and the
roasting of chestnuts on the embers. "Christmas Day passed at the little
homestead with all the social and religious honours that the honest yeoman
could think of. The little household attended the service of Mass in the
morning, and then, with clear consciences and simple hearts, spent the rest
of the day in domestic and convivial enjoyment."
throne."[23]
Cottage Christmas-Keeping in the Fourteenth Century.
At this period the greatest of the Bishops of Winchester, William of
Wykeham, was a schoolboy. He was born of humble parents, educated at
Winchester school, and afterwards became secretary to Uvedale, Lord of
Wickham Manor, through whom he was introduced to King Edward III. In
his interesting "Story of the Boyhood of William of Wykeham," the Rev. W.
A. C. Chevalier thus pictures William's Christmas holidays:—
"Three days after William's arrival home was Christmas-eve. There were
great preparations in the cottage for spending Christmas worthily, for if
there was one thing more than another that John Longe believed in, it was
the proper keeping of Christmas. It was a part of the worthy yeoman's faith.
He was a humble and thorough believer in all the tenets of Christianity, he
worshipped the Saviour and adored His Nativity, but his faith was a
cheerful one, and he thought he best honoured his Master by enjoying the
good gifts which He sent. Hence it was a part of his creed to be jovial at
Christmas-tide. And so Dame Alice had been busy all that day, and a part of
the day before, making Christmas pies, dressing Christmas meats, and
otherwise making ready for the great festival. John Longe, too, had not been
idle. He and his men had been working hard all day getting in huge Yule-
logs for the great kitchen fire, whilst William and little Agnes had been
employed in decorating the kitchen with evergreens and mistletoe,
displaying in great profusion the red berries of the holly bushes. Everything
was decked with evergreens, from the cups and platters on the shelves to the
hams and bacon hanging from the ceiling."
At length the preparations were completed; then came the telling of tales
and cheerful gossip round the blazing fire on Christmas Eve, and the
roasting of chestnuts on the embers. "Christmas Day passed at the little
homestead with all the social and religious honours that the honest yeoman
could think of. The little household attended the service of Mass in the
morning, and then, with clear consciences and simple hearts, spent the rest
of the day in domestic and convivial enjoyment."
Page 97
Returning to royalty, we next see illustrated Froissart's statement that
"Edward the third was right fortunate and happy in armes."
Edward the Third's Victories and Festivities.
During the invasion of France, Edward III.
raised the martial glory of England by his
splendid victories at Crecy, Poictiers, and other
places; and he kept Christmas right royally with
his soldiers on French soil. After the battle of
Crecy, at which the Prince of Wales gained the
celebrated title of the Black Prince, Edward
marched upon Calais, and laid siege to it; and at
length he took the place. During Edward's
absence, England was invaded by David II. of
Scotland, who was defeated and taken prisoner
by the army under Philippa, Edward's Queen.
The brave Queen then joined King Edward on
the French battle-ground, and they kept the
Christmas of 1346 with much rejoicing.
During the Christmas festivities of this period the most noble Order of the
Garter was instituted by King Edward III. to excite emulation amongst the
aristocratic warriors of the time, in imitation of orders of a similar kind,
both religious and military, which had been instituted by different monarchs
of Europe; and that those who were admitted to the order were enjoined to
exalt the religion of Christ is evident from some lines which Chaucer
addressed to the Lords and Knights—
"Do forth, do forth, continue your succour,
Hold up Christ's banner, let it not fall."
And again—
"Ye Lordis eke, shining in noble fame,
To which appropered is the maintenance
Of Christ 'is cause; in honour of his name,
Shove on, and put his foes to utterance."
"Edward the third was right fortunate and happy in armes."
Edward the Third's Victories and Festivities.
During the invasion of France, Edward III.
raised the martial glory of England by his
splendid victories at Crecy, Poictiers, and other
places; and he kept Christmas right royally with
his soldiers on French soil. After the battle of
Crecy, at which the Prince of Wales gained the
celebrated title of the Black Prince, Edward
marched upon Calais, and laid siege to it; and at
length he took the place. During Edward's
absence, England was invaded by David II. of
Scotland, who was defeated and taken prisoner
by the army under Philippa, Edward's Queen.
The brave Queen then joined King Edward on
the French battle-ground, and they kept the
Christmas of 1346 with much rejoicing.
During the Christmas festivities of this period the most noble Order of the
Garter was instituted by King Edward III. to excite emulation amongst the
aristocratic warriors of the time, in imitation of orders of a similar kind,
both religious and military, which had been instituted by different monarchs
of Europe; and that those who were admitted to the order were enjoined to
exalt the religion of Christ is evident from some lines which Chaucer
addressed to the Lords and Knights—
"Do forth, do forth, continue your succour,
Hold up Christ's banner, let it not fall."
And again—
"Ye Lordis eke, shining in noble fame,
To which appropered is the maintenance
Of Christ 'is cause; in honour of his name,
Shove on, and put his foes to utterance."
Page 98
In imitation of King Arthur, Edward III. set up at Windsor a Round Table,
which was consecrated with feasts and tournaments, and baptized with the
blood of the brave. On New Year's Day, 1344, he issued his royal letters of
protection for the safe-coming and return of foreign knights to the solemn
jousts which he appointed to be held at Windsor on St. Hilary's Day, in
extension of the Christmas festivities. The festival was opened with a
splendid supper; and the next day, and until Lent, all kinds of knightly feats
of arms were performed. "The queen and her ladies," says an old historian,
"that they might with more convenience behold this spectacle, were orderly
seated upon a firm ballustrade, or scaffold, with rails before it, running all
round the lists. And certainly their extraordinary beauties, set so
advantageously forth with excessive riches of apparel, did prove a sight as
full of pleasant encouragement to the combatants, as the fierce hacklings of
men and horses, gallantly armed, were a delightful terror to the feminine
beholders."
ladies looking from the hustings upon the tournament.
In 1348 Edward III. kept a grand Christmas at Guildford. "Orders were
given to manufacture for the Christmas sports eighty tunics of buckram of
different colours, and a large number of masks—some with faces of
women, some with beards, some like angel heads of silver. There were to be
mantles embroidered with heads of dragons, tunics wrought with heads and
wings of peacocks, and embroidered in many other fantastic ways. The
celebration of Christmas lasted from All Hallow's Eve, the 31st of October,
till the day after the Purification, the 3rd of February. At the court a lord of
misrule was appointed, who reigned during the whole of this period, and
was called 'the master of merry disports.' He ruled over and organised all
the games and sports, and during the period of his rule there was nothing
but a succession of masques, disguisings, and dances of all kinds. All the
nobles, even the Mayor of London, had an officer of this kind chosen in
their households. Dancing was a very favourite amusement. It was practised
which was consecrated with feasts and tournaments, and baptized with the
blood of the brave. On New Year's Day, 1344, he issued his royal letters of
protection for the safe-coming and return of foreign knights to the solemn
jousts which he appointed to be held at Windsor on St. Hilary's Day, in
extension of the Christmas festivities. The festival was opened with a
splendid supper; and the next day, and until Lent, all kinds of knightly feats
of arms were performed. "The queen and her ladies," says an old historian,
"that they might with more convenience behold this spectacle, were orderly
seated upon a firm ballustrade, or scaffold, with rails before it, running all
round the lists. And certainly their extraordinary beauties, set so
advantageously forth with excessive riches of apparel, did prove a sight as
full of pleasant encouragement to the combatants, as the fierce hacklings of
men and horses, gallantly armed, were a delightful terror to the feminine
beholders."
ladies looking from the hustings upon the tournament.
In 1348 Edward III. kept a grand Christmas at Guildford. "Orders were
given to manufacture for the Christmas sports eighty tunics of buckram of
different colours, and a large number of masks—some with faces of
women, some with beards, some like angel heads of silver. There were to be
mantles embroidered with heads of dragons, tunics wrought with heads and
wings of peacocks, and embroidered in many other fantastic ways. The
celebration of Christmas lasted from All Hallow's Eve, the 31st of October,
till the day after the Purification, the 3rd of February. At the court a lord of
misrule was appointed, who reigned during the whole of this period, and
was called 'the master of merry disports.' He ruled over and organised all
the games and sports, and during the period of his rule there was nothing
but a succession of masques, disguisings, and dances of all kinds. All the
nobles, even the Mayor of London, had an officer of this kind chosen in
their households. Dancing was a very favourite amusement. It was practised
Page 99
by the nobility of both sexes. The damsels of London spent their evenings
in dancing before their masters' doors, and the country lasses danced upon
the village green."[24]
the lord of misrule.
A Royal Christmas was kept at Westminster, with great splendour, in 1358,
when King Edward had two crowned guests at his feast; but these were
present from no choice of their own: they were the victims to the fortune of
war at Poictiers and Neville's Cross. And in 1362, King David of Scotland
and the King of Cyprus met at King Edward's grand entertainments. The
later years of his life were spent by this great warrior-king in partial
retirement from public affairs, and under the influence of his mistress, Alice
Perrers, while John of Gaunt took a leading part in the government of the
state. In 1376 Edward the Black Prince died, and the same year King
Edward III. kept his last Christmas at Westminster, the festival being made
memorable by all the nobles of the realm attending to swear fealty to the
son of the Black Prince, who, by the King's desire, took precedence of his
uncles at the banquet as befitted the heir apparent to the crown. The King
died on the 21st of June, 1377, having reigned for just over half a century.
The old chronicler, Stowe, refers to a
Terrible Christmas Tempest,
which he says occurred in 1362: "The King held his Christmas at Windsore,
and the XV. day following a sore and vehement south-west winde brake
in dancing before their masters' doors, and the country lasses danced upon
the village green."[24]
the lord of misrule.
A Royal Christmas was kept at Westminster, with great splendour, in 1358,
when King Edward had two crowned guests at his feast; but these were
present from no choice of their own: they were the victims to the fortune of
war at Poictiers and Neville's Cross. And in 1362, King David of Scotland
and the King of Cyprus met at King Edward's grand entertainments. The
later years of his life were spent by this great warrior-king in partial
retirement from public affairs, and under the influence of his mistress, Alice
Perrers, while John of Gaunt took a leading part in the government of the
state. In 1376 Edward the Black Prince died, and the same year King
Edward III. kept his last Christmas at Westminster, the festival being made
memorable by all the nobles of the realm attending to swear fealty to the
son of the Black Prince, who, by the King's desire, took precedence of his
uncles at the banquet as befitted the heir apparent to the crown. The King
died on the 21st of June, 1377, having reigned for just over half a century.
The old chronicler, Stowe, refers to a
Terrible Christmas Tempest,
which he says occurred in 1362: "The King held his Christmas at Windsore,
and the XV. day following a sore and vehement south-west winde brake
Page 100
forth, so hideous that it overthrew high houses, towers, steeples, and trees,
and so bowed them, that the residue which fell not, but remained standing,
were the weaker."
King Edward the Third's wardrobe accounts witness to the
Costly Christmas Robes
that were worn at this period. And these accounts also show that Alice
Perrers was associated with the King's daughter and granddaughter in the
Christmas entertainments. There are items in 1376 stating that the King's
daughter Isabella (styled Countess of Bedford), and her daughter
(afterwards wife of Vere, Earl of Oxford), were provided with rich garments
trimmed with ermine, in the fashion of the robes of the Garter, and with
others of shaggy velvet, trimmed with the same fur, for the Christmas
festival; while articles of apparel equally costly are registered as sent by the
King to his chamber at Shene, to be given to Alice Perrers. And at a festival
at Windsor the King caused twelve ladies (including his daughters and Alice
Perrers) to be clothed in handsome hunting suits, with ornamented bows
and arrows, to shoot at the King's deer; and a very attractive band of
foresters they made. We have also seen that eighty costly tunics were
provided for the Christmas sports and disguisings at Guildford.
We now come to a
Comically Cruel Christmas Incident,
recorded by Sir John Froissart, and which he says gave "great joye" to the
hilarious "knightes and squyers" who kept the festival with "the Erle of
Foiz":—
"So it was on a Christmas day the Erle of Foiz helde a great feest, and a
plentifull of knightes and squyers, as it is his usage; and it was a colde day,
and the erle dyned in the hall, and with him great company of lordes; and
after dyner he departed out of the hall, and went up into a galarye of xxiiii
stayres of heyght, in which galarye ther was a great chymney, wherin they
made fyre whan therle was ther; and at that tyme there was but a small fyre,
for the erle loved no great fyre; howbeit, he hadde woode ynoughe there
and so bowed them, that the residue which fell not, but remained standing,
were the weaker."
King Edward the Third's wardrobe accounts witness to the
Costly Christmas Robes
that were worn at this period. And these accounts also show that Alice
Perrers was associated with the King's daughter and granddaughter in the
Christmas entertainments. There are items in 1376 stating that the King's
daughter Isabella (styled Countess of Bedford), and her daughter
(afterwards wife of Vere, Earl of Oxford), were provided with rich garments
trimmed with ermine, in the fashion of the robes of the Garter, and with
others of shaggy velvet, trimmed with the same fur, for the Christmas
festival; while articles of apparel equally costly are registered as sent by the
King to his chamber at Shene, to be given to Alice Perrers. And at a festival
at Windsor the King caused twelve ladies (including his daughters and Alice
Perrers) to be clothed in handsome hunting suits, with ornamented bows
and arrows, to shoot at the King's deer; and a very attractive band of
foresters they made. We have also seen that eighty costly tunics were
provided for the Christmas sports and disguisings at Guildford.
We now come to a
Comically Cruel Christmas Incident,
recorded by Sir John Froissart, and which he says gave "great joye" to the
hilarious "knightes and squyers" who kept the festival with "the Erle of
Foiz":—
"So it was on a Christmas day the Erle of Foiz helde a great feest, and a
plentifull of knightes and squyers, as it is his usage; and it was a colde day,
and the erle dyned in the hall, and with him great company of lordes; and
after dyner he departed out of the hall, and went up into a galarye of xxiiii
stayres of heyght, in which galarye ther was a great chymney, wherin they
made fyre whan therle was ther; and at that tyme there was but a small fyre,
for the erle loved no great fyre; howbeit, he hadde woode ynoughe there
Page 101
about, and in Bierne is wode ynoughe. The same daye it was a great frost
and very colde: and when the erle was in the galarye, and saw the fyre so
lytell, he sayde to the knightes and squiers about hym, Sirs, this is but a
small fyre, and the day so colde: than Ernalton of Spayne went downe the
stayres, and beneth in the courte he sawe a great meny of asses, laden with
woode to serve the house: than he went and toke one of the grettest asses,
with all the woode, and layde hym on his backe, and went up all the stayres
into the galary, and dyde cast downe the asse with all the woode into the
chymney, and the asses fete upward; wherof the erle of Foiz had great joye,
and so hadde all they that were there, and had marveyle of his strength
howe he alone came up all the stayres with the asse and the woode in his
necke."
Passing on to
The Reign of Richard the Second,
the son of Edward the Black Prince and Joan of Kent, who came to the
throne (in tutelage) on the death of his grandfather, Edward III. (1377), we
find that costly banquetings, disguisings, pageants, and plays continued to
be the diversions of Christmastide at court. From the rolls of the royal
wardrobe, it appears that at the Christmas festival in 1391, the sages of the
law were made subjects for disguisements, this entry being made: "Pro XXI
coifs de tela linea pro hominibus de lege contrafactis pro Ludo regis
tempore natalis Domini anno XII." That is, for twenty-one linen coifs for
counterfeiting men of the law in the King's play at Christmas. And Strutt[25]
says that in the same year (1391) the parish clerks of London put forth a
play at Skinners' Wells, near Smithfield, which continued three days: the
king, queen, and many of the nobility, being present at the performance.
and very colde: and when the erle was in the galarye, and saw the fyre so
lytell, he sayde to the knightes and squiers about hym, Sirs, this is but a
small fyre, and the day so colde: than Ernalton of Spayne went downe the
stayres, and beneth in the courte he sawe a great meny of asses, laden with
woode to serve the house: than he went and toke one of the grettest asses,
with all the woode, and layde hym on his backe, and went up all the stayres
into the galary, and dyde cast downe the asse with all the woode into the
chymney, and the asses fete upward; wherof the erle of Foiz had great joye,
and so hadde all they that were there, and had marveyle of his strength
howe he alone came up all the stayres with the asse and the woode in his
necke."
Passing on to
The Reign of Richard the Second,
the son of Edward the Black Prince and Joan of Kent, who came to the
throne (in tutelage) on the death of his grandfather, Edward III. (1377), we
find that costly banquetings, disguisings, pageants, and plays continued to
be the diversions of Christmastide at court. From the rolls of the royal
wardrobe, it appears that at the Christmas festival in 1391, the sages of the
law were made subjects for disguisements, this entry being made: "Pro XXI
coifs de tela linea pro hominibus de lege contrafactis pro Ludo regis
tempore natalis Domini anno XII." That is, for twenty-one linen coifs for
counterfeiting men of the law in the King's play at Christmas. And Strutt[25]
says that in the same year (1391) the parish clerks of London put forth a
play at Skinners' Wells, near Smithfield, which continued three days: the
king, queen, and many of the nobility, being present at the performance.
Page 102
moneta nova adriani stvltorv pape.
[On one side is the legend, moneta nova adriani stvltorv pape, the
last e being in the field of the piece, on which is represented the Pope,
with his double cross and tiara, with a fool in full costume
approaching his bauble to the pontifical cross, and two persons
behind, who form part of his escort. On the reverse is a "mother fool,"
with her bauble, attended by a grotesque person with a cardinal's hat,
with the oft-recurring legend, STVLTORV INFINITVS EST
NVMERVS.]
But the miracle plays and mysteries performed by the Churchmen differed
greatly from the secular plays and interludes which at this period "were
acted by strolling companies of minstrels, jugglers, tumblers, dancers,
bourdours, or jesters, and other performers properly qualified for the
different parts of the entertainment, which admitted of a variety of
exhibitions. These pastimes are of higher antiquity than the ecclesiastical
plays; and they were much relished not only by the vulgar part of the
people, but also by the nobility. The courts of the kings of England, and the
castles of the great earls and barons, were crowded with the performers of
the secular plays, where they were well received and handsomely rewarded;
vast sums of money were lavishly bestowed upon these secular itinerants,
which induced the monks and other ecclesiastics to turn actors themselves,
in order to obtain a share of the public bounty. But to give the better
colouring to their undertaking, they took the subjects of their dialogues
from the holy writ, and performed them in the churches. The secular
showmen, however, retained their popularity notwithstanding the exertions
of their clerical rivals, who diligently endeavoured to bring them into
disgrace, by bitterly inveighing against the filthiness and immorality of their
exhibitions. On the other hand, the itinerant players sometimes invaded the
province of the churchmen, and performed their mysteries, or others similar
to them, as we find from a petition presented to Richard II. by the scholars
[On one side is the legend, moneta nova adriani stvltorv pape, the
last e being in the field of the piece, on which is represented the Pope,
with his double cross and tiara, with a fool in full costume
approaching his bauble to the pontifical cross, and two persons
behind, who form part of his escort. On the reverse is a "mother fool,"
with her bauble, attended by a grotesque person with a cardinal's hat,
with the oft-recurring legend, STVLTORV INFINITVS EST
NVMERVS.]
But the miracle plays and mysteries performed by the Churchmen differed
greatly from the secular plays and interludes which at this period "were
acted by strolling companies of minstrels, jugglers, tumblers, dancers,
bourdours, or jesters, and other performers properly qualified for the
different parts of the entertainment, which admitted of a variety of
exhibitions. These pastimes are of higher antiquity than the ecclesiastical
plays; and they were much relished not only by the vulgar part of the
people, but also by the nobility. The courts of the kings of England, and the
castles of the great earls and barons, were crowded with the performers of
the secular plays, where they were well received and handsomely rewarded;
vast sums of money were lavishly bestowed upon these secular itinerants,
which induced the monks and other ecclesiastics to turn actors themselves,
in order to obtain a share of the public bounty. But to give the better
colouring to their undertaking, they took the subjects of their dialogues
from the holy writ, and performed them in the churches. The secular
showmen, however, retained their popularity notwithstanding the exertions
of their clerical rivals, who diligently endeavoured to bring them into
disgrace, by bitterly inveighing against the filthiness and immorality of their
exhibitions. On the other hand, the itinerant players sometimes invaded the
province of the churchmen, and performed their mysteries, or others similar
to them, as we find from a petition presented to Richard II. by the scholars
Page 103
of St. Paul's School, wherein complaint is made against the secular actors,
because they took upon themselves to act plays composed from the
Scripture history, to the great prejudice of the clergy, who had been at much
expense to prepare such performances for public exhibition at the festival of
Christmas."
a court fool.
In his Christmas feasts Richard the Second outdid his predecessors in
prodigal hospitality. He delighted in the neighbourhood of Eltham, and
spent much of his time in feasting with his favourites at the royal palace
there. In 1386 (notwithstanding the still prevalent distress, which had
continued from the time of the peasant revolt) Richard kept the Christmas
festivities at Eltham with great extravagance, at the same time entertaining
Leon, King of Armenia, in a manner utterly unjustified by the state of the
royal exchequer, which had been replenished by illegal methods. And, on
the completion of his enlargements and embellishments of Westminster
Hall, Richard reopened it with "a most royal Christmas feast" of twenty-
eight oxen and three hundred sheep, and game and fowls without number,
feeding ten thousand guests for many days. Yet but a few years afterwards
(such is the fickleness of fortune and the instability of human affairs) this
because they took upon themselves to act plays composed from the
Scripture history, to the great prejudice of the clergy, who had been at much
expense to prepare such performances for public exhibition at the festival of
Christmas."
a court fool.
In his Christmas feasts Richard the Second outdid his predecessors in
prodigal hospitality. He delighted in the neighbourhood of Eltham, and
spent much of his time in feasting with his favourites at the royal palace
there. In 1386 (notwithstanding the still prevalent distress, which had
continued from the time of the peasant revolt) Richard kept the Christmas
festivities at Eltham with great extravagance, at the same time entertaining
Leon, King of Armenia, in a manner utterly unjustified by the state of the
royal exchequer, which had been replenished by illegal methods. And, on
the completion of his enlargements and embellishments of Westminster
Hall, Richard reopened it with "a most royal Christmas feast" of twenty-
eight oxen and three hundred sheep, and game and fowls without number,
feeding ten thousand guests for many days. Yet but a few years afterwards
(such is the fickleness of fortune and the instability of human affairs) this
Page 104
same king, who had seen the "Merciless Parliament," who had robbed
Hereford of his estates, who had been robed in cloth of gold and precious
stones, and who had alienated his subjects by his own extravagance, was
himself deposed and sentenced to lifelong banishment, his doom being
pronounced in the very hall which he had reared to such magnificence for
his own glory. Thus ingloriously Richard disappears from history, for
nothing certain is known of the time, manner, or place of his death, though
it is conjectured that he was speedily murdered. How history repeats itself!
Richard's ignominious end recalls to mind the verse in which an English
poet depicts the end of an Eastern king who was too fond of revelling:—
"That night they slew him on his father's throne,
The deed unnoticed and the hand unknown:
Crownless and sceptreless Belshazzar lay,
A robe of purple round a form of clay!"
Grand Christmas Tournament.
An example of the tournaments which were favourite diversions of kings
and nobles at this period is found in that held at Christmastide in London in
1389. Richard II., his three uncles, and the greater barons having heard of a
famous tournament at Paris at the entry of Isabel, Queen of France, resolved
to hold one of equal splendour at London, in which sixty English knights,
conducted to the scene of action by sixty ladies, should challenge all foreign
knights. They therefore sent heralds into all parts of England, Scotland,
Germany, Italy, Flanders, Brabant, Hainault, and France to proclaim the
time, place, and other circumstances of the proposed gathering, and to
invite all valorous knights and squires to honour it with their presence. This,
says the historian, excited a strong desire in the knights and squires of all
these countries to attend to see the manners and equipages of the English,
and others to tourney. The lists were prepared in Smithfield, and chambers
erected around them for the accommodation of the king, queen, princes,
lords, ladies, heralds, and other spectators. As the time approached many
Hereford of his estates, who had been robed in cloth of gold and precious
stones, and who had alienated his subjects by his own extravagance, was
himself deposed and sentenced to lifelong banishment, his doom being
pronounced in the very hall which he had reared to such magnificence for
his own glory. Thus ingloriously Richard disappears from history, for
nothing certain is known of the time, manner, or place of his death, though
it is conjectured that he was speedily murdered. How history repeats itself!
Richard's ignominious end recalls to mind the verse in which an English
poet depicts the end of an Eastern king who was too fond of revelling:—
"That night they slew him on his father's throne,
The deed unnoticed and the hand unknown:
Crownless and sceptreless Belshazzar lay,
A robe of purple round a form of clay!"
Grand Christmas Tournament.
An example of the tournaments which were favourite diversions of kings
and nobles at this period is found in that held at Christmastide in London in
1389. Richard II., his three uncles, and the greater barons having heard of a
famous tournament at Paris at the entry of Isabel, Queen of France, resolved
to hold one of equal splendour at London, in which sixty English knights,
conducted to the scene of action by sixty ladies, should challenge all foreign
knights. They therefore sent heralds into all parts of England, Scotland,
Germany, Italy, Flanders, Brabant, Hainault, and France to proclaim the
time, place, and other circumstances of the proposed gathering, and to
invite all valorous knights and squires to honour it with their presence. This,
says the historian, excited a strong desire in the knights and squires of all
these countries to attend to see the manners and equipages of the English,
and others to tourney. The lists were prepared in Smithfield, and chambers
erected around them for the accommodation of the king, queen, princes,
lords, ladies, heralds, and other spectators. As the time approached many
Page 105
important personages of both sexes, attended by numerous retinues, arrived
in London. On the first day of the tournament (Sunday) sixty-five horses,
richly furnished for the jousts, issued one by one from the Tower, each
conducted by a squire of honour, and proceeded in a slow pace through the
streets of London to Smithfield, attended by a numerous band of trumpeters
and other minstrels. Immediately after, sixty young ladies, elegantly attired
and riding on palfreys, issued from the same place, and each lady leading a
knight completely armed by a silver chain, they proceeded slowly to the
field. When they arrived there the ladies were lifted from the palfreys and
conducted to the chambers provided for them; the knights mounted their
horses and began the jousts, in which they exhibited such feats of valour
and dexterity as won the admiration of the spectators. When the approach of
night put an end to the jousts the company repaired to the palace of the
Bishop of London, in St. Paul's Street, where the king and queen then
staying, the supper was prepared. The ladies, knights, and heralds who had
been appointed judges awarded one of the prizes, a crown of gold, to the
Earl of St. Paul as the best performer among the foreign knights, and the
other, a rich girdle adorned with gold and precious stones, to the Earl of
Huntingdon as the best performer of the English. After a sumptuous supper
the ladies and knights spent the remainder of the night in dancing. The
tournaments were continued in a similar manner on Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and on Saturday the Court, with all the
company, removed to Windsor, where the jousts, feasting, and other
diversions were renewed, and lasted several days longer. Subsequently the
king presented the foreign ladies, lords, and knights with valuable gifts, and
they returned to their own countries highly pleased with the entertainment
which they had enjoyed in England.
King Henry the Fourth
was born at Bolingbroke, in Lincolnshire, being the eldest son of John of
Gaunt and of his first wife, the heiress of the house of Lancaster, and a
grandson of Edward III. On the death of John of Gaunt in 1399, Richard II.
seized his lands, having in the previous year banished Henry of
Bolingbroke. On Henry hearing what had occurred, knowing his own
popularity and Richard's unpopularity, Henry returned from banishment,
and succeeded in an attack on Richard, whom he made a prisoner. Then
in London. On the first day of the tournament (Sunday) sixty-five horses,
richly furnished for the jousts, issued one by one from the Tower, each
conducted by a squire of honour, and proceeded in a slow pace through the
streets of London to Smithfield, attended by a numerous band of trumpeters
and other minstrels. Immediately after, sixty young ladies, elegantly attired
and riding on palfreys, issued from the same place, and each lady leading a
knight completely armed by a silver chain, they proceeded slowly to the
field. When they arrived there the ladies were lifted from the palfreys and
conducted to the chambers provided for them; the knights mounted their
horses and began the jousts, in which they exhibited such feats of valour
and dexterity as won the admiration of the spectators. When the approach of
night put an end to the jousts the company repaired to the palace of the
Bishop of London, in St. Paul's Street, where the king and queen then
staying, the supper was prepared. The ladies, knights, and heralds who had
been appointed judges awarded one of the prizes, a crown of gold, to the
Earl of St. Paul as the best performer among the foreign knights, and the
other, a rich girdle adorned with gold and precious stones, to the Earl of
Huntingdon as the best performer of the English. After a sumptuous supper
the ladies and knights spent the remainder of the night in dancing. The
tournaments were continued in a similar manner on Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and on Saturday the Court, with all the
company, removed to Windsor, where the jousts, feasting, and other
diversions were renewed, and lasted several days longer. Subsequently the
king presented the foreign ladies, lords, and knights with valuable gifts, and
they returned to their own countries highly pleased with the entertainment
which they had enjoyed in England.
King Henry the Fourth
was born at Bolingbroke, in Lincolnshire, being the eldest son of John of
Gaunt and of his first wife, the heiress of the house of Lancaster, and a
grandson of Edward III. On the death of John of Gaunt in 1399, Richard II.
seized his lands, having in the previous year banished Henry of
Bolingbroke. On Henry hearing what had occurred, knowing his own
popularity and Richard's unpopularity, Henry returned from banishment,
and succeeded in an attack on Richard, whom he made a prisoner. Then
Page 106
summoning a Parliament, at which Richard was formally deposed and
himself made king, Henry came to the throne with the title of Henry IV.
Soon, however, he found himself menaced by danger. Some of the lords
who had been stripped of the honours and wealth heaped upon them by
Richard entered into a conspiracy to assassinate Henry the usurper. During
the Christmas holidays they met frequently at the lodgings of the Abbot of
Westminster to plan the king's destruction. After much deliberation they
agreed to hold a splendid tournament at Oxford on the 3rd of January, 1400.
Henry was to be invited to preside, and while intent on the spectacle a
number of picked men were to kill him and his sons. The king was keeping
his Christmas at Windsor, whither the Earl of Huntingdon presented himself
and gave him the invitation. Henry accepted it, but on the 2nd of January,
the day previous to the tournament, the Earl of Rutland, who was privy to
the plot, went secretly to Windsor and informed the king of the
arrangements which had been made for his assassination. The same
evening, after dusk, the king proceeded to London; and the next day when
the conspirators assembled at Oxford they were surprised to find that
neither the king nor their own accomplice, Rutland, had arrived. Suspecting
treachery they resolved to proceed at once to Windsor and surprise Henry,
but arrived only to find that he had escaped. They afterwards raised the
standard of revolt, but their insurrection proved abortive, and the fate of the
leaders was summary and sanguinary.
The favourite palace of Henry the Fourth was at Eltham, where, in the
second year of his reign, he kept a grand Christmas, and entertained the
Emperor of Constantinople. At this festival the men of London made a "gret
mummyng to him of XII. Aldermen and theire sones, for which they had
gret thanke." Similar festivities were observed at several subsequent
festivals; then the king's health gave way, and he passed the last Christmas
of his life in seclusion at Eltham, suffering from fits of epilepsy, and lying
frequently for hours in an unconscious state. After Candlemas he was so
much better as to be able to return to his palace at Westminster, but he died
there on the 20th of March the same year (1413). The final scene and the
parting words of the king to his son, who became Henry V., have been
beautifully depicted by Shakespeare.
King Henry the Fifth.
himself made king, Henry came to the throne with the title of Henry IV.
Soon, however, he found himself menaced by danger. Some of the lords
who had been stripped of the honours and wealth heaped upon them by
Richard entered into a conspiracy to assassinate Henry the usurper. During
the Christmas holidays they met frequently at the lodgings of the Abbot of
Westminster to plan the king's destruction. After much deliberation they
agreed to hold a splendid tournament at Oxford on the 3rd of January, 1400.
Henry was to be invited to preside, and while intent on the spectacle a
number of picked men were to kill him and his sons. The king was keeping
his Christmas at Windsor, whither the Earl of Huntingdon presented himself
and gave him the invitation. Henry accepted it, but on the 2nd of January,
the day previous to the tournament, the Earl of Rutland, who was privy to
the plot, went secretly to Windsor and informed the king of the
arrangements which had been made for his assassination. The same
evening, after dusk, the king proceeded to London; and the next day when
the conspirators assembled at Oxford they were surprised to find that
neither the king nor their own accomplice, Rutland, had arrived. Suspecting
treachery they resolved to proceed at once to Windsor and surprise Henry,
but arrived only to find that he had escaped. They afterwards raised the
standard of revolt, but their insurrection proved abortive, and the fate of the
leaders was summary and sanguinary.
The favourite palace of Henry the Fourth was at Eltham, where, in the
second year of his reign, he kept a grand Christmas, and entertained the
Emperor of Constantinople. At this festival the men of London made a "gret
mummyng to him of XII. Aldermen and theire sones, for which they had
gret thanke." Similar festivities were observed at several subsequent
festivals; then the king's health gave way, and he passed the last Christmas
of his life in seclusion at Eltham, suffering from fits of epilepsy, and lying
frequently for hours in an unconscious state. After Candlemas he was so
much better as to be able to return to his palace at Westminster, but he died
there on the 20th of March the same year (1413). The final scene and the
parting words of the king to his son, who became Henry V., have been
beautifully depicted by Shakespeare.
King Henry the Fifth.
Page 107
In connection with the Christmas festival in 1414 a conspiracy to murder
the king is alleged against the Lollards, but the charge has never been
satisfactorily proved. "If we are to believe the chroniclers of the times the
Lollards resolved to anticipate their enemies, to take up arms and to repel
force by force. Seeing clearly that war to the death was determined against
them by the Church, and that the king had yielded at least a tacit consent to
this iniquitous policy, they came to the conclusion to kill not only the
bishops, but the king and all his kin. So atrocious a conspiracy is not readily
to be credited against men who contended for a greater purity of gospel
truth, nor against men of the practical and military knowledge of Lord
Cobham. But over the whole of these transactions there hangs a veil of
impenetrable mystery, and we can only say that the Lollards are charged
with endeavouring to surprise the king and his brother at Eltham, as they
were keeping their Christmas festivities there, and that this attempt failed
through the Court receiving intimation of the design and suddenly removing
to Westminster."[26] Lord Cobham was put to death by cruel torture in St.
Giles's Fields, London, on Christmas Day, 1418.
In the early part of his reign Henry invaded France and achieved a series of
brilliant successes, including the famous victory at Agincourt. The hero of
this great battle did not allow the holiday season to interfere with his
military operations; but he did generously suspend proceedings against
Rouen upon Christmas Day and supply his hungry foes with food for that
day only, so that they might keep the feast of Christmas. After his military
successes in France Henry married the Princess Katherine, the youngest
daughter of Charles VI., King of France, and the king and queen spent their
first Christmas of wedded life at Paris, the festival being celebrated by a
series of magnificent entertainments. Henry's subsequent journey to
England was "like the ovation of an ancient conqueror." He and his queen
were received with great festivity at the different towns on their way, and on
the 1st of February they left Calais, and landed at Dover, where, according
to Monstrelet, "Katherine was received as if she had been an angel of God."
All classes united to make the reception of the hero of Agincourt and his
beautiful bride a most magnificent one. They proceeded first to Eltham, and
thence, after due rest, to London, where Katherine was crowned with great
rejoicing on the 24th of February, 1421. Henry's brilliant career was cut
short by his death on the last day of August, 1422.
the king is alleged against the Lollards, but the charge has never been
satisfactorily proved. "If we are to believe the chroniclers of the times the
Lollards resolved to anticipate their enemies, to take up arms and to repel
force by force. Seeing clearly that war to the death was determined against
them by the Church, and that the king had yielded at least a tacit consent to
this iniquitous policy, they came to the conclusion to kill not only the
bishops, but the king and all his kin. So atrocious a conspiracy is not readily
to be credited against men who contended for a greater purity of gospel
truth, nor against men of the practical and military knowledge of Lord
Cobham. But over the whole of these transactions there hangs a veil of
impenetrable mystery, and we can only say that the Lollards are charged
with endeavouring to surprise the king and his brother at Eltham, as they
were keeping their Christmas festivities there, and that this attempt failed
through the Court receiving intimation of the design and suddenly removing
to Westminster."[26] Lord Cobham was put to death by cruel torture in St.
Giles's Fields, London, on Christmas Day, 1418.
In the early part of his reign Henry invaded France and achieved a series of
brilliant successes, including the famous victory at Agincourt. The hero of
this great battle did not allow the holiday season to interfere with his
military operations; but he did generously suspend proceedings against
Rouen upon Christmas Day and supply his hungry foes with food for that
day only, so that they might keep the feast of Christmas. After his military
successes in France Henry married the Princess Katherine, the youngest
daughter of Charles VI., King of France, and the king and queen spent their
first Christmas of wedded life at Paris, the festival being celebrated by a
series of magnificent entertainments. Henry's subsequent journey to
England was "like the ovation of an ancient conqueror." He and his queen
were received with great festivity at the different towns on their way, and on
the 1st of February they left Calais, and landed at Dover, where, according
to Monstrelet, "Katherine was received as if she had been an angel of God."
All classes united to make the reception of the hero of Agincourt and his
beautiful bride a most magnificent one. They proceeded first to Eltham, and
thence, after due rest, to London, where Katherine was crowned with great
rejoicing on the 24th of February, 1421. Henry's brilliant career was cut
short by his death on the last day of August, 1422.
Page 108
"Small time, but, in that small, most greatly liv'd
This star of England: fortune made his sword;
By which the world's best garden he achiev'd,
And of it left his son imperial lord."[27]
Fabian's account of the stately feast at the coronation of Henry the Fifth's
newly-wedded consort is an interesting picture of the
Court Life and Christmas Festivities of the Period.
Queen Katherine was conveyed to the great hall at Westminster and there
set to dinner. Upon her right hand, at the end of the table, sat the
Archbishop of Canterbury, and Henry, surnamed the rich Cardinal of
Winchester; and upon her left hand the King of Scotland in his royal robes;
near the end sat the Duchess of York and the Countess of Huntingdon. The
Earl of March, holding a sceptre, knelt upon her right side, and the Earl-
Marshal upon her left; his Countess sat at the Queen's left foot under the
table, and the Countess of Kent at her right foot. Humphrey, Duke of
Gloucester, was overlooker, and stood before the Queen bareheaded; Sir
Richard Nevill was carver, the Earl of Suffolk's brother cupbearer, Sir John
Steward server, Lord Clifford panterer, Lord Willoughby butler, Lord Grey
de Ruthyn naperer, the Lord Audley almoner, and the Earl of Worcester,
Earl-Marshal, rode about the hall during dinner on a charger, with a number
of constables to keep order.
The bill of fare consisted of: First course—Brawn and mustard, dedells in
burneaux, frument with balien, pike in erbage (pike stuffed with herbs),
lamprey powdered, trout, codling, fried plaice and marling, crabs, leche
lumbard flourished, and tarts. Then came a subtlety representing a pelican
sitting on her nest with her young and an image of St. Katherine bearing a
book and disputing with the doctors, bearing a reason (motto) in her right
hand, saying, in the French apparently of Stratford-at-the-Bow, "Madame le
Royne," and the pelican as an answer—
"Ce est la signe
Et lu Roy
Pur tenir ioy
Et a tout sa gent,
Elle mete sa entent."
This star of England: fortune made his sword;
By which the world's best garden he achiev'd,
And of it left his son imperial lord."[27]
Fabian's account of the stately feast at the coronation of Henry the Fifth's
newly-wedded consort is an interesting picture of the
Court Life and Christmas Festivities of the Period.
Queen Katherine was conveyed to the great hall at Westminster and there
set to dinner. Upon her right hand, at the end of the table, sat the
Archbishop of Canterbury, and Henry, surnamed the rich Cardinal of
Winchester; and upon her left hand the King of Scotland in his royal robes;
near the end sat the Duchess of York and the Countess of Huntingdon. The
Earl of March, holding a sceptre, knelt upon her right side, and the Earl-
Marshal upon her left; his Countess sat at the Queen's left foot under the
table, and the Countess of Kent at her right foot. Humphrey, Duke of
Gloucester, was overlooker, and stood before the Queen bareheaded; Sir
Richard Nevill was carver, the Earl of Suffolk's brother cupbearer, Sir John
Steward server, Lord Clifford panterer, Lord Willoughby butler, Lord Grey
de Ruthyn naperer, the Lord Audley almoner, and the Earl of Worcester,
Earl-Marshal, rode about the hall during dinner on a charger, with a number
of constables to keep order.
The bill of fare consisted of: First course—Brawn and mustard, dedells in
burneaux, frument with balien, pike in erbage (pike stuffed with herbs),
lamprey powdered, trout, codling, fried plaice and marling, crabs, leche
lumbard flourished, and tarts. Then came a subtlety representing a pelican
sitting on her nest with her young and an image of St. Katherine bearing a
book and disputing with the doctors, bearing a reason (motto) in her right
hand, saying, in the French apparently of Stratford-at-the-Bow, "Madame le
Royne," and the pelican as an answer—
"Ce est la signe
Et lu Roy
Pur tenir ioy
Et a tout sa gent,
Elle mete sa entent."
Page 109
Second course—Jelly coloured with columbine flowers, white potage, or
cream of almonds, bream of the sea, conger, soles, cheven, barbel with
roach, fresh salmon, halibut, gurnets, broiled roach, fried smelt, crayfish or
lobster, leche damask with the king's word or proverb flourished "une sanz
plus." Lamprey fresh baked, flampeyn flourished with an escutcheon royal,
therein three crowns of gold, planted with flowers de luce, and flowers of
camomile wrought of confections. Then a subtlety representing a panther
with an image of St. Katherine having a wheel in one hand and a roll with a
reason in the other, saying—
"La royne ma file,
In ceste ile,
Par bon reson
Alues renoun."
Third course—Dates in composite, cream mottled, carp, turbot, tench,
perch, fresh sturgeon with whelks, porpoise roasted, memis fried, crayfish,
prawns, eels roasted with lamprey, a leche called the white leche flourished
with hawthorn leaves and red haws, and a march pane, garnished with
figures of angels, having among them an image of St. Katherine holding
this reason—
"Il est ecrit,
Pour voir et dit
Per mariage pur
C'est guerre ne dure."
And lastly, a subtlety representing a tiger looking into a mirror, and a man
sitting on horseback fully armed, holding in his arms a tiger's whelp, with
this reason, "Par force sanz reson il ay pryse ceste beste," and with his one
hand making a countenance of throwing mirrors at the great tiger, the which
held this reason—
"Gile de mirror,
Ma fete distour."
cream of almonds, bream of the sea, conger, soles, cheven, barbel with
roach, fresh salmon, halibut, gurnets, broiled roach, fried smelt, crayfish or
lobster, leche damask with the king's word or proverb flourished "une sanz
plus." Lamprey fresh baked, flampeyn flourished with an escutcheon royal,
therein three crowns of gold, planted with flowers de luce, and flowers of
camomile wrought of confections. Then a subtlety representing a panther
with an image of St. Katherine having a wheel in one hand and a roll with a
reason in the other, saying—
"La royne ma file,
In ceste ile,
Par bon reson
Alues renoun."
Third course—Dates in composite, cream mottled, carp, turbot, tench,
perch, fresh sturgeon with whelks, porpoise roasted, memis fried, crayfish,
prawns, eels roasted with lamprey, a leche called the white leche flourished
with hawthorn leaves and red haws, and a march pane, garnished with
figures of angels, having among them an image of St. Katherine holding
this reason—
"Il est ecrit,
Pour voir et dit
Per mariage pur
C'est guerre ne dure."
And lastly, a subtlety representing a tiger looking into a mirror, and a man
sitting on horseback fully armed, holding in his arms a tiger's whelp, with
this reason, "Par force sanz reson il ay pryse ceste beste," and with his one
hand making a countenance of throwing mirrors at the great tiger, the which
held this reason—
"Gile de mirror,
Ma fete distour."
Page 110
Marble Panel Florentine 1420, S. Kensington museum.
King Henry the Sixth
became king in 1422, before he was nine months old, and although the
regency of the two kingdoms to which he was heir had been arranged by
Henry V. before his death, the reign of the third king of the House of
Lancaster saw the undoing of much that had been accomplished in the
King Henry the Sixth
became king in 1422, before he was nine months old, and although the
regency of the two kingdoms to which he was heir had been arranged by
Henry V. before his death, the reign of the third king of the House of
Lancaster saw the undoing of much that had been accomplished in the
Page 111
reigns of his father and grandfather. It was during the reign of Henry VI.
that Joan of Arc came forward alleging her Divine commission to rescue
France from the English invader. But it is not part of our subject to describe
her heroic career. The troublous times which made the French heroine a
name in history were unfavourable to Christmas festivities. The Royal
Christmases of Henry the Sixth were less costly than those of his immediate
predecessors. But as soon as he was old enough to do so he observed the
festival, as did also his soldiers, even in time of war. Mills[28] mentions that,
"during the memorable siege of Orleans [1428-9], at the request of the
English the festivities of Christmas suspended the horrors of war, and the
nativity of the Saviour was commemorated to the sound of martial music.
Talbot, Suffolk, and other ornaments of English chivalry made presents of
fruits to the accomplished Dunois, who vied with their courtesy by
presenting to Suffolk some black plush he wished for as a lining for his
dress in the then winter season. The high-spirited knights of one side
challenged the prowest knights of the other, as their predecessors in
chivalry had done. It is observable, however, that these jousts were not held
in honour of the ladies, but the challenge always declared that if there were
in the other host a knight so generous and loving of his country as to be
willing to combat in her defence, he was invited to present himself."
Henry IV.'s Cradle.
In 1433 Henry kept his Christmas at Bury, and in 1436 at Kenilworth
Castle. Nothing remarkable, however, is recorded respecting these
that Joan of Arc came forward alleging her Divine commission to rescue
France from the English invader. But it is not part of our subject to describe
her heroic career. The troublous times which made the French heroine a
name in history were unfavourable to Christmas festivities. The Royal
Christmases of Henry the Sixth were less costly than those of his immediate
predecessors. But as soon as he was old enough to do so he observed the
festival, as did also his soldiers, even in time of war. Mills[28] mentions that,
"during the memorable siege of Orleans [1428-9], at the request of the
English the festivities of Christmas suspended the horrors of war, and the
nativity of the Saviour was commemorated to the sound of martial music.
Talbot, Suffolk, and other ornaments of English chivalry made presents of
fruits to the accomplished Dunois, who vied with their courtesy by
presenting to Suffolk some black plush he wished for as a lining for his
dress in the then winter season. The high-spirited knights of one side
challenged the prowest knights of the other, as their predecessors in
chivalry had done. It is observable, however, that these jousts were not held
in honour of the ladies, but the challenge always declared that if there were
in the other host a knight so generous and loving of his country as to be
willing to combat in her defence, he was invited to present himself."
Henry IV.'s Cradle.
In 1433 Henry kept his Christmas at Bury, and in 1436 at Kenilworth
Castle. Nothing remarkable, however, is recorded respecting these
Page 112
festivities. But some interesting particulars have been preserved of a
Christmas Play Performed in 1445
at Middleton Tower, Norfolk, the family seat of Lord Scales, one of the
early owners of Sandringham, which is now a residence of the Prince of
Wales. Mrs. Herbert Jones[29] says:—
"One winter, when he was about forty-six years old, in a quiet interval soon
after Henry the Sixth's marriage to Margaret of Anjou, Lord Scales and his
wife were living at Middleton. In a south-east direction lay the higher
ground where rose the Blackborough Priory of nuns, founded by a previous
Lady Scales; west of them, at three miles' distance, bristling with the
architecture of the Middle Ages in all its bloom and beauty, before religious
disunion had defaced it, prosperous in its self-government, stood the town
of Lynn.
"The mayor and council had organised a play to be acted on Christmas Day,
1445, before the Lord Scales at Middleton, representing scenes from the
Nativity of our Lord. Large sums were paid by order of the mayor for the
requisite dresses, ornaments, and scenery, some of which were supplied by
the 'Nathan' of Lynn, and others prepared and bought expressly. 'John Clerk'
performed the angel Gabriel, and a lady of the name of Gilbert the Virgin
Mary. Their parts were to be sung. Four other performers were also paid for
their services, and the whole party, headed by the mayor, set off with their
paraphernalia in a cart, harnessed to four or more horses, for Middleton on
Christmas morning. The breakfast of the carters was paid for at the inn by
the town, but the magnates from Lynn and the actors were entertained at the
castle.[30]
"It was in the courtyard that this quaint representation took place; the
musical dialogues, the songs and hymns, the profusion of ornaments,
personal and otherwise, recorded as pressed on to the stage, the grotesque
angel and virgin, must have furnished a lively hour under the castle walls on
that long-ago Christmas Day."
The Wars of the Roses.
Christmas Play Performed in 1445
at Middleton Tower, Norfolk, the family seat of Lord Scales, one of the
early owners of Sandringham, which is now a residence of the Prince of
Wales. Mrs. Herbert Jones[29] says:—
"One winter, when he was about forty-six years old, in a quiet interval soon
after Henry the Sixth's marriage to Margaret of Anjou, Lord Scales and his
wife were living at Middleton. In a south-east direction lay the higher
ground where rose the Blackborough Priory of nuns, founded by a previous
Lady Scales; west of them, at three miles' distance, bristling with the
architecture of the Middle Ages in all its bloom and beauty, before religious
disunion had defaced it, prosperous in its self-government, stood the town
of Lynn.
"The mayor and council had organised a play to be acted on Christmas Day,
1445, before the Lord Scales at Middleton, representing scenes from the
Nativity of our Lord. Large sums were paid by order of the mayor for the
requisite dresses, ornaments, and scenery, some of which were supplied by
the 'Nathan' of Lynn, and others prepared and bought expressly. 'John Clerk'
performed the angel Gabriel, and a lady of the name of Gilbert the Virgin
Mary. Their parts were to be sung. Four other performers were also paid for
their services, and the whole party, headed by the mayor, set off with their
paraphernalia in a cart, harnessed to four or more horses, for Middleton on
Christmas morning. The breakfast of the carters was paid for at the inn by
the town, but the magnates from Lynn and the actors were entertained at the
castle.[30]
"It was in the courtyard that this quaint representation took place; the
musical dialogues, the songs and hymns, the profusion of ornaments,
personal and otherwise, recorded as pressed on to the stage, the grotesque
angel and virgin, must have furnished a lively hour under the castle walls on
that long-ago Christmas Day."
The Wars of the Roses.
Page 113
During the destructive wars of York and Lancaster the festivities of
Christmas were frequently interrupted by hostilities, for some of the most
bloody encounters (as, for example, the terrible battle of Wakefield)
occurred at Christmastide. The wars of the contending factions continued
throughout the reign of Henry VI., whose personal weakness left the House
of Lancaster at the mercy of the Parliament, in which the voice of the
Barons was paramount. That the country was in a state of shameful
misgovernment was shown by the attitude of the commercial class and the
insurrection under John Cade; yet Henry could find time for amusement.
"Under pretence of change of air the court removed to Coventry that the
king might enjoy the sports of the field."[31]
The Christmases of Henry were not kept with the splendour which
characterised those of his rival and successor, Edward IV. Henry's habits
were religious, and his house expenses parsimonious—sometimes
necessarily so, for he was short of money. From the introduction to the
"Paston Letters" (edited by Mr. James Gairdner) it appears that the king was
in such impecunious circumstances in 1451 that he had to borrow his
expenses for Christmas: "The government was getting paralysed alike by
debt and by indecision. 'As for tidings here,' writes John Bocking, 'I certify
you all that is nought, or will be nought. The king borroweth his expenses.'"
Henry anticipated what Ben Jonson discovered in a later age, that—
"Christmas is near;
And neither good cheer,
Mirth, fooling, nor wit,
Nor any least fit
Of gambol or sport
Will come at the Court,
If there be no money."
And so rather than leave Christmas unobserved the poor king "borrowed his
expenses." Subsequently Henry's health failed, and then later comes the
record: "At Christmas [1454], to the great joy of the nation, the king began
to recover from his painful illness. He woke up, as it were, from a long
sleep. So decidedly had he regained his faculties that on St. John's Day
(27th December) he commanded his almoner to ride to Canterbury with an
offering, and his secretary to present another at the shrine of St. Edward."
[32]
Christmas were frequently interrupted by hostilities, for some of the most
bloody encounters (as, for example, the terrible battle of Wakefield)
occurred at Christmastide. The wars of the contending factions continued
throughout the reign of Henry VI., whose personal weakness left the House
of Lancaster at the mercy of the Parliament, in which the voice of the
Barons was paramount. That the country was in a state of shameful
misgovernment was shown by the attitude of the commercial class and the
insurrection under John Cade; yet Henry could find time for amusement.
"Under pretence of change of air the court removed to Coventry that the
king might enjoy the sports of the field."[31]
The Christmases of Henry were not kept with the splendour which
characterised those of his rival and successor, Edward IV. Henry's habits
were religious, and his house expenses parsimonious—sometimes
necessarily so, for he was short of money. From the introduction to the
"Paston Letters" (edited by Mr. James Gairdner) it appears that the king was
in such impecunious circumstances in 1451 that he had to borrow his
expenses for Christmas: "The government was getting paralysed alike by
debt and by indecision. 'As for tidings here,' writes John Bocking, 'I certify
you all that is nought, or will be nought. The king borroweth his expenses.'"
Henry anticipated what Ben Jonson discovered in a later age, that—
"Christmas is near;
And neither good cheer,
Mirth, fooling, nor wit,
Nor any least fit
Of gambol or sport
Will come at the Court,
If there be no money."
And so rather than leave Christmas unobserved the poor king "borrowed his
expenses." Subsequently Henry's health failed, and then later comes the
record: "At Christmas [1454], to the great joy of the nation, the king began
to recover from his painful illness. He woke up, as it were, from a long
sleep. So decidedly had he regained his faculties that on St. John's Day
(27th December) he commanded his almoner to ride to Canterbury with an
offering, and his secretary to present another at the shrine of St. Edward."
[32]
Page 114
The terrible battle of Wakefield at Christmastide, 1460, was one of the most
important victories won by the Lancastrians during the Wars of the Roses.
The king, Henry VI., had secretly encouraged Richard, Duke of York, that
the nation would soon be ready to assent to the restoration of the legitimate
branch of the royal family. Richard was the son of Anne Mortimer, who was
descended from Philippa, the only daughter of the Duke of Clarence,
second son of Edward III.; and consequently he stood in the order of
succession before the king actually on the throne, who was descended from
John of Gaunt, a younger son of Edward III. The Duke of York at length
openly advanced his title as the true heir to the crown, and urged Parliament
to confer it upon him. As, however, the Lancastrian branch of the royal
family had enjoyed the crown for three generations it was resolved that
Henry VI. should continue to reign during his life and that Richard should
succeed him. This compromise greatly displeased the queen, Margaret, who
was indignant at the injury it inflicted on her son. She therefore urged the
nobles who had hitherto supported her husband to take up arms on behalf of
his son. Accordingly the Earl of Northumberland, with Lords Dacre,
Clifford, and Nevil, assembled an army at York, and were soon joined by
the Duke of Somerset and the Earl of Devon. "Parliament being prorogued
in December, the Duke of York and the Earl of Salisbury hastened from
London with a large armed force towards York, but coming unexpectedly
upon the troops of the Duke of Somerset at Worksop, their vanguard was
destroyed. On the 21st of December, however, they reached Sandal Castle
with six thousand men, and kept their Christmas there, notwithstanding that
the enemy under the Duke of Somerset and the Earl of Northumberland
were close by at Pontefract" (William Wyrcester). On the 30th of December
the opposing forces met at Wakefield, and in the terrible battle which
ensued Richard, Duke of York was slain, his son, Lord Rutland, was
murdered by Lord Clifford while escaping from the battlefield, and the Earl
of Salisbury and others were taken as prisoners to Pontefract, where they
were beheaded.
Edward, son of Richard Duke of York, was afterwards joined by his cousin,
Richard, Earl of Warwick, the famous "kingmaker." They hastened
northwards and met the Lancastrians at Towton, where a decisive battle was
fought, and won by the Yorkists. Edward was then recognised by
important victories won by the Lancastrians during the Wars of the Roses.
The king, Henry VI., had secretly encouraged Richard, Duke of York, that
the nation would soon be ready to assent to the restoration of the legitimate
branch of the royal family. Richard was the son of Anne Mortimer, who was
descended from Philippa, the only daughter of the Duke of Clarence,
second son of Edward III.; and consequently he stood in the order of
succession before the king actually on the throne, who was descended from
John of Gaunt, a younger son of Edward III. The Duke of York at length
openly advanced his title as the true heir to the crown, and urged Parliament
to confer it upon him. As, however, the Lancastrian branch of the royal
family had enjoyed the crown for three generations it was resolved that
Henry VI. should continue to reign during his life and that Richard should
succeed him. This compromise greatly displeased the queen, Margaret, who
was indignant at the injury it inflicted on her son. She therefore urged the
nobles who had hitherto supported her husband to take up arms on behalf of
his son. Accordingly the Earl of Northumberland, with Lords Dacre,
Clifford, and Nevil, assembled an army at York, and were soon joined by
the Duke of Somerset and the Earl of Devon. "Parliament being prorogued
in December, the Duke of York and the Earl of Salisbury hastened from
London with a large armed force towards York, but coming unexpectedly
upon the troops of the Duke of Somerset at Worksop, their vanguard was
destroyed. On the 21st of December, however, they reached Sandal Castle
with six thousand men, and kept their Christmas there, notwithstanding that
the enemy under the Duke of Somerset and the Earl of Northumberland
were close by at Pontefract" (William Wyrcester). On the 30th of December
the opposing forces met at Wakefield, and in the terrible battle which
ensued Richard, Duke of York was slain, his son, Lord Rutland, was
murdered by Lord Clifford while escaping from the battlefield, and the Earl
of Salisbury and others were taken as prisoners to Pontefract, where they
were beheaded.
Edward, son of Richard Duke of York, was afterwards joined by his cousin,
Richard, Earl of Warwick, the famous "kingmaker." They hastened
northwards and met the Lancastrians at Towton, where a decisive battle was
fought, and won by the Yorkists. Edward was then recognised by
Page 115
Parliament and proclaimed king as Edward IV., and Henry VI. was attainted
of high treason.
In 1461 Edward the Fourth
called his first Parliament at Westminster, and concluded the session by the
unusual but popular measure of a speech from the throne to the Commons
delivered by himself. It was during this session that the statute was passed
prohibiting the great and rich from giving or wearing any liveries or signs
of companionship, except while serving under the king; from receiving or
maintaining plunderers, robbers, malefactors, or unlawful hunters; and from
allowing dice and cards in their houses beyond the twelve days of
Christmas (Parl. Rolls, 488).
The Christmas festival was kept by Edward IV. with great magnificence, the
king's natural inclinations leading him to adopt whatever was splendid and
costly. "At the Christmas festivities he appeared in a variety of most costly
dresses, of a form never seen before, which he thought displayed his person
to considerable advantage" (Croyland Chronicler). Sir Frederick Madden's
narrative of the visit of the Lord of Granthuse, Governor of Holland, to
Edward, in 1472, paints in glowing colours the luxury of the English Court.
On his arrival at Windsor he was received by Lord Hastings, who conducted
him to the chambers of the King and Queen. These apartments were richly
hung with cloth of gold arras. When he had spoken with the King, who
presented him to the Queen's Grace, the Lord Chamberlain, Hastings, was
ordered to conduct him to his chamber, where supper was ready for him.
"After he had supped the King had him brought immediately to the Queen's
own chamber, where she and her ladies were playing at the marteaux [a
game played with small balls of different colours]; and some of her ladies
were playing at closheys [ninepins] of ivory, and dancing, and some at
divers other games: the which sight was full pleasant to them. Also the King
danced with my Lady Elizabeth, his eldest daughter. In the morning when
Matins was done, the King heard, in his own chapel, Our Lady-Mass, which
was most melodiously chaunted, the Lord Granthuse being present. When
the Mass was done, the King gave the said Lord Granthuse a cup of gold,
garnished with pearl. In the midst of the cup was a great piece of unicorn's
horn, to my estimation seven inches in compass; and on the cover of the cup
of high treason.
In 1461 Edward the Fourth
called his first Parliament at Westminster, and concluded the session by the
unusual but popular measure of a speech from the throne to the Commons
delivered by himself. It was during this session that the statute was passed
prohibiting the great and rich from giving or wearing any liveries or signs
of companionship, except while serving under the king; from receiving or
maintaining plunderers, robbers, malefactors, or unlawful hunters; and from
allowing dice and cards in their houses beyond the twelve days of
Christmas (Parl. Rolls, 488).
The Christmas festival was kept by Edward IV. with great magnificence, the
king's natural inclinations leading him to adopt whatever was splendid and
costly. "At the Christmas festivities he appeared in a variety of most costly
dresses, of a form never seen before, which he thought displayed his person
to considerable advantage" (Croyland Chronicler). Sir Frederick Madden's
narrative of the visit of the Lord of Granthuse, Governor of Holland, to
Edward, in 1472, paints in glowing colours the luxury of the English Court.
On his arrival at Windsor he was received by Lord Hastings, who conducted
him to the chambers of the King and Queen. These apartments were richly
hung with cloth of gold arras. When he had spoken with the King, who
presented him to the Queen's Grace, the Lord Chamberlain, Hastings, was
ordered to conduct him to his chamber, where supper was ready for him.
"After he had supped the King had him brought immediately to the Queen's
own chamber, where she and her ladies were playing at the marteaux [a
game played with small balls of different colours]; and some of her ladies
were playing at closheys [ninepins] of ivory, and dancing, and some at
divers other games: the which sight was full pleasant to them. Also the King
danced with my Lady Elizabeth, his eldest daughter. In the morning when
Matins was done, the King heard, in his own chapel, Our Lady-Mass, which
was most melodiously chaunted, the Lord Granthuse being present. When
the Mass was done, the King gave the said Lord Granthuse a cup of gold,
garnished with pearl. In the midst of the cup was a great piece of unicorn's
horn, to my estimation seven inches in compass; and on the cover of the cup
Page 116
a great sapphire." After breakfast the King came into the Quadrangle. "My
Lord Prince, also, borne by his Chamberlain, called Master Vaughan, which
bade the Lord of Granthuse welcome. Then the King had him and all his
company into the little Park, where he made him have great sport; and there
the King made him ride on his own horse, on a right fair hobby, the which
the King gave him." The King's dinner was "ordained" in the Lodge,
Windsor Park. After dinner they hunted again, and the King showed his
guest his garden and vineyard of pleasure. Then "the Queen did ordain a
great banquet in her own chamber, at which King Edward, her eldest
daughter the Lady Elisabeth, the Duchess of Exeter, the Lady Rivers, and
the Lord of Granthuse, all sat with her at one mess; and, at the same table,
sat the Duke of Buckingham, my Lady, his wife, with divers other ladies,
my Lord Hastings, Chamberlain to the King, my Lord Berners,
Chamberlain to the Queen, the son of Lord Granthuse, and Master George
Barthe, Secretary to the Duke of Burgundy, Louis Stacy, Usher to the Duke
of Burgundy, George Martigny, and also certain nobles of the King's own
court. There was a side table, at which sat a great view (show) of ladies, all
on the one side. Also, in the outer chamber, sat the Queen's gentlewomen,
all on one side. And on the other side of the table, over against them, as
many of the Lord Granthuse's servants, as touching to the abundant welfare,
like as it is according to such a banquet. And when they had supped my
Lady Elizabeth, the King's eldest daughter, danced with the Duke of
Buckingham and divers other ladies also. Then about nine of the clock, the
King and the Queen, with her ladies and gentlewomen, brought the said
Lord of Granthuse to three chambers of plesance, all hanged with white silk
and linen cloth, and all the floors covered with carpets. There was ordained
a bed for himself of as good down as could be gotten. The sheets of Rennes
cloth and also fine fustians; the counterpane, cloth of gold, furred with
ermines. The tester and ceiler also shining cloth of gold; the curtains of
white sarcenet; as for his head-suit and pillows, they were of the Queen's
own ordonnance. In the second chamber was likewise another state-bed, all
white. Also, in the same chamber, was made a couch with feather beds, and
hanged with a tent, knit like a net, and there was a cupboard. In the third
chamber was ordained a bayne (bath) or two, which were covered with
tents of white cloth. And, when the King and the Queen with all her ladies
and gentlemen had showed him these chambers, they turned again to their
own chambers, and left the said Lord Granthuse there, accompanied with
Lord Prince, also, borne by his Chamberlain, called Master Vaughan, which
bade the Lord of Granthuse welcome. Then the King had him and all his
company into the little Park, where he made him have great sport; and there
the King made him ride on his own horse, on a right fair hobby, the which
the King gave him." The King's dinner was "ordained" in the Lodge,
Windsor Park. After dinner they hunted again, and the King showed his
guest his garden and vineyard of pleasure. Then "the Queen did ordain a
great banquet in her own chamber, at which King Edward, her eldest
daughter the Lady Elisabeth, the Duchess of Exeter, the Lady Rivers, and
the Lord of Granthuse, all sat with her at one mess; and, at the same table,
sat the Duke of Buckingham, my Lady, his wife, with divers other ladies,
my Lord Hastings, Chamberlain to the King, my Lord Berners,
Chamberlain to the Queen, the son of Lord Granthuse, and Master George
Barthe, Secretary to the Duke of Burgundy, Louis Stacy, Usher to the Duke
of Burgundy, George Martigny, and also certain nobles of the King's own
court. There was a side table, at which sat a great view (show) of ladies, all
on the one side. Also, in the outer chamber, sat the Queen's gentlewomen,
all on one side. And on the other side of the table, over against them, as
many of the Lord Granthuse's servants, as touching to the abundant welfare,
like as it is according to such a banquet. And when they had supped my
Lady Elizabeth, the King's eldest daughter, danced with the Duke of
Buckingham and divers other ladies also. Then about nine of the clock, the
King and the Queen, with her ladies and gentlewomen, brought the said
Lord of Granthuse to three chambers of plesance, all hanged with white silk
and linen cloth, and all the floors covered with carpets. There was ordained
a bed for himself of as good down as could be gotten. The sheets of Rennes
cloth and also fine fustians; the counterpane, cloth of gold, furred with
ermines. The tester and ceiler also shining cloth of gold; the curtains of
white sarcenet; as for his head-suit and pillows, they were of the Queen's
own ordonnance. In the second chamber was likewise another state-bed, all
white. Also, in the same chamber, was made a couch with feather beds, and
hanged with a tent, knit like a net, and there was a cupboard. In the third
chamber was ordained a bayne (bath) or two, which were covered with
tents of white cloth. And, when the King and the Queen with all her ladies
and gentlemen had showed him these chambers, they turned again to their
own chambers, and left the said Lord Granthuse there, accompanied with
Page 117
the Lord Chamberlain (Hastings), who undressed him, and they both went
together to the bath.—And when they had been in their baths as long as was
their pleasure, they had green ginger, divers syrups, comfits, and ipocras,
and then they went to bed. And in the morning he took his cup with the
King and Queen, and returned to Westminster again."
In 1465 Edward the Fourth and his Queen kept Christmas in the Abbey at
Coventry, and for six days (says William Wyrcester) "the Duke of Clarence
dissembled there."
In 1478 the King celebrated the Christmas festival at Westminster with
great pomp, wearing his crown, feasting his nobles, and making presents to
his household; and in 1482-3 he kept a splendid Christmas at Eltham, more
than two thousand people being fed at his expense every day. Edward
almost entirely rebuilt Eltham Palace, of which the hall was the noblest
part. In that hall he kept the Christmas festival, "with bountiful hospitality
for high and low, and abundance of mirth and sport."
One of the continental visitors who participated in the royal festivities of
this period was Leo von Rozmital, brother of George, King of Bohemia. His
retinue included Tetzel, who, in describing the Court of Edward the Fourth,
after remarking upon Edward's own handsome person, says, "The king has
the finest set of courtiers that a man may find in Christendom. He invited
my Lord Leo and all his noble companions, and gave them a very costly
feast, and also he gave to each of them the medal of his order, to every
knight a golden one, and to every one who was not a knight a silver one;
and he himself hung them upon their necks. Another day the king called us
to court. In the morning the queen (Elizabeth Woodville) went from child-
bed to church with a splendid procession of many priests, bearing relics,
and many scholars, all singing, and carrying burning candles. Besides there
was a great company of women and maidens from the country and from
London, who were bidden to attend. There were also a great number of
trumpeters, pipers, and other players, with forty-two of the king's singing
men, who sang very sweetly. Also, there were four and twenty heralds and
pursuivants, and sixty lords and knights. Then came the queen, led by two
dukes, and with a canopy borne over her. Behind her followed her mother
and above sixty ladies and maidens. Having heard the service sung, and
kneeled down in the church, she returned with the same procession to her
together to the bath.—And when they had been in their baths as long as was
their pleasure, they had green ginger, divers syrups, comfits, and ipocras,
and then they went to bed. And in the morning he took his cup with the
King and Queen, and returned to Westminster again."
In 1465 Edward the Fourth and his Queen kept Christmas in the Abbey at
Coventry, and for six days (says William Wyrcester) "the Duke of Clarence
dissembled there."
In 1478 the King celebrated the Christmas festival at Westminster with
great pomp, wearing his crown, feasting his nobles, and making presents to
his household; and in 1482-3 he kept a splendid Christmas at Eltham, more
than two thousand people being fed at his expense every day. Edward
almost entirely rebuilt Eltham Palace, of which the hall was the noblest
part. In that hall he kept the Christmas festival, "with bountiful hospitality
for high and low, and abundance of mirth and sport."
One of the continental visitors who participated in the royal festivities of
this period was Leo von Rozmital, brother of George, King of Bohemia. His
retinue included Tetzel, who, in describing the Court of Edward the Fourth,
after remarking upon Edward's own handsome person, says, "The king has
the finest set of courtiers that a man may find in Christendom. He invited
my Lord Leo and all his noble companions, and gave them a very costly
feast, and also he gave to each of them the medal of his order, to every
knight a golden one, and to every one who was not a knight a silver one;
and he himself hung them upon their necks. Another day the king called us
to court. In the morning the queen (Elizabeth Woodville) went from child-
bed to church with a splendid procession of many priests, bearing relics,
and many scholars, all singing, and carrying burning candles. Besides there
was a great company of women and maidens from the country and from
London, who were bidden to attend. There were also a great number of
trumpeters, pipers, and other players, with forty-two of the king's singing
men, who sang very sweetly. Also, there were four and twenty heralds and
pursuivants, and sixty lords and knights. Then came the queen, led by two
dukes, and with a canopy borne over her. Behind her followed her mother
and above sixty ladies and maidens. Having heard the service sung, and
kneeled down in the church, she returned with the same procession to her
Page 118
palace. Here all who had taken part in the procession were invited to a feast,
and all sat down, the men and the women, the clergy and the laity, each in
his rank, filling four large rooms. Also, the king invited my lord and all his
noble attendants to the table where he usually dined with his courtiers. And
one of the king's greatest lords must sit at the king's table upon the king's
stool, in the place of the king; and my lord sat at the same table only two
steps below him. Then all the honours which were due to the king had to be
paid to the lord who sat in his place, and also to my lord; and it is incredible
what ceremonies we observed there. While we were eating, the king was
making presents to all the trumpeters, pipers, players, and heralds; to the
last alone he gave four hundred nobles, and every one, when he received his
pay, came to the tables and told aloud what the king had given him. When
my lord had done eating, he was conducted into a costly ornamented room,
where the queen was to dine, and there he was seated in a corner that he
might see all the expensive provisions. The queen sat down on a golden
stool alone at her table, and her mother and the queen's sister stood far
below her. And when the queen spoke to her mother or to the king's sister,
they kneeled down every time before her, and remained kneeling until the
queen drank water. And all her ladies and maids, and those who waited
upon her, even great lords, had to kneel while she was eating, which
continued three hours(!). After dinner there was dancing, but the queen
remained sitting upon her stool, and her mother kneeled before her. The
king's sister danced with two dukes, and the beautiful dances and
reverences performed before the queen—the like I have never seen, nor
such beautiful maidens. Among them were eight duchesses, and above
thirty countesses and others, all daughters of great people. After the dance
the king's singing men came in and sang. When the king heard mass sung in
his private chapel my lord was admitted: then the king had his relics shown
to us, and many sacred things in London. Among them we saw a stone from
the Mount of Olives, upon which there is the footprint of Jesus Christ, our
Lady's girdle, and many other relics."
Cards and other Christmas Diversions in the Fifteenth Century.
The amusements of the people in the fifteenth century are referred to by
Thomas Wright, Esq., M.A., F.S.A., who says: "In England, in the third year
of the reign of Edward IV. (1463), the importation of playing-cards,
and all sat down, the men and the women, the clergy and the laity, each in
his rank, filling four large rooms. Also, the king invited my lord and all his
noble attendants to the table where he usually dined with his courtiers. And
one of the king's greatest lords must sit at the king's table upon the king's
stool, in the place of the king; and my lord sat at the same table only two
steps below him. Then all the honours which were due to the king had to be
paid to the lord who sat in his place, and also to my lord; and it is incredible
what ceremonies we observed there. While we were eating, the king was
making presents to all the trumpeters, pipers, players, and heralds; to the
last alone he gave four hundred nobles, and every one, when he received his
pay, came to the tables and told aloud what the king had given him. When
my lord had done eating, he was conducted into a costly ornamented room,
where the queen was to dine, and there he was seated in a corner that he
might see all the expensive provisions. The queen sat down on a golden
stool alone at her table, and her mother and the queen's sister stood far
below her. And when the queen spoke to her mother or to the king's sister,
they kneeled down every time before her, and remained kneeling until the
queen drank water. And all her ladies and maids, and those who waited
upon her, even great lords, had to kneel while she was eating, which
continued three hours(!). After dinner there was dancing, but the queen
remained sitting upon her stool, and her mother kneeled before her. The
king's sister danced with two dukes, and the beautiful dances and
reverences performed before the queen—the like I have never seen, nor
such beautiful maidens. Among them were eight duchesses, and above
thirty countesses and others, all daughters of great people. After the dance
the king's singing men came in and sang. When the king heard mass sung in
his private chapel my lord was admitted: then the king had his relics shown
to us, and many sacred things in London. Among them we saw a stone from
the Mount of Olives, upon which there is the footprint of Jesus Christ, our
Lady's girdle, and many other relics."
Cards and other Christmas Diversions in the Fifteenth Century.
The amusements of the people in the fifteenth century are referred to by
Thomas Wright, Esq., M.A., F.S.A., who says: "In England, in the third year
of the reign of Edward IV. (1463), the importation of playing-cards,
Page 119
probably from Germany, was forbidden, among other things, by Act of
Parliament; and as that Act is understood to have been called for by the
English manufacturers, who suffered by the foreign trade, it can hardly be
doubted that cards were then manufactured in England on a rather extensive
scale. Cards had then, indeed, evidently become very popular in England;
and only twenty years afterwards they are spoken of as the common
Christmas game, for Margery Paston wrote as follows to her husband, John
Paston, on the 24th of December in 1483:—'Please it you to weet (know)
that I sent your eldest son John to my Lady Morley, to have knowledge of
what sports were used in her house in the Christmas next following after the
decease of my lord her husband; and she said that there were none
disguisings, nor harpings, nor luting, nor singing, nor none loud disports,
but playing at the tables, and the chess, and cards—such disports she gave
her folks leave to play, and none other.... I sent your younger son to the lady
Stapleton, and she said according to my lady Morley's saying in that, and as
she had seen used in places of worship (gentlemen's houses) there as she
had been.' ... After the middle of the fifteenth century, cards came into very
general use; and at the beginning of the following century, there was such a
rage for card-playing, that an attempt was made early in the reign of Henry
VIII. to restrict their use by law to the period of Christmas. When, however,
people sat down to dinner at noon, and had no other occupation for the rest
of the day, they needed amusement of some sort to pass the time; and a poet
of the fifteenth century observes truly—
'A man may dryfe forthe the day that long tyme dwellis
With harpyng and pipyng, and other mery spellis,
With gle, and wyth game.'"
Parliament; and as that Act is understood to have been called for by the
English manufacturers, who suffered by the foreign trade, it can hardly be
doubted that cards were then manufactured in England on a rather extensive
scale. Cards had then, indeed, evidently become very popular in England;
and only twenty years afterwards they are spoken of as the common
Christmas game, for Margery Paston wrote as follows to her husband, John
Paston, on the 24th of December in 1483:—'Please it you to weet (know)
that I sent your eldest son John to my Lady Morley, to have knowledge of
what sports were used in her house in the Christmas next following after the
decease of my lord her husband; and she said that there were none
disguisings, nor harpings, nor luting, nor singing, nor none loud disports,
but playing at the tables, and the chess, and cards—such disports she gave
her folks leave to play, and none other.... I sent your younger son to the lady
Stapleton, and she said according to my lady Morley's saying in that, and as
she had seen used in places of worship (gentlemen's houses) there as she
had been.' ... After the middle of the fifteenth century, cards came into very
general use; and at the beginning of the following century, there was such a
rage for card-playing, that an attempt was made early in the reign of Henry
VIII. to restrict their use by law to the period of Christmas. When, however,
people sat down to dinner at noon, and had no other occupation for the rest
of the day, they needed amusement of some sort to pass the time; and a poet
of the fifteenth century observes truly—
'A man may dryfe forthe the day that long tyme dwellis
With harpyng and pipyng, and other mery spellis,
With gle, and wyth game.'"
Page 120
lady musician of the 15th century.
Another book well known to bibliomaniacs ("Dives and Pauper," ed. W. de
Worde; 1496) says: "For to represente in playnge at Crystmasse herodes and
the thre kynges and other processes of the gospelles both then and at Ester
and other tymes also it is lefull and cōmendable."
rustic christmas minstrel with pipe and tabor.
Another book well known to bibliomaniacs ("Dives and Pauper," ed. W. de
Worde; 1496) says: "For to represente in playnge at Crystmasse herodes and
the thre kynges and other processes of the gospelles both then and at Ester
and other tymes also it is lefull and cōmendable."
rustic christmas minstrel with pipe and tabor.
Page 121
Edward the Fifth
succeeded his father, Edward IV., in the dangerous days of 1483. He was at
Ludlow when his father died, being under the guardianship of his uncle,
Earl Rivers, and attended by other members of the Woodville family.
Almost immediately he set out for London, but when he reached Stony
Stratford, on April 29th, he was met by his uncle Richard, Duke of
Gloucester, who had arrested Lord Rivers and Lord Richard Grey. The
young king (a boy of thirteen) renewed his journey under Gloucester's
charge, and on reaching London was lodged in the Tower. His mother, on
hearing of the arrest of Rivers and Grey, had taken sanctuary at
Westminster. Lord Hastings, a supporter of the king, was arrested and
executed because he would not sanction Gloucester's nefarious schemes for
obtaining the throne. About the same time Rivers and Grey were beheaded
at Pontefract, whither they had been taken by Gloucester's orders. Soon
afterwards the Queen was compelled to deliver up the young Duke of York
to Richard, who sent him to join his brother in the Tower. On June 22nd, at
the request of Richard, Dr. Shaw, brother of the Lord Mayor of London,
delivered a sermon at St. Paul's Cross, in which he insisted on the
illegitimacy of Edward V. and his brother. On June 25th a deputation of
nobles and citizens of London offered the crown to Richard. He accepted it,
and began to reign as Richard III. And, according to a confession afterwards
made by Sir James Tyrell, one of Richard's officers, the two young princes
remained in the Tower, being put to death by their Uncle Richard's orders.
Thus, atrociously, began the reign of the murderous usurper,
Richard the Third.
The King kept his first Christmas at Kenilworth Castle, having previously
visited the city of Coventry, at the festival of Corpus Christi, to see the
plays. The accounts of Kenilworth Castle show that in 1484 John Beaufitz
was paid £20 "for divers reparacions made in the Castell of Kyllingworth"
by order of Richard III. At this time, says Philip de Comines, "he was
reigning in greater splendour and authority than any king of England for the
last hundred years." The following year Richard kept Christmas in the great
hall at Westminster, celebrating the festival with great pomp and splendour,
encouraging the recreations usual at the season, and so attentively observing
succeeded his father, Edward IV., in the dangerous days of 1483. He was at
Ludlow when his father died, being under the guardianship of his uncle,
Earl Rivers, and attended by other members of the Woodville family.
Almost immediately he set out for London, but when he reached Stony
Stratford, on April 29th, he was met by his uncle Richard, Duke of
Gloucester, who had arrested Lord Rivers and Lord Richard Grey. The
young king (a boy of thirteen) renewed his journey under Gloucester's
charge, and on reaching London was lodged in the Tower. His mother, on
hearing of the arrest of Rivers and Grey, had taken sanctuary at
Westminster. Lord Hastings, a supporter of the king, was arrested and
executed because he would not sanction Gloucester's nefarious schemes for
obtaining the throne. About the same time Rivers and Grey were beheaded
at Pontefract, whither they had been taken by Gloucester's orders. Soon
afterwards the Queen was compelled to deliver up the young Duke of York
to Richard, who sent him to join his brother in the Tower. On June 22nd, at
the request of Richard, Dr. Shaw, brother of the Lord Mayor of London,
delivered a sermon at St. Paul's Cross, in which he insisted on the
illegitimacy of Edward V. and his brother. On June 25th a deputation of
nobles and citizens of London offered the crown to Richard. He accepted it,
and began to reign as Richard III. And, according to a confession afterwards
made by Sir James Tyrell, one of Richard's officers, the two young princes
remained in the Tower, being put to death by their Uncle Richard's orders.
Thus, atrociously, began the reign of the murderous usurper,
Richard the Third.
The King kept his first Christmas at Kenilworth Castle, having previously
visited the city of Coventry, at the festival of Corpus Christi, to see the
plays. The accounts of Kenilworth Castle show that in 1484 John Beaufitz
was paid £20 "for divers reparacions made in the Castell of Kyllingworth"
by order of Richard III. At this time, says Philip de Comines, "he was
reigning in greater splendour and authority than any king of England for the
last hundred years." The following year Richard kept Christmas in the great
hall at Westminster, celebrating the festival with great pomp and splendour,
encouraging the recreations usual at the season, and so attentively observing
Page 122
the ancient customs that a warrant is entered for the payment of "200 marks
for certain new year's gifts bought against the feast of Christmas." The
festivities continued without interruption until the day of the Epiphany,
when they terminated with an entertainment of extraordinary magnificence
given by the monarch to his nobles in Westminster Hall—"the King himself
wearing his crown," are the words of the Croyland historian, "and holding a
splendid feast in the great hall, similar to that of his coronation." "Little did
Richard imagine that this would be the last feast at which he would preside
—the last time he would display his crown in peace before his assembled
peers."[33] An allusion to this Christmas festival, and to the King's wicked
nature, is contained in a note to Bacon's "Life of King Henry VII.," which
says: "Richard's wife was Anne, the younger daughter of Warwick the
King-maker. She died 16th March, 1485. It was rumoured that her death
was by poison, and that Richard wished to marry his niece Elizabeth of
York, eldest daughter of Edward IV. It is said that in the festivities of the
previous Christmas the Princess Elizabeth had been dressed in robes of the
same fashion and colour as those of the Queen. Ratcliffe and Catesby, the
King's confidants, are credited with having represented to Richard that this
marriage of so near a kinswoman would be an object of horror to the
people, and bring on him the condemnation of the clergy."
At a Christmas festival at Rhedon, in Brittany, Henry of Richmond met
English exiles to the number of 500, and swore to marry Elizabeth of York
as soon as he should subdue the usurper; and thereupon the exiles
unanimously agreed to support him as their sovereign. On the 1st of August,
1485, Henry set sail from Harfleur with an army of 3,000 men, and a few
days afterwards landed at Milford Haven. He was received with manifest
delight, and as he advanced through Wales his forces were increased to
upwards of 6,000 men. Before the close of the month he had encountered
the royal army and slain the King at Bosworth Field, and by this memorable
victory had terminated the terrible Wars of the Roses and introduced into
England a new dynasty.
for certain new year's gifts bought against the feast of Christmas." The
festivities continued without interruption until the day of the Epiphany,
when they terminated with an entertainment of extraordinary magnificence
given by the monarch to his nobles in Westminster Hall—"the King himself
wearing his crown," are the words of the Croyland historian, "and holding a
splendid feast in the great hall, similar to that of his coronation." "Little did
Richard imagine that this would be the last feast at which he would preside
—the last time he would display his crown in peace before his assembled
peers."[33] An allusion to this Christmas festival, and to the King's wicked
nature, is contained in a note to Bacon's "Life of King Henry VII.," which
says: "Richard's wife was Anne, the younger daughter of Warwick the
King-maker. She died 16th March, 1485. It was rumoured that her death
was by poison, and that Richard wished to marry his niece Elizabeth of
York, eldest daughter of Edward IV. It is said that in the festivities of the
previous Christmas the Princess Elizabeth had been dressed in robes of the
same fashion and colour as those of the Queen. Ratcliffe and Catesby, the
King's confidants, are credited with having represented to Richard that this
marriage of so near a kinswoman would be an object of horror to the
people, and bring on him the condemnation of the clergy."
At a Christmas festival at Rhedon, in Brittany, Henry of Richmond met
English exiles to the number of 500, and swore to marry Elizabeth of York
as soon as he should subdue the usurper; and thereupon the exiles
unanimously agreed to support him as their sovereign. On the 1st of August,
1485, Henry set sail from Harfleur with an army of 3,000 men, and a few
days afterwards landed at Milford Haven. He was received with manifest
delight, and as he advanced through Wales his forces were increased to
upwards of 6,000 men. Before the close of the month he had encountered
the royal army and slain the King at Bosworth Field, and by this memorable
victory had terminated the terrible Wars of the Roses and introduced into
England a new dynasty.
Page 123
[19] Browning.
[20] "Every-day Book," vol. ii. p. 1635.
[21] "Shorter Poems."
[22] Sir John Froissart's Chronicles of England, France, Spain, Portugal,
Scotland, Brittany, Flanders, and the adjoining countries; translated from the
original French, at the command of King Henry the Eighth, by John Bourchier,
Lord Berners. London edition, 1812.
[23] Cassell's "History of England."
[24] Creighton's "Life of Edward the Black Prince."
[25] "Sports and Pastimes."
[26] Cassell's "History of England."
[27] Shakespeare.
[28] "History of Chivalry."
[29] "Sandringham Past and Present, 1888."
[30] King's Lynn Chamberlains' Accounts Rolls, 23rd of Henry VI.
[31] "Chronicles of the White Rose of York."
[32] "Paston Letters."
[33] Halstead's "Life of Richard III."
CHAPTER VI.
CHRISTMAS UNDER HENRY VII. AND HENRY VIII.
(1485-1547.)
Henry the Seventh
[20] "Every-day Book," vol. ii. p. 1635.
[21] "Shorter Poems."
[22] Sir John Froissart's Chronicles of England, France, Spain, Portugal,
Scotland, Brittany, Flanders, and the adjoining countries; translated from the
original French, at the command of King Henry the Eighth, by John Bourchier,
Lord Berners. London edition, 1812.
[23] Cassell's "History of England."
[24] Creighton's "Life of Edward the Black Prince."
[25] "Sports and Pastimes."
[26] Cassell's "History of England."
[27] Shakespeare.
[28] "History of Chivalry."
[29] "Sandringham Past and Present, 1888."
[30] King's Lynn Chamberlains' Accounts Rolls, 23rd of Henry VI.
[31] "Chronicles of the White Rose of York."
[32] "Paston Letters."
[33] Halstead's "Life of Richard III."
CHAPTER VI.
CHRISTMAS UNDER HENRY VII. AND HENRY VIII.
(1485-1547.)
Henry the Seventh
Page 124
Was the son of Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond, son of Owen Tudor, a
Welsh gentleman who had married the widow of Henry V. His mother,
Margaret, was a great-granddaughter of John of Gaunt by Catherine
Swynford. In early life Henry was under the protection of Henry VI.; but
after the battle of Tewkesbury he was taken by his uncle, Jasper Tudor, Earl
of Pembroke, to Brittany for safety. Edward IV. made several unsuccessful
attempts to get him into his power, and Richard III. also sent spies into
Brittany to ascertain his doings. On Christmas Day, 1483, the English
exiles, who gathered round Henry in Brittany, took an oath in the Cathedral
of Rheims to support him in ousting Richard and succeeding him to the
English throne. Henry, on his part, agreed to reconcile the contending
parties by marrying Elizabeth of York, eldest daughter and co-heir of
Edward IV., and this promise he faithfully kept. After his defeat of Richard
the Third at Bosworth he assumed the royal title, advanced to London, and
had himself crowned King of England; and at the following Christmas
festival he married Elizabeth of York. The Archbishop who married them
(Archbishop Bourchier) had crowned both Richard III. and Henry VII., and
Fuller quaintly describes this last official act of marrying King Henry to
Elizabeth of York as the holding of "the posie on which the White Rose and
the Red Rose were tied together." And Bacon says, "the so-long-expected
and so-much-desired marriage between the King and the Lady Elizabeth
was celebrated with greater triumph and demonstrations, especially on the
people's part, of joy and gladness, than the days either of his entry or
coronation."
The Christmas festivities were attended to with increasing zest during the
reign of Henry VII., for the King studied magnificence quite as much as his
predecessors had done. His riding dress was "a doublet of green or white
cloth of gold satin, with a long gown of purple velvet, furred with ermine,
powdered, open at the sides, and purpled with ermine, with a rich sarpe
(scarf) and garter." His horse was richly caparisoned, and bore a saddle of
estate, covered with gold. His Majesty was attended by seven henchmen,
clothed in doublets of crimson satin, with gowns of white cloth of gold. The
Queen appeared with equal splendour, "wearing a round circle of gold, set
with pearls and precious stones, arrayed in a kirtle of white damask cloth of
gold, furred with miniver pure, garnished, having a train of the same, with
damask cloth of gold, furred with ermine, with a great lace, and two buttons
Welsh gentleman who had married the widow of Henry V. His mother,
Margaret, was a great-granddaughter of John of Gaunt by Catherine
Swynford. In early life Henry was under the protection of Henry VI.; but
after the battle of Tewkesbury he was taken by his uncle, Jasper Tudor, Earl
of Pembroke, to Brittany for safety. Edward IV. made several unsuccessful
attempts to get him into his power, and Richard III. also sent spies into
Brittany to ascertain his doings. On Christmas Day, 1483, the English
exiles, who gathered round Henry in Brittany, took an oath in the Cathedral
of Rheims to support him in ousting Richard and succeeding him to the
English throne. Henry, on his part, agreed to reconcile the contending
parties by marrying Elizabeth of York, eldest daughter and co-heir of
Edward IV., and this promise he faithfully kept. After his defeat of Richard
the Third at Bosworth he assumed the royal title, advanced to London, and
had himself crowned King of England; and at the following Christmas
festival he married Elizabeth of York. The Archbishop who married them
(Archbishop Bourchier) had crowned both Richard III. and Henry VII., and
Fuller quaintly describes this last official act of marrying King Henry to
Elizabeth of York as the holding of "the posie on which the White Rose and
the Red Rose were tied together." And Bacon says, "the so-long-expected
and so-much-desired marriage between the King and the Lady Elizabeth
was celebrated with greater triumph and demonstrations, especially on the
people's part, of joy and gladness, than the days either of his entry or
coronation."
The Christmas festivities were attended to with increasing zest during the
reign of Henry VII., for the King studied magnificence quite as much as his
predecessors had done. His riding dress was "a doublet of green or white
cloth of gold satin, with a long gown of purple velvet, furred with ermine,
powdered, open at the sides, and purpled with ermine, with a rich sarpe
(scarf) and garter." His horse was richly caparisoned, and bore a saddle of
estate, covered with gold. His Majesty was attended by seven henchmen,
clothed in doublets of crimson satin, with gowns of white cloth of gold. The
Queen appeared with equal splendour, "wearing a round circle of gold, set
with pearls and precious stones, arrayed in a kirtle of white damask cloth of
gold, furred with miniver pure, garnished, having a train of the same, with
damask cloth of gold, furred with ermine, with a great lace, and two buttons
Page 125
and tassels of white silk, and gold at the breast above." And the royal
apartments were kept with great splendour. At his ninth Christmas festival
(Dec. 31, 1494) the King established new rules for the government of the
royal household (preserved among the Harleian MSS.), which he directed
should be kept "in most straightest wise." The Royal Household Book of
the period, in the Chapter-house at Westminster, contains numerous
disbursements connected with Christmas diversions. In the seventh year of
this reign is a payment to Wat Alyn (Walter Alwyn) in full payment for the
disguising made at Christmas, £14 13s. 4d., and payments for similar
purposes occur in the following years. Another book, also in the Chapter-
house, called "The Kyng's boke of paymentis," contains entries of various
sums given to players and others who assisted to amuse the King at
Christmas, and among the rest, to the Lord of Misrule (or Abbot as he is
sometimes called), for several years, "in rewarde for his besynes in
Crestenmes holydays, £6 13s. 4d." The plays at this festival seem to have
been acted by the "gentlemen of the King's Chapell," as there are several
liberal payments to certain of them for playing on Twelfth Night; for
instance, an entry on January 7th, 23 Henry VII., of a reward to five of them
of £6 13s. 4d., for acting before the King on the previous night; but there
was a distinct set of players for other times.
Leland, speaking of 1489, says: "This Cristmas I saw no disgysyngs, and
but right few plays. But ther was an Abbot of Misrule, that made much
sport and did right well his office." In the following year, however, "on
neweres day at nyght, there was a goodly disgysyng," and "many and
dyvers pleyes."
That the Christmas festival did not pass unobserved by the men of this
period who navigated the high seas we know from the name of a Cuban
port which was
A Christmas Discovery by Christopher Columbus.
On Christmas Day, 1492, Christopher Columbus, the celebrated Genoese
navigator, landed at a newly-discovered port in Cuba, which he named
Navidad, because he landed there on Christmas Day.
The Fire at the Royal Residence, Shene,
apartments were kept with great splendour. At his ninth Christmas festival
(Dec. 31, 1494) the King established new rules for the government of the
royal household (preserved among the Harleian MSS.), which he directed
should be kept "in most straightest wise." The Royal Household Book of
the period, in the Chapter-house at Westminster, contains numerous
disbursements connected with Christmas diversions. In the seventh year of
this reign is a payment to Wat Alyn (Walter Alwyn) in full payment for the
disguising made at Christmas, £14 13s. 4d., and payments for similar
purposes occur in the following years. Another book, also in the Chapter-
house, called "The Kyng's boke of paymentis," contains entries of various
sums given to players and others who assisted to amuse the King at
Christmas, and among the rest, to the Lord of Misrule (or Abbot as he is
sometimes called), for several years, "in rewarde for his besynes in
Crestenmes holydays, £6 13s. 4d." The plays at this festival seem to have
been acted by the "gentlemen of the King's Chapell," as there are several
liberal payments to certain of them for playing on Twelfth Night; for
instance, an entry on January 7th, 23 Henry VII., of a reward to five of them
of £6 13s. 4d., for acting before the King on the previous night; but there
was a distinct set of players for other times.
Leland, speaking of 1489, says: "This Cristmas I saw no disgysyngs, and
but right few plays. But ther was an Abbot of Misrule, that made much
sport and did right well his office." In the following year, however, "on
neweres day at nyght, there was a goodly disgysyng," and "many and
dyvers pleyes."
That the Christmas festival did not pass unobserved by the men of this
period who navigated the high seas we know from the name of a Cuban
port which was
A Christmas Discovery by Christopher Columbus.
On Christmas Day, 1492, Christopher Columbus, the celebrated Genoese
navigator, landed at a newly-discovered port in Cuba, which he named
Navidad, because he landed there on Christmas Day.
The Fire at the Royal Residence, Shene,
Page 126
was the event of Christmas, 1497. It broke out in the palace, on the evening
of December 21st, while the royal family were there, and for three hours
raged fiercely, destroying, with the fairest portion of the building, the rich
furniture, beds, tapestry, and other decorations of the principal chambers.
Fortunately an alarm was given in time, and the royal and noble personages
of the Court escaped to a place of safety. In consequence of this fire the
King built the fine new palace of Richmond.
Royal Christmases
were kept by Henry VII. at Westminster Hall with great hospitality, the
King wearing his crown, and feasting numerous guests, loading the
banquet-table with peacocks, swans, herons, conger, sturgeon, brawn, and
all the delicacies of the period. At his ninth Christmas festival the Mayor
and Aldermen of London were feasted with great splendour at Westminster,
the King showing them various sports on the night following in the great
hall, which was richly hung with tapestry: "which sports being ended in the
morning, the king, queen, and court sat down at a table of stone, to 120
dishes, placed by as many knights and esquires, while the Mayor was
served with twenty-four dishes and abundance of wine. And finally the
King and Queen being conveyed with great lights into the palace, the
Mayor, with his company in barges, returned to London by break of the
next day."
From the ancient records of the Royal Household it appears that on the
morning of New Year's Day, the King "sitting in his foot-sheet," received
according to prescribed ceremony a new year's gift from the Queen, duly
rewarding the various officers and messengers, according to their rank. The
Queen also "sat in her foot-sheet," and received gifts in the same manner,
paying a less reward. And on this day, as well as on Christmas Day, the
King wore his kirtle, his surcoat and his pane of arms; and he walked,
having his hat of estate on his head, his sword borne before him, with the
chamberlain, steward, treasurer, comptroller, preceding the sword and the
ushers; before whom must walk all the other lords except those who wore
robes, who must follow the King. The highest nobleman in rank, or the
King's brother, if present, to lead the Queen; another of the King's brothers,
or else the Prince, to walk with the King's train-bearer. On Twelfth Day the
of December 21st, while the royal family were there, and for three hours
raged fiercely, destroying, with the fairest portion of the building, the rich
furniture, beds, tapestry, and other decorations of the principal chambers.
Fortunately an alarm was given in time, and the royal and noble personages
of the Court escaped to a place of safety. In consequence of this fire the
King built the fine new palace of Richmond.
Royal Christmases
were kept by Henry VII. at Westminster Hall with great hospitality, the
King wearing his crown, and feasting numerous guests, loading the
banquet-table with peacocks, swans, herons, conger, sturgeon, brawn, and
all the delicacies of the period. At his ninth Christmas festival the Mayor
and Aldermen of London were feasted with great splendour at Westminster,
the King showing them various sports on the night following in the great
hall, which was richly hung with tapestry: "which sports being ended in the
morning, the king, queen, and court sat down at a table of stone, to 120
dishes, placed by as many knights and esquires, while the Mayor was
served with twenty-four dishes and abundance of wine. And finally the
King and Queen being conveyed with great lights into the palace, the
Mayor, with his company in barges, returned to London by break of the
next day."
From the ancient records of the Royal Household it appears that on the
morning of New Year's Day, the King "sitting in his foot-sheet," received
according to prescribed ceremony a new year's gift from the Queen, duly
rewarding the various officers and messengers, according to their rank. The
Queen also "sat in her foot-sheet," and received gifts in the same manner,
paying a less reward. And on this day, as well as on Christmas Day, the
King wore his kirtle, his surcoat and his pane of arms; and he walked,
having his hat of estate on his head, his sword borne before him, with the
chamberlain, steward, treasurer, comptroller, preceding the sword and the
ushers; before whom must walk all the other lords except those who wore
robes, who must follow the King. The highest nobleman in rank, or the
King's brother, if present, to lead the Queen; another of the King's brothers,
or else the Prince, to walk with the King's train-bearer. On Twelfth Day the
Page 127
King was to go "crowned, in his royal robes, kirtle, and surcoat, his furred
hood about his neck, and his ermines upon his arms, of gold set full of rich
stones with balasses, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and pearls." This
ornament was considered so sacred, that "no temporal man" (none of the
laity) but the King was to presume to touch it; an esquire of the body was to
bring it in a fair handkerchief, and the King was to put it on with his own
hands; he must also have his sceptre in his right hand, the ball with the
cross in his left hand, and must offer at the altar gold, silver, and incense,
which offering the Dean of the Chapel was to send to the Archbishop of
Canterbury, and this was to entitle the Dean to the next vacant benefice. The
King was to change his mantle when going to meat, and to take off his hood
and lay it about his neck, "clasping it before with a rich owche." The King
and the Queen on Twelfth Night were to take the void (evening repast) in
the hall; as for the wassail, the steward and treasurer were to go for it,
bearing their staves; the chapel choir to stand on the side of the hall, and
when the steward entered at the hall door he was to cry three times,
"Wassail! Wassail! Wassail!" and the chapel to answer with a good song;
and when all was done the King and Queen retired to their chamber.
Among the special features of the banquets of this period were the devices
for the table called subtleties, made of paste, jelly, or blanc-mange, placed
in the middle of the board, with labels describing them; various shapes of
animals were frequent; and on a saint's day, angels, prophets, and patriarchs
were set upon the table in plenty. Certain dishes were also directed as
proper for different degrees of persons; as "conies parboiled, or else rabbits,
for they are better for a lord"; and "for a great lord take squirrels, for they
are better than conies"; a whole chicken for a lord; and "seven mackerel in a
dish, with a dragge of fine sugar," was also a dish for a lord. But the most
famous dish was "the peacock enkakyll, which is foremost in the procession
to the king's table." Here is the recipe for this royal dish: Take and flay off
the skin with the feathers, tail, and the neck and head thereon; then take the
skin, and all the feathers, and lay it on the table abroad, and strew thereon
ground cinnamon; then take the peacock and roast him, and baste him with
raw yolks of eggs; and when he is roasted, take him off, and let him cool
awhile, and take him and sew him in his skin, and gild his comb, and so
serve him with the last course.
hood about his neck, and his ermines upon his arms, of gold set full of rich
stones with balasses, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and pearls." This
ornament was considered so sacred, that "no temporal man" (none of the
laity) but the King was to presume to touch it; an esquire of the body was to
bring it in a fair handkerchief, and the King was to put it on with his own
hands; he must also have his sceptre in his right hand, the ball with the
cross in his left hand, and must offer at the altar gold, silver, and incense,
which offering the Dean of the Chapel was to send to the Archbishop of
Canterbury, and this was to entitle the Dean to the next vacant benefice. The
King was to change his mantle when going to meat, and to take off his hood
and lay it about his neck, "clasping it before with a rich owche." The King
and the Queen on Twelfth Night were to take the void (evening repast) in
the hall; as for the wassail, the steward and treasurer were to go for it,
bearing their staves; the chapel choir to stand on the side of the hall, and
when the steward entered at the hall door he was to cry three times,
"Wassail! Wassail! Wassail!" and the chapel to answer with a good song;
and when all was done the King and Queen retired to their chamber.
Among the special features of the banquets of this period were the devices
for the table called subtleties, made of paste, jelly, or blanc-mange, placed
in the middle of the board, with labels describing them; various shapes of
animals were frequent; and on a saint's day, angels, prophets, and patriarchs
were set upon the table in plenty. Certain dishes were also directed as
proper for different degrees of persons; as "conies parboiled, or else rabbits,
for they are better for a lord"; and "for a great lord take squirrels, for they
are better than conies"; a whole chicken for a lord; and "seven mackerel in a
dish, with a dragge of fine sugar," was also a dish for a lord. But the most
famous dish was "the peacock enkakyll, which is foremost in the procession
to the king's table." Here is the recipe for this royal dish: Take and flay off
the skin with the feathers, tail, and the neck and head thereon; then take the
skin, and all the feathers, and lay it on the table abroad, and strew thereon
ground cinnamon; then take the peacock and roast him, and baste him with
raw yolks of eggs; and when he is roasted, take him off, and let him cool
awhile, and take him and sew him in his skin, and gild his comb, and so
serve him with the last course.
Page 128
Card-Playing was Forbidden except at Christmas,
by a statute passed in the reign of Henry VII. A Scotch writer,[34] referring
to this prohibition, says: "A universal Christmas custom of the olden time
was playing at cards; persons who never touched a card at any other season
of the year felt bound to play a few games at Christmas. The practice had
even the sanction of the law. A prohibitory statute of Henry VII.'s reign,
forbade card-playing save during the Christmas holidays. Of course, this
prohibition extended only to persons of humble rank; Henry's daughter, the
Princess Margaret, played cards with her suitor, James IV. of Scotland; and
James himself kept up the custom, receiving from his treasurer, at Melrose,
on Christmas Night, 1496, thirty-five unicorns, eleven French crowns, a
ducat, a ridare, and a leu, in all about equal to £42 of modern money, to use
at the card-table." Now, as the Scottish king was not married to the English
princess until 1503, it is quite clear that he had learned to play cards long
before his courtship with Margaret; for in 1496, when he received so much
card-money from his treasurer, the English princess was but seven years of
age. James had evidently learned to play at cards with the Scottish barons
who frequented his father's Court, and whose lawlessness led to the revolt
which ended in the defeat and melancholy fate of James III. (1488), and
gave the succession to his son, James IV., at the early age of fifteen years.
The no less tragic end of James IV. at Flodden Field, in 1513, is strikingly
depicted by Sir Walter Scott, who tells:—
"Of the stern strife, and carnage drear,
Of Flodden's fatal field,
Where shiver'd was fair Scotland's spear,
And broken was her shield."
by a statute passed in the reign of Henry VII. A Scotch writer,[34] referring
to this prohibition, says: "A universal Christmas custom of the olden time
was playing at cards; persons who never touched a card at any other season
of the year felt bound to play a few games at Christmas. The practice had
even the sanction of the law. A prohibitory statute of Henry VII.'s reign,
forbade card-playing save during the Christmas holidays. Of course, this
prohibition extended only to persons of humble rank; Henry's daughter, the
Princess Margaret, played cards with her suitor, James IV. of Scotland; and
James himself kept up the custom, receiving from his treasurer, at Melrose,
on Christmas Night, 1496, thirty-five unicorns, eleven French crowns, a
ducat, a ridare, and a leu, in all about equal to £42 of modern money, to use
at the card-table." Now, as the Scottish king was not married to the English
princess until 1503, it is quite clear that he had learned to play cards long
before his courtship with Margaret; for in 1496, when he received so much
card-money from his treasurer, the English princess was but seven years of
age. James had evidently learned to play at cards with the Scottish barons
who frequented his father's Court, and whose lawlessness led to the revolt
which ended in the defeat and melancholy fate of James III. (1488), and
gave the succession to his son, James IV., at the early age of fifteen years.
The no less tragic end of James IV. at Flodden Field, in 1513, is strikingly
depicted by Sir Walter Scott, who tells:—
"Of the stern strife, and carnage drear,
Of Flodden's fatal field,
Where shiver'd was fair Scotland's spear,
And broken was her shield."
Page 129
The Reign of Henry the Eighth.
On the death of Henry VII., who had given England peace and prosperity,
and established firmly his own house on the English throne, in 1509, his son
Henry became king as Henry VIII. He was a handsome and accomplished
young man, and his accession was an occasion of great rejoicing. Henry
kept his first
Royal Christmas at Richmond,
with great magnificence. Proclaimed king on the 22nd of April at the age of
eighteen, and married on the 3rd of June to Katherine of Arragon, widow of
his deceased brother Arthur, Prince of Wales, the youthful Monarch and his
Queen were afterwards crowned at Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop
of Canterbury, and spent the first Christmas of their wedded life at
Richmond. "And a very pleasant time it ought to have been to the Queen,
for every species of entertainment was there got up by the handsome young
king and his gallant company of courtiers, for her particular gratification.
There was a grand tournament on the green, before the palace, which was
rendered brilliant with pavilions, and the other gay structures always
erected for these chivalrous ceremonies. The King and Queen took their
places in the customary elevated position, surrounded by the nobles and
beauties of the Court, to witness the feats of arms of the many gallant
knights who had thronged to display their prowess before their sovereign;
these, with their esquires, the heralds, pages, and other attendants, mounted
and on foot, clad in their gay apparel, the knights wearing handsome suits
of armour, and careering on gaily caparisoned horses, made a very
inspiriting scene, in which the interest deepened when the usual combats
between individuals or select companies commenced."[35]
"For every knight that loved chivalry,
And would his thanks have a passant name,
Hath prayed that he might be of that game,
And well was him that thereto chosen was."[36]
The spectacle presented was one of great splendour; for "the
commencement of the reign of Henry VIII., who was then styled by his
loving subjects 'the rose without a thorn,' witnessed a remarkable revival of
On the death of Henry VII., who had given England peace and prosperity,
and established firmly his own house on the English throne, in 1509, his son
Henry became king as Henry VIII. He was a handsome and accomplished
young man, and his accession was an occasion of great rejoicing. Henry
kept his first
Royal Christmas at Richmond,
with great magnificence. Proclaimed king on the 22nd of April at the age of
eighteen, and married on the 3rd of June to Katherine of Arragon, widow of
his deceased brother Arthur, Prince of Wales, the youthful Monarch and his
Queen were afterwards crowned at Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop
of Canterbury, and spent the first Christmas of their wedded life at
Richmond. "And a very pleasant time it ought to have been to the Queen,
for every species of entertainment was there got up by the handsome young
king and his gallant company of courtiers, for her particular gratification.
There was a grand tournament on the green, before the palace, which was
rendered brilliant with pavilions, and the other gay structures always
erected for these chivalrous ceremonies. The King and Queen took their
places in the customary elevated position, surrounded by the nobles and
beauties of the Court, to witness the feats of arms of the many gallant
knights who had thronged to display their prowess before their sovereign;
these, with their esquires, the heralds, pages, and other attendants, mounted
and on foot, clad in their gay apparel, the knights wearing handsome suits
of armour, and careering on gaily caparisoned horses, made a very
inspiriting scene, in which the interest deepened when the usual combats
between individuals or select companies commenced."[35]
"For every knight that loved chivalry,
And would his thanks have a passant name,
Hath prayed that he might be of that game,
And well was him that thereto chosen was."[36]
The spectacle presented was one of great splendour; for "the
commencement of the reign of Henry VIII., who was then styled by his
loving subjects 'the rose without a thorn,' witnessed a remarkable revival of
Page 130
magnificence in personal decoration. So brilliant were the dresses of both
sexes at the grand entertainment over which the King and Queen presided at
Richmond, that it is difficult to convey an adequate idea of their splendour.
But in the first half of the sixteenth century the principal Courts of Europe
were distinguished by a similar love of display, which, though it fostered
habits of luxury, afforded an extraordinary impulse towards art."[37] In
England the love of finery became so general among the people that several
statutes were passed during Henry's reign to restrain it. But while the King
was quite willing that his subjects should observe due propriety in regard to
their own dress and adornments, not exceeding the regulations laid down
for their particular rank or station in life, he was lavish in his own
expenditure, and it pleased the people to see Henry dressed in kingly
fashion. He greatly increased his own popularity by taking part in the
tournaments, in which "he did exceedingly well"; and he also assisted in the
several curious and picturesque masques of Christmastide.
On one occasion the King with some of the chief nobles of his Court
appeared apparelled as Robin Hood and his foresters, in which disguise he
entered unexpectedly into the Queen's chamber, "whereat," says Holinshed,
"the Queen and her ladies were greatly amazed, as well for the strange sight
as for the sudden appearance."
The splendour of the Court festivities necessitated
Increased Expenditure for Christmas-Keeping,
notwithstanding that the King's domestic affairs were managed by "a good
number of honourable, virtuous, wise, expert, and discreet persons of his
Council." The preserved bills of fare show that the Court diet was liberal
generally, but especially sumptuous at the grand entertainments of
Christmas. And the Royal Household Accounts also show increased
expenditure for the diversions, as well as for the banquetings, of the
festival. For instance, the payments to the Lord of Misrule, which in Henry
the Seventh's time never exceeded £6 13s. 4d., were raised by Henry the
Eighth in his first year to £8 6s. 8d., and subsequently to £15 6s. 8d. In the
first year is a payment to "Rob Amadas upon his bill for certain plate of
gold stuf bought of him for the disguisings," £451 12s. 2d.; and another to
"Willm. Buttry upon his bill for certen sylks bought of him for the
sexes at the grand entertainment over which the King and Queen presided at
Richmond, that it is difficult to convey an adequate idea of their splendour.
But in the first half of the sixteenth century the principal Courts of Europe
were distinguished by a similar love of display, which, though it fostered
habits of luxury, afforded an extraordinary impulse towards art."[37] In
England the love of finery became so general among the people that several
statutes were passed during Henry's reign to restrain it. But while the King
was quite willing that his subjects should observe due propriety in regard to
their own dress and adornments, not exceeding the regulations laid down
for their particular rank or station in life, he was lavish in his own
expenditure, and it pleased the people to see Henry dressed in kingly
fashion. He greatly increased his own popularity by taking part in the
tournaments, in which "he did exceedingly well"; and he also assisted in the
several curious and picturesque masques of Christmastide.
On one occasion the King with some of the chief nobles of his Court
appeared apparelled as Robin Hood and his foresters, in which disguise he
entered unexpectedly into the Queen's chamber, "whereat," says Holinshed,
"the Queen and her ladies were greatly amazed, as well for the strange sight
as for the sudden appearance."
The splendour of the Court festivities necessitated
Increased Expenditure for Christmas-Keeping,
notwithstanding that the King's domestic affairs were managed by "a good
number of honourable, virtuous, wise, expert, and discreet persons of his
Council." The preserved bills of fare show that the Court diet was liberal
generally, but especially sumptuous at the grand entertainments of
Christmas. And the Royal Household Accounts also show increased
expenditure for the diversions, as well as for the banquetings, of the
festival. For instance, the payments to the Lord of Misrule, which in Henry
the Seventh's time never exceeded £6 13s. 4d., were raised by Henry the
Eighth in his first year to £8 6s. 8d., and subsequently to £15 6s. 8d. In the
first year is a payment to "Rob Amadas upon his bill for certain plate of
gold stuf bought of him for the disguisings," £451 12s. 2d.; and another to
"Willm. Buttry upon his bill for certen sylks bought of him for the
Page 131
disguisings," £133 7s. 5d. In the sixth year are charges "To Leonard
Friscobald for diverse velvets, and other sylks, for the disguising," £247
12s. 7d.; and "To Richard Gybson for certen apparell, &c., for the
disguysing at the fest of Cristemes last," £137 14s. ½d. Considerable
payments are made to the same Gybson in after years for the same purpose,
particularly in the eleventh, for revels, called a Maskelyn. In the tenth year
large rewards were given to the gentlemen and children of the King's
Chapel; the former having £13 6s. 8d. "for their good attendance in
Xtemas"; and "Mr. Cornisse for playing affore the King opon newyeres day
at nyght with the children," £6 13s. 4d.
Hall, in his Chronicle, Henry VIII. folio 15b, 16a, gives the following
account of a
Royal Masquerade at Greenwich,
where the King was keeping his Christmas in 1512: "On the daie of the
Epiphanie, at night, the King with XI others, wer disguised after the maner
of Italie, called a maske, a thing not seen afore in England; thei were
appareled in garments long and brode, wrought all with gold, with visers
and cappes of gold; and after the banket doen, these maskers came in with
six gentlemen disguised in silke, bearing staffe torches, and desired the
ladies to daunce: some were content, and some that new the fashion of it
refused, because it was a thing not commonly seen. And after thei daunced
and communed together, as the fashion of the maske is, thei tooke their
leave and departed, and so did the quene and all the ladies."
In 1521 the King kept his Christmas at Greenwich "with great nobleness
and open court," and again in 1525. In 1527, he received the French
Embassy here, and also kept his Christmas "with revels, masks, disguisings,
and banquets royal;" as he did again in 1533, in 1537, and in 1543; the last-
mentioned year "he entertained twenty-one of the Scottish nobility whom
he had taken prisoners at Salom Moss, and gave them their liberty without
ransom."[38]
On all these occasions Henry diverted his guests right royally, spending vast
sums on the masques and disguisings; but none of the Christmas diversions
proved greater attractions than
Friscobald for diverse velvets, and other sylks, for the disguising," £247
12s. 7d.; and "To Richard Gybson for certen apparell, &c., for the
disguysing at the fest of Cristemes last," £137 14s. ½d. Considerable
payments are made to the same Gybson in after years for the same purpose,
particularly in the eleventh, for revels, called a Maskelyn. In the tenth year
large rewards were given to the gentlemen and children of the King's
Chapel; the former having £13 6s. 8d. "for their good attendance in
Xtemas"; and "Mr. Cornisse for playing affore the King opon newyeres day
at nyght with the children," £6 13s. 4d.
Hall, in his Chronicle, Henry VIII. folio 15b, 16a, gives the following
account of a
Royal Masquerade at Greenwich,
where the King was keeping his Christmas in 1512: "On the daie of the
Epiphanie, at night, the King with XI others, wer disguised after the maner
of Italie, called a maske, a thing not seen afore in England; thei were
appareled in garments long and brode, wrought all with gold, with visers
and cappes of gold; and after the banket doen, these maskers came in with
six gentlemen disguised in silke, bearing staffe torches, and desired the
ladies to daunce: some were content, and some that new the fashion of it
refused, because it was a thing not commonly seen. And after thei daunced
and communed together, as the fashion of the maske is, thei tooke their
leave and departed, and so did the quene and all the ladies."
In 1521 the King kept his Christmas at Greenwich "with great nobleness
and open court," and again in 1525. In 1527, he received the French
Embassy here, and also kept his Christmas "with revels, masks, disguisings,
and banquets royal;" as he did again in 1533, in 1537, and in 1543; the last-
mentioned year "he entertained twenty-one of the Scottish nobility whom
he had taken prisoners at Salom Moss, and gave them their liberty without
ransom."[38]
On all these occasions Henry diverted his guests right royally, spending vast
sums on the masques and disguisings; but none of the Christmas diversions
proved greater attractions than
Page 132
The King's Tournament Displays.
To these splendid exercises Henry gave unremitting attention, and not to
display proficiency in them was almost to lose his favour; yet some
discretion was required to rival, but not to excel the King, whose ardent
temper could not brook superiority in another. But, although victory was
always reserved for royalty, it is but fair to allow that the King was no mean
adept in those pursuits for which his bodily powers and frequent exercise
had qualified him.
Among the most distinguished Knights of Henry's Court Charles Brandon
was pre-eminent, not only for his personal beauty and the elegance that
attended every movement which the various evolutions of the game
required, but for his courage, judgment, and skill, qualities which he
displayed to great advantage at the royal festivities. This celebrated man
was the son of Sir William Brandon, who, bearing the standard of Henry the
Seventh, was slain by Richard the Third at Bosworth Field. Three sons of
the Howard family were also distinguished at the royal tournaments. Lord
Thomas Howard was one of the most promising warriors, and,
unfortunately, one of the most dissolute men at the Court of Henry. Sir
Edward and Sir Edmund Howard, the one famed for naval exploits, the
other less remarkable, but not without celebrity for courage. Sir Thomas
Knevet, Master of the Horse, and Lord Neville, brother to the Marquis of
Dorset, were also prominent in the lists of combat. The trumpets blew to the
field the fresh, young gallants and noblemen, gorgeously apparelled with
curious devices of arts and of embroideries, "as well in their coats as in
trappers for their horses; some in gold, some in silver, some in tinsel, and
divers others in goldsmith's work goodly to behold." Such was the array in
which the young knights came forth at Richmond, in the splendid
tournament which immediately succeeded Henry's coronation, "assuming
the name and devices of the knights or scholars of Pallas, clothed in
garments of green velvet, carrying a crystal shield, on which was
pourtrayed the goddess Minerva, and had the bases and barbs of their horses
embroidered with roses and pomegranates of gold; those of Diana were
decorated with the bramble-bush, displayed in a similar manner. The prize
of valour was the crystal shield. Between the lists the spectators were
amused with a pageant, representing a park enclosed with pales, containing
fallow deer, and attended by foresters and huntsmen. The park being moved
To these splendid exercises Henry gave unremitting attention, and not to
display proficiency in them was almost to lose his favour; yet some
discretion was required to rival, but not to excel the King, whose ardent
temper could not brook superiority in another. But, although victory was
always reserved for royalty, it is but fair to allow that the King was no mean
adept in those pursuits for which his bodily powers and frequent exercise
had qualified him.
Among the most distinguished Knights of Henry's Court Charles Brandon
was pre-eminent, not only for his personal beauty and the elegance that
attended every movement which the various evolutions of the game
required, but for his courage, judgment, and skill, qualities which he
displayed to great advantage at the royal festivities. This celebrated man
was the son of Sir William Brandon, who, bearing the standard of Henry the
Seventh, was slain by Richard the Third at Bosworth Field. Three sons of
the Howard family were also distinguished at the royal tournaments. Lord
Thomas Howard was one of the most promising warriors, and,
unfortunately, one of the most dissolute men at the Court of Henry. Sir
Edward and Sir Edmund Howard, the one famed for naval exploits, the
other less remarkable, but not without celebrity for courage. Sir Thomas
Knevet, Master of the Horse, and Lord Neville, brother to the Marquis of
Dorset, were also prominent in the lists of combat. The trumpets blew to the
field the fresh, young gallants and noblemen, gorgeously apparelled with
curious devices of arts and of embroideries, "as well in their coats as in
trappers for their horses; some in gold, some in silver, some in tinsel, and
divers others in goldsmith's work goodly to behold." Such was the array in
which the young knights came forth at Richmond, in the splendid
tournament which immediately succeeded Henry's coronation, "assuming
the name and devices of the knights or scholars of Pallas, clothed in
garments of green velvet, carrying a crystal shield, on which was
pourtrayed the goddess Minerva, and had the bases and barbs of their horses
embroidered with roses and pomegranates of gold; those of Diana were
decorated with the bramble-bush, displayed in a similar manner. The prize
of valour was the crystal shield. Between the lists the spectators were
amused with a pageant, representing a park enclosed with pales, containing
fallow deer, and attended by foresters and huntsmen. The park being moved
Page 133
towards the place where the queen sat, the gates were opened, the deer were
let out, pursued by greyhounds, killed and presented by Diana's champions
to the Queen and the ladies. Thus were they included in the amusement, not
only as observers, but as participators; nor were the populace without their
share of enjoyments; streams of Rhenish wine and of claret, which flowed
from the mouths of animals sculptured in stone and wood, were
appropriated to their refreshment. Night closed on the joyous scene; but
before its approach the King, perceiving that the ardour of the combatants
had become intemperate and dangerous, wisely limited the number of
strokes, and closed the tourney.
"It was about this period that the tournament ceased to be merely a chivalric
combat; and, united with the pageant, acquired more of the dramatic
character. The pageant consisted of a temporary building, moved on biers,
generally representing castles, rocks, mountains, palaces, gardens, or
forests. The decoration of these ambulating scenes was attended with
considerable expense, but was seldom conducted with taste or consistency.
They generally contained figures, personating a curious medley of nymphs,
savages, heathen gods, and Christian saints, giants and the nine worthies,
who descended and danced among the spectators.
"On the night of the Epiphany (1516) a pageant was introduced into the hall
at Richmond, representing a hill studded with gold and precious stones, and
having on its summit a tree of gold, from which hung roses and
pomegranates. From the declivity of the hill descended a lady richly attired,
who, with the gentlemen, or, as they were then called, children of honour,
danced a morris before the King.
"On another occasion, in the presence of the Court, an artificial forest was
drawn in by a lion and an antelope, the hides of which were richly
embroidered with golden ornaments; the animals were harnessed with
chains of gold, and on each sat a fair damsel in gay apparel. In the midst of
the forest, which was thus introduced, appeared a gilded tower, at the gates
of which stood a youth, holding in his hands a garland of roses, as the prize
of valour in a tournament which succeeded the pageant."[39]
Christmas Festivities of Noblemen and Others.
let out, pursued by greyhounds, killed and presented by Diana's champions
to the Queen and the ladies. Thus were they included in the amusement, not
only as observers, but as participators; nor were the populace without their
share of enjoyments; streams of Rhenish wine and of claret, which flowed
from the mouths of animals sculptured in stone and wood, were
appropriated to their refreshment. Night closed on the joyous scene; but
before its approach the King, perceiving that the ardour of the combatants
had become intemperate and dangerous, wisely limited the number of
strokes, and closed the tourney.
"It was about this period that the tournament ceased to be merely a chivalric
combat; and, united with the pageant, acquired more of the dramatic
character. The pageant consisted of a temporary building, moved on biers,
generally representing castles, rocks, mountains, palaces, gardens, or
forests. The decoration of these ambulating scenes was attended with
considerable expense, but was seldom conducted with taste or consistency.
They generally contained figures, personating a curious medley of nymphs,
savages, heathen gods, and Christian saints, giants and the nine worthies,
who descended and danced among the spectators.
"On the night of the Epiphany (1516) a pageant was introduced into the hall
at Richmond, representing a hill studded with gold and precious stones, and
having on its summit a tree of gold, from which hung roses and
pomegranates. From the declivity of the hill descended a lady richly attired,
who, with the gentlemen, or, as they were then called, children of honour,
danced a morris before the King.
"On another occasion, in the presence of the Court, an artificial forest was
drawn in by a lion and an antelope, the hides of which were richly
embroidered with golden ornaments; the animals were harnessed with
chains of gold, and on each sat a fair damsel in gay apparel. In the midst of
the forest, which was thus introduced, appeared a gilded tower, at the gates
of which stood a youth, holding in his hands a garland of roses, as the prize
of valour in a tournament which succeeded the pageant."[39]
Christmas Festivities of Noblemen and Others.
Page 134
The royal magnificence was imitated by the nobility and gentry of the
period, who kept the Christmas festival with much display and prodigality,
maintaining such numerous retinues as to constitute a miniature court. The
various household books that still exist show the state in which they lived.
From that of the Northumberland family (1512), it appears that the
"Almonar" was often "a maker of Interludys," and had "a servaunt to the
intent for writynge the parts." The persons on the establishment of the
Chapel performed plays from some sacred subject during Christmas; as
"My lorde usith and accustomyth to gyf yerely, if his lordship kepe a
chapell and be at home, them of his lordschipes chapell, if they doo play the
Play of the Nativitie uppon Cristynmes day in the mornnynge in my lords
chapell befor his lordship, xxs." Other players were also permitted and
encouraged, and a Master of the Revells appointed to superintend. And "My
lorde useth and accustomyth yerly to gyf hym which is ordynede to be
Master of the Revells yerly in my lordis hous in Cristmas for the
overseyinge and orderinge of his lordschips Playes, Interludes, and
Dresinge that is plaid befor his lordship in his hous in the XII dayes of
Christenmas, and they to have in rewarde for that caus yerly, xxs." Another
entry shows that 13s. 4d. was the price paid to the chaplain, William Peres,
in the 17th Henry VIII., "for makyng an Enterlued to be playd this next
Christenmas."
In this reign the working classes were allowed greater privileges at
Christmas than at any other part of the year. The Act of 11 Henry VII. c. 2,
against unlawful games, expressly forbids Artificers, Labourers, Servants,
or Apprentices, to play at any such games, except at Christmas, and then
only in their masters' houses by the permission of the latter; and a penalty of
6s. 8d. was incurred by any householder allowing such games, except
during those holidays; which, according to Stow, extended from All-hallows
evening to the day after Candlemas Day. The Act of 33 Henry VIII. c. 9,
enacts more particularly, "That no manner of Artificer or Craftsman of any
handicraft or occupation, Husbandman, Apprentice, Labourer, Servant at
husbandry, Journeyman, or Servant of Artificer, Mariners, Fishermen,
Watermen, or any Serving-man, shall from the said feast of the Nativity of
St. John Baptist, play at the Tables, Tennis, Dice, Cards, Bowls, Clash,
Coyting, Logating, or any other unlawful Game, out of Christmas, under
period, who kept the Christmas festival with much display and prodigality,
maintaining such numerous retinues as to constitute a miniature court. The
various household books that still exist show the state in which they lived.
From that of the Northumberland family (1512), it appears that the
"Almonar" was often "a maker of Interludys," and had "a servaunt to the
intent for writynge the parts." The persons on the establishment of the
Chapel performed plays from some sacred subject during Christmas; as
"My lorde usith and accustomyth to gyf yerely, if his lordship kepe a
chapell and be at home, them of his lordschipes chapell, if they doo play the
Play of the Nativitie uppon Cristynmes day in the mornnynge in my lords
chapell befor his lordship, xxs." Other players were also permitted and
encouraged, and a Master of the Revells appointed to superintend. And "My
lorde useth and accustomyth yerly to gyf hym which is ordynede to be
Master of the Revells yerly in my lordis hous in Cristmas for the
overseyinge and orderinge of his lordschips Playes, Interludes, and
Dresinge that is plaid befor his lordship in his hous in the XII dayes of
Christenmas, and they to have in rewarde for that caus yerly, xxs." Another
entry shows that 13s. 4d. was the price paid to the chaplain, William Peres,
in the 17th Henry VIII., "for makyng an Enterlued to be playd this next
Christenmas."
In this reign the working classes were allowed greater privileges at
Christmas than at any other part of the year. The Act of 11 Henry VII. c. 2,
against unlawful games, expressly forbids Artificers, Labourers, Servants,
or Apprentices, to play at any such games, except at Christmas, and then
only in their masters' houses by the permission of the latter; and a penalty of
6s. 8d. was incurred by any householder allowing such games, except
during those holidays; which, according to Stow, extended from All-hallows
evening to the day after Candlemas Day. The Act of 33 Henry VIII. c. 9,
enacts more particularly, "That no manner of Artificer or Craftsman of any
handicraft or occupation, Husbandman, Apprentice, Labourer, Servant at
husbandry, Journeyman, or Servant of Artificer, Mariners, Fishermen,
Watermen, or any Serving-man, shall from the said feast of the Nativity of
St. John Baptist, play at the Tables, Tennis, Dice, Cards, Bowls, Clash,
Coyting, Logating, or any other unlawful Game, out of Christmas, under
Page 135
the pain of xxs. to be forfeit for every time; and in Christmas to play at any
of the said Games in their Masters' houses, or in their Masters' presence."
In his description of the "mummings and masquerades" of this period,
Strutt[40] says that the "mummeries" practised by the lower classes of the
people usually took place at the Christmas holidays; and such persons as
could not procure masks rubbed their faces over with soot, or painted them;
hence Sebastian Brant, in his "Ship of Fools" (translated by Alexander
Barclay, and printed by Pynson, in 1508) alluding to this custom, says:
"The one hath a visor ugley set on his face,
Another hath on a vile counterfaite vesture,
Or painteth his visage with fume in such case,
That what he is, himself is scantily sure."
Sandys,[41] in reference to this period, says: "The lower classes, still
practising the ceremonies and superstitions of their forefathers, added to
them some imitations of the revelries of their superiors, but, as may be
supposed, of a grosser description; and many abuses were committed. It
was, therefore, found necessary by an Act passed in the 3rd year of Henry
VIII. to order that no person should appear abroad like mummers, covering
their faces with vizors, and in disguised apparel, under pain of three months'
imprisonment; and a penalty of 20s. was declared against such as kept
vizors in their house for the purpose of mumming. It was not intended,
however, to debar people from proper recreations during this season, but, on
the contrary, we have reason to believe that many indulgencies were
afforded them, and that landlords and masters assisted them with the means
of enjoying the customary festivities; listening to their tales of legendary
lore, round the yule block, when weary of more boisterous sports, and
encouraging them by their presence."
King Henry VIII.'s "Still Christmas."
In the 17th year of his reign, in consequence of the prevalence of the plague
in London, the King kept his Christmas quietly in the old palace at Eltham,
whence it was called the "still Christmas." This suppression of the mirth
and jollity which were the usual concomitants of the festive season did not
satisfy the haughty Cardinal Wolsey, who "laye at the Manor of Richemond,
and there kept open householde, to lordes, ladies, and all other that would
of the said Games in their Masters' houses, or in their Masters' presence."
In his description of the "mummings and masquerades" of this period,
Strutt[40] says that the "mummeries" practised by the lower classes of the
people usually took place at the Christmas holidays; and such persons as
could not procure masks rubbed their faces over with soot, or painted them;
hence Sebastian Brant, in his "Ship of Fools" (translated by Alexander
Barclay, and printed by Pynson, in 1508) alluding to this custom, says:
"The one hath a visor ugley set on his face,
Another hath on a vile counterfaite vesture,
Or painteth his visage with fume in such case,
That what he is, himself is scantily sure."
Sandys,[41] in reference to this period, says: "The lower classes, still
practising the ceremonies and superstitions of their forefathers, added to
them some imitations of the revelries of their superiors, but, as may be
supposed, of a grosser description; and many abuses were committed. It
was, therefore, found necessary by an Act passed in the 3rd year of Henry
VIII. to order that no person should appear abroad like mummers, covering
their faces with vizors, and in disguised apparel, under pain of three months'
imprisonment; and a penalty of 20s. was declared against such as kept
vizors in their house for the purpose of mumming. It was not intended,
however, to debar people from proper recreations during this season, but, on
the contrary, we have reason to believe that many indulgencies were
afforded them, and that landlords and masters assisted them with the means
of enjoying the customary festivities; listening to their tales of legendary
lore, round the yule block, when weary of more boisterous sports, and
encouraging them by their presence."
King Henry VIII.'s "Still Christmas."
In the 17th year of his reign, in consequence of the prevalence of the plague
in London, the King kept his Christmas quietly in the old palace at Eltham,
whence it was called the "still Christmas." This suppression of the mirth
and jollity which were the usual concomitants of the festive season did not
satisfy the haughty Cardinal Wolsey, who "laye at the Manor of Richemond,
and there kept open householde, to lordes, ladies, and all other that would
Page 136
come, with plaies and disguisyng in most royall maner; whiche sore greved
the people, and in especiall the Kynges servauntes, to se hym kepe an open
Court and the Kyng a secret Court."[42]
The Royal Christmases
subsequently kept, however, made amends for the cessation of festivities at
the Kyng's "Still Christmas," especially the royal celebrations at Greenwich.
In 1527 the "solemne Christmas" held there was "with revels, maskes,
disguisings, and banquets; and on the thirtieth of December and the third of
January were solemne Justs holden, when at night the King and fifteen
other with him, came to Bridewell, and there putting on masking apparell,
took his barge, and rowed to the Cardinall's (Woolsey) place, where were at
supper many Lords and Ladyes, who danced with the maskers, and after the
dancing was made a great Banquet."[43]
During the girlhood of the Princess (afterwards Queen) Mary,
entertainments were given for her amusement, especially at Christmastide;
and she gave presents to the King's players, the children of the Chapel, and
others. But, Sandys says, that "as she grew up, and her temper got soured,
she probably lost all enjoyment of such scenes." Ellis, in his "Original
Letters," gives a curious application from the Council for the household of
the Lady Mary to the Cardinal Wolsey, to obtain his directions and leave to
celebrate the ensuing Christmas. In this letter the reader is reminded of the
long train of sports and merriment which made Christmas cheerful to our
ancestors. The Cardinal, at the same time that he established a household
for the young Duke of Richmond, had also "ordained a council, and
stablished another household for the Lady Mary, then being Princess of the
Realm."[44] The letter which seems to have been written in the same year in
which the household was established, 1525, is as follows:—
"Please it youre Grace for the great repaire of straungers supposed unto the
Pryncesse honorable householde this solempne fest of Cristmas, We humbly
beseche the same to let us knowe youre gracious pleasure concernyng as
well a ship of silver for the almes disshe requysite for her high estate, and
spice plats, as also for trumpetts and a rebek to be sent, and whither we
shall appoynte any Lord of Mysrule for the said honorable householde,
the people, and in especiall the Kynges servauntes, to se hym kepe an open
Court and the Kyng a secret Court."[42]
The Royal Christmases
subsequently kept, however, made amends for the cessation of festivities at
the Kyng's "Still Christmas," especially the royal celebrations at Greenwich.
In 1527 the "solemne Christmas" held there was "with revels, maskes,
disguisings, and banquets; and on the thirtieth of December and the third of
January were solemne Justs holden, when at night the King and fifteen
other with him, came to Bridewell, and there putting on masking apparell,
took his barge, and rowed to the Cardinall's (Woolsey) place, where were at
supper many Lords and Ladyes, who danced with the maskers, and after the
dancing was made a great Banquet."[43]
During the girlhood of the Princess (afterwards Queen) Mary,
entertainments were given for her amusement, especially at Christmastide;
and she gave presents to the King's players, the children of the Chapel, and
others. But, Sandys says, that "as she grew up, and her temper got soured,
she probably lost all enjoyment of such scenes." Ellis, in his "Original
Letters," gives a curious application from the Council for the household of
the Lady Mary to the Cardinal Wolsey, to obtain his directions and leave to
celebrate the ensuing Christmas. In this letter the reader is reminded of the
long train of sports and merriment which made Christmas cheerful to our
ancestors. The Cardinal, at the same time that he established a household
for the young Duke of Richmond, had also "ordained a council, and
stablished another household for the Lady Mary, then being Princess of the
Realm."[44] The letter which seems to have been written in the same year in
which the household was established, 1525, is as follows:—
"Please it youre Grace for the great repaire of straungers supposed unto the
Pryncesse honorable householde this solempne fest of Cristmas, We humbly
beseche the same to let us knowe youre gracious pleasure concernyng as
well a ship of silver for the almes disshe requysite for her high estate, and
spice plats, as also for trumpetts and a rebek to be sent, and whither we
shall appoynte any Lord of Mysrule for the said honorable householde,
Page 137
provide for enterluds, disgysyngs, or pleyes in the said fest, or for banket on
twelf nyght. And in likewise whither the Pryncesse shall sende any newe
yeres gifts to the Kinge, the Quene, your Grace, and the Frensshe Quene,
and of the value and devise of the same. Besechyng yowre Grace also to
pardon oure busy and importunate suts to the same in suche behalf made.
Thus oure right syngler goode lorde we pray the holy Trynyte have you in
his holy preservacion. At Teoxbury, the xxvij day of November.
Youre humble orators,
John Exon
Jeilez Grevile
"To the most reverent
Father in God the Peter Burnell
Lord Cardinall his John Salter
good Grace." G. Bromley
Thomas Audeley.
Christmas and the Reformation.
The great Reformer, Martin Luther, took much interest in the festivities of
Christmastide, including, of course, the Christmas-tree. One of his
biographers[45] tells how young Luther, with other boys of Mansfeld, a
village to the north-west of Eisleben, sang Christmas carols "in honour of
the Babe of Bethlehem." And the same writer says, "Luther may be justly
regarded as the central representative of the Reformation in its early period,
for this among other reasons—that he, more powerfully than any other,
impressed upon the new doctrine the character of glad tidings of great joy."
On Christmas Day, 1521, Martin Luther "administered the communion in
both kinds, and almost without discrimination of applicants," in the parish
church of Eisenach, his "beloved town."
twelf nyght. And in likewise whither the Pryncesse shall sende any newe
yeres gifts to the Kinge, the Quene, your Grace, and the Frensshe Quene,
and of the value and devise of the same. Besechyng yowre Grace also to
pardon oure busy and importunate suts to the same in suche behalf made.
Thus oure right syngler goode lorde we pray the holy Trynyte have you in
his holy preservacion. At Teoxbury, the xxvij day of November.
Youre humble orators,
John Exon
Jeilez Grevile
"To the most reverent
Father in God the Peter Burnell
Lord Cardinall his John Salter
good Grace." G. Bromley
Thomas Audeley.
Christmas and the Reformation.
The great Reformer, Martin Luther, took much interest in the festivities of
Christmastide, including, of course, the Christmas-tree. One of his
biographers[45] tells how young Luther, with other boys of Mansfeld, a
village to the north-west of Eisleben, sang Christmas carols "in honour of
the Babe of Bethlehem." And the same writer says, "Luther may be justly
regarded as the central representative of the Reformation in its early period,
for this among other reasons—that he, more powerfully than any other,
impressed upon the new doctrine the character of glad tidings of great joy."
On Christmas Day, 1521, Martin Luther "administered the communion in
both kinds, and almost without discrimination of applicants," in the parish
church of Eisenach, his "beloved town."
Page 138
martin luther and the christmas tree.
In England, the desire for some reform in the Church was recognised even
by Cardinal Wolsey, who obtained from the Pope permission to suppress
thirty monasteries, and use their revenues for educational purposes; and
Wolsey's schemes of reform might have progressed further if Henry VIII.
had not been fascinated by Anne Boleyn. But the King's amour with the
"little lively brunette" precipitated a crisis in the relations between Church
and State. Henry, who, by virtue of a papal dispensation, had married his
brother's widow, Katherine, now
needed papal consent to a divorce, that he might marry Anne Boleyn, and
when he found that he could not obtain it, he resolved to be his own Pope,
In England, the desire for some reform in the Church was recognised even
by Cardinal Wolsey, who obtained from the Pope permission to suppress
thirty monasteries, and use their revenues for educational purposes; and
Wolsey's schemes of reform might have progressed further if Henry VIII.
had not been fascinated by Anne Boleyn. But the King's amour with the
"little lively brunette" precipitated a crisis in the relations between Church
and State. Henry, who, by virtue of a papal dispensation, had married his
brother's widow, Katherine, now
needed papal consent to a divorce, that he might marry Anne Boleyn, and
when he found that he could not obtain it, he resolved to be his own Pope,
Page 139
"sole protector and supreme head of the Church and clergy of England."
And among the events
The Little Orleans Madonna of Raphael.
of Christmastide may be mentioned the resolution of the King's minister,
Thomas Cromwell, and his party, in 1533, to break the ecclesiastical
connection with Rome, and establish an independent Church in England.
The necessary Bills were framed and introduced to Parliament soon after
the Christmas holidays by Cromwell, who for his successful services was
made Chancellor of the Exchequer for life. Authority in all matters
ecclesiastical, as well as civil, was vested solely in the Crown, and the
"courts spiritual" became as thoroughly the King's courts as the temporal
courts at Westminster. The enslavement of the clergy, the dissolution of the
And among the events
The Little Orleans Madonna of Raphael.
of Christmastide may be mentioned the resolution of the King's minister,
Thomas Cromwell, and his party, in 1533, to break the ecclesiastical
connection with Rome, and establish an independent Church in England.
The necessary Bills were framed and introduced to Parliament soon after
the Christmas holidays by Cromwell, who for his successful services was
made Chancellor of the Exchequer for life. Authority in all matters
ecclesiastical, as well as civil, was vested solely in the Crown, and the
"courts spiritual" became as thoroughly the King's courts as the temporal
courts at Westminster. The enslavement of the clergy, the dissolution of the
Page 140
monasteries, and the gagging of the pulpits followed, the years of
Cromwell's administration being an English reign of terror. But the ruthless
manner in which he struck down his victims sickened the English people,
and they exhibited their disapprobation in a manner which arrested the
attention of the King. The time of Cromwell himself was coming, for the
block was the goal to which Henry's favourite minister was surely
hastening; and it is only anticipating events by very few years, to say that he
was beheaded on Tower Hill, July 28, 1540.
Another Royal Christmas.
That following the execution of Anne Boleyn (1536), Henry spent in the
company of his third Queen, Jane Seymour, at Richmond Palace, with a
merry party, and subsequently crossed the frozen Thames to Greenwich.
During the following summer the Queen went with her husband on a
progress, and in the autumn retired to Hampton Court, where she gave birth
to a son (who became Edward VI.), and died twelve days afterwards, on the
14th of October, 1537.
During the married life of Queen Jane, the Princess Mary was often with
the Court at Richmond, affecting affectionate attachment for the Queen,
apparently to conciliate her father. The birth of a prince, followed by the
death of the queen, it might have been thought would have a chastening
effect upon Mary, as somewhat altering her prospects; but after acting as
chief mourner to her friendly stepmother, she spent a pleasant Christmas at
Richmond, where she remained till February. Her losses at cards during the
Christmas festivities were very considerable, for she was fond of gambling.
And she appears to have also amused herself a good deal with her attendant,
"Jane the Fool," to whose maintenance she contributed while staying at
Richmond. One curious entry in the Household Book of the Princess Mary
is: "Item, for shaving Jane fooles hedde, iiiid." Another is: "Item, geven
Heywood, playeng an enterlude with his children before my Ladye's grace
xls."
The great event of Christmas, 1539, was
The Landing of Anne of Cleves,
Cromwell's administration being an English reign of terror. But the ruthless
manner in which he struck down his victims sickened the English people,
and they exhibited their disapprobation in a manner which arrested the
attention of the King. The time of Cromwell himself was coming, for the
block was the goal to which Henry's favourite minister was surely
hastening; and it is only anticipating events by very few years, to say that he
was beheaded on Tower Hill, July 28, 1540.
Another Royal Christmas.
That following the execution of Anne Boleyn (1536), Henry spent in the
company of his third Queen, Jane Seymour, at Richmond Palace, with a
merry party, and subsequently crossed the frozen Thames to Greenwich.
During the following summer the Queen went with her husband on a
progress, and in the autumn retired to Hampton Court, where she gave birth
to a son (who became Edward VI.), and died twelve days afterwards, on the
14th of October, 1537.
During the married life of Queen Jane, the Princess Mary was often with
the Court at Richmond, affecting affectionate attachment for the Queen,
apparently to conciliate her father. The birth of a prince, followed by the
death of the queen, it might have been thought would have a chastening
effect upon Mary, as somewhat altering her prospects; but after acting as
chief mourner to her friendly stepmother, she spent a pleasant Christmas at
Richmond, where she remained till February. Her losses at cards during the
Christmas festivities were very considerable, for she was fond of gambling.
And she appears to have also amused herself a good deal with her attendant,
"Jane the Fool," to whose maintenance she contributed while staying at
Richmond. One curious entry in the Household Book of the Princess Mary
is: "Item, for shaving Jane fooles hedde, iiiid." Another is: "Item, geven
Heywood, playeng an enterlude with his children before my Ladye's grace
xls."
The great event of Christmas, 1539, was
The Landing of Anne of Cleves,
Page 141
at Deal, on the 27th of December. King Henry had become alarmed at the
combination between France and Spain, and his unprincipled Chancellor,
Cromwell, desirous of regaining his lost influence with the King,
recommended a Protestant marriage. He told Henry that Anne, daughter of
John III., Duke of Cleves, was greatly extolled for her beauty and good
sense, and that by marrying her he would acquire the friendship of the
Princes of Germany, in counterpoise to the designs of France and Spain.
Henry despatched Hans Holbein to take the lady's portrait, and, being
delighted with the picture produced, soon concluded a treaty of marriage,
and sent the Lord Admiral Fitzwilliam, Earl of Southampton, to receive the
Princess at Calais, and conduct her to England. On her arrival Henry was
greatly disappointed. He did not think the Princess as charming as her
portrait; and, unfortunately for her, she was unable to woo him with
winning words, for she could speak no language but German, and of that
Henry did not understand a word. Though not ugly (as many
contemporaries testify), she was plain in person and manners, and she and
her maidens, of whom she brought a great train, are said to have been as
homely and awkward a bevy as ever came to England in the cause of Royal
matrimony. The Royal Bluebeard, who had consorted with such celebrated
beauties as Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour, recollecting what his queens
had been, and what Holbein and Cromwell had told him should again be,
entered the presence of Anne of Cleves with great anticipation, but was
thunderstruck at the first sight of the reality. Lord John Russell, who was
present, declared "that he had never seen his highness so marvellously
astonished and abashed as on that occasion." The marriage was celebrated
on the 6th of January, 1540, but Henry never became reconciled to his
German queen; and he very soon vented his anger upon Cromwell for being
the means of bringing him, not a wife, but "a great Flanders mare."
Christmas at the Colleges.
The fine old tower of Magdalen College, embowered in verdure (as though
decorated for Christmas), is one of the most picturesque of the venerable
academical institutions of Oxford. It stands on the east side of the Cherwell,
and is the first object of interest to catch the eye of the traveller who enters
the city from the London Road. This college was the scene of many
Christmas festivities in the olden time, when it was the custom of the
combination between France and Spain, and his unprincipled Chancellor,
Cromwell, desirous of regaining his lost influence with the King,
recommended a Protestant marriage. He told Henry that Anne, daughter of
John III., Duke of Cleves, was greatly extolled for her beauty and good
sense, and that by marrying her he would acquire the friendship of the
Princes of Germany, in counterpoise to the designs of France and Spain.
Henry despatched Hans Holbein to take the lady's portrait, and, being
delighted with the picture produced, soon concluded a treaty of marriage,
and sent the Lord Admiral Fitzwilliam, Earl of Southampton, to receive the
Princess at Calais, and conduct her to England. On her arrival Henry was
greatly disappointed. He did not think the Princess as charming as her
portrait; and, unfortunately for her, she was unable to woo him with
winning words, for she could speak no language but German, and of that
Henry did not understand a word. Though not ugly (as many
contemporaries testify), she was plain in person and manners, and she and
her maidens, of whom she brought a great train, are said to have been as
homely and awkward a bevy as ever came to England in the cause of Royal
matrimony. The Royal Bluebeard, who had consorted with such celebrated
beauties as Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour, recollecting what his queens
had been, and what Holbein and Cromwell had told him should again be,
entered the presence of Anne of Cleves with great anticipation, but was
thunderstruck at the first sight of the reality. Lord John Russell, who was
present, declared "that he had never seen his highness so marvellously
astonished and abashed as on that occasion." The marriage was celebrated
on the 6th of January, 1540, but Henry never became reconciled to his
German queen; and he very soon vented his anger upon Cromwell for being
the means of bringing him, not a wife, but "a great Flanders mare."
Christmas at the Colleges.
The fine old tower of Magdalen College, embowered in verdure (as though
decorated for Christmas), is one of the most picturesque of the venerable
academical institutions of Oxford. It stands on the east side of the Cherwell,
and is the first object of interest to catch the eye of the traveller who enters
the city from the London Road. This college was the scene of many
Christmas festivities in the olden time, when it was the custom of the
Page 142
several colleges to elect a "Christmas Lord, or Lord of Misrule, styled in the
registers Rex Fabarum and Rex Regni Fabarum; which custom continued
till the Reformation of Religion, and then that producing Puritanism, and
Puritanism Presbytery, the profession of it looked upon such laudable and
ingenious customs as Popish, diabolical and anti-Christian."[46] Queen's
College, Oxford (whose members have from time immemorial been daily
summoned to dine in hall by sound of trumpet, instead of by bell as
elsewhere), is noted for its ancient Christmas ceremony of ushering in the
boar's head with the singing of the famous carol—
"Caput afri differo
Reddens laudes Domino.
The boar's head in hand bring I,
With garlands gay and rosemary,
I pray you all sing merrily
Qui estis in convivio."
Tradition says that this old custom commemorates the deliverance of a
student of the college, who, while walking in the country, studying
Aristotle, was attacked by a wild boar from Shotover Forest, whereupon he
crammed the philosopher down the throat of the savage, and thus escaped
from its tusks.
registers Rex Fabarum and Rex Regni Fabarum; which custom continued
till the Reformation of Religion, and then that producing Puritanism, and
Puritanism Presbytery, the profession of it looked upon such laudable and
ingenious customs as Popish, diabolical and anti-Christian."[46] Queen's
College, Oxford (whose members have from time immemorial been daily
summoned to dine in hall by sound of trumpet, instead of by bell as
elsewhere), is noted for its ancient Christmas ceremony of ushering in the
boar's head with the singing of the famous carol—
"Caput afri differo
Reddens laudes Domino.
The boar's head in hand bring I,
With garlands gay and rosemary,
I pray you all sing merrily
Qui estis in convivio."
Tradition says that this old custom commemorates the deliverance of a
student of the college, who, while walking in the country, studying
Aristotle, was attacked by a wild boar from Shotover Forest, whereupon he
crammed the philosopher down the throat of the savage, and thus escaped
from its tusks.
Page 143
magdalen college, oxford.
Warton[47] mentions that, "in an original draught of the Statutes of Trinity
College, at Cambridge, founded in 1546, one of the chapters is entitled De
Præfecto Ludorum qui Imperator dicitur, under whose direction and
authority Latin Comedies and Tragedies are to be exhibited in the hall at
Christmas. With regard to the peculiar business and office of Imperator it is
ordered that one of the Masters of Arts shall be placed over the juniors,
every Christmas, for the regulation of their games and diversions at that
season of festivity. At the same time, he is to govern the whole society in
the hall and chapel, as a republic committed to his special charge by a set of
Warton[47] mentions that, "in an original draught of the Statutes of Trinity
College, at Cambridge, founded in 1546, one of the chapters is entitled De
Præfecto Ludorum qui Imperator dicitur, under whose direction and
authority Latin Comedies and Tragedies are to be exhibited in the hall at
Christmas. With regard to the peculiar business and office of Imperator it is
ordered that one of the Masters of Arts shall be placed over the juniors,
every Christmas, for the regulation of their games and diversions at that
season of festivity. At the same time, he is to govern the whole society in
the hall and chapel, as a republic committed to his special charge by a set of
Page 144
laws which he is to frame in Latin and Greek verse. His sovereignty is to
last during the twelve days of Christmas, and he is to exercise the same
power on Candlemas. His fee amounted to forty shillings. Similar customs
were observed at other colleges during Christmastide. In a subsequent
chapter of this work will be found an account of a grand exhibition of the
Christmas Prince, at St. John's College, Oxford, in the year 1607.
bringing in the boar's head with minstrelsy.
Christmas at the Inns of Court and Great Houses.
last during the twelve days of Christmas, and he is to exercise the same
power on Candlemas. His fee amounted to forty shillings. Similar customs
were observed at other colleges during Christmastide. In a subsequent
chapter of this work will be found an account of a grand exhibition of the
Christmas Prince, at St. John's College, Oxford, in the year 1607.
bringing in the boar's head with minstrelsy.
Christmas at the Inns of Court and Great Houses.
Page 145
In the time of Henry the Eighth the Christmases at the Inns of Court became
celebrated, especially those at Lincoln's Inn, which had kept them as early
as the reign of Henry VI. The Temples and Gray's Inn afterwards disputed
the palm with it. Every Corporation appointed a Lord of Misrule or Master
of Merry Disports, and, according to Stow, there was the like "in the house
of every nobleman of honour or good worship, were he spiritual or
temporal." And during the period of the sway of the Lord of Misrule, "there
were fine and subtle disguisings, masks, and mummeries, with playing at
cards for counters, nails, and points in every house, more for pastime than
for gain." Town and country would seem to have vied with each other as to
which should exhibit the greatest extravagance in the Christmas
entertainments, but (as in the days of Massinger the poet), the town carried
off the palm:—
"Men may talk of country Christmasses—
Their thirty-pound buttered eggs, their pies of carps' tongues,
Their pheasants drenched with ambergris, the carcases
Of three fat wethers bruised for gravy; to
Make sauce for a single peacock; yet their feasts
Were fasts, compared with the city's."
The earliest particular account of the regulations for conducting one of
these grand Christmases is in the 9th of Henry VIII.,[48] when, besides the
King for Christmas Day, the Marshal and the Master of the Revels, it is
ordered that the King of Cockneys, on Childermas Day, should sit and have
due service, and "that Jack Straw, and all his adherents, should be
thenceforth utterly banished, and no more to be used in this house, upon
pain to forfeit for every time five pounds, to be levied on every fellow
hapning to offend against this rule." "Jack Straw" was a kind of masque,
which was very much disliked by the aristocratic and elder part of the
community, hence the amount of the fine imposed. The Society of Gray's
Inn, however, in 1527, got into a worse scrape than permitting Jack Straw
and his adherents, for they acted a play (the first on record at the Inns of
Court) during this Christmas, the effect whereof was, that Lord Governance
was ruled by Dissipation and Negligence, by whose evil order Lady Public
Weal was put from Governance. Cardinal Wolsey, conscience-smitten,
thought this to be a reflection on himself, and deprived the author, Sergeant
Roe, of his coif, and committed him to the Fleet, together with Thomas
Moyle, one of the actors, until it was satisfactorily explained to him.
celebrated, especially those at Lincoln's Inn, which had kept them as early
as the reign of Henry VI. The Temples and Gray's Inn afterwards disputed
the palm with it. Every Corporation appointed a Lord of Misrule or Master
of Merry Disports, and, according to Stow, there was the like "in the house
of every nobleman of honour or good worship, were he spiritual or
temporal." And during the period of the sway of the Lord of Misrule, "there
were fine and subtle disguisings, masks, and mummeries, with playing at
cards for counters, nails, and points in every house, more for pastime than
for gain." Town and country would seem to have vied with each other as to
which should exhibit the greatest extravagance in the Christmas
entertainments, but (as in the days of Massinger the poet), the town carried
off the palm:—
"Men may talk of country Christmasses—
Their thirty-pound buttered eggs, their pies of carps' tongues,
Their pheasants drenched with ambergris, the carcases
Of three fat wethers bruised for gravy; to
Make sauce for a single peacock; yet their feasts
Were fasts, compared with the city's."
The earliest particular account of the regulations for conducting one of
these grand Christmases is in the 9th of Henry VIII.,[48] when, besides the
King for Christmas Day, the Marshal and the Master of the Revels, it is
ordered that the King of Cockneys, on Childermas Day, should sit and have
due service, and "that Jack Straw, and all his adherents, should be
thenceforth utterly banished, and no more to be used in this house, upon
pain to forfeit for every time five pounds, to be levied on every fellow
hapning to offend against this rule." "Jack Straw" was a kind of masque,
which was very much disliked by the aristocratic and elder part of the
community, hence the amount of the fine imposed. The Society of Gray's
Inn, however, in 1527, got into a worse scrape than permitting Jack Straw
and his adherents, for they acted a play (the first on record at the Inns of
Court) during this Christmas, the effect whereof was, that Lord Governance
was ruled by Dissipation and Negligence, by whose evil order Lady Public
Weal was put from Governance. Cardinal Wolsey, conscience-smitten,
thought this to be a reflection on himself, and deprived the author, Sergeant
Roe, of his coif, and committed him to the Fleet, together with Thomas
Moyle, one of the actors, until it was satisfactorily explained to him.
Page 146
It was found necessary from time to time to make regulations to limit the
extent of these revels and plays, and to provide for the expenses, which
were considerable, and they were therefore not performed every year. In
1531 the Lincoln's Inn Society agreed that if the two Temples kept
Christmas, they would also do so, not liking to be outdone. And later an
order was made in Gray's Inn that no Comedies, commonly called
Interludes, should be acted in the refectory in the intervals of vacation,
except at the celebration of Christmas; and that then the whole body of
students should jointly contribute towards the dresses, scenes, and
decorations.
As an example of the Christmas hospitality of the period, we refer to the
establishment of John Carminow, whose family was of high repute in the
county of Cornwall in the time of Henry the Eighth. Hals says that "he kept
open house for all comers and goers, drinkers, minstrells, dancers, and what
not, during the Christmas time, and that his usual allowance of provision for
those twelve days, was twelve fat bullocks, twenty Cornish bushels of
wheat (i.e., fifty Winchesters), thirty-six sheep, with hogs, lambs, and fowls
of all sort, and drink made of wheat and oat-malt proportionable; for at that
time barley-malt was little known or used in those parts."
That the beneficed clergy of this period also "made merry" with their
parishioners is quite clear from the writings of "Master Hugh Latimer,"
who, in Henry's reign, held the benefice of West Kington, in Wiltshire. A
citation for heresy being issued against Latimer, he wrote with his peculiar
medley of humour and pathos: "I intend to make merry with my
parishioners this Christmas, for all the sorrow, lest perchance I may never
return to them again."
One of the most celebrated personages of this period was
Will Somers, the King's Jester.
This famous fool enlivened the Christmas festivities at the Court of Henry
the Eighth, and many quaint stories are told of his drolleries and witticisms.
Though a reputed fool, his sarcastic wit and sparkling talents at repartee
won him great celebrity. Very little is known of his actual biography, but
some interesting things are told about him in a scarce tract, entitled "A
extent of these revels and plays, and to provide for the expenses, which
were considerable, and they were therefore not performed every year. In
1531 the Lincoln's Inn Society agreed that if the two Temples kept
Christmas, they would also do so, not liking to be outdone. And later an
order was made in Gray's Inn that no Comedies, commonly called
Interludes, should be acted in the refectory in the intervals of vacation,
except at the celebration of Christmas; and that then the whole body of
students should jointly contribute towards the dresses, scenes, and
decorations.
As an example of the Christmas hospitality of the period, we refer to the
establishment of John Carminow, whose family was of high repute in the
county of Cornwall in the time of Henry the Eighth. Hals says that "he kept
open house for all comers and goers, drinkers, minstrells, dancers, and what
not, during the Christmas time, and that his usual allowance of provision for
those twelve days, was twelve fat bullocks, twenty Cornish bushels of
wheat (i.e., fifty Winchesters), thirty-six sheep, with hogs, lambs, and fowls
of all sort, and drink made of wheat and oat-malt proportionable; for at that
time barley-malt was little known or used in those parts."
That the beneficed clergy of this period also "made merry" with their
parishioners is quite clear from the writings of "Master Hugh Latimer,"
who, in Henry's reign, held the benefice of West Kington, in Wiltshire. A
citation for heresy being issued against Latimer, he wrote with his peculiar
medley of humour and pathos: "I intend to make merry with my
parishioners this Christmas, for all the sorrow, lest perchance I may never
return to them again."
One of the most celebrated personages of this period was
Will Somers, the King's Jester.
This famous fool enlivened the Christmas festivities at the Court of Henry
the Eighth, and many quaint stories are told of his drolleries and witticisms.
Though a reputed fool, his sarcastic wit and sparkling talents at repartee
won him great celebrity. Very little is known of his actual biography, but
some interesting things are told about him in a scarce tract, entitled "A
Page 147
pleasant History of the Life and Death of Will Somers," &c. (which was
first published in 1676, and a great part of which is said to have been taken
from Andrew Borde's collection of "The Merry Jests and Witty Shifts of
Scoggin"). "And now who but Will Sommers, the King's Fool? who had got
such an interest in him by his quick and facetious jests, that he could have
admittance to his Majesty's Chamber, and have his ear, when a great
nobleman, nay, a privy counsellor, could not be suffered to speak with him:
and farther, if the King were angry or displeased with anything, if no man
else durst demand the cause of his discontent, then was Will Sommers
provided with one pleasant conceit or another, to take off the edge of his
displeasure. Being of an easy and tractable disposition he soon found the
fashions of the court, and obtained a general love and notice of the nobility;
for he was no carry-tale, nor flattering insinuator to breed discord and
dissension, but an honest, plain, downright [man], that would speak home
without halting, and tell the truth of purpose to shame the devil—so that his
plainness, mixed with a kind of facetiousness, and tartness with pleasantry,
made him acceptable into the company of all men." There cannot, perhaps,
be a greater proof of the estimation in which Somers was held by King
Henry, than the circumstance of his portrait having been twice introduced
into the same piece with that of the King; once in the fine picture by
Holbein of Henry VIII. and his family, and again, in an illuminated Psalter
which was expressly written for the King, by John Mallard, his chaplain
and secretary ("Regis Orator et Calamo"), and is now preserved in the
British Museum. According to an ancient custom, there is prefixed to Psalm
lii., "dixit incipens" in the Psalter, a miniature illumination of King David
and a Fool, whose figures, in this instance, are portraits of Henry VIII. and
his favourite Will Somers. The King is seated at a kind of altar table, and
playing on the harp, whilst Somers who is standing near him, with his hands
clasped over his breast, appears to listen with admiration. The King wears a
round flat cap, furred, and a vest of imperial purple striped with gold, and
fluted at bottom; his doublet is red, padded with white; his hose crimson; on
his right leg is a blue garter. Somers is in a vest, with a hood thrown over
the back; his stockings are blue; at his girdle is a black pouch.
When Henry VIII. became old and inactive, his Christmases grew gradually
duller, until he did little more than sit out a play or two, and gamble with his
first published in 1676, and a great part of which is said to have been taken
from Andrew Borde's collection of "The Merry Jests and Witty Shifts of
Scoggin"). "And now who but Will Sommers, the King's Fool? who had got
such an interest in him by his quick and facetious jests, that he could have
admittance to his Majesty's Chamber, and have his ear, when a great
nobleman, nay, a privy counsellor, could not be suffered to speak with him:
and farther, if the King were angry or displeased with anything, if no man
else durst demand the cause of his discontent, then was Will Sommers
provided with one pleasant conceit or another, to take off the edge of his
displeasure. Being of an easy and tractable disposition he soon found the
fashions of the court, and obtained a general love and notice of the nobility;
for he was no carry-tale, nor flattering insinuator to breed discord and
dissension, but an honest, plain, downright [man], that would speak home
without halting, and tell the truth of purpose to shame the devil—so that his
plainness, mixed with a kind of facetiousness, and tartness with pleasantry,
made him acceptable into the company of all men." There cannot, perhaps,
be a greater proof of the estimation in which Somers was held by King
Henry, than the circumstance of his portrait having been twice introduced
into the same piece with that of the King; once in the fine picture by
Holbein of Henry VIII. and his family, and again, in an illuminated Psalter
which was expressly written for the King, by John Mallard, his chaplain
and secretary ("Regis Orator et Calamo"), and is now preserved in the
British Museum. According to an ancient custom, there is prefixed to Psalm
lii., "dixit incipens" in the Psalter, a miniature illumination of King David
and a Fool, whose figures, in this instance, are portraits of Henry VIII. and
his favourite Will Somers. The King is seated at a kind of altar table, and
playing on the harp, whilst Somers who is standing near him, with his hands
clasped over his breast, appears to listen with admiration. The King wears a
round flat cap, furred, and a vest of imperial purple striped with gold, and
fluted at bottom; his doublet is red, padded with white; his hose crimson; on
his right leg is a blue garter. Somers is in a vest, with a hood thrown over
the back; his stockings are blue; at his girdle is a black pouch.
When Henry VIII. became old and inactive, his Christmases grew gradually
duller, until he did little more than sit out a play or two, and gamble with his
Page 148
courtiers, his Christmas play-money requiring a special draught upon the
treasury, usually for a hundred pounds. He died on January 28, 1547.
[34] "Book of Days," Edinburgh.
[35] Williams's "Domestic Memoirs of the Royal Family and of the Court of
England."
[36] Chaucer.
[37] "William's Domestic Memoirs."
[38] Nichols's "Progresses of Queen Elizabeth."
[39] "Recollections of Royalty," by Mr. Charles C. Jones, 1828.
[40] "Sports and Pastimes."
[41] Introduction to "Christmas Carols."
[42] Hall's "Chronicle."
[43] Baker's "Chronicle."
[44] Hall's "Chronicle."
[45] Peter Bayne, LL. D.
[46] Wood's "Athenæ Oxonienses."
[47] "History of English Poetry."
[48] Dugdale, "Origines Juridiciales."
CHAPTER VII.
CHRISTMAS UNDER EDWARD VI., MARY, AND
ELIZABETH.
(1547-1603.)
treasury, usually for a hundred pounds. He died on January 28, 1547.
[34] "Book of Days," Edinburgh.
[35] Williams's "Domestic Memoirs of the Royal Family and of the Court of
England."
[36] Chaucer.
[37] "William's Domestic Memoirs."
[38] Nichols's "Progresses of Queen Elizabeth."
[39] "Recollections of Royalty," by Mr. Charles C. Jones, 1828.
[40] "Sports and Pastimes."
[41] Introduction to "Christmas Carols."
[42] Hall's "Chronicle."
[43] Baker's "Chronicle."
[44] Hall's "Chronicle."
[45] Peter Bayne, LL. D.
[46] Wood's "Athenæ Oxonienses."
[47] "History of English Poetry."
[48] Dugdale, "Origines Juridiciales."
CHAPTER VII.
CHRISTMAS UNDER EDWARD VI., MARY, AND
ELIZABETH.
(1547-1603.)
Page 149
Christmas under King Edward VI.—George Ferrers "Master of the
King's Pastimes."
During the short reign of the youthful monarch Edward the Sixth (1547-
1553), the splendour of the Royal Christmases somewhat abated, though
they were still continued; and the King being much grieved at the
condemnation of the Duke of Somerset, his uncle and Protector, it was
thought expedient to divert his mind by additional pastimes at the Christmas
festival, 1551-2. "It was devised," says Holinshed, "that the feast of Christ's
nativitie, commonlie called Christmasse, then at hand, should be solemnlie
kept at Greenwich, with open houshold, and franke resort to Court (which is
called keeping of the hall), what time of old ordinarie course there is
alwaise one appointed to make sport in the court, commonlie Lord of
Misrule; whose office is not unknown to such as have been brought up in
noblemen's houses, and among great housekeepers, who use liberall
feasting in that season. There was therefore by order of the Councell, a wise
gentleman, and learned, named George Ferrers, appointed to that office for
this yeare; who, being of better credit and estimation than comonlie his
predecessors had been before, received all his commissions and warrants by
the name of the maister of the King's pastimes. Which gentleman so well
supplied his office, both in show of sundry sights and devices of rare
inventions, and in act of diverse interludes, and matters of pastime plaied by
persons, as not onlie satisfied the common sort, but also were verie well
liked and allowed by the Councell, and other of skill in the like pastimes;
but best of all by the young King himselfe, as appeered by his princelie
liberalitie in rewarding that service." The old chronicler quaintly adds, that
"Christmas being thus passed with much mirth and pastime, it was thought
now good to proceed to the execution of the judgment against the Duke of
Somerset." The day of execution was the 22nd of January, 1552, six weeks
after the passing of the sentence.
King Edward took part in some of the Christmas masques performed at his
Court, with other youths of his age and stature, all the performers being
suitably attired in costly garments. Will Somers also figured in some of
these masques. The young King seems to have found more amusement in
the pageants superintended by Master Ferrers than he had gained from some
of the solemnities of the state in which he had been obliged to play a
prominent part; but none of the diversions restored him to good health.
King's Pastimes."
During the short reign of the youthful monarch Edward the Sixth (1547-
1553), the splendour of the Royal Christmases somewhat abated, though
they were still continued; and the King being much grieved at the
condemnation of the Duke of Somerset, his uncle and Protector, it was
thought expedient to divert his mind by additional pastimes at the Christmas
festival, 1551-2. "It was devised," says Holinshed, "that the feast of Christ's
nativitie, commonlie called Christmasse, then at hand, should be solemnlie
kept at Greenwich, with open houshold, and franke resort to Court (which is
called keeping of the hall), what time of old ordinarie course there is
alwaise one appointed to make sport in the court, commonlie Lord of
Misrule; whose office is not unknown to such as have been brought up in
noblemen's houses, and among great housekeepers, who use liberall
feasting in that season. There was therefore by order of the Councell, a wise
gentleman, and learned, named George Ferrers, appointed to that office for
this yeare; who, being of better credit and estimation than comonlie his
predecessors had been before, received all his commissions and warrants by
the name of the maister of the King's pastimes. Which gentleman so well
supplied his office, both in show of sundry sights and devices of rare
inventions, and in act of diverse interludes, and matters of pastime plaied by
persons, as not onlie satisfied the common sort, but also were verie well
liked and allowed by the Councell, and other of skill in the like pastimes;
but best of all by the young King himselfe, as appeered by his princelie
liberalitie in rewarding that service." The old chronicler quaintly adds, that
"Christmas being thus passed with much mirth and pastime, it was thought
now good to proceed to the execution of the judgment against the Duke of
Somerset." The day of execution was the 22nd of January, 1552, six weeks
after the passing of the sentence.
King Edward took part in some of the Christmas masques performed at his
Court, with other youths of his age and stature, all the performers being
suitably attired in costly garments. Will Somers also figured in some of
these masques. The young King seems to have found more amusement in
the pageants superintended by Master Ferrers than he had gained from some
of the solemnities of the state in which he had been obliged to play a
prominent part; but none of the diversions restored him to good health.
Page 150
Large sums of money were expended on these Christmas entertainments,
and the King handsomely rewarded the Master of his pastimes.
George Ferrers, who was a lawyer, a poet, and an historian, was certainly
well qualified for his task, and well supplied with the means of making
sport, as "Master of the King's Pastimes." He complained to Sir Thomas
Cawarden that the dresses provided for his assistants were not sufficient,
and immediately an order was given for better provision. He provided
clowns, jugglers, tumblers, men to dance the fool's dance, besides being
assisted by the "Court Fool" of the time—John Smyth. This man was newly
supplied for the occasion, having a long fool's coat of yellow cloth of gold,
fringed all over with white, red, and green velvet, containing 7½ yards at £2
per yard, guarded with plain yellow cloth of gold, 4 yards at 33s. 4d. per
yard; with a hood and a pair of buskins of the same figured gold containing
2½ yards at £5, and a girdle of yellow sarsenet containing one quarter 16d.,
the whole value of "the fool's dress" being £26 14s. 8d. Ferrers, as the
"Lord of Misrule" wore a robe of rich stuff made of silk and golden thread
containing 9 yards at 16s. a yard, guarded with embroidered cloth of gold,
wrought in knots, 14 yards at 11s. 4d. a yard; having fur of red feathers,
with a cape of camlet thrum. A coat of flat silver, fine with works, 5 yards at
50s., with an embroidered garb of leaves of gold and coloured silk,
containing 15 yards at 20s. a yard. He wore a cap of maintenance, hose
buskins, panticles of Bruges satin, a girdle of yellow sarsenet with various
decorations, the cost of his dress being £52 8s. 8d., which, considering the
relative value of money, must be considered a very costly dress.
The office which George Ferrers so ably filled had been too often held by
those who possessed neither the wit nor the genius it required; but,
originally, persons of high rank and ability had been chosen to perform
these somewhat difficult duties. Ferrers received £100 for the charges of his
office; and afterwards the Lord Mayor, who probably had been at the Royal
festival, entertained him in London. The cost of the Royal festivities
exceeded £700.
Stowe, in his "Annals," thus refers to the celebration: "The King kept his
Christmasse with open houshold at Greenwich, George Ferrers, Gentleman
of Lincolnes Inne, being Lord of the merry Disports all the 12 dayes, who
so pleasantly and wisely behaved himselfe, that the King had great delight
and the King handsomely rewarded the Master of his pastimes.
George Ferrers, who was a lawyer, a poet, and an historian, was certainly
well qualified for his task, and well supplied with the means of making
sport, as "Master of the King's Pastimes." He complained to Sir Thomas
Cawarden that the dresses provided for his assistants were not sufficient,
and immediately an order was given for better provision. He provided
clowns, jugglers, tumblers, men to dance the fool's dance, besides being
assisted by the "Court Fool" of the time—John Smyth. This man was newly
supplied for the occasion, having a long fool's coat of yellow cloth of gold,
fringed all over with white, red, and green velvet, containing 7½ yards at £2
per yard, guarded with plain yellow cloth of gold, 4 yards at 33s. 4d. per
yard; with a hood and a pair of buskins of the same figured gold containing
2½ yards at £5, and a girdle of yellow sarsenet containing one quarter 16d.,
the whole value of "the fool's dress" being £26 14s. 8d. Ferrers, as the
"Lord of Misrule" wore a robe of rich stuff made of silk and golden thread
containing 9 yards at 16s. a yard, guarded with embroidered cloth of gold,
wrought in knots, 14 yards at 11s. 4d. a yard; having fur of red feathers,
with a cape of camlet thrum. A coat of flat silver, fine with works, 5 yards at
50s., with an embroidered garb of leaves of gold and coloured silk,
containing 15 yards at 20s. a yard. He wore a cap of maintenance, hose
buskins, panticles of Bruges satin, a girdle of yellow sarsenet with various
decorations, the cost of his dress being £52 8s. 8d., which, considering the
relative value of money, must be considered a very costly dress.
The office which George Ferrers so ably filled had been too often held by
those who possessed neither the wit nor the genius it required; but,
originally, persons of high rank and ability had been chosen to perform
these somewhat difficult duties. Ferrers received £100 for the charges of his
office; and afterwards the Lord Mayor, who probably had been at the Royal
festival, entertained him in London. The cost of the Royal festivities
exceeded £700.
Stowe, in his "Annals," thus refers to the celebration: "The King kept his
Christmasse with open houshold at Greenwich, George Ferrers, Gentleman
of Lincolnes Inne, being Lord of the merry Disports all the 12 dayes, who
so pleasantly and wisely behaved himselfe, that the King had great delight
Page 151
in his pastimes. On Monday the fourth of January, the said Lord of Merry
Disports came by water to London, and landed at the Tower-wharfe, entered
the Tower, and then rode through the Tower-streete, where he was received
by Sergeant Vawce, Lord of Misrule to John Mainard, one of the Sheriffes
of London, and so conducted through the Citie with a great company of
young Lords and gentlemen, to the house of Sir George Barne, Lord Maior;
where he, with the chiefe of his company dined, and after had a great
banquet; and, at his departure, the Lord Maior gave him a standing cup,
with a cover of silver and gilt, of the value of ten pounds, for a reward; and
also set a hogs-head of wine, and a barrell of beere, at his gate, for his traine
that followed him; the residue of his gentlemen and servants dined at other
Aldermen's houses, and with the sheriffes, and so departed to the Tower
wharfe againe, and to the Court by water, to the great commendation of the
Maior and Aldermen, and highly accepted of the King and Councell."
Religious Matters
occupied public attention throughout the reign of Edward VI. The young
king was willing to support the reforming projects of Archbishop Cranmer,
and assented to the publication of the new Liturgy in the Prayer Book of
1549, and the Act of Uniformity. And with the sanction of the sovereign,
Cranmer, in 1552, issued a revised Liturgy, known as the Second Prayer
Book of King Edward VI., and the Forty-two Articles, which were
markedly Protestant in tendency. On his health failing, the King, acting on
the advice of the Duke of Northumberland, altered the settlement of the
crown as arranged in the will of Henry VIII., and made a will excluding
Mary and Elizabeth from the succession in favour of Lady Jane Grey,
daughter-in-law of Northumberland, which was sanctioned by Archbishop
Cranmer and the Privy Council. Although Cranmer had sanctioned this act
with great reluctance, and on the assurance of the judges, it sufficed to
secure his condemnation for high treason on Mary's accession. Edward sank
rapidly and died on July 6, 1553.
The Duke of Northumberland then
Proclaimed Lady Jane Grey Queen,
Disports came by water to London, and landed at the Tower-wharfe, entered
the Tower, and then rode through the Tower-streete, where he was received
by Sergeant Vawce, Lord of Misrule to John Mainard, one of the Sheriffes
of London, and so conducted through the Citie with a great company of
young Lords and gentlemen, to the house of Sir George Barne, Lord Maior;
where he, with the chiefe of his company dined, and after had a great
banquet; and, at his departure, the Lord Maior gave him a standing cup,
with a cover of silver and gilt, of the value of ten pounds, for a reward; and
also set a hogs-head of wine, and a barrell of beere, at his gate, for his traine
that followed him; the residue of his gentlemen and servants dined at other
Aldermen's houses, and with the sheriffes, and so departed to the Tower
wharfe againe, and to the Court by water, to the great commendation of the
Maior and Aldermen, and highly accepted of the King and Councell."
Religious Matters
occupied public attention throughout the reign of Edward VI. The young
king was willing to support the reforming projects of Archbishop Cranmer,
and assented to the publication of the new Liturgy in the Prayer Book of
1549, and the Act of Uniformity. And with the sanction of the sovereign,
Cranmer, in 1552, issued a revised Liturgy, known as the Second Prayer
Book of King Edward VI., and the Forty-two Articles, which were
markedly Protestant in tendency. On his health failing, the King, acting on
the advice of the Duke of Northumberland, altered the settlement of the
crown as arranged in the will of Henry VIII., and made a will excluding
Mary and Elizabeth from the succession in favour of Lady Jane Grey,
daughter-in-law of Northumberland, which was sanctioned by Archbishop
Cranmer and the Privy Council. Although Cranmer had sanctioned this act
with great reluctance, and on the assurance of the judges, it sufficed to
secure his condemnation for high treason on Mary's accession. Edward sank
rapidly and died on July 6, 1553.
The Duke of Northumberland then
Proclaimed Lady Jane Grey Queen,
Page 152
but the people refused to recognise the usurpation. After a brief reign of
eleven days,
The Crown was transferred to Mary,
daughter of Henry VIII. and Catherine of Arragon, and Lady Jane Grey and
her husband were sent to the Tower, and subsequently condemned to death.
They were kept in captivity for some time, and were not executed until after
Wyatt's rebellion in 1554.
Mary was a firm Roman Catholic, and she
looked to her uncle, Charles V. of Spain, for
assistance and support. In January, 1554, much
to the disappointment of her subjects, she
concluded a treaty of marriage with Philip of
Spain, son of Charles V. Afterwards her reign
was disturbed by insurrections, and also by the
persecution of Protestants by Cardinal Pole, who
came over to England to push forward the
Roman Catholic reaction.
This Troubled Reign
was not congenial to Christmas festivities,
though they were still kept up in different parts
of the country. During the Christmas festival
(January 2, 1554) a splendid embassy, sent by
Virgin & Child, Chirbury.
the Emperor, Charles the Fifth, headed by the
Counts Egmont and Lalain, the Lord of
Courrieres, and the Sieur de Nigry, landed in Kent, to arrange the marriage
between Queen Mary and Philip. The unpopularity of the proceeding was
immediately manifested, for the men of Kent, taking Egmont for Philip,
rose in fury and would have killed him if they could have got at him.
Although an attempt was made to allay the fears of the English, within a
few days three insurrections broke out in different parts of the kingdom, the
most formidable being that under Sir Thomas Wyatt, who fixed his
headquarters at Rochester. In city and court alike panic prevailed. The
lawyers in Westminster Hall pleaded in suits of armour hidden under their
eleven days,
The Crown was transferred to Mary,
daughter of Henry VIII. and Catherine of Arragon, and Lady Jane Grey and
her husband were sent to the Tower, and subsequently condemned to death.
They were kept in captivity for some time, and were not executed until after
Wyatt's rebellion in 1554.
Mary was a firm Roman Catholic, and she
looked to her uncle, Charles V. of Spain, for
assistance and support. In January, 1554, much
to the disappointment of her subjects, she
concluded a treaty of marriage with Philip of
Spain, son of Charles V. Afterwards her reign
was disturbed by insurrections, and also by the
persecution of Protestants by Cardinal Pole, who
came over to England to push forward the
Roman Catholic reaction.
This Troubled Reign
was not congenial to Christmas festivities,
though they were still kept up in different parts
of the country. During the Christmas festival
(January 2, 1554) a splendid embassy, sent by
Virgin & Child, Chirbury.
the Emperor, Charles the Fifth, headed by the
Counts Egmont and Lalain, the Lord of
Courrieres, and the Sieur de Nigry, landed in Kent, to arrange the marriage
between Queen Mary and Philip. The unpopularity of the proceeding was
immediately manifested, for the men of Kent, taking Egmont for Philip,
rose in fury and would have killed him if they could have got at him.
Although an attempt was made to allay the fears of the English, within a
few days three insurrections broke out in different parts of the kingdom, the
most formidable being that under Sir Thomas Wyatt, who fixed his
headquarters at Rochester. In city and court alike panic prevailed. The
lawyers in Westminster Hall pleaded in suits of armour hidden under their
Page 153
robes, and Dr. Weston preached before the Queen in Whitehall Chapel, on
Candlemas Day, in armour under his clerical vestments. Mary alone seemed
calm and self-possessed. She mounted her horse, and, attended by her ladies
and her Council, rode into the City, where, summoning Sir Thomas White,
Lord Mayor, and the Aldermen, who all came clad in armour under their
civic livery, she ascended a chair of State, and with her sceptre in her hand
addressed them, declaring she would never marry except with the leave of
her Parliament. Her courage gained the day. The rebellion was speedily
quelled and the ringleaders put to death; and the following July the
marriage took place. Mary's subsequent reign was a "reign of terror, a time
of fire and blood, such as has no parallel in the history of England."[49]
Christmas Diversions of Queen Mary.
During her "reign of terror" Queen Mary was diverted by Christmas plays
and pageants, and she showed some interest in the amusements of the
people. Strutt's "Sports and Pastimes," in an article on the "Antiquity of
Tumbling," says: "It would seem that these artists were really famous mirth-
makers; for one of them had the address to excite the merriment of that
solemn bigot Queen Mary. 'After her Majesty,' observes Strype, 'had
reviewed the royal pensioners in Greenwich Park, there came a tumbler, and
played many pretty feats, the Queen and Cardinal Pole looking on; whereat
she was observed to laugh heartily.'" Strutt also mentions that "when Mary
visited her sister, the Princess Elizabeth, during her confinement at Hatfield
House, the next morning, after mass, a grand exhibition of bear-baiting was
made for their amusement, with which, it is said, 'their highnesses were
right well content.'" The idle pageantry of the Boy-bishop, which had been
formally abrogated by proclamation from the King, in the thirty-third year
of Henry VIII., was revived by his daughter Mary. Strutt says that "in the
second year of her reign an edict, dated November 13, 1554, was issued
from the Bishop of London to all the clergy of his diocese, to have a Boy-
bishop in procession. The year following, 'the child Bishop, of Paules
Church, with his company,' were admitted into the Queen's privy chamber,
where he sang before her on Saint Nicholas Day, and upon Holy Innocents
Day. After the death of Mary this silly mummery was totally discontinued."
Candlemas Day, in armour under his clerical vestments. Mary alone seemed
calm and self-possessed. She mounted her horse, and, attended by her ladies
and her Council, rode into the City, where, summoning Sir Thomas White,
Lord Mayor, and the Aldermen, who all came clad in armour under their
civic livery, she ascended a chair of State, and with her sceptre in her hand
addressed them, declaring she would never marry except with the leave of
her Parliament. Her courage gained the day. The rebellion was speedily
quelled and the ringleaders put to death; and the following July the
marriage took place. Mary's subsequent reign was a "reign of terror, a time
of fire and blood, such as has no parallel in the history of England."[49]
Christmas Diversions of Queen Mary.
During her "reign of terror" Queen Mary was diverted by Christmas plays
and pageants, and she showed some interest in the amusements of the
people. Strutt's "Sports and Pastimes," in an article on the "Antiquity of
Tumbling," says: "It would seem that these artists were really famous mirth-
makers; for one of them had the address to excite the merriment of that
solemn bigot Queen Mary. 'After her Majesty,' observes Strype, 'had
reviewed the royal pensioners in Greenwich Park, there came a tumbler, and
played many pretty feats, the Queen and Cardinal Pole looking on; whereat
she was observed to laugh heartily.'" Strutt also mentions that "when Mary
visited her sister, the Princess Elizabeth, during her confinement at Hatfield
House, the next morning, after mass, a grand exhibition of bear-baiting was
made for their amusement, with which, it is said, 'their highnesses were
right well content.'" The idle pageantry of the Boy-bishop, which had been
formally abrogated by proclamation from the King, in the thirty-third year
of Henry VIII., was revived by his daughter Mary. Strutt says that "in the
second year of her reign an edict, dated November 13, 1554, was issued
from the Bishop of London to all the clergy of his diocese, to have a Boy-
bishop in procession. The year following, 'the child Bishop, of Paules
Church, with his company,' were admitted into the Queen's privy chamber,
where he sang before her on Saint Nicholas Day, and upon Holy Innocents
Day. After the death of Mary this silly mummery was totally discontinued."
Page 154
The Christmas entertainments of Philip and Mary at Richmond are thus
described by Folkstone Williams:[50] "The Queen strove to entertain her
Royal husband with masques, notwithstanding that he had seen many fair
and rich beyond the seas; and Nicholas Udall, the stern schoolmaster, was
ordered to furnish the drama. An idea of these performances may be
gathered from the properties of a masque of patrons of gallies like Venetian
senators with galley-slaves for their torch-bearers, represented at Court in
Christmas of the first and second years of Philip and Mary, with a Masque
of six Venuses, or amorous ladies, with six Cupids, and as many torch-
bearers. Among them were lions' heads, sixteen other headpieces, made in
quaint fashion for the Turkish magistrates, as well as eight falchions for
them, the sheaths covered with green velvet, and bullioned with copper.
There were eight headpieces for women-masks, goddesses and huntresses.
A masque of eight mariners, of cloth of gold and silver, and six pairs of
chains for the galley slaves. Another mask of goddesses and huntresses,
with Turks, was performed on the following Shrovetide; and one of six
Hercules, or men of war, coming from the sea with six Mariners to their
torch-bearers, was played a little later. Besides which, we find mention of a
masque of covetous men with long noses—a masque of men like Argus—a
masque of women Moors—a masque of Amazons—one of black and
tawney tinsel, with baboons' faces—one of Polanders, and one of women
with Diana hunting."
Nichols ("Progresses," vol. i. p. 18) says that in 1557 the Princess Elizabeth
was present at a Royal Christmas kept with great solemnity by Queen Mary
and King Philip at Hampton Court. "On Christmas Eve, the great hall of the
palace was illuminated with a thousand lamps curiously disposed. The
Princess supped at the same table in the hall with the King and Queen, next
the cloth of state; and after supper, was served with a perfumed napkin and
plates of confects by the Lord Paget. But she retired to her ladies before the
revels, maskings, and disguisings began. On St. Stephen's day she heard
mattins in the Queen's closet adjoining to the chapel, where she was attired
in a robe of white sattin, strung all over with large pearls. On the 29th day
of December she sate with their majesties and the nobility at a grand
spectacle of justing, when two hundred spears were broken. Half of the
combatants were accoutred in the Almaine and half in the Spanish fashion.
Thus our chronicler, who is fond of minute description. But these and other
described by Folkstone Williams:[50] "The Queen strove to entertain her
Royal husband with masques, notwithstanding that he had seen many fair
and rich beyond the seas; and Nicholas Udall, the stern schoolmaster, was
ordered to furnish the drama. An idea of these performances may be
gathered from the properties of a masque of patrons of gallies like Venetian
senators with galley-slaves for their torch-bearers, represented at Court in
Christmas of the first and second years of Philip and Mary, with a Masque
of six Venuses, or amorous ladies, with six Cupids, and as many torch-
bearers. Among them were lions' heads, sixteen other headpieces, made in
quaint fashion for the Turkish magistrates, as well as eight falchions for
them, the sheaths covered with green velvet, and bullioned with copper.
There were eight headpieces for women-masks, goddesses and huntresses.
A masque of eight mariners, of cloth of gold and silver, and six pairs of
chains for the galley slaves. Another mask of goddesses and huntresses,
with Turks, was performed on the following Shrovetide; and one of six
Hercules, or men of war, coming from the sea with six Mariners to their
torch-bearers, was played a little later. Besides which, we find mention of a
masque of covetous men with long noses—a masque of men like Argus—a
masque of women Moors—a masque of Amazons—one of black and
tawney tinsel, with baboons' faces—one of Polanders, and one of women
with Diana hunting."
Nichols ("Progresses," vol. i. p. 18) says that in 1557 the Princess Elizabeth
was present at a Royal Christmas kept with great solemnity by Queen Mary
and King Philip at Hampton Court. "On Christmas Eve, the great hall of the
palace was illuminated with a thousand lamps curiously disposed. The
Princess supped at the same table in the hall with the King and Queen, next
the cloth of state; and after supper, was served with a perfumed napkin and
plates of confects by the Lord Paget. But she retired to her ladies before the
revels, maskings, and disguisings began. On St. Stephen's day she heard
mattins in the Queen's closet adjoining to the chapel, where she was attired
in a robe of white sattin, strung all over with large pearls. On the 29th day
of December she sate with their majesties and the nobility at a grand
spectacle of justing, when two hundred spears were broken. Half of the
combatants were accoutred in the Almaine and half in the Spanish fashion.
Thus our chronicler, who is fond of minute description. But these and other
Page 155
particularities, insignificant as they seem, which he has recorded so
carefully, are a vindication of Queen Mary's character in the treatment of
her sister; they prove that the Princess, during her residence at Hatfield,
lived in splendour and affluence; that she was often admitted to the
diversions of the Court; and that her present situation was by no means a
state of oppression and imprisonment, as it has been represented by most of
our historians."
The Romish Priestly Practices
on "Christmass-daye," at this period, are referred to in the following
translation from Naogeorgus, by Barnaby Googe:—
"Then comes the day wherein the Lorde did bring his birth to passe;
Whereas at midnight up they rise, and every man to Masse,
This time so holy counted is, that divers earnestly
Do think the waters all to wine are chaunged sodainly;
In that same houre that Christ Himselfe was borne, and came to light,
And unto water streight againe transformde and altred quight.
There are beside that mindfully the money still do watch,
That first to aultar commes, which then they privily do snatch.
The priestes, least other should it have, take oft the same away,
Whereby they thinke throughout the yeare to have good lucke in play,
And not to lose: then straight at game till day-light do they strive,
To make some present proofe how well their hallowde pence wil thrive.
carefully, are a vindication of Queen Mary's character in the treatment of
her sister; they prove that the Princess, during her residence at Hatfield,
lived in splendour and affluence; that she was often admitted to the
diversions of the Court; and that her present situation was by no means a
state of oppression and imprisonment, as it has been represented by most of
our historians."
The Romish Priestly Practices
on "Christmass-daye," at this period, are referred to in the following
translation from Naogeorgus, by Barnaby Googe:—
"Then comes the day wherein the Lorde did bring his birth to passe;
Whereas at midnight up they rise, and every man to Masse,
This time so holy counted is, that divers earnestly
Do think the waters all to wine are chaunged sodainly;
In that same houre that Christ Himselfe was borne, and came to light,
And unto water streight againe transformde and altred quight.
There are beside that mindfully the money still do watch,
That first to aultar commes, which then they privily do snatch.
The priestes, least other should it have, take oft the same away,
Whereby they thinke throughout the yeare to have good lucke in play,
And not to lose: then straight at game till day-light do they strive,
To make some present proofe how well their hallowde pence wil thrive.
Page 156
Three Masses every priest doth singe upon that solemn day,
With offrings unto every one, that so the more may play.
This done, a woodden childe in clowtes is on the aultar set,
About the which both boyes and gyrles do daunce and trymly jet;
And Carrols sing in prayse of Christ, and, for to helpe them heare,
The organs aunswere every verse with sweete and solemne cheare.
The priestes do rore aloude; and round about the parentes stande
To see the sport, and with their voyce do helpe them and their hande."
The Christmas Mummers
played a prominent part in the festivities of this period, and the following
illustration shows how they went a-mumming.
riding a-mumming at christmastide.
Queen Mary died on November 17, 1558, and her half-sister,
With offrings unto every one, that so the more may play.
This done, a woodden childe in clowtes is on the aultar set,
About the which both boyes and gyrles do daunce and trymly jet;
And Carrols sing in prayse of Christ, and, for to helpe them heare,
The organs aunswere every verse with sweete and solemne cheare.
The priestes do rore aloude; and round about the parentes stande
To see the sport, and with their voyce do helpe them and their hande."
The Christmas Mummers
played a prominent part in the festivities of this period, and the following
illustration shows how they went a-mumming.
riding a-mumming at christmastide.
Queen Mary died on November 17, 1558, and her half-sister,
Page 157
Elizabeth, came to the Throne
in perilous times, for plots of assassination were rife, and England was
engaged on the side of Spain in war with France. But the alliance with
Spain soon came to an end, for Queen Elizabeth saw that the defence of
Protestantism at home and peace with France abroad were necessary for her
own security and the good of her subjects. She began her reign by regarding
the welfare of her people, and she soon won and never lost their affection.
With the accession of Queen Elizabeth there was a revival of the courtly
pomp and pageantry which were marked characteristics of her father's
reign. Just before the Christmas festival (1558) the new queen made a state
entry into the metropolis, attended by a magnificent throng of nobles,
ladies, and gentlemen, and a vast concourse of people from all the country
round. At Highgate she was met by the bishops, who kneeled by the
wayside and offered their allegiance. She received them graciously and
gave them all her hand to kiss, except Bonner, whom she treated with
marked coldness, on account of his atrocious cruelties: an intimation of her
own intentions on the score of religion which gave satisfaction to the
people. In the pageantry which was got up to grace her entry into London, a
figure representing "Truth" dropped from one of the triumphal arches, and
laid before the young Queen a copy of the Scriptures. Holinshed says she
revived the book with becoming reverence, and, pressing it to her bosom,
declared that of all the gifts and honours conferred upon her by the loyalty
of the people this was the most acceptable. Yet Green,[51] in describing
Elizabeth's reign, says: "Nothing is more revolting in the Queen, but
nothing is more characteristic, than her shameless mendacity. It was an age
of political lying, but in the profusion and recklessness of her lies Elizabeth
stood without a peer in Christendom."
Sir William Fitzwilliam, writing to Mr. More, of Loseley, Surrey, a few
weeks after the accession of Elizabeth, as an important piece of Court news,
says: "You shall understand that yesterday, being Christmas Day, the
Queen's Majesty repaired to her great closet with her nobles and ladies, as
hath been accustomed in such high feasts; and she, perceiving a bishop
preparing himself to mass, all in the old form, tarried there until the gospel
was done, and when all the people looked for her to have offered according
to the old fashion, she with her nobles returned again from the closet and
in perilous times, for plots of assassination were rife, and England was
engaged on the side of Spain in war with France. But the alliance with
Spain soon came to an end, for Queen Elizabeth saw that the defence of
Protestantism at home and peace with France abroad were necessary for her
own security and the good of her subjects. She began her reign by regarding
the welfare of her people, and she soon won and never lost their affection.
With the accession of Queen Elizabeth there was a revival of the courtly
pomp and pageantry which were marked characteristics of her father's
reign. Just before the Christmas festival (1558) the new queen made a state
entry into the metropolis, attended by a magnificent throng of nobles,
ladies, and gentlemen, and a vast concourse of people from all the country
round. At Highgate she was met by the bishops, who kneeled by the
wayside and offered their allegiance. She received them graciously and
gave them all her hand to kiss, except Bonner, whom she treated with
marked coldness, on account of his atrocious cruelties: an intimation of her
own intentions on the score of religion which gave satisfaction to the
people. In the pageantry which was got up to grace her entry into London, a
figure representing "Truth" dropped from one of the triumphal arches, and
laid before the young Queen a copy of the Scriptures. Holinshed says she
revived the book with becoming reverence, and, pressing it to her bosom,
declared that of all the gifts and honours conferred upon her by the loyalty
of the people this was the most acceptable. Yet Green,[51] in describing
Elizabeth's reign, says: "Nothing is more revolting in the Queen, but
nothing is more characteristic, than her shameless mendacity. It was an age
of political lying, but in the profusion and recklessness of her lies Elizabeth
stood without a peer in Christendom."
Sir William Fitzwilliam, writing to Mr. More, of Loseley, Surrey, a few
weeks after the accession of Elizabeth, as an important piece of Court news,
says: "You shall understand that yesterday, being Christmas Day, the
Queen's Majesty repaired to her great closet with her nobles and ladies, as
hath been accustomed in such high feasts; and she, perceiving a bishop
preparing himself to mass, all in the old form, tarried there until the gospel
was done, and when all the people looked for her to have offered according
to the old fashion, she with her nobles returned again from the closet and
Page 158
the mass, on to her privy chamber, which was strange unto divers. Blessed
be God in all His gifts."
During the Christmas festival (1558) preparations went on for the
coronation of Elizabeth, which was to take place on the 15th of January. On
the 12th of that month she proceeded to the Tower by water, attended by the
lord mayor and citizens, and greeted with peals of ordnance, with music and
gorgeous pageantry—a marked contrast to her previous entrance there as a
suspected traitor in imminent peril of her life. Two days later the Queen
rode in state from the Tower to Westminster, "most honourably
accompanied, as well with gentlemen, barons, and other the nobility of this
realm, as also with a notable train of godly and beautiful ladies, richly
appointed," and all riding on horseback. The streets through which the
procession passed were adorned with stately pageants, costly decorations,
and various artistic devices, and were crowded with enthusiastic spectators,
eager to welcome their new sovereign, and to applaud "the signs they
noticed in her of a most prince-like courage, and great readiness of wit." On
the following day (Sunday, the 15th of January) Elizabeth was crowned in
Westminster Abbey, by Dr. Oglethorpe, Bishop of Carlisle, "Queen of
England, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith." The ceremonials of
the coronation were regulated according to ancient custom, and the
entertainment in Westminster Hall was on a scale of great magnificence.
be God in all His gifts."
During the Christmas festival (1558) preparations went on for the
coronation of Elizabeth, which was to take place on the 15th of January. On
the 12th of that month she proceeded to the Tower by water, attended by the
lord mayor and citizens, and greeted with peals of ordnance, with music and
gorgeous pageantry—a marked contrast to her previous entrance there as a
suspected traitor in imminent peril of her life. Two days later the Queen
rode in state from the Tower to Westminster, "most honourably
accompanied, as well with gentlemen, barons, and other the nobility of this
realm, as also with a notable train of godly and beautiful ladies, richly
appointed," and all riding on horseback. The streets through which the
procession passed were adorned with stately pageants, costly decorations,
and various artistic devices, and were crowded with enthusiastic spectators,
eager to welcome their new sovereign, and to applaud "the signs they
noticed in her of a most prince-like courage, and great readiness of wit." On
the following day (Sunday, the 15th of January) Elizabeth was crowned in
Westminster Abbey, by Dr. Oglethorpe, Bishop of Carlisle, "Queen of
England, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith." The ceremonials of
the coronation were regulated according to ancient custom, and the
entertainment in Westminster Hall was on a scale of great magnificence.
Page 159
a dumb show in the time of elizabeth.
(From Messrs. Cassels & Co.'s "English Plays," by permission.)
Elizabeth was particularly fond of dramatic displays, and her first Royal
Christmas was celebrated with plays and pageants of a most costly
description. Complaints, however, being made of the expense of these
entertainments, she determined to control them, and directed an estimate to
be made in the second year of her reign for the masques and pastimes to be
shown before her at Christmas and Shrovetide. Sir Thomas Cawarden was
then, as he had for some time previous been, Master of the Revels.
According to Collier, the estimate amounted to £227 11s. 2d., being nearly
£200 less than the expenses in the former year. The control over the
expenses, however, must soon have ceased, for in subsequent years the
sums were greatly enlarged.
(From Messrs. Cassels & Co.'s "English Plays," by permission.)
Elizabeth was particularly fond of dramatic displays, and her first Royal
Christmas was celebrated with plays and pageants of a most costly
description. Complaints, however, being made of the expense of these
entertainments, she determined to control them, and directed an estimate to
be made in the second year of her reign for the masques and pastimes to be
shown before her at Christmas and Shrovetide. Sir Thomas Cawarden was
then, as he had for some time previous been, Master of the Revels.
According to Collier, the estimate amounted to £227 11s. 2d., being nearly
£200 less than the expenses in the former year. The control over the
expenses, however, must soon have ceased, for in subsequent years the
sums were greatly enlarged.
Page 160
Nichols[52] mentions that on Twelfth Day, 1559, in the afternoon, the Lord
Mayor and Aldermen, and all the crafts of London, and the Bachelors of the
Mayor's Company, went in procession to St. Paul's, after the old custom,
and there did hear a sermon. The same day a stage was set up in the hall for
a play; and after the play was over, there was a fine mask; and, afterwards, a
great banquet which lasted till midnight.
In this reign a more decorous and even refined style of entertainment had
usurped the place of the boisterous feastings of former times, but there was
no diminution in that ancient spirit of hospitality, the exercise of which had
become a part of the national faith. This is evident from the poems of
Thomas Tusser (born 1515—died 1580) and other writers, who show that
the English noblemen and yeomen of that time made hospitality a
prominent feature in the festivities of the Christmas season. In his
"Christmas Husbandry Fare," Tusser says:—
"Good husband and housewife, now chiefly be glad
Things handsome to have, as they ought to be had,
They both do provide against Christmas do come,
To welcome their neighbour, good cheer to have some;
Good bread and good drink, a good fire in the hall,
Brawn pudding and souse, and good mustard withal.
Beef, mutton, and pork, shred pies of the best,
Pig, veal, goose, and capon, and turkey well dressed;
Cheese, apples, and nuts, jolly carols to hear,
As then in the country is counted good cheer.
What cost to good husband is any of this?
Good household provision only it is;
Of other the like I do leave out a many,
That costeth the husbandman never a penny."
Grand Christmas of the Inner Temple, 1561-2.
Professor Henry Morley[53] says the first English tragedy, "Gorboduc," was
written for the Christmas festivities of the Inner Temple in the year 1561 by
Mayor and Aldermen, and all the crafts of London, and the Bachelors of the
Mayor's Company, went in procession to St. Paul's, after the old custom,
and there did hear a sermon. The same day a stage was set up in the hall for
a play; and after the play was over, there was a fine mask; and, afterwards, a
great banquet which lasted till midnight.
In this reign a more decorous and even refined style of entertainment had
usurped the place of the boisterous feastings of former times, but there was
no diminution in that ancient spirit of hospitality, the exercise of which had
become a part of the national faith. This is evident from the poems of
Thomas Tusser (born 1515—died 1580) and other writers, who show that
the English noblemen and yeomen of that time made hospitality a
prominent feature in the festivities of the Christmas season. In his
"Christmas Husbandry Fare," Tusser says:—
"Good husband and housewife, now chiefly be glad
Things handsome to have, as they ought to be had,
They both do provide against Christmas do come,
To welcome their neighbour, good cheer to have some;
Good bread and good drink, a good fire in the hall,
Brawn pudding and souse, and good mustard withal.
Beef, mutton, and pork, shred pies of the best,
Pig, veal, goose, and capon, and turkey well dressed;
Cheese, apples, and nuts, jolly carols to hear,
As then in the country is counted good cheer.
What cost to good husband is any of this?
Good household provision only it is;
Of other the like I do leave out a many,
That costeth the husbandman never a penny."
Grand Christmas of the Inner Temple, 1561-2.
Professor Henry Morley[53] says the first English tragedy, "Gorboduc," was
written for the Christmas festivities of the Inner Temple in the year 1561 by
Page 161
two young members of that Inn—Thomas Norton, then twenty-nine years
old, and Thomas Sackville, then aged twenty-five. And the play was
performed at this "Grand Christmass" kept by the members of the Inner
Temple. Before a "Grand Christmas" was kept the matter was discussed in a
parliament of the Inn, held on the eve of St. Thomas's Day, December 21st.
If it was resolved upon, the two youngest of those who served as butlers for
the festival lighted two torches, with which they preceded the benchers to
the upper end of the hall. The senior bencher there made a speech; officers
were appointed for the occasion, "and then, in token of joy and good liking,
the Bench and company pass beneath the hearth and sing a carol."[54] The
revellings began on Christmas Eve, when three Masters of the Revels sat at
the head of one of the tables. All took their places to the sound of music
played before the hearth. Then the musicians withdrew to the buttery, and
were themselves feasted. They returned when dinner was ended to sing a
song at the highest table. Then all tables were cleared, and revels and
dancing were begun, to be continued until supper and after supper. The
senior Master of the Revels, after dinner and after supper, sang a carol or
song, and commanded other gentlemen there present to join him. This form
of high festivity was maintained during the twelve days of Christmas,
closing on Twelfth Night. On Christmas Day (which in 1561 was a
Thursday), at the first course of the dinner, the boar's head was brought in
upon a platter, followed by minstrelsy. On St. Stephen's Day, December the
26th, the Constable Marshal entered the hall in gilt armour, with a nest of
feathers of all colours on his helm, and a gilt pole-axe in his hand; with him
sixteen trumpeters, four drums and fifes, and four men armed from the
middle upward. Those all marched three times about the hearth, and the
Constable Marshal, then kneeling to the Lord Chancellor, made a speech,
desiring the honour of admission into his service, delivered his naked
sword, and was solemnly seated. That was the usual ceremonial when a
Grand Christmas was kept. At this particular Christmas, 1561, in the fourth
year of Elizabeth, it was Lord Robert Dudley, afterwards Earl of Leicester,
who was Constable Marshal, and with chivalrous gallantry, taking in
fantastic style the name of Palaphilos, Knight of the Honourable Order of
Pegasus, Pegasus being the armorial device of the Inner Temple, he
contributed to the splendour of this part of the entertainment. After the
seating of the Constable Marshal, on the same St. Stephen's Day, December
the 26th, the Master of the Game entered in green velvet, and the Ranger of
old, and Thomas Sackville, then aged twenty-five. And the play was
performed at this "Grand Christmass" kept by the members of the Inner
Temple. Before a "Grand Christmas" was kept the matter was discussed in a
parliament of the Inn, held on the eve of St. Thomas's Day, December 21st.
If it was resolved upon, the two youngest of those who served as butlers for
the festival lighted two torches, with which they preceded the benchers to
the upper end of the hall. The senior bencher there made a speech; officers
were appointed for the occasion, "and then, in token of joy and good liking,
the Bench and company pass beneath the hearth and sing a carol."[54] The
revellings began on Christmas Eve, when three Masters of the Revels sat at
the head of one of the tables. All took their places to the sound of music
played before the hearth. Then the musicians withdrew to the buttery, and
were themselves feasted. They returned when dinner was ended to sing a
song at the highest table. Then all tables were cleared, and revels and
dancing were begun, to be continued until supper and after supper. The
senior Master of the Revels, after dinner and after supper, sang a carol or
song, and commanded other gentlemen there present to join him. This form
of high festivity was maintained during the twelve days of Christmas,
closing on Twelfth Night. On Christmas Day (which in 1561 was a
Thursday), at the first course of the dinner, the boar's head was brought in
upon a platter, followed by minstrelsy. On St. Stephen's Day, December the
26th, the Constable Marshal entered the hall in gilt armour, with a nest of
feathers of all colours on his helm, and a gilt pole-axe in his hand; with him
sixteen trumpeters, four drums and fifes, and four men armed from the
middle upward. Those all marched three times about the hearth, and the
Constable Marshal, then kneeling to the Lord Chancellor, made a speech,
desiring the honour of admission into his service, delivered his naked
sword, and was solemnly seated. That was the usual ceremonial when a
Grand Christmas was kept. At this particular Christmas, 1561, in the fourth
year of Elizabeth, it was Lord Robert Dudley, afterwards Earl of Leicester,
who was Constable Marshal, and with chivalrous gallantry, taking in
fantastic style the name of Palaphilos, Knight of the Honourable Order of
Pegasus, Pegasus being the armorial device of the Inner Temple, he
contributed to the splendour of this part of the entertainment. After the
seating of the Constable Marshal, on the same St. Stephen's Day, December
the 26th, the Master of the Game entered in green velvet, and the Ranger of
Page 162
the Forest in green satin; these also went three times about the fire, blowing
their hunting-horns. When they also had been ceremoniously seated, there
entered a huntsman with a fox and a cat bound at the end of a staff. He was
followed by nine or ten couple of hounds, who hunted the fox and the cat to
the glowing horns, and killed them beneath the fire. After dinner, the
Constable Marshal called a burlesque Court, and began the Revels, with the
help of the Lord of Misrule. At seven o'clock in the morning of St. John's
Day, December the 27th (which was a Saturday in 1561) the Lord of
Misrule was afoot with power to summon men to breakfast with him when
service had closed in the church. After breakfast, the authority of this
Christmas official was in abeyance till the after-dinner Revels. So the
ceremonies went on till the Banqueting Night, which followed New Year's
Day. That was the night of hospitality. Invitations were sent out to every
House of Court, that they and the Inns of Chancery might see a play and
masque. The hall was furnished with scaffolds for the ladies who were then
invited to behold the sports. After the play, there was a banquet for the
ladies in the library; and in the hall there was also a banquet for the Lord
Chancellor and invited ancients of other Houses. On Twelfth Day, the last
of the Revels, there were brawn, mustard, and malmsey for breakfast after
morning prayer, and the dinner as on St. John's Day.
The following particulars of this "Grand Christmas" at the Inner Temple are
from Nichols's "Progresses of Queen Elizabeth":—
"In the fourth year of Queen Elizabeth's reign there was kept a magnificent
Christmas here; at which the Lord Robert Dudley (afterwards Earl of
Leicester) was the chief person (his title Palaphilos), being Constable and
Marshall; whose officers were as followeth:
Mr. Onslow, Lord Chancellour.
Anthony Stapleton, Lord Treasurer.
Robert Kelway, Lord Privy Seal.
John Fuller, Chief Justice of the King's Bench.
William Pole, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas.
Roger Manwood, Chief Baron of the Exchequer.
Mr. Bashe, Steward of the Household.
Mr. Copley, Marshall of the Household.
their hunting-horns. When they also had been ceremoniously seated, there
entered a huntsman with a fox and a cat bound at the end of a staff. He was
followed by nine or ten couple of hounds, who hunted the fox and the cat to
the glowing horns, and killed them beneath the fire. After dinner, the
Constable Marshal called a burlesque Court, and began the Revels, with the
help of the Lord of Misrule. At seven o'clock in the morning of St. John's
Day, December the 27th (which was a Saturday in 1561) the Lord of
Misrule was afoot with power to summon men to breakfast with him when
service had closed in the church. After breakfast, the authority of this
Christmas official was in abeyance till the after-dinner Revels. So the
ceremonies went on till the Banqueting Night, which followed New Year's
Day. That was the night of hospitality. Invitations were sent out to every
House of Court, that they and the Inns of Chancery might see a play and
masque. The hall was furnished with scaffolds for the ladies who were then
invited to behold the sports. After the play, there was a banquet for the
ladies in the library; and in the hall there was also a banquet for the Lord
Chancellor and invited ancients of other Houses. On Twelfth Day, the last
of the Revels, there were brawn, mustard, and malmsey for breakfast after
morning prayer, and the dinner as on St. John's Day.
The following particulars of this "Grand Christmas" at the Inner Temple are
from Nichols's "Progresses of Queen Elizabeth":—
"In the fourth year of Queen Elizabeth's reign there was kept a magnificent
Christmas here; at which the Lord Robert Dudley (afterwards Earl of
Leicester) was the chief person (his title Palaphilos), being Constable and
Marshall; whose officers were as followeth:
Mr. Onslow, Lord Chancellour.
Anthony Stapleton, Lord Treasurer.
Robert Kelway, Lord Privy Seal.
John Fuller, Chief Justice of the King's Bench.
William Pole, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas.
Roger Manwood, Chief Baron of the Exchequer.
Mr. Bashe, Steward of the Household.
Mr. Copley, Marshall of the Household.
Page 163
Mr. Paten, Chief Butler.
Christopher Hatton, Master of the Game. (He was afterwards Lord
Chancellor of England.)
Mr. Blaston
Mr. Yorke
Masters of the Revells.
Mr. Penston
Mr. Jervise
Mr. Parker, Lieutenant of the Tower.
Mr. Kendall, Carver.
Mr. Martin, Ranger of the Forests.
Mr. Stradling, Sewer.
"And there were fourscore of the Guard; beside divers others not here
named.
"Touching the particulars of this Grand Feast, Gerard Leigh, in his
'Accidence of Armory,' p. 119, &c., having spoken of the Pegasus borne for
the armes of this Society, thus goes on: 'After I had travelled through the
East parts of the unknown world, to understand of deedes of armes, and so
arriving in the fair river of Thames, I landed within half a league from the
City of London, which was (as I conjecture) in December last; and drawing
neer the City, suddenly heard the shot of double canons, in so great a
number, and so terrible, that it darkened the whole ayr; wherewith, although
I was in my native country, yet stood I amazed, not knowing what it meant.
Thus, as I abode in despair, either to return or to continue my former
purpose, I chanced to see coming towards me an honest citizen, clothed in a
long garment, keeping the highway, seeming to walk for his recreation,
which prognosticated rather peace than perill; of whom I demanded the
cause of this great shot; who friendly answered, "It is," quoth he, "a
warning shot to the Constable Marshall of the Inner Temple, to prepare to
dinner."
"'"Why," said I, "what, is he of that estate that seeketh no other means to
warn his officers than with so terrible shot in so peaceable a country?"
"Marry," saith he, "he uttereth himself the better to be that officer whose
name he beareth."
Christopher Hatton, Master of the Game. (He was afterwards Lord
Chancellor of England.)
Mr. Blaston
Mr. Yorke
Masters of the Revells.
Mr. Penston
Mr. Jervise
Mr. Parker, Lieutenant of the Tower.
Mr. Kendall, Carver.
Mr. Martin, Ranger of the Forests.
Mr. Stradling, Sewer.
"And there were fourscore of the Guard; beside divers others not here
named.
"Touching the particulars of this Grand Feast, Gerard Leigh, in his
'Accidence of Armory,' p. 119, &c., having spoken of the Pegasus borne for
the armes of this Society, thus goes on: 'After I had travelled through the
East parts of the unknown world, to understand of deedes of armes, and so
arriving in the fair river of Thames, I landed within half a league from the
City of London, which was (as I conjecture) in December last; and drawing
neer the City, suddenly heard the shot of double canons, in so great a
number, and so terrible, that it darkened the whole ayr; wherewith, although
I was in my native country, yet stood I amazed, not knowing what it meant.
Thus, as I abode in despair, either to return or to continue my former
purpose, I chanced to see coming towards me an honest citizen, clothed in a
long garment, keeping the highway, seeming to walk for his recreation,
which prognosticated rather peace than perill; of whom I demanded the
cause of this great shot; who friendly answered, "It is," quoth he, "a
warning shot to the Constable Marshall of the Inner Temple, to prepare to
dinner."
"'"Why," said I, "what, is he of that estate that seeketh no other means to
warn his officers than with so terrible shot in so peaceable a country?"
"Marry," saith he, "he uttereth himself the better to be that officer whose
name he beareth."
Page 164
"'I then demanded, "What province did he govern, that needed such an
officer?" He answered me, "The province was not great in quantity, but
antient in true nobility. A place," said he, "privileged by the most excellent
Princess the High Governor of the whole Island, wherein are store of
Gentlemen of the whole Realm, that repair thither to learn to rule and obey
by Law, to yield their fleece to their Prince and Commonweal; as also to use
all other exercises of body and mind whereunto nature most aptly serveth to
adorn, by speaking, countenance, gesture, and use of apparel the person of a
Gentleman; whereby amity is obtained, and continued, that Gentlemen of
all countries, in their young years, nourished together in one place, with
such comely order, and daily conference, are knit by continual acquaintance
in such unity of minds and manners as lightly never after is severed, than
which is nothing more profitable to the Commonweale."
"'And after he had told me thus much of honour of the place, I commended
in mine own conceit the policy of the Governour, which seemed to utter in
itself the foundation of a good Commonweal; for that, the best of their
people from tender years trained up in precepts of justice, it could not
choose but yield forth a profitable People to a wise Commonweal;
wherefore I determined with myself to make proof of what I heard by
report.
"'The next day I thought of my pastime to walk to this Temple, and entring
in at the gates, I found the building nothing costly; but many comely
Gentlemen of face and person, and thereto very courteous, saw I to pass to
and fro, so as it seemed a Prince's port to be at hand; and passing forward,
entred into a Church of antient building, wherein were many monuments of
noble personages armed in knightly habit, with their cotes depainted in
ancient shields, whereat I took pleasure to behold. Thus gazing as one bereft
with the rare sight, there came unto me an Hereaught, by name Palaphilos, a
King of Armes, who courteously saluted me, saying, "For that I was a
stranger, and seeming by my demeanour a lover of honour, I was his guest
of right," whose courtesy (as reason was) I obeyed; answering, "I was at his
commandment."
"'"Then," said he, "ye shall go to mine own lodging here within the Palace,
where we will have such cheer as the time and country will yield us;"
officer?" He answered me, "The province was not great in quantity, but
antient in true nobility. A place," said he, "privileged by the most excellent
Princess the High Governor of the whole Island, wherein are store of
Gentlemen of the whole Realm, that repair thither to learn to rule and obey
by Law, to yield their fleece to their Prince and Commonweal; as also to use
all other exercises of body and mind whereunto nature most aptly serveth to
adorn, by speaking, countenance, gesture, and use of apparel the person of a
Gentleman; whereby amity is obtained, and continued, that Gentlemen of
all countries, in their young years, nourished together in one place, with
such comely order, and daily conference, are knit by continual acquaintance
in such unity of minds and manners as lightly never after is severed, than
which is nothing more profitable to the Commonweale."
"'And after he had told me thus much of honour of the place, I commended
in mine own conceit the policy of the Governour, which seemed to utter in
itself the foundation of a good Commonweal; for that, the best of their
people from tender years trained up in precepts of justice, it could not
choose but yield forth a profitable People to a wise Commonweal;
wherefore I determined with myself to make proof of what I heard by
report.
"'The next day I thought of my pastime to walk to this Temple, and entring
in at the gates, I found the building nothing costly; but many comely
Gentlemen of face and person, and thereto very courteous, saw I to pass to
and fro, so as it seemed a Prince's port to be at hand; and passing forward,
entred into a Church of antient building, wherein were many monuments of
noble personages armed in knightly habit, with their cotes depainted in
ancient shields, whereat I took pleasure to behold. Thus gazing as one bereft
with the rare sight, there came unto me an Hereaught, by name Palaphilos, a
King of Armes, who courteously saluted me, saying, "For that I was a
stranger, and seeming by my demeanour a lover of honour, I was his guest
of right," whose courtesy (as reason was) I obeyed; answering, "I was at his
commandment."
"'"Then," said he, "ye shall go to mine own lodging here within the Palace,
where we will have such cheer as the time and country will yield us;"
Page 165
where, I assure you I was so entertained, and no where I met with better
cheer or company, &c.
"'—Thus talking, we entred the Prince his Hall, where anon we heard the
noise of drum and fyfe. "What meaneth this drum?" said I. Quoth he, "This
is to warn Gentlemen of the Houshold to repair to the dresser; wherefore
come on with me, and ye shall stand where ye may best see the Hall
served:" and so from thence brought me into a long gallery, that stretched
itself along the Hall neer the Prince's table, where I saw the Prince set: a
man of tall personage, a manly countenance, somewhat brown of visage,
strongly featured, and thereto comely proportioned in all lineaments of
body. At the nether end of the same table were placed the Embassadors of
sundry Princes. Before him stood the carver, sewer, and cupbearer, with
great number of gentlemen-wayters attending his person; the ushers making
place to strangers, of sundry regions that came to behold the honour of this
mighty Captain. After the placing of these honourable guests, the Lord
Steward, Treasurer, and Keeper of Pallas Seal, with divers honourable
personages of that Nobility, were placed at a side-table neer adjoining the
Prince on the right hand: and at another table, on the left side, were placed
the Treasurer of the Houshold, Secretary, the Prince his Serjeant at the Law,
four Masters of the Revels, the King of Arms, the Dean of the Chappel, and
divers Gentlemen Pensioners to furnish the same.
"'At another table, on the other side, were set the Master of the Game, and
his Chief Ranger, Masters of Houshold, Clerks of the Green Cloth and
Check, with divers other strangers to furnish the same.
"'On the other side against them began the table, the Lieutenant of the
Tower, accompanied with divers Captains of foot-bands and shot. At the
nether end of the Hall began the table, the High Butler, the Panter, Clerks of
the Kitchen, Master Cook of the Privy Kitchen, furnished throughout with
the souldiers and Guard of the Prince: all which, with number of inferior
officers placed and served in the Hall, besides the great resort of strangers, I
spare to write.
"'The Prince so served with tender meats, sweet fruits, and dainty delicates
confectioned with curious cookery, as it seemed wonder a world to observe
the provision: and at every course the trumpetters blew the couragious blast
cheer or company, &c.
"'—Thus talking, we entred the Prince his Hall, where anon we heard the
noise of drum and fyfe. "What meaneth this drum?" said I. Quoth he, "This
is to warn Gentlemen of the Houshold to repair to the dresser; wherefore
come on with me, and ye shall stand where ye may best see the Hall
served:" and so from thence brought me into a long gallery, that stretched
itself along the Hall neer the Prince's table, where I saw the Prince set: a
man of tall personage, a manly countenance, somewhat brown of visage,
strongly featured, and thereto comely proportioned in all lineaments of
body. At the nether end of the same table were placed the Embassadors of
sundry Princes. Before him stood the carver, sewer, and cupbearer, with
great number of gentlemen-wayters attending his person; the ushers making
place to strangers, of sundry regions that came to behold the honour of this
mighty Captain. After the placing of these honourable guests, the Lord
Steward, Treasurer, and Keeper of Pallas Seal, with divers honourable
personages of that Nobility, were placed at a side-table neer adjoining the
Prince on the right hand: and at another table, on the left side, were placed
the Treasurer of the Houshold, Secretary, the Prince his Serjeant at the Law,
four Masters of the Revels, the King of Arms, the Dean of the Chappel, and
divers Gentlemen Pensioners to furnish the same.
"'At another table, on the other side, were set the Master of the Game, and
his Chief Ranger, Masters of Houshold, Clerks of the Green Cloth and
Check, with divers other strangers to furnish the same.
"'On the other side against them began the table, the Lieutenant of the
Tower, accompanied with divers Captains of foot-bands and shot. At the
nether end of the Hall began the table, the High Butler, the Panter, Clerks of
the Kitchen, Master Cook of the Privy Kitchen, furnished throughout with
the souldiers and Guard of the Prince: all which, with number of inferior
officers placed and served in the Hall, besides the great resort of strangers, I
spare to write.
"'The Prince so served with tender meats, sweet fruits, and dainty delicates
confectioned with curious cookery, as it seemed wonder a world to observe
the provision: and at every course the trumpetters blew the couragious blast
Page 166
of deadly war, with noise of drum and fyfe, with the sweet harmony of
violins, sack-butts, recorders, and cornetts, with other instruments of
musick, as it seemed Apollo's harp had tuned their stroke.
"'Thus the Hall was served after the most ancient order of the Island; in
commendation whereof I say, I have also seen the service of great Princes,
in solemn seasons and times of triumph, yet the order hereof was not
inferior to any.
"'But to proceed, this Herehaught Palaphilos, even before the second course
came in, standing at the high table, said in this manner: "The mighty
Palaphilos, Prince of Sophie, High Constable Marshall of the Knights
Templars, Patron of the Honourable Order of Pegasus:" and therewith
cryeth, "A Largess." The Prince, praysing the Herehaught, bountifully
rewarded him with a chain to the value of an hundred talents.
"'I assure you I languish for want of cunning ripely to utter that I saw so
orderly handled appertaining to service; wherefore I cease, and return to my
purpose.
"'The supper ended, and tables taken up, the High Constable rose, and a
while stood under the place of honour, where his achievement was
beautifully embroidered, and devised of sundry matters, with the
Ambassadors of foreign nations, as he thought good, till Palaphilos, King of
Armes, came in, his Herehaught Marshal, and Pursuivant before him; and
after followed his messenger and Calligate Knight; who putting off his
coronal, made his humble obeysance to the Prince, by whom he was
commanded to draw neer, and understand his pleasure; saying to him; in
few words, to this effect: "Palaphilos, seeing it hath pleased the high Pallas,
to think me to demerit the office of this place; and thereto this night past
vouchsafed to descend from heavens to increase my further honour, by
creating me Knight of her Order of Pegasus; as also commanded me to join
in the same Society such valiant Gentlemen throughout her province, whose
living honour hath best deserved the same, the choice whereof most aptly
belongeth to your skill, being the watchman of their doings, and register of
their deserts; I will ye choose as well throughout our whole armyes, as
elsewhere, of such special gentlemen, as the gods hath appointed, the
number of twenty-four, and the names of them present us: commanding also
violins, sack-butts, recorders, and cornetts, with other instruments of
musick, as it seemed Apollo's harp had tuned their stroke.
"'Thus the Hall was served after the most ancient order of the Island; in
commendation whereof I say, I have also seen the service of great Princes,
in solemn seasons and times of triumph, yet the order hereof was not
inferior to any.
"'But to proceed, this Herehaught Palaphilos, even before the second course
came in, standing at the high table, said in this manner: "The mighty
Palaphilos, Prince of Sophie, High Constable Marshall of the Knights
Templars, Patron of the Honourable Order of Pegasus:" and therewith
cryeth, "A Largess." The Prince, praysing the Herehaught, bountifully
rewarded him with a chain to the value of an hundred talents.
"'I assure you I languish for want of cunning ripely to utter that I saw so
orderly handled appertaining to service; wherefore I cease, and return to my
purpose.
"'The supper ended, and tables taken up, the High Constable rose, and a
while stood under the place of honour, where his achievement was
beautifully embroidered, and devised of sundry matters, with the
Ambassadors of foreign nations, as he thought good, till Palaphilos, King of
Armes, came in, his Herehaught Marshal, and Pursuivant before him; and
after followed his messenger and Calligate Knight; who putting off his
coronal, made his humble obeysance to the Prince, by whom he was
commanded to draw neer, and understand his pleasure; saying to him; in
few words, to this effect: "Palaphilos, seeing it hath pleased the high Pallas,
to think me to demerit the office of this place; and thereto this night past
vouchsafed to descend from heavens to increase my further honour, by
creating me Knight of her Order of Pegasus; as also commanded me to join
in the same Society such valiant Gentlemen throughout her province, whose
living honour hath best deserved the same, the choice whereof most aptly
belongeth to your skill, being the watchman of their doings, and register of
their deserts; I will ye choose as well throughout our whole armyes, as
elsewhere, of such special gentlemen, as the gods hath appointed, the
number of twenty-four, and the names of them present us: commanding also
Page 167
those chosen persons to appear in our presence in knightly habit, that with
conveniency we may proceed in our purpose." This done, Palaphilos
obeying his Prince's commandement, with twenty-four valiant Knights, all
apparelled in long white vestures, with each man a scarf of Pallas colours,
and them presented, with their names, to the Prince; who allowed well his
choise, and commanded him to do his office. Who, after his duty to the
Prince, bowed towards these worthy personages, standing every man in his
antienty, as he had borne armes in the field, and began to shew his Prince's
pleasure; with the honour of the Order.'"
"Other Particulars touching these Grand Christmasses, extracted out of the
Accompts of the House.
"First, it hath been the duty of the Steward, to provide five fat brawns,
vessels, wood, and other necessaries belonging to the kitchen: as also all
manner of spices, flesh, fowl, and other cates for the kitchen.
"The office of the Chief Butler, to provide a rich cupboard of plate, silver
and parcel gilt: seaven dozen of silver and gilt spoons: twelve fair salt-
cellers, likewise silver and gilt: twenty candlesticks of the like.
"Twelve fine large table cloths, of damask and diaper. Twenty dozen of
napkins suitable at the least. Three dozen of fair large towels; whereof the
Gentleman Sewers, and Butlers of the House, to have every of them one at
mealtimes, during their attendance. Likewise to provide carving knives;
twenty dozen of white cups and green potts: a carving table; torches; bread,
beer, and ale. And the chief of the Butlers was to give attendance on the
highest table in the Hall, with wine, ale and beer: and all the other Butlers to
attend at the other tables in like sort.
"The cupboard of plate is to remain in the Hall on Christmas Day, St.
Stephen's Day and New Year's Day, from breakfast time ended untill after
supper. Upon the banquetting night it was removed into the buttry; which in
all respects was very laudably performed.
"The office of the Constable Marshall to provide for his employment, a fair
gilt compleat harneys, with a nest of fethers in the helm; a fair pole-axe to
bear in his hand, to be chevalrously ordered on Christmas Day and other
days, as afterwards is shewed; touching the ordering and settling of all
conveniency we may proceed in our purpose." This done, Palaphilos
obeying his Prince's commandement, with twenty-four valiant Knights, all
apparelled in long white vestures, with each man a scarf of Pallas colours,
and them presented, with their names, to the Prince; who allowed well his
choise, and commanded him to do his office. Who, after his duty to the
Prince, bowed towards these worthy personages, standing every man in his
antienty, as he had borne armes in the field, and began to shew his Prince's
pleasure; with the honour of the Order.'"
"Other Particulars touching these Grand Christmasses, extracted out of the
Accompts of the House.
"First, it hath been the duty of the Steward, to provide five fat brawns,
vessels, wood, and other necessaries belonging to the kitchen: as also all
manner of spices, flesh, fowl, and other cates for the kitchen.
"The office of the Chief Butler, to provide a rich cupboard of plate, silver
and parcel gilt: seaven dozen of silver and gilt spoons: twelve fair salt-
cellers, likewise silver and gilt: twenty candlesticks of the like.
"Twelve fine large table cloths, of damask and diaper. Twenty dozen of
napkins suitable at the least. Three dozen of fair large towels; whereof the
Gentleman Sewers, and Butlers of the House, to have every of them one at
mealtimes, during their attendance. Likewise to provide carving knives;
twenty dozen of white cups and green potts: a carving table; torches; bread,
beer, and ale. And the chief of the Butlers was to give attendance on the
highest table in the Hall, with wine, ale and beer: and all the other Butlers to
attend at the other tables in like sort.
"The cupboard of plate is to remain in the Hall on Christmas Day, St.
Stephen's Day and New Year's Day, from breakfast time ended untill after
supper. Upon the banquetting night it was removed into the buttry; which in
all respects was very laudably performed.
"The office of the Constable Marshall to provide for his employment, a fair
gilt compleat harneys, with a nest of fethers in the helm; a fair pole-axe to
bear in his hand, to be chevalrously ordered on Christmas Day and other
days, as afterwards is shewed; touching the ordering and settling of all
Page 168
which ceremonies, during the said Grand Christmas, a solemn consultation
was held at their Parliament in this house; in the form following:
"First, at the Parliament kept in their Parliament Chamber in this House, on
the even at night of St. Thomas the Apostle, officers are to attend, according
as they had been long before that time, at a former Parliament named and
elected to undergo several offices for this time of solemnity, honour, and
pleasance; of which officers these are the most eminent; namely, the
Steward, Marshall, Constable Marshall, Butler and Master of the Game.
These officers are made known and elected in Trinity Term next before; and
to have knowledg thereof by letters, in the country, to the end they may
prepare themselves against All-Hallow-tide; that, if such nominated officers
happen to fail, others may then be chosen in their rooms. The other officers
are appointed at other times nearer Christmas Day.
"If the Steward, or any of the said officers named in Trinity Term, refuse or
fail, he or they were fined every one, at the discretion of the Bench; and the
officers aforenamed agreed upon. And at such a Parliament, if it be fully
resolved to proceed with such a Grand Christmas, then the two youngest
Butlers must light two torches, and go before the Bench to the upper end of
the Hall; who being set down, the antientest Bencher delivereth a speech
briefly, to the whole society of Gentlemen then present, touching their
consent as afore: which ended, the eldest Butler is to publish all the officers'
names, appointed in Parliament; and then in token of joy and good-liking,
the Bench and Company pass beneath the harth, and sing a carol, and so to
boyer.
"Christmas Eve.—The Marshall at dinner is to place at the highest table's
end, and next to the Library, all on one side thereof, the most antient
persons in the company present: the Dean of the Chappel next to him; then
an antient or Bencher, beneath him. At the other end of the table, the Sewer,
Cup-bearer, and Carver. At the upper end of the bench-table, the King's
Serjeant and Chief Butler; and when the Steward hath served in, and set on
the table the first mess, then he is also to sit down.
"Also at the supper end of the other table, on the other side of the Hall, are
to be placed the three Masters of the Revels; and at the lower end of the
bench-table are to sit, the King's Attorney, the Ranger of the Forest, and the
was held at their Parliament in this house; in the form following:
"First, at the Parliament kept in their Parliament Chamber in this House, on
the even at night of St. Thomas the Apostle, officers are to attend, according
as they had been long before that time, at a former Parliament named and
elected to undergo several offices for this time of solemnity, honour, and
pleasance; of which officers these are the most eminent; namely, the
Steward, Marshall, Constable Marshall, Butler and Master of the Game.
These officers are made known and elected in Trinity Term next before; and
to have knowledg thereof by letters, in the country, to the end they may
prepare themselves against All-Hallow-tide; that, if such nominated officers
happen to fail, others may then be chosen in their rooms. The other officers
are appointed at other times nearer Christmas Day.
"If the Steward, or any of the said officers named in Trinity Term, refuse or
fail, he or they were fined every one, at the discretion of the Bench; and the
officers aforenamed agreed upon. And at such a Parliament, if it be fully
resolved to proceed with such a Grand Christmas, then the two youngest
Butlers must light two torches, and go before the Bench to the upper end of
the Hall; who being set down, the antientest Bencher delivereth a speech
briefly, to the whole society of Gentlemen then present, touching their
consent as afore: which ended, the eldest Butler is to publish all the officers'
names, appointed in Parliament; and then in token of joy and good-liking,
the Bench and Company pass beneath the harth, and sing a carol, and so to
boyer.
"Christmas Eve.—The Marshall at dinner is to place at the highest table's
end, and next to the Library, all on one side thereof, the most antient
persons in the company present: the Dean of the Chappel next to him; then
an antient or Bencher, beneath him. At the other end of the table, the Sewer,
Cup-bearer, and Carver. At the upper end of the bench-table, the King's
Serjeant and Chief Butler; and when the Steward hath served in, and set on
the table the first mess, then he is also to sit down.
"Also at the supper end of the other table, on the other side of the Hall, are
to be placed the three Masters of the Revels; and at the lower end of the
bench-table are to sit, the King's Attorney, the Ranger of the Forest, and the
Page 169
Master of the Game. And at the lower end of the table, on the other side of
the Hall, the fourth Master of the Revels, the Common Serjeant, and
Constable-Marshall. And at the upper end of the Utter Barrister's table, the
Marshal sitteth, when he hath served in the first mess; the Clark of the
Kitchen also, and the Clark of the Sowce-tub, when they have done their
offices in the kitchen, sit down. And at the upper end of the Clark's table,
the Lieutenant of the Tower, and the attendant to the Buttery are placed.
"At these two tables last rehersed, the persons they may sit upon both sides
of the table; but of the other three tables all are to sit upon one side. And
then the Butlers or Christmas Servants, are first to cover the tables with fair
linnen table-cloths; and furnish them with salt-cellers, napkins, and
trenchers, and a silver spoon. And then the Butlers of the House must place
at the salt-celler, at every the said first three highest tables, a stock of
trenchers and bread; and at the other tables, bread onely without trenchers.
"At the first course the minstrels must sound their instruments, and go
before; and the Steward and Marshall are next to follow together; and after
them the Gentleman Sewer; and then cometh the meat. Those three officers
are to make altogether three solemn curtesies, at three several times,
between the skreen and the upper table; beginning with the first at the end
of the Bencher's table; the second at the midst; and the third at the other
end; and then standing by the Sewer performeth his office.
"When the first table is set and served, the Steward's table is next to be
served. After him the Master's table of the Revells; then that of the Master
of the Game. The High Constable-Marshall; then the Lieutenant of the
Tower; then the Utter Barrister's table; and lastly the Clerk's table; all which
time the musick must stand right above the harth side, with the noise of
their musick; their faces direct towards the highest table; and that done, to
return into the buttry, with their music sounding.
"At the second course every table is to be served as at the first course, in
every respect; which performed the Servitors and Musicians are to resort to
the place assigned for them to dine at; which is the Valects or Yeoman's
table, beneath the skreen. Dinner ended the musicians prepare to sing a
song, at the highest table: which ceremony accomplished, then the officers
are to address themselves every one in his office, to avoid the tables in fair
the Hall, the fourth Master of the Revels, the Common Serjeant, and
Constable-Marshall. And at the upper end of the Utter Barrister's table, the
Marshal sitteth, when he hath served in the first mess; the Clark of the
Kitchen also, and the Clark of the Sowce-tub, when they have done their
offices in the kitchen, sit down. And at the upper end of the Clark's table,
the Lieutenant of the Tower, and the attendant to the Buttery are placed.
"At these two tables last rehersed, the persons they may sit upon both sides
of the table; but of the other three tables all are to sit upon one side. And
then the Butlers or Christmas Servants, are first to cover the tables with fair
linnen table-cloths; and furnish them with salt-cellers, napkins, and
trenchers, and a silver spoon. And then the Butlers of the House must place
at the salt-celler, at every the said first three highest tables, a stock of
trenchers and bread; and at the other tables, bread onely without trenchers.
"At the first course the minstrels must sound their instruments, and go
before; and the Steward and Marshall are next to follow together; and after
them the Gentleman Sewer; and then cometh the meat. Those three officers
are to make altogether three solemn curtesies, at three several times,
between the skreen and the upper table; beginning with the first at the end
of the Bencher's table; the second at the midst; and the third at the other
end; and then standing by the Sewer performeth his office.
"When the first table is set and served, the Steward's table is next to be
served. After him the Master's table of the Revells; then that of the Master
of the Game. The High Constable-Marshall; then the Lieutenant of the
Tower; then the Utter Barrister's table; and lastly the Clerk's table; all which
time the musick must stand right above the harth side, with the noise of
their musick; their faces direct towards the highest table; and that done, to
return into the buttry, with their music sounding.
"At the second course every table is to be served as at the first course, in
every respect; which performed the Servitors and Musicians are to resort to
the place assigned for them to dine at; which is the Valects or Yeoman's
table, beneath the skreen. Dinner ended the musicians prepare to sing a
song, at the highest table: which ceremony accomplished, then the officers
are to address themselves every one in his office, to avoid the tables in fair
Page 170
and decent manner, they beginning at the Clerk's table; thence proceed to
the next; and thence to all the others till the highest table be solemnly
avoided.
"Then, after a little repose, the persons at the highest table arise and prepare
to revells: in which time, the Butlers, and other Servitors with them, are to
dine in the Library.
"At both the doors in the hall are porters, to view the comers in and out at
meal times; to each of them is allowed a cast of bread, and a caudle nightly
after supper.
"At night before supper are revels and dancing, and so also after supper
during the twelve daies of Christmas. The antientest Master of the Revels is,
after dinner and supper, to sing a caroll or song; and command other
gentlemen then there present to sing with him and the company; and so it is
very decently performed.
"A repast at dinner is 8d.
"Christmas Day.—Service in the Church ended, the Gentlemen presently
repair into the hall to breakfast, with brawn, mustard and malmsey.
"At dinner, the Butler appointed for the Grand Christmas, is to see the
tables covered and furnished: and the Ordinary Butlers of the House are
decently to set bread, napkins, and trenchers in good form, at every table;
with spoones and knives.
"At the first course is served in a fair and large bore's-head, upon a silver
platter, with minstralsye. Two Gentlemen in gowns are to attend at supper,
and to bear two fair torches of wax, next before the Musicians and
Trumpetters, and to stand above the fire with the musick till the first course
be served in through the Hall. Which performed, they, with the musick, are
to return into the buttery. The like course is to be observed in all things,
during the time of Christmas. The like at supper.
"At service time, this evening, the two youngest Butlers are to bear two
torches Genealogia.
the next; and thence to all the others till the highest table be solemnly
avoided.
"Then, after a little repose, the persons at the highest table arise and prepare
to revells: in which time, the Butlers, and other Servitors with them, are to
dine in the Library.
"At both the doors in the hall are porters, to view the comers in and out at
meal times; to each of them is allowed a cast of bread, and a caudle nightly
after supper.
"At night before supper are revels and dancing, and so also after supper
during the twelve daies of Christmas. The antientest Master of the Revels is,
after dinner and supper, to sing a caroll or song; and command other
gentlemen then there present to sing with him and the company; and so it is
very decently performed.
"A repast at dinner is 8d.
"Christmas Day.—Service in the Church ended, the Gentlemen presently
repair into the hall to breakfast, with brawn, mustard and malmsey.
"At dinner, the Butler appointed for the Grand Christmas, is to see the
tables covered and furnished: and the Ordinary Butlers of the House are
decently to set bread, napkins, and trenchers in good form, at every table;
with spoones and knives.
"At the first course is served in a fair and large bore's-head, upon a silver
platter, with minstralsye. Two Gentlemen in gowns are to attend at supper,
and to bear two fair torches of wax, next before the Musicians and
Trumpetters, and to stand above the fire with the musick till the first course
be served in through the Hall. Which performed, they, with the musick, are
to return into the buttery. The like course is to be observed in all things,
during the time of Christmas. The like at supper.
"At service time, this evening, the two youngest Butlers are to bear two
torches Genealogia.
Page 171
"A repast at dinner is 12d. which strangers of worth are admitted to take in
the Hall; and such are to be placed at the discretion of the Marshall.
"St. Stephen's Day.—The Butler, appointed for Christmas, is to see the
tables covered, and furnished with salt-sellers, napkins, bread, trenchers,
and spoons. Young Gentlemen of the House are to attend and serve till the
latter dinner, and then dine themselves.
"This day the Sewer, Carver, and Cup-bearer are to serve as afore. After the
first course served in, the Constable-Marshall cometh into the Hall, arrayed
with a fair rich compleat harneys, white and bright, and gilt, with a nest of
fethers of all colours upon his crest or helm, and a gilt pole-axe in his hand:
to whom is associate the Lieutenant of the Tower, armed with a fair white
armour, a nest of fethers in his helm, and a like pole-axe in his hand; and
with them sixteen Trumpetters; four drums and fifes going in rank before
them; and with them attendeth four men in white harneys, from the middle
upwards, and halberds in their hands, bearing on their shoulders the Tower:
which persons, with the drums, trumpets and musick, go three times about
the fire. Then the Constable-Marshall, after two or three curtesies made,
kneeleth down before the Lord Chancellor; behind him the Lieutenant; and
they kneeling, the Constable-Marshall pronounceth an oration of a quarter
of an hour's length, therby declaring the purpose of his coming; and that his
purpose is to be admitted into his Lordship's service.
"The Lord Chancellor saith, 'He will take further advice therein.'
"Then the Constable-Marshall, standing up, in submissive manner
delivereth his naked sword to the Steward; who giveth it to the Lord
Chancellor: and thereupon the Lord Chancellor willeth the Marshall to
place the Constable-Marshall in his seat: and so he doth, with the
Lieutenant also in his seat or place. During this ceremony the Tower is
placed beneath the fire.
"Then cometh the Master of the Game, apparelled in green velvet, and the
Ranger of the Forest also, in a green suit of satten; bearing in his hand a
green bow and divers arrows, with either of them a hunting horn about their
necks; blowing together three blasts of venery, they pace round about the
fire three times. Then the Master of the Game maketh three curtesies; as
aforesaid; and kneeleth down before the Lord Chancellor, declaring the
the Hall; and such are to be placed at the discretion of the Marshall.
"St. Stephen's Day.—The Butler, appointed for Christmas, is to see the
tables covered, and furnished with salt-sellers, napkins, bread, trenchers,
and spoons. Young Gentlemen of the House are to attend and serve till the
latter dinner, and then dine themselves.
"This day the Sewer, Carver, and Cup-bearer are to serve as afore. After the
first course served in, the Constable-Marshall cometh into the Hall, arrayed
with a fair rich compleat harneys, white and bright, and gilt, with a nest of
fethers of all colours upon his crest or helm, and a gilt pole-axe in his hand:
to whom is associate the Lieutenant of the Tower, armed with a fair white
armour, a nest of fethers in his helm, and a like pole-axe in his hand; and
with them sixteen Trumpetters; four drums and fifes going in rank before
them; and with them attendeth four men in white harneys, from the middle
upwards, and halberds in their hands, bearing on their shoulders the Tower:
which persons, with the drums, trumpets and musick, go three times about
the fire. Then the Constable-Marshall, after two or three curtesies made,
kneeleth down before the Lord Chancellor; behind him the Lieutenant; and
they kneeling, the Constable-Marshall pronounceth an oration of a quarter
of an hour's length, therby declaring the purpose of his coming; and that his
purpose is to be admitted into his Lordship's service.
"The Lord Chancellor saith, 'He will take further advice therein.'
"Then the Constable-Marshall, standing up, in submissive manner
delivereth his naked sword to the Steward; who giveth it to the Lord
Chancellor: and thereupon the Lord Chancellor willeth the Marshall to
place the Constable-Marshall in his seat: and so he doth, with the
Lieutenant also in his seat or place. During this ceremony the Tower is
placed beneath the fire.
"Then cometh the Master of the Game, apparelled in green velvet, and the
Ranger of the Forest also, in a green suit of satten; bearing in his hand a
green bow and divers arrows, with either of them a hunting horn about their
necks; blowing together three blasts of venery, they pace round about the
fire three times. Then the Master of the Game maketh three curtesies; as
aforesaid; and kneeleth down before the Lord Chancellor, declaring the
Page 172
cause of his coming; and desireth to be admitted into his service, &c. All
this time the Ranger of the Forest standeth directly behind him. Then the
Master of the Game standeth up.
"This ceremony also performed, a Huntsman cometh into the Hall, with a
fox and a purse-net; with a cat, both bound at the end of a staff; and with
them nine or ten couple of hounds, with the blowing of hunting hornes. And
the fox and cat are by the hounds set upon, and killed beneath the fire. This
sport finished the Marshall placeth them in their several appointed places.
"Then proceedeth the second course; which done, and served out, the
Common Serjeant delivereth a plausible speech to the Lord Chancellour,
and his company at the highest table, how necessary a thing it is to have
officers at this present; the Constable-Marshall and Master of the Game, for
the better honour and reputation of the Commonwealth; and wisheth them
to be received, &c.
"Then the King's Serjeant at Law declareth and inferreth the necessity;
which heard the Lord Chancellor desireth respite of farther advice. Then the
antientest of the Masters of the Revels singeth a song with the assistance of
others there present.
"At Supper the Hall is to be served in all solemnity, as upon Christmas Day,
both the first and second course to the highest table. Supper ended the
Constable-Marshall presenteth himself with drums afore him, mounted
upon a scaffold, born by four men; and goeth three times round about the
harthe, crying out aloud, 'A Lord, a lord,' &c. Then he descendeth and goeth
to dance, &c. And after he calleth his Court every one by name, one by one,
in this manner:
"Sir Francis Flatterer of Fowlehurst, in the county of Buckingham.
"Sir Randle Rakabite, of Rascall-Hall, in the county of Rakehell.
"Sir Morgan Mumchance, of Much Monkery, in the county of Mad Mopery.
"Sir Bartholomew Baldbreech, of Buttocks-bury, in the county of
Brekeneck.
this time the Ranger of the Forest standeth directly behind him. Then the
Master of the Game standeth up.
"This ceremony also performed, a Huntsman cometh into the Hall, with a
fox and a purse-net; with a cat, both bound at the end of a staff; and with
them nine or ten couple of hounds, with the blowing of hunting hornes. And
the fox and cat are by the hounds set upon, and killed beneath the fire. This
sport finished the Marshall placeth them in their several appointed places.
"Then proceedeth the second course; which done, and served out, the
Common Serjeant delivereth a plausible speech to the Lord Chancellour,
and his company at the highest table, how necessary a thing it is to have
officers at this present; the Constable-Marshall and Master of the Game, for
the better honour and reputation of the Commonwealth; and wisheth them
to be received, &c.
"Then the King's Serjeant at Law declareth and inferreth the necessity;
which heard the Lord Chancellor desireth respite of farther advice. Then the
antientest of the Masters of the Revels singeth a song with the assistance of
others there present.
"At Supper the Hall is to be served in all solemnity, as upon Christmas Day,
both the first and second course to the highest table. Supper ended the
Constable-Marshall presenteth himself with drums afore him, mounted
upon a scaffold, born by four men; and goeth three times round about the
harthe, crying out aloud, 'A Lord, a lord,' &c. Then he descendeth and goeth
to dance, &c. And after he calleth his Court every one by name, one by one,
in this manner:
"Sir Francis Flatterer of Fowlehurst, in the county of Buckingham.
"Sir Randle Rakabite, of Rascall-Hall, in the county of Rakehell.
"Sir Morgan Mumchance, of Much Monkery, in the county of Mad Mopery.
"Sir Bartholomew Baldbreech, of Buttocks-bury, in the county of
Brekeneck.
Page 173
"This done the Lord of Misrule addresseth himself to the banquet; which
ended with some minstralsye, mirth and dancing every man departeth to
rest.
"At every mess is a pot of wine allowed.
"Every repast is 6d.
"St. John's Day.—About seaven of the clock in the morning, the Lord of
Misrule is abroad, and if he lack any officer or attendant, he repaireth to
their chambers, and compelleth them to attend in person upon him after
service in the church, to breakfast, with brawn, mustard, and malmsey.
After breakfast ended, his Lordship's power is in suspense, until his
personal presence at night; and then his power is most potent.
"At dinner and supper is observed the diet and service performed on St.
Stephen's Day. After the second course served in, the King's Serjeant,
orator-like, declareth the disorder of the Constable-Marshall, and of the
Common-Serjeant: which complaint is answered by the Common-Serjeant;
who defendeth himself and the Constable-Marshall with words of great
efficacy. Hereto the King's Serjeant replyeth. They rejoyn, &c., and who so
is found faulty is committed to the Tower, &c.
"If any officer be absent at dinner or supper times; if it be complained of, he
that sitteth in his place is adjudged to have like punishment as the officer
should have had being present: and then withal he is enjoyned to supply the
office of the true absent officer, in all pointe. If any offendor escape from
the Lieutenant into the Buttery, and bring into the Hall a manchet upon the
point of a knife, he is pardoned: for the buttry in that case is a sanctuary.
After cheese served to the table not any is commanded to sing.
"Childermas Day.—In the morning, as afore on Monday, the Hall is served;
saving that the Sewer, Carver, and Cup-bearer, do not attend any service.
Also like ceremony at supper.
"Thursday.—At breakfast, brawn, mustard, and malmsey. At dinner, roast
beef, venison-pasties, with like solemnities as afore. And at supper, mutton
and hens roasted.
ended with some minstralsye, mirth and dancing every man departeth to
rest.
"At every mess is a pot of wine allowed.
"Every repast is 6d.
"St. John's Day.—About seaven of the clock in the morning, the Lord of
Misrule is abroad, and if he lack any officer or attendant, he repaireth to
their chambers, and compelleth them to attend in person upon him after
service in the church, to breakfast, with brawn, mustard, and malmsey.
After breakfast ended, his Lordship's power is in suspense, until his
personal presence at night; and then his power is most potent.
"At dinner and supper is observed the diet and service performed on St.
Stephen's Day. After the second course served in, the King's Serjeant,
orator-like, declareth the disorder of the Constable-Marshall, and of the
Common-Serjeant: which complaint is answered by the Common-Serjeant;
who defendeth himself and the Constable-Marshall with words of great
efficacy. Hereto the King's Serjeant replyeth. They rejoyn, &c., and who so
is found faulty is committed to the Tower, &c.
"If any officer be absent at dinner or supper times; if it be complained of, he
that sitteth in his place is adjudged to have like punishment as the officer
should have had being present: and then withal he is enjoyned to supply the
office of the true absent officer, in all pointe. If any offendor escape from
the Lieutenant into the Buttery, and bring into the Hall a manchet upon the
point of a knife, he is pardoned: for the buttry in that case is a sanctuary.
After cheese served to the table not any is commanded to sing.
"Childermas Day.—In the morning, as afore on Monday, the Hall is served;
saving that the Sewer, Carver, and Cup-bearer, do not attend any service.
Also like ceremony at supper.
"Thursday.—At breakfast, brawn, mustard, and malmsey. At dinner, roast
beef, venison-pasties, with like solemnities as afore. And at supper, mutton
and hens roasted.
Page 174
"New Year's Day.—In the morning, breakfast as formerly. At dinner like
solemnity as on Christmas Eve.
"The Banquetting Night.—It is proper to the Butler's office, to give warning
to every House of Court, of this banquet; to the end that they and the Innes
of Chancery, be invited thereto to see a play and mask. The hall is to be
furnished with scaffolds to sit on, for Ladies to behold the sports, on each
side. Which ended the ladyes are to be brought into the Library, unto the
Banquet there; and a table is to be covered and furnished with all
banquetting dishes, for the Lord Chancellor, in the Hall; where he is to call
to him the Ancients of other Houses, as many as may be on the one side of
the table. The Banquet is to be served in by the Gentlemen of the House.
"The Marshall and Steward are to come before the Lord Chancellour's
mess. The Butlers for Christmas must serve wine; and the Butlers of the
House beer and ale, &c. When the banquet is ended, then cometh into the
Hall the Constable-Marshall, fairly mounted on his mule; and deviseth
some sport for passing away the rest of the night.
"Twelf Day.—At breakfast, brawn, mustard, and malmsey, after morning
prayer ended. And at dinner, the Hall is to be served as upon St. John's
Day."
The performance of "Gorboduc" at the Inner Temple was received with
such great applause, and the services of Lord Robert Dudley, first favourite
of the Queen, so highly appreciated at that particular "grand Christmasse,"
that Queen Elizabeth commanded a repetition of the play about a fortnight
later, before herself, at her Court at Whitehall. A contemporary MS. note
(Cotton MSS., Vit. F. v.) says of
The Performance before the Queen,
that "on the 18th of January, 1562, there was a play in the Queen's Hall at
Westminster by the gentlemen of the Temple after a great mask, for there
was a great scaffold in the hall, with great triumph as has been seen; and the
morrow after, the scaffold was taken down." An unauthorised edition of the
solemnity as on Christmas Eve.
"The Banquetting Night.—It is proper to the Butler's office, to give warning
to every House of Court, of this banquet; to the end that they and the Innes
of Chancery, be invited thereto to see a play and mask. The hall is to be
furnished with scaffolds to sit on, for Ladies to behold the sports, on each
side. Which ended the ladyes are to be brought into the Library, unto the
Banquet there; and a table is to be covered and furnished with all
banquetting dishes, for the Lord Chancellor, in the Hall; where he is to call
to him the Ancients of other Houses, as many as may be on the one side of
the table. The Banquet is to be served in by the Gentlemen of the House.
"The Marshall and Steward are to come before the Lord Chancellour's
mess. The Butlers for Christmas must serve wine; and the Butlers of the
House beer and ale, &c. When the banquet is ended, then cometh into the
Hall the Constable-Marshall, fairly mounted on his mule; and deviseth
some sport for passing away the rest of the night.
"Twelf Day.—At breakfast, brawn, mustard, and malmsey, after morning
prayer ended. And at dinner, the Hall is to be served as upon St. John's
Day."
The performance of "Gorboduc" at the Inner Temple was received with
such great applause, and the services of Lord Robert Dudley, first favourite
of the Queen, so highly appreciated at that particular "grand Christmasse,"
that Queen Elizabeth commanded a repetition of the play about a fortnight
later, before herself, at her Court at Whitehall. A contemporary MS. note
(Cotton MSS., Vit. F. v.) says of
The Performance before the Queen,
that "on the 18th of January, 1562, there was a play in the Queen's Hall at
Westminster by the gentlemen of the Temple after a great mask, for there
was a great scaffold in the hall, with great triumph as has been seen; and the
morrow after, the scaffold was taken down." An unauthorised edition of the
Page 175
play was first published, in September of that year, by William Griffith, a
bookseller in St. Dunstan's Churchyard; but nine years afterwards an
authorised and "true copy" of the play was published by John Day, of
Aldersgate, the title being then altered from "Gorboduc" (in which name the
spurious edition had been issued) to "Ferrex and Porrex." The title of this
edition set forth that the play was "without addition or alteration, but
altogether as the same was shewed on stage before the Queen's Majestie, by
the gentlemen of the Inner Temple." The argument of the play was taken
from Geoffrey of Monmouth's "History of British Kings," and was a call to
Englishmen to cease from strife among themselves and become an united
people, obedient to one undisputed rule:—
"Within one land one single rule is best:
Divided reigns do make divided hearts;
But peace preserves the country and the prince."
It recalled the horrors of the civil wars, and forbade the like again:—
"What princes slain before their timely hour!
What waste of towns and people in the land!
What treasons heap'd on murders and on spoils!
Whose just revenge e'en yet is scarcely ceas'd:
Ruthful remembrance is yet raw in mind.
The gods forbid the like to chance again."
A good description of the play, with copious extracts, is published in
Morley's "English Plays," from which it also appears that "Queen Mary's
expenditure on players and musicians had been between two and three
thousand pounds a year in salaries. Elizabeth reduced this establishment,
but still paid salaries to interlude players and musicians, to a keeper of bears
and mastiffs, as well as to the gentlemen and children of the chapel. The
Master of the Children had a salary of forty pounds a year; the children had
largesse at high feasts, and when additional use was made of their services;
and each Gentleman of the Chapel had nineteenpence a day, with board and
clothing. The Master of the Chapel who at this time had the training of the
children was Richard Edwards, who had written lighter pieces for them to
act before her Majesty, and now applied his skill to the writing of English
comedies, and teaching his boys to act them for the pleasure of the Queen.
The new form of entertainment made its way at Court and through the
country."
bookseller in St. Dunstan's Churchyard; but nine years afterwards an
authorised and "true copy" of the play was published by John Day, of
Aldersgate, the title being then altered from "Gorboduc" (in which name the
spurious edition had been issued) to "Ferrex and Porrex." The title of this
edition set forth that the play was "without addition or alteration, but
altogether as the same was shewed on stage before the Queen's Majestie, by
the gentlemen of the Inner Temple." The argument of the play was taken
from Geoffrey of Monmouth's "History of British Kings," and was a call to
Englishmen to cease from strife among themselves and become an united
people, obedient to one undisputed rule:—
"Within one land one single rule is best:
Divided reigns do make divided hearts;
But peace preserves the country and the prince."
It recalled the horrors of the civil wars, and forbade the like again:—
"What princes slain before their timely hour!
What waste of towns and people in the land!
What treasons heap'd on murders and on spoils!
Whose just revenge e'en yet is scarcely ceas'd:
Ruthful remembrance is yet raw in mind.
The gods forbid the like to chance again."
A good description of the play, with copious extracts, is published in
Morley's "English Plays," from which it also appears that "Queen Mary's
expenditure on players and musicians had been between two and three
thousand pounds a year in salaries. Elizabeth reduced this establishment,
but still paid salaries to interlude players and musicians, to a keeper of bears
and mastiffs, as well as to the gentlemen and children of the chapel. The
Master of the Children had a salary of forty pounds a year; the children had
largesse at high feasts, and when additional use was made of their services;
and each Gentleman of the Chapel had nineteenpence a day, with board and
clothing. The Master of the Chapel who at this time had the training of the
children was Richard Edwards, who had written lighter pieces for them to
act before her Majesty, and now applied his skill to the writing of English
comedies, and teaching his boys to act them for the pleasure of the Queen.
The new form of entertainment made its way at Court and through the
country."
Page 176
the fool of the old play
(From a print by Bruegel.)
At this period
The Christmas Revels at the Inns of Court
were observed with much zest and jollity. Sandys (writing in 1833 of
Elizabeth's time) says:—
"The order of the usual Christmas amusements at the Inns of Court at this
period would cause some curious scenes if carried into effect in the present
day. Barristers singing and dancing before the judges, serjeants and
benchers, would 'draw a house' if spectators were admitted. Of so serious
import was this dancing considered, that by an order in Lincoln's Inn of
(From a print by Bruegel.)
At this period
The Christmas Revels at the Inns of Court
were observed with much zest and jollity. Sandys (writing in 1833 of
Elizabeth's time) says:—
"The order of the usual Christmas amusements at the Inns of Court at this
period would cause some curious scenes if carried into effect in the present
day. Barristers singing and dancing before the judges, serjeants and
benchers, would 'draw a house' if spectators were admitted. Of so serious
import was this dancing considered, that by an order in Lincoln's Inn of
Page 177
February, 7th James I., the under barristers were by decimation put out of
commons because the whole bar offended by not dancing on Candlemas
Day preceding, according to the ancient order of the society, when the
judges were present; with a threat that if the fault were repeated, they
should be fined or disbarred."
Sir William Dugdale makes the following reference to
The Christmas Revels of the Inner Temple:—
"First, the solemn Revells (after dinner, and the play ended,) are begun by
the whole House, Judges, Sergeants at Law, Benchers; the Utter and Inner
Barr; and they led by the Master of the Revells: and one of the Gentlemen
of the Utter Barr are chosen to sing a song to the Judges, Serjeants, or
Masters of the Bench; which is usually performed; and in default thereof,
there may be an amerciament. Then the Judges and Benchers take their
places, and sit down at the upper end of the Hall. Which done, the Utter-
Barristers and Inner-Barristers, perform a second solemn Revell before
them. Which ended, the Utter-Barristers take their places and sit down.
Some of the Gentlemen of the Inner-Barr, do present the House with
dancing, which is called the Post Revells, and continue their Dances, till the
Judges or Bench think meet to rise and depart."
The Hard Frost of 1564
gave the citizens of London an opportunity of keeping Christmas on the ice.
An old chronicler says: "From 21st December, 1564, a hard frost prevailed,
and on new year's eve, people went over and alongst the Thames on the ise
from London Bridge to Westminster. Some plaied at the football as boldlie
there, as if it had been on the drie land; divers of the Court, being then at
Westminster shot dailie at prickes set upon the Thames, and tradition says,
Queen Elizabeth herself walked upon the ise. The people both men and
women, went on the Thames in greater numbers than in any street of the
City of London. On the third daie of January, 1565, at night it began to
thaw, and on the fifth there was no ise to be seene between London Bridge
and Lambeth, which sudden thaw caused great floods, and high waters, that
bore downe bridges and houses and drowned Manie people in England."
commons because the whole bar offended by not dancing on Candlemas
Day preceding, according to the ancient order of the society, when the
judges were present; with a threat that if the fault were repeated, they
should be fined or disbarred."
Sir William Dugdale makes the following reference to
The Christmas Revels of the Inner Temple:—
"First, the solemn Revells (after dinner, and the play ended,) are begun by
the whole House, Judges, Sergeants at Law, Benchers; the Utter and Inner
Barr; and they led by the Master of the Revells: and one of the Gentlemen
of the Utter Barr are chosen to sing a song to the Judges, Serjeants, or
Masters of the Bench; which is usually performed; and in default thereof,
there may be an amerciament. Then the Judges and Benchers take their
places, and sit down at the upper end of the Hall. Which done, the Utter-
Barristers and Inner-Barristers, perform a second solemn Revell before
them. Which ended, the Utter-Barristers take their places and sit down.
Some of the Gentlemen of the Inner-Barr, do present the House with
dancing, which is called the Post Revells, and continue their Dances, till the
Judges or Bench think meet to rise and depart."
The Hard Frost of 1564
gave the citizens of London an opportunity of keeping Christmas on the ice.
An old chronicler says: "From 21st December, 1564, a hard frost prevailed,
and on new year's eve, people went over and alongst the Thames on the ise
from London Bridge to Westminster. Some plaied at the football as boldlie
there, as if it had been on the drie land; divers of the Court, being then at
Westminster shot dailie at prickes set upon the Thames, and tradition says,
Queen Elizabeth herself walked upon the ise. The people both men and
women, went on the Thames in greater numbers than in any street of the
City of London. On the third daie of January, 1565, at night it began to
thaw, and on the fifth there was no ise to be seene between London Bridge
and Lambeth, which sudden thaw caused great floods, and high waters, that
bore downe bridges and houses and drowned Manie people in England."
Page 178
How Queen Elizabeth went to Worship, Christmas, 1565.
Nichols[55] gives the following particular account of Queen Elizabeth's
attendance at Divine worship, at the "Chappell of Whitehall, Westminster,"
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 1565:—
"Item, on Monday, the 24th of December, the Officers of Arms being there
present, the Queen's Majesty came to the evening prayer, the sword borne
by the Earle of Warwick, her trayn borne by the Lady Strange.
"Item, on Christmas Day her Majesty came to service very richly apparelled
in a gown of purple velvet embroidered with silver very richly set with
stones, with a rich collar set with stones; the Earl of Warwick bare the
sword, the Lady Strange the trayn. After the Creed, the Queene's Majesty
went down to the offering, and having a short forme with a carpet, and a
cushion laid by a gentleman usher, the ... taken by the Lord Chamberlain,
her Majesty kneeled down, her offering given her by the Marquis of
Northampton; after which she went into her traverse, where she abode till
the time of the communion, and then came forth, and kneeled down at the
cushion and carpet aforesaid; the Gentlemen Ushers delivered the towel to
the Lord Chamberlain, who delivered the same to be holden by the Earl of
Sussex on the right hand, and the Earl of Leicester on the left hand; the
Bishop of Rochester served the Queen both of wine and bread; then the
Queen went into the traverse again; and the Ladie Cicilie, wife of the
Marquis of Baden, came out of the traverse, and kneeled at the place where
the Queen kneeled, but she had no cushion, but one to kneel on; after she
had received she returned to the traverse again; then the Archbishop of
Canterbury and the Lord Chamberlain received the Communion with the
Mother of the Maids; after which the service proceeded to the end, and the
Queen returned again to the Chamber of presence strait, and not the closet.
Her Majesty dined not abroad; the said Officers of Arms had a mess of meat
of seven dishes, with bread, beer, ale, and wine."
Royal Christmases at Hampton Court.
In 1568, the Earl of Shrewsbury, writing from Hampton Court to his
countess, says, "The Plage is disposed far abrode in London, so that the
Queene kepes hur Kyrsomas her, and goth not to Grenwych as it was mete."
Nichols[55] gives the following particular account of Queen Elizabeth's
attendance at Divine worship, at the "Chappell of Whitehall, Westminster,"
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 1565:—
"Item, on Monday, the 24th of December, the Officers of Arms being there
present, the Queen's Majesty came to the evening prayer, the sword borne
by the Earle of Warwick, her trayn borne by the Lady Strange.
"Item, on Christmas Day her Majesty came to service very richly apparelled
in a gown of purple velvet embroidered with silver very richly set with
stones, with a rich collar set with stones; the Earl of Warwick bare the
sword, the Lady Strange the trayn. After the Creed, the Queene's Majesty
went down to the offering, and having a short forme with a carpet, and a
cushion laid by a gentleman usher, the ... taken by the Lord Chamberlain,
her Majesty kneeled down, her offering given her by the Marquis of
Northampton; after which she went into her traverse, where she abode till
the time of the communion, and then came forth, and kneeled down at the
cushion and carpet aforesaid; the Gentlemen Ushers delivered the towel to
the Lord Chamberlain, who delivered the same to be holden by the Earl of
Sussex on the right hand, and the Earl of Leicester on the left hand; the
Bishop of Rochester served the Queen both of wine and bread; then the
Queen went into the traverse again; and the Ladie Cicilie, wife of the
Marquis of Baden, came out of the traverse, and kneeled at the place where
the Queen kneeled, but she had no cushion, but one to kneel on; after she
had received she returned to the traverse again; then the Archbishop of
Canterbury and the Lord Chamberlain received the Communion with the
Mother of the Maids; after which the service proceeded to the end, and the
Queen returned again to the Chamber of presence strait, and not the closet.
Her Majesty dined not abroad; the said Officers of Arms had a mess of meat
of seven dishes, with bread, beer, ale, and wine."
Royal Christmases at Hampton Court.
In 1568, the Earl of Shrewsbury, writing from Hampton Court to his
countess, says, "The Plage is disposed far abrode in London, so that the
Queene kepes hur Kyrsomas her, and goth not to Grenwych as it was mete."
Page 179
Meet or not, Elizabeth kept many Christmases at Hampton Court,
banqueting, dancing, and dicing—the last being a favourite amusement with
her, because she generally won, thanks to her dice being so loaded as to
throw up the higher numbers. Writing from Hampton Court at Christmas,
1572, Sir Thomas Smith says: "If ye would what we do here, we play at
tables, dance, and keep Christmasse."
Queen Elizabeth's Singers and Players.
The Christmas entertainments of Queen Elizabeth were enlivened by the
beautiful singing of the children of her Majesty's Chapel. From the notes to
Gascoigne's Princely Pleasures (1821) it appears that Queen Elizabeth
retained on her Royal establishment four sets of singing boys; which
belonged to the Cathedral of St. Paul, the Abbey of Westminster, St.
George's Chapel, Windsor, and the Household Chapel. For the support and
reinforcement of her musical bands, Elizabeth, like the other English
Sovereigns, issued warrants for taking "up suche apt and meete children, as
are fitt to be instructed and framed in the Art and Science of Musicke and
Singing." Thomas Tusser, the well-known author of "Five Hundreth Points
of Good Husbandrye," was in his youth a choir boy of St. Paul's. Nor is it
astonishing, that although masses had ceased to be performed, the Queen
should yet endeavour to preserve sacred melody in a high state of
perfection; since, according to Burney, she was herself greatly skilled in
musical learning. "If her Majesty," says that eminent author, "was ever able
to execute any of the pieces that are preserved in a MS. which goes under
the name of Queen Elizabeth's Virginal-book, she must have been a very
great player, as some of the pieces which were composed by Tallis, Bird,
Giles, Farnaby, Dr. Bull, and others, are so difficult that it would be hardly
banqueting, dancing, and dicing—the last being a favourite amusement with
her, because she generally won, thanks to her dice being so loaded as to
throw up the higher numbers. Writing from Hampton Court at Christmas,
1572, Sir Thomas Smith says: "If ye would what we do here, we play at
tables, dance, and keep Christmasse."
Queen Elizabeth's Singers and Players.
The Christmas entertainments of Queen Elizabeth were enlivened by the
beautiful singing of the children of her Majesty's Chapel. From the notes to
Gascoigne's Princely Pleasures (1821) it appears that Queen Elizabeth
retained on her Royal establishment four sets of singing boys; which
belonged to the Cathedral of St. Paul, the Abbey of Westminster, St.
George's Chapel, Windsor, and the Household Chapel. For the support and
reinforcement of her musical bands, Elizabeth, like the other English
Sovereigns, issued warrants for taking "up suche apt and meete children, as
are fitt to be instructed and framed in the Art and Science of Musicke and
Singing." Thomas Tusser, the well-known author of "Five Hundreth Points
of Good Husbandrye," was in his youth a choir boy of St. Paul's. Nor is it
astonishing, that although masses had ceased to be performed, the Queen
should yet endeavour to preserve sacred melody in a high state of
perfection; since, according to Burney, she was herself greatly skilled in
musical learning. "If her Majesty," says that eminent author, "was ever able
to execute any of the pieces that are preserved in a MS. which goes under
the name of Queen Elizabeth's Virginal-book, she must have been a very
great player, as some of the pieces which were composed by Tallis, Bird,
Giles, Farnaby, Dr. Bull, and others, are so difficult that it would be hardly
Page 180
possible to find a master in Europe who would undertake to play any of
them at the end of a month's practice."[56] But the children of the chapel
were also employed in the theatrical exhibitions represented at Court, for
which their musical education had peculiarly qualified them. Richard
Edwards, an eminent poet and musician of the sixteenth century, had
written two comedies; Damon and Pythias, and Palemon and Arcite, which,
according to Wood, were often acted before the Queen, both at Court and at
Oxford.
them at the end of a month's practice."[56] But the children of the chapel
were also employed in the theatrical exhibitions represented at Court, for
which their musical education had peculiarly qualified them. Richard
Edwards, an eminent poet and musician of the sixteenth century, had
written two comedies; Damon and Pythias, and Palemon and Arcite, which,
according to Wood, were often acted before the Queen, both at Court and at
Oxford.
Page 181
the acting of one of shakespeare's plays. in the time of queen elizabeth.
(By permission, from Messr Cassell & Cos "Illustrated History of England")
With the latter of these Queen Elizabeth was so much delighted that she
promised Edwards a reward, which she subsequently gave him by making
him first Gentleman of her Chapel, and in 1561 Master of the Children on
the death of Richard Bowyer. As the Queen was particularly attached to
dramatic entertainments, about 1569 she formed the children of the Royal
Chapel into a company of theatrical performers, and placed them under the
superintendence of Edwards. Not long after she formed a second society of
players under the title of the "Children of the Revels," and by these two
companies all Lyly's plays, and many of Shakespeare's and Jonson's, were
first performed. Jonson has celebrated one of the chapel children, named
Salathiel Pavy, who was famous for his performance of old men, but who
died about 1601, under the age of thirteen. In his beautiful epitaph of Pavy,
Jonson says:—
"'Twas a child that did so thrive
In grace and feature,
As heaven and nature seem'd to strive
Which own'd the creature.
Years he number'd scarce thirteen
When fates turn'd cruel,
Yet three fill'd Zodiacs had he been
The stage's jewel;
And did act, what now we moan.
Old men so duly,
That the Parcœ thought him one
He played so truly."
The Shakespearian period had its grand Christmases, for
The Christmas Players
at the Court of Queen Elizabeth included England's greatest dramatist,
William Shakespeare; and the Queen not only took delight in witnessing
Shakespeare's plays, but also admired the poet as a player. The histrionic
ability of Shakespeare was by no means contemptible, though probably not
such as to have transmitted his name to posterity had he confined himself
exclusively to acting. Rowe informs us that "the tip-top of his performances
was the ghost in his own Hamlet;" but Aubrey states that he "did act
exceedingly well"; and Cheetle, a contemporary of the poet, who had seen
(By permission, from Messr Cassell & Cos "Illustrated History of England")
With the latter of these Queen Elizabeth was so much delighted that she
promised Edwards a reward, which she subsequently gave him by making
him first Gentleman of her Chapel, and in 1561 Master of the Children on
the death of Richard Bowyer. As the Queen was particularly attached to
dramatic entertainments, about 1569 she formed the children of the Royal
Chapel into a company of theatrical performers, and placed them under the
superintendence of Edwards. Not long after she formed a second society of
players under the title of the "Children of the Revels," and by these two
companies all Lyly's plays, and many of Shakespeare's and Jonson's, were
first performed. Jonson has celebrated one of the chapel children, named
Salathiel Pavy, who was famous for his performance of old men, but who
died about 1601, under the age of thirteen. In his beautiful epitaph of Pavy,
Jonson says:—
"'Twas a child that did so thrive
In grace and feature,
As heaven and nature seem'd to strive
Which own'd the creature.
Years he number'd scarce thirteen
When fates turn'd cruel,
Yet three fill'd Zodiacs had he been
The stage's jewel;
And did act, what now we moan.
Old men so duly,
That the Parcœ thought him one
He played so truly."
The Shakespearian period had its grand Christmases, for
The Christmas Players
at the Court of Queen Elizabeth included England's greatest dramatist,
William Shakespeare; and the Queen not only took delight in witnessing
Shakespeare's plays, but also admired the poet as a player. The histrionic
ability of Shakespeare was by no means contemptible, though probably not
such as to have transmitted his name to posterity had he confined himself
exclusively to acting. Rowe informs us that "the tip-top of his performances
was the ghost in his own Hamlet;" but Aubrey states that he "did act
exceedingly well"; and Cheetle, a contemporary of the poet, who had seen
Page 182
him perform, assures us that he was "excellent in the quality he professed."
An anecdote is preserved in connection with Shakespeare's playing before
Queen Elizabeth. While he was taking the part of a king, in the presence of
the Queen, Elizabeth rose, and, in crossing the stage, dropped her glove as
she passed the poet. No notice was taken by him of the incident; and the
Queen, desirous of finding out whether this was the result of inadvertence,
or a determination to preserve the consistency of his part, moved again
towards him, and again dropped her glove. Shakespeare then stooped down
to pick it up, saying, in the character of the monarch whom he was playing
—
"And though now bent on this high embassy,
Yet stoop we to take up our cousin's glove."
He then retired and presented the glove to the Queen, who was highly
pleased with his courtly performance.
Grand Christmas at Gray's Inn.
In 1594 there was a celebrated Christmas at Gray's Inn, of which an account
was published in 1688 under the following title:—
"Gesta Grayorum: or the History of the High and Mighty Prince, Henry
Prince of Purpoole, Arch-Duke of Stapulia and Bernardia, Duke of High
and Nether Holborn, Marquis of St. Giles and Tottenham, Count Palatine of
Bloomsbury and Clerkenwell, Great Lord of the Cantons of Islington,
Kentish-Town, Paddington, and Knights-bridge, Knight of the most
Heroical Order of the Helmet, and Sovereign of the same; Who Reigned
and Died, a.d. 1594. Together with a Masque, as it was presented (by his
Highness's Command) for the entertainment of Q. Elizabeth; who, with the
Nobles of both Courts, was present thereat. London, Printed for W.
Canning, at his shop in the Temple-Cloysters, MDCLXXXVIII. Price one
shilling." 4to nine sheets, dedicated "To the most honourable Matthew
Smyth, Esq., Comptroller of the honourable society of the Inner Temple."
The Prince of Purpoole was Mr. Henry Helmes, a Norfolk gentleman, "who
was thought to be accomplished with all good parts, fit for so great a
dignity; and was also a very proper man of personage, and very active in
dancing and revelling." His coffers were filled by voluntary contributors,
An anecdote is preserved in connection with Shakespeare's playing before
Queen Elizabeth. While he was taking the part of a king, in the presence of
the Queen, Elizabeth rose, and, in crossing the stage, dropped her glove as
she passed the poet. No notice was taken by him of the incident; and the
Queen, desirous of finding out whether this was the result of inadvertence,
or a determination to preserve the consistency of his part, moved again
towards him, and again dropped her glove. Shakespeare then stooped down
to pick it up, saying, in the character of the monarch whom he was playing
—
"And though now bent on this high embassy,
Yet stoop we to take up our cousin's glove."
He then retired and presented the glove to the Queen, who was highly
pleased with his courtly performance.
Grand Christmas at Gray's Inn.
In 1594 there was a celebrated Christmas at Gray's Inn, of which an account
was published in 1688 under the following title:—
"Gesta Grayorum: or the History of the High and Mighty Prince, Henry
Prince of Purpoole, Arch-Duke of Stapulia and Bernardia, Duke of High
and Nether Holborn, Marquis of St. Giles and Tottenham, Count Palatine of
Bloomsbury and Clerkenwell, Great Lord of the Cantons of Islington,
Kentish-Town, Paddington, and Knights-bridge, Knight of the most
Heroical Order of the Helmet, and Sovereign of the same; Who Reigned
and Died, a.d. 1594. Together with a Masque, as it was presented (by his
Highness's Command) for the entertainment of Q. Elizabeth; who, with the
Nobles of both Courts, was present thereat. London, Printed for W.
Canning, at his shop in the Temple-Cloysters, MDCLXXXVIII. Price one
shilling." 4to nine sheets, dedicated "To the most honourable Matthew
Smyth, Esq., Comptroller of the honourable society of the Inner Temple."
The Prince of Purpoole was Mr. Henry Helmes, a Norfolk gentleman, "who
was thought to be accomplished with all good parts, fit for so great a
dignity; and was also a very proper man of personage, and very active in
dancing and revelling." His coffers were filled by voluntary contributors,
Page 183
amongst whom the lord treasurer, Sir William Cecil, sent him ten pounds,
and a purse of rich needlework.
The performers were highly applauded by Queen Elizabeth, who expressed
satisfaction in her own peculiar style. When the actors had performed their
Masque, some of her Majesty's courtiers danced a measure, whereupon the
Queen exclaimed: "What! shall we have bread and cheese after a banquet?"
Finally the Prince and his Officers of State were honoured by kissing her
fair hands, and receiving the most flattering commendations. The whole
amusement terminated in fighting at barriers; the Earl of Essex, and others,
challengers; the Earl of Cumberland and company defendants, "into which
number," says the narrator, "our Prince was taken, and behaved himself so
valiantly and skilfully therein, that he had the prize adjudged due unto him,
which it pleased her Majesty to deliver him with her own hands; telling
him, that it was not her gift, for if it had, it should have been better; but she
gave it to him, as that prize which was due to his desert, and good
behaviour in those exercises; and that hereafter he should be remembered
with a better reward from herself. The prize was a jewel, set with seventeen
diamonds and four rubies; in value accounted worth a hundred marks."
The following is the Gray's Inn list of performers, which included some
gentlemen who were afterwards "distinguished members in the law."
[From "Gesta Grayorum," page 6.]
"The order of the Prince of Purpoole's proceedings, with his officers and
attendants at his honourable inthronization; which was likewise observed in
all his solemn marches on grand days, and like occasions; which place
every officer did duly attend, during the reign of his highness's government.
A Marshal. A Marshal.
Trumpets. Trumpets.
Pursuevant at Arms Lanye.
and a purse of rich needlework.
The performers were highly applauded by Queen Elizabeth, who expressed
satisfaction in her own peculiar style. When the actors had performed their
Masque, some of her Majesty's courtiers danced a measure, whereupon the
Queen exclaimed: "What! shall we have bread and cheese after a banquet?"
Finally the Prince and his Officers of State were honoured by kissing her
fair hands, and receiving the most flattering commendations. The whole
amusement terminated in fighting at barriers; the Earl of Essex, and others,
challengers; the Earl of Cumberland and company defendants, "into which
number," says the narrator, "our Prince was taken, and behaved himself so
valiantly and skilfully therein, that he had the prize adjudged due unto him,
which it pleased her Majesty to deliver him with her own hands; telling
him, that it was not her gift, for if it had, it should have been better; but she
gave it to him, as that prize which was due to his desert, and good
behaviour in those exercises; and that hereafter he should be remembered
with a better reward from herself. The prize was a jewel, set with seventeen
diamonds and four rubies; in value accounted worth a hundred marks."
The following is the Gray's Inn list of performers, which included some
gentlemen who were afterwards "distinguished members in the law."
[From "Gesta Grayorum," page 6.]
"The order of the Prince of Purpoole's proceedings, with his officers and
attendants at his honourable inthronization; which was likewise observed in
all his solemn marches on grand days, and like occasions; which place
every officer did duly attend, during the reign of his highness's government.
A Marshal. A Marshal.
Trumpets. Trumpets.
Pursuevant at Arms Lanye.
Page 184
Townsmen in the Prince's Yeomen of the Guard
Livery with Halberts three couples.
Captain of the Guard Grimes.
Baron of the Grand Port Dudley.
Baron of the Base Port Grante.
Gentlemen for Entertainment, three couples Binge, &c.
Baron of the Petty Port Williams.
Baron of the New Port Lovel.
Wentworth.
Gentlemen for Entertainment, three couples Zukenden.
Forrest.
Lieutenant of the Pensioners Tonstal.
Gentlemen Pensioners, twelve couples, viz.:
Lawson. Rotts. Davison.
Devereux. Anderson.
Stapleton. Glascott.
Daniel. Elken. cum reliquis.
Chief Ranger and Master of the Game Forrest.
Master of the Revels Lambert.
Master of the Revellers Tevery.
Captain of the Pensioners Cooke.
Sewer Archer.
Carver Moseley.
Another Sewer Drewery.
Cup-bearer Painter.
Groom-porter Bennet.
Sheriff Leach.
Clerk of the Council Jones.
Clerk of the Parliament.
Livery with Halberts three couples.
Captain of the Guard Grimes.
Baron of the Grand Port Dudley.
Baron of the Base Port Grante.
Gentlemen for Entertainment, three couples Binge, &c.
Baron of the Petty Port Williams.
Baron of the New Port Lovel.
Wentworth.
Gentlemen for Entertainment, three couples Zukenden.
Forrest.
Lieutenant of the Pensioners Tonstal.
Gentlemen Pensioners, twelve couples, viz.:
Lawson. Rotts. Davison.
Devereux. Anderson.
Stapleton. Glascott.
Daniel. Elken. cum reliquis.
Chief Ranger and Master of the Game Forrest.
Master of the Revels Lambert.
Master of the Revellers Tevery.
Captain of the Pensioners Cooke.
Sewer Archer.
Carver Moseley.
Another Sewer Drewery.
Cup-bearer Painter.
Groom-porter Bennet.
Sheriff Leach.
Clerk of the Council Jones.
Clerk of the Parliament.
Page 185
Clerk of the Crown Downes.
Orator Heke.
Recorder Starkey.
Solicitor Dunne.
Serjeant Goldsmith.
Speaker of the Parliament Bellen.
Commissary Greenwood.
Attorney Holt.
Serjeant Hitchcombe.
Master of the Requests Faldo.
Chanplayersor of the Exchequer Kitts.
Master of the Wards and Idiots Ellis.
Reader Cobb.
Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer Briggs.
Master of the Rolls Hetlen.
Lord Chief Baron of the Common Pleas Damporte.
Lord Chief Justice of the Princes Bench Crew.
Master of the Ordnance Fitz-Williams.
Lieutenant of the Tower Lloyd.
Master of the Jewel-house Darlen.
Treasurer of the House-hold Smith.
Knight Marshal Bell.
Master of the Ward-robe Conney.
Comptroller of the House-hold Bouthe.
Bishop of St. Giles's in the Fie Dandye.
Steward of the House-hold Smith.
Lord Warden of the four Ports Damporte.
Secretary of State Jones.
Lord Admiral Cecil (Richard).
Lord Treasurer Morrey.
Lord Great Chamberlain Southworth.
Lord High Constable.
Orator Heke.
Recorder Starkey.
Solicitor Dunne.
Serjeant Goldsmith.
Speaker of the Parliament Bellen.
Commissary Greenwood.
Attorney Holt.
Serjeant Hitchcombe.
Master of the Requests Faldo.
Chanplayersor of the Exchequer Kitts.
Master of the Wards and Idiots Ellis.
Reader Cobb.
Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer Briggs.
Master of the Rolls Hetlen.
Lord Chief Baron of the Common Pleas Damporte.
Lord Chief Justice of the Princes Bench Crew.
Master of the Ordnance Fitz-Williams.
Lieutenant of the Tower Lloyd.
Master of the Jewel-house Darlen.
Treasurer of the House-hold Smith.
Knight Marshal Bell.
Master of the Ward-robe Conney.
Comptroller of the House-hold Bouthe.
Bishop of St. Giles's in the Fie Dandye.
Steward of the House-hold Smith.
Lord Warden of the four Ports Damporte.
Secretary of State Jones.
Lord Admiral Cecil (Richard).
Lord Treasurer Morrey.
Lord Great Chamberlain Southworth.
Lord High Constable.
Page 186
Lord Privy Seal Knapolck.
Lord Marshal Lamphew.
Lord MarshalLord Chamberlain of the House-hold Markham.
Lord High Steward Kempe.
Lord Chancellor Johnson.
Archbishop of St. Andrews in Holborn Bush.
Serjeant at Arms, with the Mace Flemming.
Gentleman-Usher Chevett.
The Shield of Pegasus, for the Inner-Temple Scevington.
Serjeant at Arms, with the Sword Glascott.
Gentleman-Usher Paylor.
The Shield of the Griffin, for Gray's-Inn Wickliffe.
The King at Arms Perkinson.
The great Shield of the Prince's Arms Cobley.
The Prince of Purpoole Helmes.
A Page of Honour Wandforde.
Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, six couples.
A Page of Honour Butler (Roger).
Vice-Chamberlain Butler (Thomas).
Master of the Horse Fitz-Hugh.
Yeomen of the Guard, three couples.
Townsmen in Liveries.
The Family and Followers."
Christmas's Lamentation
is the subject of an old song preserved in the Roxburgh Collection of
Ballads in the British Museum. The full title is: "Christmas's Lamentation
for the losse of his acquaintance; showing how he is forst to leave the
country and come to London." It appears to have been published at the end
of the sixteenth or the beginning of the seventeenth century. The burden of
the song is that Christmas "charity from the country is fled," and the first
verse will sufficiently indicate the style of the writing:—
Lord Marshal Lamphew.
Lord MarshalLord Chamberlain of the House-hold Markham.
Lord High Steward Kempe.
Lord Chancellor Johnson.
Archbishop of St. Andrews in Holborn Bush.
Serjeant at Arms, with the Mace Flemming.
Gentleman-Usher Chevett.
The Shield of Pegasus, for the Inner-Temple Scevington.
Serjeant at Arms, with the Sword Glascott.
Gentleman-Usher Paylor.
The Shield of the Griffin, for Gray's-Inn Wickliffe.
The King at Arms Perkinson.
The great Shield of the Prince's Arms Cobley.
The Prince of Purpoole Helmes.
A Page of Honour Wandforde.
Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, six couples.
A Page of Honour Butler (Roger).
Vice-Chamberlain Butler (Thomas).
Master of the Horse Fitz-Hugh.
Yeomen of the Guard, three couples.
Townsmen in Liveries.
The Family and Followers."
Christmas's Lamentation
is the subject of an old song preserved in the Roxburgh Collection of
Ballads in the British Museum. The full title is: "Christmas's Lamentation
for the losse of his acquaintance; showing how he is forst to leave the
country and come to London." It appears to have been published at the end
of the sixteenth or the beginning of the seventeenth century. The burden of
the song is that Christmas "charity from the country is fled," and the first
verse will sufficiently indicate the style of the writing:—
Page 187
Christmas is my name, far have I gone,
Have I gone, have I gone, have I gone, without regard,
Whereas great men by flocks there be flown,
There be flown, there be flown, there be flown, to London-ward;
Where they in pomp and pleasure do waste
That which Christmas was wonted to feast, Welladay!
Houses where music was wont for to ring
Nothing but bats and owlets do sing.
Welladay! Welladay! Welladay! where should I stay?
Old Christmas Returned
is the title of a lively Christmas ditty which is a kind of reply to the
preceding ballad. It is preserved in the collection formed by Samuel Pepys,
some time Secretary to the Admiralty, and author of the famous diary, and
by him bequeathed to Magdalene College, Cambridge. The full title and
first verse of the old song are as follows:—
"Old Christmas returned, or Hospitality revived; being a Looking-glass for
Rich Misers, wherein they may see (if they be not blind) how much they are
to blame for their penurious house-keeping, and likewise an encouragement
to those noble-minded gentry, who lay out a great part of their estates in
hospitality, relieving such persons as have need thereof:
'Who feasts the poor, a true reward shall find,
Or helps the old, the feeble, lame, and blind.'"
"All you that to feasting and mirth are inclined,
Come, here is good news for to pleasure your mind;
Old Christmas is come for to keep open house,
He scorns to be guilty of starving a mouse;
Then come, boys, and welcome, for diet the chief,
Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minc'd pies, and roast beef."
Have I gone, have I gone, have I gone, without regard,
Whereas great men by flocks there be flown,
There be flown, there be flown, there be flown, to London-ward;
Where they in pomp and pleasure do waste
That which Christmas was wonted to feast, Welladay!
Houses where music was wont for to ring
Nothing but bats and owlets do sing.
Welladay! Welladay! Welladay! where should I stay?
Old Christmas Returned
is the title of a lively Christmas ditty which is a kind of reply to the
preceding ballad. It is preserved in the collection formed by Samuel Pepys,
some time Secretary to the Admiralty, and author of the famous diary, and
by him bequeathed to Magdalene College, Cambridge. The full title and
first verse of the old song are as follows:—
"Old Christmas returned, or Hospitality revived; being a Looking-glass for
Rich Misers, wherein they may see (if they be not blind) how much they are
to blame for their penurious house-keeping, and likewise an encouragement
to those noble-minded gentry, who lay out a great part of their estates in
hospitality, relieving such persons as have need thereof:
'Who feasts the poor, a true reward shall find,
Or helps the old, the feeble, lame, and blind.'"
"All you that to feasting and mirth are inclined,
Come, here is good news for to pleasure your mind;
Old Christmas is come for to keep open house,
He scorns to be guilty of starving a mouse;
Then come, boys, and welcome, for diet the chief,
Plum-pudding, goose, capon, minc'd pies, and roast beef."
Page 188
Christmas-Keeping in the Country
was revived in accordance with the commands of Queen Elizabeth, who
listened sympathetically to the "Lamentations" of her lowlier subjects. Their
complaint was that the royal and public pageants at Christmastide allured to
the metropolis many country gentlemen, who, neglecting the comforts of
their dependents in the country at this season, dissipated in town part of
their means for assisting them, and incapacitated themselves from
continuing that hospitality for which the country had been so long noted. In
order to check this practice, the gentlemen of Norfolk and Suffolk were
commanded by Queen Elizabeth to depart from London before Christmas,
and "to repair to their counties, and there to keep hospitality amongst their
neighbours." The presence of the higher classes was needed among the
country people to give that assistance which was quaintly recommended by
Tusser in his "Hundreth good Points of Husbandrie":
"At Christmas be mery, and thanke God of all:
And feast thy pore neighbours, the great with the small.
Yea al the yere long have an eie to the poore:
And God shall sende luck to kepe open thy doore."
Henry Lord Berkeley, who had a seat in Warwickshire, appears to have set a
good example in this respect to the noblemen of the period, for, according
to Dugdale, "the greatest part of this lord's abydinge after his mother's
death, happenynge in the sixth yeare of Queen Elizabeth, was at Callowdon,
till his own death in the eleventh of Kinge James, from whence, once in two
or three yeares, hee used in July to come to Berkeley." The historic house of
Berkeley essentially belongs to Gloucestershire; but on the death of Edward
VI., Henry Lord Berkeley,
was revived in accordance with the commands of Queen Elizabeth, who
listened sympathetically to the "Lamentations" of her lowlier subjects. Their
complaint was that the royal and public pageants at Christmastide allured to
the metropolis many country gentlemen, who, neglecting the comforts of
their dependents in the country at this season, dissipated in town part of
their means for assisting them, and incapacitated themselves from
continuing that hospitality for which the country had been so long noted. In
order to check this practice, the gentlemen of Norfolk and Suffolk were
commanded by Queen Elizabeth to depart from London before Christmas,
and "to repair to their counties, and there to keep hospitality amongst their
neighbours." The presence of the higher classes was needed among the
country people to give that assistance which was quaintly recommended by
Tusser in his "Hundreth good Points of Husbandrie":
"At Christmas be mery, and thanke God of all:
And feast thy pore neighbours, the great with the small.
Yea al the yere long have an eie to the poore:
And God shall sende luck to kepe open thy doore."
Henry Lord Berkeley, who had a seat in Warwickshire, appears to have set a
good example in this respect to the noblemen of the period, for, according
to Dugdale, "the greatest part of this lord's abydinge after his mother's
death, happenynge in the sixth yeare of Queen Elizabeth, was at Callowdon,
till his own death in the eleventh of Kinge James, from whence, once in two
or three yeares, hee used in July to come to Berkeley." The historic house of
Berkeley essentially belongs to Gloucestershire; but on the death of Edward
VI., Henry Lord Berkeley,
Page 189
With a good old fashion, when when Christmas was come,
To call in all his old neighbours with bagpipe and drum.
by descent from the Mowbrays and the Segraves, became possessed of the
ancient Manor and castellated mansion of Caludon, near Coventry, where
he lived in splendour, and kept a grand retinue, being profuse in his
hospitalities at Christmas, as well as in his alms to the poor throughout the
year. "As touchinge the Almes to the poore of 5 & six country p'ishes &
villages hard adjoyninge to Callowdon were relieved, with each of them a
neepe of holsome pottage, with a peece of beoffe or mutton therin, halfe a
cheate loafe, & a kan of beere, besides the private Almes that dayly went
out of his purse never without eight or ten shillings in single money of ijd
iijd & groates, & besides his Maundy & Thursday before Ester day, wherein
many poore men and women were clothed by the liberality of this lord and
his first wife, whilest they lived; and besides twenty markes, or twenty
pound, or more, which thrice each yeare, against the feaste of Christmas,
Ester, and Whitsontide, was sent by this Lord to two or three of the chiefest
Inhabitants of these villages, and of Gosford Street at Coventry, to bee
To call in all his old neighbours with bagpipe and drum.
by descent from the Mowbrays and the Segraves, became possessed of the
ancient Manor and castellated mansion of Caludon, near Coventry, where
he lived in splendour, and kept a grand retinue, being profuse in his
hospitalities at Christmas, as well as in his alms to the poor throughout the
year. "As touchinge the Almes to the poore of 5 & six country p'ishes &
villages hard adjoyninge to Callowdon were relieved, with each of them a
neepe of holsome pottage, with a peece of beoffe or mutton therin, halfe a
cheate loafe, & a kan of beere, besides the private Almes that dayly went
out of his purse never without eight or ten shillings in single money of ijd
iijd & groates, & besides his Maundy & Thursday before Ester day, wherein
many poore men and women were clothed by the liberality of this lord and
his first wife, whilest they lived; and besides twenty markes, or twenty
pound, or more, which thrice each yeare, against the feaste of Christmas,
Ester, and Whitsontide, was sent by this Lord to two or three of the chiefest
Inhabitants of these villages, and of Gosford Street at Coventry, to bee
Page 190
distributed amongst the poore accordinge to their discretions. Such was the
humanity of this Lord, that in tymes of Christmas and other festyvalls,
when his neighbor townships were invited and feasted in his Hall, hee
would, in the midst of their dynner, ryse from his owne, & goynge to each
of their tables in his Hall, cheerfully bid them welcome. And his further
order was, having guests of Honour or remarkable ranke that filled his owne
table, to seate himselfe at the lower end; and when such guests filled but
half his bord, & a meaner degree the rest of his table, then to seate himselfe
the last of the first ranke, & the first of the later, which was about the midst
of his large tables, neare the salt."
Another home of Christmas hospitality in the days of "Good Queen Bess"
was Penshurst in Kent, the birthplace of the distinguished and chivalrous
Sir Philip Sidney. "All who enjoyed the hospitality of Penshurst," says
Mills's History of Chivalry, "were equal in consideration of the host; there
were no odious distinctions of rank or fortune; 'the dishes did not grow
coarser as they receded from the head of the table,' and no huge salt-cellar
divided the noble from the ignoble guests." That hospitality was the
honourable distinction of the Sidney family in general is also evident from
Ben Jonson's lines on Penshurst:
"Whose liberal board doth flow
With all that hospitality doth know!
Where comes no guest but is allow'd to eat,
Without his fear, and of thy Lord's own meat
Where the same beer and bread, and self-same wine,
That is His Lordship's, shall be also mine."[57]
A reviewer of "The Sidneys of Penshurst," by Philip Sidney, says there is a
tradition that the Black Prince and his Fair Maid of Kent once spent their
Christmastide at Penshurst, whose banqueting hall, one of the finest in
England, dates back to that age of chivalry. At Penshurst Spenser wrote part
of his "Shepherd's Calendar," and Ben Jonson drank and rhymed and
revelled in this stateliest of English manor houses.
humanity of this Lord, that in tymes of Christmas and other festyvalls,
when his neighbor townships were invited and feasted in his Hall, hee
would, in the midst of their dynner, ryse from his owne, & goynge to each
of their tables in his Hall, cheerfully bid them welcome. And his further
order was, having guests of Honour or remarkable ranke that filled his owne
table, to seate himselfe at the lower end; and when such guests filled but
half his bord, & a meaner degree the rest of his table, then to seate himselfe
the last of the first ranke, & the first of the later, which was about the midst
of his large tables, neare the salt."
Another home of Christmas hospitality in the days of "Good Queen Bess"
was Penshurst in Kent, the birthplace of the distinguished and chivalrous
Sir Philip Sidney. "All who enjoyed the hospitality of Penshurst," says
Mills's History of Chivalry, "were equal in consideration of the host; there
were no odious distinctions of rank or fortune; 'the dishes did not grow
coarser as they receded from the head of the table,' and no huge salt-cellar
divided the noble from the ignoble guests." That hospitality was the
honourable distinction of the Sidney family in general is also evident from
Ben Jonson's lines on Penshurst:
"Whose liberal board doth flow
With all that hospitality doth know!
Where comes no guest but is allow'd to eat,
Without his fear, and of thy Lord's own meat
Where the same beer and bread, and self-same wine,
That is His Lordship's, shall be also mine."[57]
A reviewer of "The Sidneys of Penshurst," by Philip Sidney, says there is a
tradition that the Black Prince and his Fair Maid of Kent once spent their
Christmastide at Penshurst, whose banqueting hall, one of the finest in
England, dates back to that age of chivalry. At Penshurst Spenser wrote part
of his "Shepherd's Calendar," and Ben Jonson drank and rhymed and
revelled in this stateliest of English manor houses.
Page 191
christmas in the hall.
"A man might then behold,
At Christmas, in each hall,
"A man might then behold,
At Christmas, in each hall,
Page 192
Good fires to curb the cold,
And meat for great and small."
Queen Elizabeth died on March 23, 1603, after nominating James VI. of
Scotland as her successor, and
The Accession of King James,
as James I. of England, united the crowns of England and Scotland, which
had been the aim of Mary Queen of Scots before her death.
[49] Cassell's "History of England."
[50] "Domestic Memoirs of the Royal Family."
[51] "History of the English People."
[52] "Progresses."
[53] "English Plays."
[54] Sir William Dugdale's "Origines Juridiciales."
[55] "Progresses."
[56] "History of Music," vol iii. p. 15.
[57] Gifford's "Ben Jonson," vol. viii. p. 254.
CHAPTER VIII.
CHRISTMAS UNDER JAMES I.
(1603-1625.)
And meat for great and small."
Queen Elizabeth died on March 23, 1603, after nominating James VI. of
Scotland as her successor, and
The Accession of King James,
as James I. of England, united the crowns of England and Scotland, which
had been the aim of Mary Queen of Scots before her death.
[49] Cassell's "History of England."
[50] "Domestic Memoirs of the Royal Family."
[51] "History of the English People."
[52] "Progresses."
[53] "English Plays."
[54] Sir William Dugdale's "Origines Juridiciales."
[55] "Progresses."
[56] "History of Music," vol iii. p. 15.
[57] Gifford's "Ben Jonson," vol. viii. p. 254.
CHAPTER VIII.
CHRISTMAS UNDER JAMES I.
(1603-1625.)
Page 193
Court Masques.
The Court entertainments of Christmastide in the reign of James the First
consisted chiefly of the magnificent masques of Ben Jonson and others,
who, by their training in the preceding reign, had acquired a mastery of the
dramatic art. The company to which Shakespeare belonged (that of Lord
Chamberlain's players) became the King's players on the accession of
James, and several of Shakespeare's plays were produced at Court. But very
early in this reign plays gave place to the more costly and elaborate
entertainments called masques, but which were very different from the
dumb-show masques of Elizabeth's reign, the masquerades of Henry the
Eighth, and the low-buffoonery masques of earlier times. At the Court of
James thousands of pounds were sometimes expended on the production of
a single masque. To the aid of poetry, composed by poets of the first rank,
came the most skilful musicians and the most ingenious machinists. Inigo
Jones, who became architect to the Court in 1606, shared honours with Ben
Jonson in the production of the Court masques, as did also Henry Lawes,
the eminent musician. In some of the masques the devices of attire were the
work of "Master Jones," as well as the invention and the architecture of the
whole of the scenery. D'Israeli[58] says:—"That the moveable scenery of
these masques formed as perfect a scenical illusion as any that our own age,
with all its perfection and decoration, has attained to, will not be denied by
those who have read the few masques that have been printed. They usually
contrived a double division of the scene; one part was for some time
concealed from the spectator, which produced surprise and variety. Thus in
the Lord's Masque, at the marriage of the Palatine, the scene was divided
into two parts from the roof to the floor; the lower part being first
discovered, there appeared a wood in perspective, the innermost part being
of "releeve or whole round," the rest painted. On the left a cave, and on the
right a thicket from which issued Orpheus. At the back of the scene, at the
sudden fall of a curtain, the upper part broke on the spectators, a heaven of
clouds of all hues; the stars suddenly vanished, the clouds dispersed; an
element of artificial fire played about the house of Prometheus—a bright
and transparent cloud reaching from the heavens to the earth, whence the
eight maskers descended with the music of a full song; and at the end of
their descent the cloud broke in twain, and one part of it, as with a wind,
was blown athwart the scene. While this cloud was vanishing, the wood,
The Court entertainments of Christmastide in the reign of James the First
consisted chiefly of the magnificent masques of Ben Jonson and others,
who, by their training in the preceding reign, had acquired a mastery of the
dramatic art. The company to which Shakespeare belonged (that of Lord
Chamberlain's players) became the King's players on the accession of
James, and several of Shakespeare's plays were produced at Court. But very
early in this reign plays gave place to the more costly and elaborate
entertainments called masques, but which were very different from the
dumb-show masques of Elizabeth's reign, the masquerades of Henry the
Eighth, and the low-buffoonery masques of earlier times. At the Court of
James thousands of pounds were sometimes expended on the production of
a single masque. To the aid of poetry, composed by poets of the first rank,
came the most skilful musicians and the most ingenious machinists. Inigo
Jones, who became architect to the Court in 1606, shared honours with Ben
Jonson in the production of the Court masques, as did also Henry Lawes,
the eminent musician. In some of the masques the devices of attire were the
work of "Master Jones," as well as the invention and the architecture of the
whole of the scenery. D'Israeli[58] says:—"That the moveable scenery of
these masques formed as perfect a scenical illusion as any that our own age,
with all its perfection and decoration, has attained to, will not be denied by
those who have read the few masques that have been printed. They usually
contrived a double division of the scene; one part was for some time
concealed from the spectator, which produced surprise and variety. Thus in
the Lord's Masque, at the marriage of the Palatine, the scene was divided
into two parts from the roof to the floor; the lower part being first
discovered, there appeared a wood in perspective, the innermost part being
of "releeve or whole round," the rest painted. On the left a cave, and on the
right a thicket from which issued Orpheus. At the back of the scene, at the
sudden fall of a curtain, the upper part broke on the spectators, a heaven of
clouds of all hues; the stars suddenly vanished, the clouds dispersed; an
element of artificial fire played about the house of Prometheus—a bright
and transparent cloud reaching from the heavens to the earth, whence the
eight maskers descended with the music of a full song; and at the end of
their descent the cloud broke in twain, and one part of it, as with a wind,
was blown athwart the scene. While this cloud was vanishing, the wood,
Page 194
being the under part of the scene, was insensibly changing: a perspective
view opened, with porticoes on each side, and female statues of silver,
accompanied with ornaments of architecture, filled the end of the house of
Prometheus, and seemed all of goldsmith's work. The women of
Prometheus descended from their niches till the anger of Jupiter turned
them again into statues. It is evident, too, that the size of the procenium
accorded with the magnificence of the scene; for I find choruses described,
'and changeable conveyances of the song,' in manner of an echo, performed
by more than forty different voices and instruments in various parts of the
scene."
The masque, as Lord Bacon says, was composed for princes, and by princes
it was played. The King and Queen, Prince Henry, and Prince Charles
(afterwards Charles the First) all appeared in Court masques, as did also the
nobility and gentry of the Court, foreign ambassadors, and other eminent
personages.
In his notes to "The Masque of Queens," Ben Jonson refers several times to
"the King's Majesty's book (our sovereign) of Demonology." The goat
ridden was said to be often the devil himself, but "of the green cock, we
have no other ground (to confess ingenuously) than a vulgar fable of a
witch, that with a cock of that colour, and a bottom of blue thread, would
transport herself through the air; and so escaped (at the time of her being
brought to execution) from the hand of justice. It was a tale when I went to
school."
That there was no lack of ability for carrying out the Court commands in
regard to the Christmas entertainments of this period is evident from the
company of eminent men who used to meet at the "Mermaid." "Sir Walter
Raleigh," says Gifford,[59] "previously to his unfortunate engagement with
the wretched Cobham and others, had instituted a meeting of beaux esprits
at the Mermaid, a celebrated tavern in Friday Street. Of this club, which
combined more talent and genius, perhaps, than ever met together before or
since, Jonson was a member; and here, for many years, he regularly
repaired with Shakespeare, Beaumont, Fletcher, Selden, Cotton, Carew,
Martin, Donne, and many others, whose names, even at this distant period,
call up a mingled feeling of reverence and respect." Here, in the full flow
and confidence of friendship, the lively and interesting "wit-combats" took
view opened, with porticoes on each side, and female statues of silver,
accompanied with ornaments of architecture, filled the end of the house of
Prometheus, and seemed all of goldsmith's work. The women of
Prometheus descended from their niches till the anger of Jupiter turned
them again into statues. It is evident, too, that the size of the procenium
accorded with the magnificence of the scene; for I find choruses described,
'and changeable conveyances of the song,' in manner of an echo, performed
by more than forty different voices and instruments in various parts of the
scene."
The masque, as Lord Bacon says, was composed for princes, and by princes
it was played. The King and Queen, Prince Henry, and Prince Charles
(afterwards Charles the First) all appeared in Court masques, as did also the
nobility and gentry of the Court, foreign ambassadors, and other eminent
personages.
In his notes to "The Masque of Queens," Ben Jonson refers several times to
"the King's Majesty's book (our sovereign) of Demonology." The goat
ridden was said to be often the devil himself, but "of the green cock, we
have no other ground (to confess ingenuously) than a vulgar fable of a
witch, that with a cock of that colour, and a bottom of blue thread, would
transport herself through the air; and so escaped (at the time of her being
brought to execution) from the hand of justice. It was a tale when I went to
school."
That there was no lack of ability for carrying out the Court commands in
regard to the Christmas entertainments of this period is evident from the
company of eminent men who used to meet at the "Mermaid." "Sir Walter
Raleigh," says Gifford,[59] "previously to his unfortunate engagement with
the wretched Cobham and others, had instituted a meeting of beaux esprits
at the Mermaid, a celebrated tavern in Friday Street. Of this club, which
combined more talent and genius, perhaps, than ever met together before or
since, Jonson was a member; and here, for many years, he regularly
repaired with Shakespeare, Beaumont, Fletcher, Selden, Cotton, Carew,
Martin, Donne, and many others, whose names, even at this distant period,
call up a mingled feeling of reverence and respect." Here, in the full flow
and confidence of friendship, the lively and interesting "wit-combats" took
Page 195
place between Shakespeare and Jonson; and hither, in probable allusion to
them, Beaumont fondly lets his thoughts wander in his letter to Jonson from
the country.
"What things have we seen,
Done at the Mermaid? heard words that have been,
So nimble, and so full of subtle flame,
As if that every one from whom they came,
Had meant to put his whole wit in a jest," &c.
Masques, however, were not the only Christmas diversions of royalty at this
period, for James I. was very fond of hunting, and Nichols[60] says that, in
1604, the King kept
A Royal Christmas at Royston,
at his new hunting seat there, and "between the 18th of December and 22nd
of January he there knighted Sir Richard Hussey, of Salop; Sir Edward
Bushell, of Gloucestershire; Sir John Fenwick, of Northumberland; Sir John
Huet, of London; Sir Robert Jermyn, of Suffolk; Sir Isaac Jermyn, of
Suffolk; Sir John Rowse; Sir Thomas Muschamp, of Surrey. Mr.
Chamberlaine, in a letter to Mr. Winwood from London, December 18th,
says: 'The King came back from Royston on Saturday; but so far from being
weary or satisfyed with those sports, that presently after the holy-days he
makes reckoning to be there againe, or, as some say, to go further towards
Lincolnshire, to a place called Ancaster Heath.'"
In this letter Mr. Chamberlaine also refers to
Other Court Amusements of Christmastide,
for, proceeding, he says:—
"In the meantime here is great provision for Cockpit, to entertaine him at
home, and of Masks and Revells against the marriage of Sir Philip Herbert
and the Lady Susan Vere, which is to be celebrated on St. John's Day. The
Queen hath likewise a great Mask in hand against Twelfth-tide, for which
there was £3,000 delivered a month ago. Her brother, the Duke of Holst, is
here still, procuring a levy of men to carry into Hungary. The Tragedy of
'Gowry,' with all the action and actors, hath been twice represented by the
them, Beaumont fondly lets his thoughts wander in his letter to Jonson from
the country.
"What things have we seen,
Done at the Mermaid? heard words that have been,
So nimble, and so full of subtle flame,
As if that every one from whom they came,
Had meant to put his whole wit in a jest," &c.
Masques, however, were not the only Christmas diversions of royalty at this
period, for James I. was very fond of hunting, and Nichols[60] says that, in
1604, the King kept
A Royal Christmas at Royston,
at his new hunting seat there, and "between the 18th of December and 22nd
of January he there knighted Sir Richard Hussey, of Salop; Sir Edward
Bushell, of Gloucestershire; Sir John Fenwick, of Northumberland; Sir John
Huet, of London; Sir Robert Jermyn, of Suffolk; Sir Isaac Jermyn, of
Suffolk; Sir John Rowse; Sir Thomas Muschamp, of Surrey. Mr.
Chamberlaine, in a letter to Mr. Winwood from London, December 18th,
says: 'The King came back from Royston on Saturday; but so far from being
weary or satisfyed with those sports, that presently after the holy-days he
makes reckoning to be there againe, or, as some say, to go further towards
Lincolnshire, to a place called Ancaster Heath.'"
In this letter Mr. Chamberlaine also refers to
Other Court Amusements of Christmastide,
for, proceeding, he says:—
"In the meantime here is great provision for Cockpit, to entertaine him at
home, and of Masks and Revells against the marriage of Sir Philip Herbert
and the Lady Susan Vere, which is to be celebrated on St. John's Day. The
Queen hath likewise a great Mask in hand against Twelfth-tide, for which
there was £3,000 delivered a month ago. Her brother, the Duke of Holst, is
here still, procuring a levy of men to carry into Hungary. The Tragedy of
'Gowry,' with all the action and actors, hath been twice represented by the
Page 196
King's Players, with exceeding concourse of all sorts of people; but whether
the matter or manner be not well handled, or that it be thought unfit that
Princes should be played on the stage in their lifetime, I hear that some
great Councellors are much displeased with it, and so 'tis thought shall be
forbidden. And so wishing a merry Christmas and many a good year to you
and Mrs. Winwood, I committ you to God. Yours, most assuredly, John
Chamberlaine."
"On the 26th of January, Mr. Chamberlaine writes thus to Mr. Winwood: 'I
doubt not but Dudley Carleton hath acquainted you with all their Christmas-
games at Court, for he was a spectator of all the sports and shows. The King
went to Royston two days after Twelfth-tide, where and thereabout he hath
continued ever since, and finds such felicity in that hunting life, that he hath
written to the Councill that it is the only means to maintain his health,
which being the health and welfare of us all, he desires them to take the
charge and burden of affairs, and foresee that he be not interrupted or
troubled with too much business.'"
Campion's Masque in honour of Lord Hayes and his bride was presented
before King James, at Whitehall, on Twelfth Night, 1606; and in reference
to the Christmas festivities at Court the following year (1607), Mr.
Chamberlaine, writing to Sir D. Carleton, on the 5th of January, says:
"The Masque goes forward at Court for Twelfth-day, though I doubt the
New Room will be scant ready. All the Holidays there were Plays; but with
so little concourse of strangers, that they say they wanted company. The
King was very earnest to have one on Christmas-night; but the Lords told
him it was not the fashion. Which answer pleased him not a whit; but he
said, 'What do you tell me of the fashion? I will make it a fashion.'
Yesterday he dined in the Presence in great pomp, with two rich cupboards
of plate, the one gold, the other that of the House of Burgundy pawned to
Queen Elizabeth by the States of Brabant, and hath seldom been seen
abroad, being exceeding massy, fair, and sumptuous. I could learn no reason
of this extraordinary bravery, but that he would show himself in glory to
certain Scots that were never here before, as they say there be many lately
come, and that the Court is full of new and strange faces. Yesterday there
were to be shewn certain rare fire-works contrived by a Dane, two
Dutchmen, and Sir Thomas Challoner, in concert."
the matter or manner be not well handled, or that it be thought unfit that
Princes should be played on the stage in their lifetime, I hear that some
great Councellors are much displeased with it, and so 'tis thought shall be
forbidden. And so wishing a merry Christmas and many a good year to you
and Mrs. Winwood, I committ you to God. Yours, most assuredly, John
Chamberlaine."
"On the 26th of January, Mr. Chamberlaine writes thus to Mr. Winwood: 'I
doubt not but Dudley Carleton hath acquainted you with all their Christmas-
games at Court, for he was a spectator of all the sports and shows. The King
went to Royston two days after Twelfth-tide, where and thereabout he hath
continued ever since, and finds such felicity in that hunting life, that he hath
written to the Councill that it is the only means to maintain his health,
which being the health and welfare of us all, he desires them to take the
charge and burden of affairs, and foresee that he be not interrupted or
troubled with too much business.'"
Campion's Masque in honour of Lord Hayes and his bride was presented
before King James, at Whitehall, on Twelfth Night, 1606; and in reference
to the Christmas festivities at Court the following year (1607), Mr.
Chamberlaine, writing to Sir D. Carleton, on the 5th of January, says:
"The Masque goes forward at Court for Twelfth-day, though I doubt the
New Room will be scant ready. All the Holidays there were Plays; but with
so little concourse of strangers, that they say they wanted company. The
King was very earnest to have one on Christmas-night; but the Lords told
him it was not the fashion. Which answer pleased him not a whit; but he
said, 'What do you tell me of the fashion? I will make it a fashion.'
Yesterday he dined in the Presence in great pomp, with two rich cupboards
of plate, the one gold, the other that of the House of Burgundy pawned to
Queen Elizabeth by the States of Brabant, and hath seldom been seen
abroad, being exceeding massy, fair, and sumptuous. I could learn no reason
of this extraordinary bravery, but that he would show himself in glory to
certain Scots that were never here before, as they say there be many lately
come, and that the Court is full of new and strange faces. Yesterday there
were to be shewn certain rare fire-works contrived by a Dane, two
Dutchmen, and Sir Thomas Challoner, in concert."
Page 197
On January 8th, another letter of Mr. Chamberlaine thus refers to gaming at
Court: "On the Twelfth-eve there was great golden play at Court. No
Gamester admitted that brought not £300 at least. Montgomery played the
King's money, and won him £750, which he had for his labour. The Lord
Montegle lost the Queen £400. Sir Robert Cary, for the Prince, £300; and
the Earl Salisbury, £300; the Lord Buckhurst, £500; et sic de cæteris. So
that I heard of no winner but the King and Sir Francis Wolley, who got
above £800. The King went a hawking-journey yesterday to Theobalds and
returns to-morrow.
"Above Westminster the Thames is quite frozen over; and the Archbishop
came from Lambeth, on Twelfth-day, over the ice to Court. Many fanciful
experiments are daily put in practice; as certain youths burnt a gallon of
wine upon the ice, and made all the passengers partakers. But the best is, of
an honest woman (they say) that had a great longing to encrease her family
on the Thames" (Nichols's "Progresses").
The Reign of James I.'s Favourites
dates from Christmas Day, 1607, when he knighted Robert Carr, or Ker, a
young border Scot of the Kers of Fernihurst, the first of the favourites who
ruled both the King and the kingdom. Carr had been some years in France,
and being a handsome youth—"straight-limbed, well-formed, strong-
shouldered, and smooth-faced"—he had been led to believe that if he
cultivated his personal appearance and a courtliness of address, he was sure
of making his fortune at the Court of James. "Accordingly he managed to
appear as page to Lord Dingwall at a grand tilting match at Westminster, in
1606. According to chivalric usage it became his duty to present his lord's
shield to his Majesty; but in manœuvring his horse on the occasion it fell
and broke his leg. That fall was his rise. James was immediately struck with
the beauty of the youth who lay disabled at his feet, and had him
straightway carried into a house near Charing Cross, and sent his own
surgeon to him.... On Christmas Day, 1607, James knighted him and made
him a gentleman of the bedchamber, so as to have him constantly about his
person. Such was his favour that every one pressed around him to obtain
their suits with the King. He received rich presents; the ladies courted his
attention; the greatest lords did him the most obsequious and disgusting
Court: "On the Twelfth-eve there was great golden play at Court. No
Gamester admitted that brought not £300 at least. Montgomery played the
King's money, and won him £750, which he had for his labour. The Lord
Montegle lost the Queen £400. Sir Robert Cary, for the Prince, £300; and
the Earl Salisbury, £300; the Lord Buckhurst, £500; et sic de cæteris. So
that I heard of no winner but the King and Sir Francis Wolley, who got
above £800. The King went a hawking-journey yesterday to Theobalds and
returns to-morrow.
"Above Westminster the Thames is quite frozen over; and the Archbishop
came from Lambeth, on Twelfth-day, over the ice to Court. Many fanciful
experiments are daily put in practice; as certain youths burnt a gallon of
wine upon the ice, and made all the passengers partakers. But the best is, of
an honest woman (they say) that had a great longing to encrease her family
on the Thames" (Nichols's "Progresses").
The Reign of James I.'s Favourites
dates from Christmas Day, 1607, when he knighted Robert Carr, or Ker, a
young border Scot of the Kers of Fernihurst, the first of the favourites who
ruled both the King and the kingdom. Carr had been some years in France,
and being a handsome youth—"straight-limbed, well-formed, strong-
shouldered, and smooth-faced"—he had been led to believe that if he
cultivated his personal appearance and a courtliness of address, he was sure
of making his fortune at the Court of James. "Accordingly he managed to
appear as page to Lord Dingwall at a grand tilting match at Westminster, in
1606. According to chivalric usage it became his duty to present his lord's
shield to his Majesty; but in manœuvring his horse on the occasion it fell
and broke his leg. That fall was his rise. James was immediately struck with
the beauty of the youth who lay disabled at his feet, and had him
straightway carried into a house near Charing Cross, and sent his own
surgeon to him.... On Christmas Day, 1607, James knighted him and made
him a gentleman of the bedchamber, so as to have him constantly about his
person. Such was his favour that every one pressed around him to obtain
their suits with the King. He received rich presents; the ladies courted his
attention; the greatest lords did him the most obsequious and disgusting
Page 198
homage."[61] He afterwards formed that connection with Frances Howard,
Countess of Essex, which resulted in her divorce from her husband, and,
subsequently, on his marrying Lady Essex, the King made him Earl of
Somerset, that the lady might not lose in rank. On the circumstances
attending the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury being brought to light, the
complicity of Somerset was thought to be involved in the ascertained guilt
of his wife. In May, 1616, the Countess was convicted; a week later her
husband shared her fate. After a long imprisonment Somerset was
pardoned, and ended his life in obscurity.
In this reign the Court revels and shows of Christmas were imitated at the
country seats of the nobility and gentry, and at the Colleges of Oxford and
Cambridge. An account has been preserved of one of the most remarkable
exhibitions of this kind, entitled—
"the christmas prince."
It took place in the year 1607, at St. John's College, Oxford, and the
authentic account was published from the original manuscript, in 1816, by
Robert Tripbook, of 23, Old Bond Street, London: "To the President,
Fellows, and Scholars of St. John Baptist College, in the University of
Oxford, this curious Record of an ancient custom in their Society, is
respectfully inscribed by the Publisher." Of the authenticity of this
description the Publisher says "no doubt can possibly exist, it was written
by an eye-witness of, and performer in, the sports; and is now printed, for
the first time, from the original manuscript preserved in the College Library.
"From the Boy Bishop, the Christmas Prince may be supposed to derive his
origin. Whilst the former was bearing sway in the ecclesiastical
foundations, the latter was elected to celebrate the festivities of Christmas
in the King's palace, at the seats of the nobility, at the universities, and in
the Inns of Court. The custom prevailed till the ascendancy of the Puritans
during the civil war; and some idea of the expense, and general support it
received, may be formed from the account of the Gray's Inn Prince and an
extract from one of the Strafford Papers. The latter is from a letter written
by the Rev. G. Garrard to the Earl of Strafford, dated Jan. 8, 1635: 'The
Middle Temple House have set up a prince, who carries himself in great
state; one Mr. Vivian a Cornish gentleman, whose father Sir Francis Vivian
Countess of Essex, which resulted in her divorce from her husband, and,
subsequently, on his marrying Lady Essex, the King made him Earl of
Somerset, that the lady might not lose in rank. On the circumstances
attending the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury being brought to light, the
complicity of Somerset was thought to be involved in the ascertained guilt
of his wife. In May, 1616, the Countess was convicted; a week later her
husband shared her fate. After a long imprisonment Somerset was
pardoned, and ended his life in obscurity.
In this reign the Court revels and shows of Christmas were imitated at the
country seats of the nobility and gentry, and at the Colleges of Oxford and
Cambridge. An account has been preserved of one of the most remarkable
exhibitions of this kind, entitled—
"the christmas prince."
It took place in the year 1607, at St. John's College, Oxford, and the
authentic account was published from the original manuscript, in 1816, by
Robert Tripbook, of 23, Old Bond Street, London: "To the President,
Fellows, and Scholars of St. John Baptist College, in the University of
Oxford, this curious Record of an ancient custom in their Society, is
respectfully inscribed by the Publisher." Of the authenticity of this
description the Publisher says "no doubt can possibly exist, it was written
by an eye-witness of, and performer in, the sports; and is now printed, for
the first time, from the original manuscript preserved in the College Library.
"From the Boy Bishop, the Christmas Prince may be supposed to derive his
origin. Whilst the former was bearing sway in the ecclesiastical
foundations, the latter was elected to celebrate the festivities of Christmas
in the King's palace, at the seats of the nobility, at the universities, and in
the Inns of Court. The custom prevailed till the ascendancy of the Puritans
during the civil war; and some idea of the expense, and general support it
received, may be formed from the account of the Gray's Inn Prince and an
extract from one of the Strafford Papers. The latter is from a letter written
by the Rev. G. Garrard to the Earl of Strafford, dated Jan. 8, 1635: 'The
Middle Temple House have set up a prince, who carries himself in great
state; one Mr. Vivian a Cornish gentleman, whose father Sir Francis Vivian
Page 199
was fined in the Star-Chamber about a castle he held in Cornwall, about
three years since. He hath all his great officers attending him, lord keeper,
lord treasurer, eight white staves at the least, captain of his pensioners,
captain of his guard, two chaplains, who on Sunday last preached before
him, and in the pulpit made three low legs to his excellency before they
began, which is much laughed at. My lord chamberlain lent him two fair
cloths of state, one hung up in the hall under which he dines, the other in his
privy chamber; he is served on the knee, and all that come to see him kiss
his hand on their knee. My lord of Salisbury hath sent him pole-axes for his
pensioners. He sent to my lord of Holland, his justice in Eyre, for venison,
which he willingly sends him; to the lord mayor and sheriffs of London for
wine, all obey. Twelfth-day was a great day, going to the chapel many
petitions were delivered him, which he gave to his masters of the requests.
He hath a favourite, whom with some others, gentlemen of great quality, he
knighted at his return from church, and dined in great state; at the going out
of the chambers into the garden, when he drank the King's health, the glass
being at his mouth he let it fall, which much defaced his purple satten suit,
for so he was clothed that day, having a cloak of the same down to his foot,
for he mourns for his father who lately died. It cost this prince £2,000 out of
his own purse. I hear of no other design, but that all this is done to make
them fit to give the prince elector a royal entertainment with masks,
dancings, and some other exercises of wit, in orations or arraignments, that
day that they invite him.'
"The writer, or narrator, of the events connected with the Christmas Prince
of St. John's was Griffin Higgs, who was descended of a respectable and
opulent family in Gloucestershire, though he was himself born at Stoke
Abbat, near Henley on Thames, in 1589. He was educated at St. John's, and
thence, in 1611, elected fellow of Merton college, where he distinguished
himself, in the execution of the procuratorial duties, as a man of great
courage, though, says Wood, of little stature. In 1627 he was appointed
chaplain to the Queen of Bohemia, by her brother Charles the First, and
during his absence, in the performance of his duties, was created a doctor of
divinity at Leyden by the learned Andrew Rivet. He returned, after a
residence abroad of about twelve years, when he had the valuable rectory of
Clive or Cliff, near Dover, and shortly after the deanery of Lichfield,
conferred upon him. During the civil wars he was a sufferer for the royal
three years since. He hath all his great officers attending him, lord keeper,
lord treasurer, eight white staves at the least, captain of his pensioners,
captain of his guard, two chaplains, who on Sunday last preached before
him, and in the pulpit made three low legs to his excellency before they
began, which is much laughed at. My lord chamberlain lent him two fair
cloths of state, one hung up in the hall under which he dines, the other in his
privy chamber; he is served on the knee, and all that come to see him kiss
his hand on their knee. My lord of Salisbury hath sent him pole-axes for his
pensioners. He sent to my lord of Holland, his justice in Eyre, for venison,
which he willingly sends him; to the lord mayor and sheriffs of London for
wine, all obey. Twelfth-day was a great day, going to the chapel many
petitions were delivered him, which he gave to his masters of the requests.
He hath a favourite, whom with some others, gentlemen of great quality, he
knighted at his return from church, and dined in great state; at the going out
of the chambers into the garden, when he drank the King's health, the glass
being at his mouth he let it fall, which much defaced his purple satten suit,
for so he was clothed that day, having a cloak of the same down to his foot,
for he mourns for his father who lately died. It cost this prince £2,000 out of
his own purse. I hear of no other design, but that all this is done to make
them fit to give the prince elector a royal entertainment with masks,
dancings, and some other exercises of wit, in orations or arraignments, that
day that they invite him.'
"The writer, or narrator, of the events connected with the Christmas Prince
of St. John's was Griffin Higgs, who was descended of a respectable and
opulent family in Gloucestershire, though he was himself born at Stoke
Abbat, near Henley on Thames, in 1589. He was educated at St. John's, and
thence, in 1611, elected fellow of Merton college, where he distinguished
himself, in the execution of the procuratorial duties, as a man of great
courage, though, says Wood, of little stature. In 1627 he was appointed
chaplain to the Queen of Bohemia, by her brother Charles the First, and
during his absence, in the performance of his duties, was created a doctor of
divinity at Leyden by the learned Andrew Rivet. He returned, after a
residence abroad of about twelve years, when he had the valuable rectory of
Clive or Cliff, near Dover, and shortly after the deanery of Lichfield,
conferred upon him. During the civil wars he was a sufferer for the royal
Page 200
cause, and, losing his preferment, retired to the place of his birth, where he
died in the year 1659, and was buried in the chancel of the church of South
Stoke.
"Thomas Tucker, the elected Prince, was born in London, in 1586, entered
at St. John's in 1601, became fellow of that house and took holy orders. He
afterwards had the vicarage of Pipping-burge, or Pemberge, in Kent, and the
rectory of Portshead, near Bristol, and finally obtained the third stall in the
cathedral church of Bristol, in which he was succeeded, August 25, 1660,
by Richard Standfast."
The following explanation is given of "the apparently strange titles of the
Prince of St. John's: 'The most magnificent and renowned Thomas, by the
favour of Fortune, Prince of Alba Fortunata, Lord St. Johns, high Regent of
the Hall, Duke of St. Giles, Marquis of Magdalens, Landgrave of the Grove,
County Palatine of the Cloisters, Chief Bailiff of the Beaumonts, High
Ruler of Rome, Master of the Manor of Waltham, Governor of Gloucester
Green, Sole Commander of all Tilts,' &c. The Prince of Alba Fortunata
alludes, as may be readily conjectured, to the name of the founder, Sir
Thomas White; St. John's, and the Hall, are equally clear; Magdalens is the
parish in which a portion of the college stands, and a part of which belongs
to the society; the Grove and the Cloisters are again parts of the home
domain of the college; Beaumonts is the name of a portion of land
belonging to the college, on which stands the ruin of the palace of
Beaumonts, built about the year 1128 by King Henry the First; Rome is a
piece of land so called, near to the end of the walk called Non Ultra, on the
north side of Oxford. The manor of Waltham, or Walton, is situate in the
north suburb of Oxford, and is the property of the college, as is a
considerable portion of Gloucester-green, which though now better known
as the site of an extensive bridewell, was in 1607 literally a meadow, and
without any building more contiguous than Gloucester-hall, from which
house it derived its name."
Then follows "A true and faithfull relation of the rising and fall of Thomas
Tucker, Prince of Alba Fortunata, Lord St. Johns, &c., with all the
occurrents which happened throughout his whole domination."
died in the year 1659, and was buried in the chancel of the church of South
Stoke.
"Thomas Tucker, the elected Prince, was born in London, in 1586, entered
at St. John's in 1601, became fellow of that house and took holy orders. He
afterwards had the vicarage of Pipping-burge, or Pemberge, in Kent, and the
rectory of Portshead, near Bristol, and finally obtained the third stall in the
cathedral church of Bristol, in which he was succeeded, August 25, 1660,
by Richard Standfast."
The following explanation is given of "the apparently strange titles of the
Prince of St. John's: 'The most magnificent and renowned Thomas, by the
favour of Fortune, Prince of Alba Fortunata, Lord St. Johns, high Regent of
the Hall, Duke of St. Giles, Marquis of Magdalens, Landgrave of the Grove,
County Palatine of the Cloisters, Chief Bailiff of the Beaumonts, High
Ruler of Rome, Master of the Manor of Waltham, Governor of Gloucester
Green, Sole Commander of all Tilts,' &c. The Prince of Alba Fortunata
alludes, as may be readily conjectured, to the name of the founder, Sir
Thomas White; St. John's, and the Hall, are equally clear; Magdalens is the
parish in which a portion of the college stands, and a part of which belongs
to the society; the Grove and the Cloisters are again parts of the home
domain of the college; Beaumonts is the name of a portion of land
belonging to the college, on which stands the ruin of the palace of
Beaumonts, built about the year 1128 by King Henry the First; Rome is a
piece of land so called, near to the end of the walk called Non Ultra, on the
north side of Oxford. The manor of Waltham, or Walton, is situate in the
north suburb of Oxford, and is the property of the college, as is a
considerable portion of Gloucester-green, which though now better known
as the site of an extensive bridewell, was in 1607 literally a meadow, and
without any building more contiguous than Gloucester-hall, from which
house it derived its name."
Then follows "A true and faithfull relation of the rising and fall of Thomas
Tucker, Prince of Alba Fortunata, Lord St. Johns, &c., with all the
occurrents which happened throughout his whole domination."
Page 201
"It happened in the yeare of our Lord 1607, the 31 of October, beinge All
Sayntes Eve, that at night a fier was made in the Hall of St. John Baptist's
Colledge, in Oxon, accordinge to the custome and statuts of the same place,
at which time the whole companye or most parte of the Students of the
same house mette together to beginne their Christmas, of which some came
to see sports, to witte the Seniors as well Graduates, as Under-graduates.
Others to make sports, viz., Studentes of the seconde yeare, whom they call
Poulderlings, others to make sporte with all, of this last sorte were they
whome they call Fresh-menn, Punies of the first yeare, who are by no
meanes admitted to be agents or behoulders of those sports, before
themselves have been patient perfourmers of them. But (as it often falleth
out) the Freshmen or patients, thinkinge the Poulderlings or Agentes too
buysie and nimble, They them too dull and backwarde in theyr duety, the
standers by findinge both of them too forwarde and violente, the sportes for
that night for feare of tumultes weare broken upp, everye mann betakinge
himself to his reste.
"The next night followinge, beinge the feast of All Sayntes, at nighte they
mett agayne together; And whereas it was hoped a night's sleepe would
have somewhat abated their rage, it contraryewise sett a greater edge on
theyr furye, they havinge all this while but consulted how to gett more
strength one agaynst another, and consequently to breed newe quarrells and
contradictions, in so much that the strife and contentions of youthes and
children had like to have sett Men together by the eares, to the utter
annihilatinge of all Christmas sportes for the whole yeare followinge.
"Wherfore for the avoydinge both the one, and the other, some who studied
the quiet of all, mentioned the choosinge of a Christmas Lord, or Prince of
the Revells, who should have authorytie both to appoynt & moderate all
such games, and pastimes as should ensue, & to punishe all offenders which
should any way hinder or interrupte the free & quiet passage of any antient
& allowed sporte.
"This motion (for that the person of a Prince or Lorde of the Revells had not
been knowen amongst them for thirty yeares before, and so consequentlye
the danger, charge and trouble of such jestinge was cleane forgotten) was
presentlye allowed and greedilye apprehended of all; Wher upon 13 of the
senior Under graduates (7 of the bodye of the House & 6 Comoners,
Sayntes Eve, that at night a fier was made in the Hall of St. John Baptist's
Colledge, in Oxon, accordinge to the custome and statuts of the same place,
at which time the whole companye or most parte of the Students of the
same house mette together to beginne their Christmas, of which some came
to see sports, to witte the Seniors as well Graduates, as Under-graduates.
Others to make sports, viz., Studentes of the seconde yeare, whom they call
Poulderlings, others to make sporte with all, of this last sorte were they
whome they call Fresh-menn, Punies of the first yeare, who are by no
meanes admitted to be agents or behoulders of those sports, before
themselves have been patient perfourmers of them. But (as it often falleth
out) the Freshmen or patients, thinkinge the Poulderlings or Agentes too
buysie and nimble, They them too dull and backwarde in theyr duety, the
standers by findinge both of them too forwarde and violente, the sportes for
that night for feare of tumultes weare broken upp, everye mann betakinge
himself to his reste.
"The next night followinge, beinge the feast of All Sayntes, at nighte they
mett agayne together; And whereas it was hoped a night's sleepe would
have somewhat abated their rage, it contraryewise sett a greater edge on
theyr furye, they havinge all this while but consulted how to gett more
strength one agaynst another, and consequently to breed newe quarrells and
contradictions, in so much that the strife and contentions of youthes and
children had like to have sett Men together by the eares, to the utter
annihilatinge of all Christmas sportes for the whole yeare followinge.
"Wherfore for the avoydinge both the one, and the other, some who studied
the quiet of all, mentioned the choosinge of a Christmas Lord, or Prince of
the Revells, who should have authorytie both to appoynt & moderate all
such games, and pastimes as should ensue, & to punishe all offenders which
should any way hinder or interrupte the free & quiet passage of any antient
& allowed sporte.
"This motion (for that the person of a Prince or Lorde of the Revells had not
been knowen amongst them for thirty yeares before, and so consequentlye
the danger, charge and trouble of such jestinge was cleane forgotten) was
presentlye allowed and greedilye apprehended of all; Wher upon 13 of the
senior Under graduates (7 of the bodye of the House & 6 Comoners,
Page 202
Electors in such a case) withdrew themselves into the parlour, where after
longe debatinge whether they should chouse a Graduate or an Under
Graduate, thinkinge the former would not vouchsafe to undertake it at theyr
appoyntmentes, the latter should not be upheld & backed as it was meete &
necessary for such a place, they came forth rather to make triall what would
be done, than to resolve what should be done. And therefore at their first
entrance into the Hall meeting Sir Towse a younge man (as they thought)
fitt for the choyse, they laid handes on him, and by maine strength liftinge
him upp, viva voce, pronounced him Lord. But hee as stronglye refusinge
the place as they violentlye thrust it upon him, shewing with all reasons
why hee could by no meanes undergoe such a charge, they gott onlye this
good by their first attempt, that they understood heer by how that the whole
Colledge was rather willinge a Seniour Batchelour at least, if not a junior
Master should be chosen in to the place rather than any Under graduate,
because they would rather an earnest sporte than a scoffinge jest should be
made of it. Wher fore the Electors returninge againe into the Parlour and
shuttinge the dore close upon themselves begaune more seriously to consult
of the matter, and findinge some unable, some unwillinge to take the place,
at length they concluded to make the 2 assay but with more formalitie and
deliberation; resolvinge, if they were not now seconded of all handes, to
meddle no more with it. Wherfore, enteringe the second time in to the Hall
they desired one of the 10 Seniors & one of the Deanes of the Colledge to
hold the Scrutinye and the Vice-President to sitt by as overseer, who
willingly harkeninge to their request, sate all 3 downe at the highe table:
Then the Electors went up one by one in senioritye to give their voyce by
writinge. In the meane time there was great expectation who should bee the
Man. Some in the lower ende of the Hall, to make sporte, had theyr Names
loudest in their mouthes whome they least thought of in their mindes, &
whome they knew should come shortest of the place. At length all the
voyces being given and, accordinge to custome, the Scrutinie at large being
burned, the Vice-president with the rest stoode upp, and out of the abstract
the Deane read distinctly in the hearinge of all present as followeth
"Nominantur in hoc Scrutinio duo quorum
longe debatinge whether they should chouse a Graduate or an Under
Graduate, thinkinge the former would not vouchsafe to undertake it at theyr
appoyntmentes, the latter should not be upheld & backed as it was meete &
necessary for such a place, they came forth rather to make triall what would
be done, than to resolve what should be done. And therefore at their first
entrance into the Hall meeting Sir Towse a younge man (as they thought)
fitt for the choyse, they laid handes on him, and by maine strength liftinge
him upp, viva voce, pronounced him Lord. But hee as stronglye refusinge
the place as they violentlye thrust it upon him, shewing with all reasons
why hee could by no meanes undergoe such a charge, they gott onlye this
good by their first attempt, that they understood heer by how that the whole
Colledge was rather willinge a Seniour Batchelour at least, if not a junior
Master should be chosen in to the place rather than any Under graduate,
because they would rather an earnest sporte than a scoffinge jest should be
made of it. Wher fore the Electors returninge againe into the Parlour and
shuttinge the dore close upon themselves begaune more seriously to consult
of the matter, and findinge some unable, some unwillinge to take the place,
at length they concluded to make the 2 assay but with more formalitie and
deliberation; resolvinge, if they were not now seconded of all handes, to
meddle no more with it. Wherfore, enteringe the second time in to the Hall
they desired one of the 10 Seniors & one of the Deanes of the Colledge to
hold the Scrutinye and the Vice-President to sitt by as overseer, who
willingly harkeninge to their request, sate all 3 downe at the highe table:
Then the Electors went up one by one in senioritye to give their voyce by
writinge. In the meane time there was great expectation who should bee the
Man. Some in the lower ende of the Hall, to make sporte, had theyr Names
loudest in their mouthes whome they least thought of in their mindes, &
whome they knew should come shortest of the place. At length all the
voyces being given and, accordinge to custome, the Scrutinie at large being
burned, the Vice-president with the rest stoode upp, and out of the abstract
the Deane read distinctly in the hearinge of all present as followeth
"Nominantur in hoc Scrutinio duo quorum
Page 203
1 Joanes Towse, habet suffragia sex.
2us Thomas Tucker, habet suffragia septem.
"These wordes were not out of his mouthe before a generall and loud crie
was made of Tucker, Tucker, Vivat, Vivat, &ct. After which all the younger
sorte rane forth of the Colledge crieinge the same in the streets; which Sir
Tucker beinge then howsde not farr from the Colledge, over hearinge, kept
himself close till the companye were past, and then, as soone and secretly as
he could, gott him to his Chamber; where (after he had been longe sought
for abroad in the Towne, and at home in the Colledge, haste and desire out
runinge it self, and seekinge there last where it might first finde) he was in a
manner surprised, and more by violence than any will of his owne, taken
upp & with continuall & joyfull outcries, carried about the Hall, and so
backe to his Chamber, as his owne request was, where for that night he
rested, dismissinge the Company and desiringe some time to think of their
loves and goodwill, and to consider of his owne charge and place.
"About 3 or 4 dayes after, on the 5 of November the Lord Elect with the
Batchelours, and some of the Senior Under-graduates came into the Hall
where every man beinge seated in his order, many speaches were made by
diverse of diverse matters, some commendinge a monarchicall state of
Governmente, and the sometimes suddayne necessitye of Dictators, others
discommendinge both. Some again extollinge sportes & revells, others
mainely disallowinge them, all of them drawinge some conclusion
concerninge the like or dislike of the government newly begune, and like
for a little space to continue amongst them. In the ende the Lord Elect
himselfe, to conclude all, delivered his owne minde in manner followinge:
—
"Quæ beneficia (Viri Electores clarissimi) plus difficultatis atque, oneris
apportant collacata, quā debite administrata; poterunt honoris, cautè magis
primo in limine credo excipienda quā aut imensæ dignitatis expectatione
appetenda auidè, aut boni incogniti cœco appetitu app'hendenda temere.
Quorū in albo (Electores conscripti) cū semper dignitates istiusmodi serio
retulerim, Vos (pace dicā vestræ diligentiæ) non tam mihi videmini gratias
debere expectare, qua ipse istud onus suscepturus videor promereri. Nā
2us Thomas Tucker, habet suffragia septem.
"These wordes were not out of his mouthe before a generall and loud crie
was made of Tucker, Tucker, Vivat, Vivat, &ct. After which all the younger
sorte rane forth of the Colledge crieinge the same in the streets; which Sir
Tucker beinge then howsde not farr from the Colledge, over hearinge, kept
himself close till the companye were past, and then, as soone and secretly as
he could, gott him to his Chamber; where (after he had been longe sought
for abroad in the Towne, and at home in the Colledge, haste and desire out
runinge it self, and seekinge there last where it might first finde) he was in a
manner surprised, and more by violence than any will of his owne, taken
upp & with continuall & joyfull outcries, carried about the Hall, and so
backe to his Chamber, as his owne request was, where for that night he
rested, dismissinge the Company and desiringe some time to think of their
loves and goodwill, and to consider of his owne charge and place.
"About 3 or 4 dayes after, on the 5 of November the Lord Elect with the
Batchelours, and some of the Senior Under-graduates came into the Hall
where every man beinge seated in his order, many speaches were made by
diverse of diverse matters, some commendinge a monarchicall state of
Governmente, and the sometimes suddayne necessitye of Dictators, others
discommendinge both. Some again extollinge sportes & revells, others
mainely disallowinge them, all of them drawinge some conclusion
concerninge the like or dislike of the government newly begune, and like
for a little space to continue amongst them. In the ende the Lord Elect
himselfe, to conclude all, delivered his owne minde in manner followinge:
—
"Quæ beneficia (Viri Electores clarissimi) plus difficultatis atque, oneris
apportant collacata, quā debite administrata; poterunt honoris, cautè magis
primo in limine credo excipienda quā aut imensæ dignitatis expectatione
appetenda auidè, aut boni incogniti cœco appetitu app'hendenda temere.
Quorū in albo (Electores conscripti) cū semper dignitates istiusmodi serio
retulerim, Vos (pace dicā vestræ diligentiæ) non tam mihi videmini gratias
debere expectare, qua ipse istud onus suscepturus videor promereri. Nā
Page 204
illud demum gratijs excipitur beneficiū (pro temporū ratione loquor) quod
nec sollicitudo vrget nec officiū—Infinitæ autem adeo sunt anxietates, quæ
vel istam dominatus ανατύπωσιν circumcingunt, vt pauci velint ipsas cū
dominatu lubentèr amplecti, nulli possint euitare, nulli sustinere. Nā vbi veri
imperij facies est repræsentanda expectanda semper est aliqua curarū
proportio. Veru cum dignitas Electoria, amicitia suffragatoria, populi
applausus, ōniū consensus Democratiæ tollendæ causâ ad primatum
euocauerint, lubens animi nostri strenuæ renuentis temperabo impetū, et
sedulò impendà curam, vt Reip: (si vobis minus possim singulis) toti
satisfaciā. Hic ego non ità existimo opportunū progressuū nostrorū
aduersarijs curā imperij promiscuam et indigestam collaudantibus
respondere, aut status Monarchici necessitatē efferentibus assentari:
Disceptationū vestrarū non accessi judex, accersor imperator; Amori vestro
(Viri nobis ad prime chari) lubens tribuo gloriæ nostræ ortū; progressū
augustū atque, gloriosu a vobis ex officio vestro exigere, præter amorē
nostrum fore no arbitror. Tyraūidem non profiteor, imperiū exercebo. Cujus
fœliciores processus vt promoueantur, atque indies stabiliant æris magis
quam oris debetis esse prodigi. Quarè primitias amoris, atque officij vestri
statuo extemplo exigendas, nè aut ipse sinè authoritate imperare, aut
imperium sinè gloriâ capessisse videar Πολιτείαν Atheniensem sequimur,
cujus ad norman Ego ad munus regui jam suffectus, Mineruæ, Vulcano et
Prometheo sacra cū ludorum curatoribus pro moris vsu, primâ meâ in his
sacris authoritate fieri curabo. Interim vero (Viri nostrâ authoritate adhuc
majores) juxta prædictæ Reipublicæ jmaginē choragos, seu adjutores
desidero, qui nō tantum ludis præponantur, sed et liberalitate pro opū
ratione in Reipublicæ impensas vtentes, ex ære publico præmia partim
proponant, partim de suo insumant, hoc nomine quod illorū sint præfecti.
Quæ alia vestri sunt officij moniti præstabitis, quæ amoris, vltro (vti Spero)
offeretis.
"This was counted sufficient for his private installmente, but with all it was
thought necessary that some more publicke notice hereof should be given to
the whole Universitie, with more solemnitie and better fashion; yet before
they would venter to publish their private intendements, they were desirous
to knowe what authoritie and jurisdiction would be graunted to them, what
money allowed them towards the better going through with that they had
begune. And not long after the whole company of the Batchelours sent 2
nec sollicitudo vrget nec officiū—Infinitæ autem adeo sunt anxietates, quæ
vel istam dominatus ανατύπωσιν circumcingunt, vt pauci velint ipsas cū
dominatu lubentèr amplecti, nulli possint euitare, nulli sustinere. Nā vbi veri
imperij facies est repræsentanda expectanda semper est aliqua curarū
proportio. Veru cum dignitas Electoria, amicitia suffragatoria, populi
applausus, ōniū consensus Democratiæ tollendæ causâ ad primatum
euocauerint, lubens animi nostri strenuæ renuentis temperabo impetū, et
sedulò impendà curam, vt Reip: (si vobis minus possim singulis) toti
satisfaciā. Hic ego non ità existimo opportunū progressuū nostrorū
aduersarijs curā imperij promiscuam et indigestam collaudantibus
respondere, aut status Monarchici necessitatē efferentibus assentari:
Disceptationū vestrarū non accessi judex, accersor imperator; Amori vestro
(Viri nobis ad prime chari) lubens tribuo gloriæ nostræ ortū; progressū
augustū atque, gloriosu a vobis ex officio vestro exigere, præter amorē
nostrum fore no arbitror. Tyraūidem non profiteor, imperiū exercebo. Cujus
fœliciores processus vt promoueantur, atque indies stabiliant æris magis
quam oris debetis esse prodigi. Quarè primitias amoris, atque officij vestri
statuo extemplo exigendas, nè aut ipse sinè authoritate imperare, aut
imperium sinè gloriâ capessisse videar Πολιτείαν Atheniensem sequimur,
cujus ad norman Ego ad munus regui jam suffectus, Mineruæ, Vulcano et
Prometheo sacra cū ludorum curatoribus pro moris vsu, primâ meâ in his
sacris authoritate fieri curabo. Interim vero (Viri nostrâ authoritate adhuc
majores) juxta prædictæ Reipublicæ jmaginē choragos, seu adjutores
desidero, qui nō tantum ludis præponantur, sed et liberalitate pro opū
ratione in Reipublicæ impensas vtentes, ex ære publico præmia partim
proponant, partim de suo insumant, hoc nomine quod illorū sint præfecti.
Quæ alia vestri sunt officij moniti præstabitis, quæ amoris, vltro (vti Spero)
offeretis.
"This was counted sufficient for his private installmente, but with all it was
thought necessary that some more publicke notice hereof should be given to
the whole Universitie, with more solemnitie and better fashion; yet before
they would venter to publish their private intendements, they were desirous
to knowe what authoritie and jurisdiction would be graunted to them, what
money allowed them towards the better going through with that they had
begune. And not long after the whole company of the Batchelours sent 2
Page 205
bills to the Masters fire, the one cravinge duety and alleageance, the other
money and maintenance in manner & forme followinge:
"The coppye of a Bill sent by the Lord Elect, and the whole Company of the
Batchelours to the Masters fire, cravinge their duety and alleageance.
"Not doubtinge of those ceremonious and outward duetyes which
yourselves (for example sake) will performe, Wee Thomas Tucker with the
rest of the Bacchelours are bold to entreat, but as Thomas, Lord Elect, with
the rest of our Councell are ready to expect, that no Tutor or Officer
whatsoever shall at any time, or upon any occasion, intermeddle, or partake
with any scholler, or youth whatsoever, but leavinge all matters to the
discretion of our selves, stand to those censures and judgementes which
wee shall give of all offenders that are under our govermente in causes
appertaininge to our government. All wayes promisinge a carefull
readinesse to see schollerlike excercise performed, and orderly quietnesse
mayntained in all sortes; This as Wee promise for our owne partes, so Wee
would willingly desire that you should promise the performance of the rest
of your partes, accordinge to that bountye & love which allready you have
shewed us.
Yours, Thomas Tucker
Joseph Fletcher Thomas Downer
John Smith Rouland Juxon
Richard Baylye John Huckstepp
Richard Baylye James Bearblocke
John Towse John English
"This Bill subscribed with all their handes was seene and allowed by all the
Masters, who promised rather more than lesse than that which was
demanded. But concerninge the other Bill for Subsidyes, it was answered
that it was not in their power to grant it without the President, whose
cominge home was every day expected: against which time it was provided,
and delivered unto him; who together with the 10 Seniors, was loath to
grant any thinge till they were certified what sportes should bee, of what
quality & charge, that so they might the better proportion the one to the
other, the meanes to the matter: They were allso willinge to knowe what
money and maintenance in manner & forme followinge:
"The coppye of a Bill sent by the Lord Elect, and the whole Company of the
Batchelours to the Masters fire, cravinge their duety and alleageance.
"Not doubtinge of those ceremonious and outward duetyes which
yourselves (for example sake) will performe, Wee Thomas Tucker with the
rest of the Bacchelours are bold to entreat, but as Thomas, Lord Elect, with
the rest of our Councell are ready to expect, that no Tutor or Officer
whatsoever shall at any time, or upon any occasion, intermeddle, or partake
with any scholler, or youth whatsoever, but leavinge all matters to the
discretion of our selves, stand to those censures and judgementes which
wee shall give of all offenders that are under our govermente in causes
appertaininge to our government. All wayes promisinge a carefull
readinesse to see schollerlike excercise performed, and orderly quietnesse
mayntained in all sortes; This as Wee promise for our owne partes, so Wee
would willingly desire that you should promise the performance of the rest
of your partes, accordinge to that bountye & love which allready you have
shewed us.
Yours, Thomas Tucker
Joseph Fletcher Thomas Downer
John Smith Rouland Juxon
Richard Baylye John Huckstepp
Richard Baylye James Bearblocke
John Towse John English
"This Bill subscribed with all their handes was seene and allowed by all the
Masters, who promised rather more than lesse than that which was
demanded. But concerninge the other Bill for Subsidyes, it was answered
that it was not in their power to grant it without the President, whose
cominge home was every day expected: against which time it was provided,
and delivered unto him; who together with the 10 Seniors, was loath to
grant any thinge till they were certified what sportes should bee, of what
quality & charge, that so they might the better proportion the one to the
other, the meanes to the matter: They were allso willinge to knowe what
Page 206
particular Men would take upon them the care of furnishinge particular
nightes. For they would by no meanes relye upon generall promises because
they were not ignorant how that which concerneth all in generall is by no
man in speciall regarded. Wherfore they beinge somewhat, although not
fully, satisfied in their demaundes by some of the Masters, whom they
seemed cheefly to trust with the whole businesse, the Bill was againe
perused, and every man ceazed in manner and forme followinge:
"'The coppye of an auncient Act for taxes and subsidyes made in the raygne
of our Predecessor of famous memorye, in this Parliament held in
Aula Regni the vith of November 1577 and now for Our Self new
ratified and published, anno regni jº November 7º 1607.
"'Because all lovinge & loyall Subjects doe owe not onely themselves, but
allso their landes, livinges, goodes, and what soever they call theirs, to the
good of the Commonwealth, and estate under which they peaceably enjoy
all, It is further enacted that no man dissemble his estate, or hide his
abilitye, but be willinge at all times to pay such duetyes, taxes, and
subsidies, as shall be lawfully demaunded & thought reasonable without the
hinderance of his owne estate, upon payne of forfettinge himself and his
goodes whatsoever.'
[List of contributions amounting to 52li xiiis. vii]
"Though the whole company had thus largely contributed towards the
ensuinge sportes, yet it was found that when all thinges necessary should be
layed toegether, a great sum of money would be wantinge, and therfore a
course was thought upon of sendinge out privie Seales to able & willinge
Gentlemen which had been sometimes Fellowes or commoners of the
Colledge that it would please them to better the stocke, and out of their
good will contribute somewhat towardes the Prince's Revells."
Then followed the form of the writ issued, "To our trustye and welbeloved
Knight, or Esquire," &c. "Given under our privye Seale at our Pallace of St.
John's in Oxen, the seventh of December in the first yeare of our rayne,
1607." Then follow "the names of those who were served with this writt,
and who most willingly obeyed upon the receipt thereof," contributing
nightes. For they would by no meanes relye upon generall promises because
they were not ignorant how that which concerneth all in generall is by no
man in speciall regarded. Wherfore they beinge somewhat, although not
fully, satisfied in their demaundes by some of the Masters, whom they
seemed cheefly to trust with the whole businesse, the Bill was againe
perused, and every man ceazed in manner and forme followinge:
"'The coppye of an auncient Act for taxes and subsidyes made in the raygne
of our Predecessor of famous memorye, in this Parliament held in
Aula Regni the vith of November 1577 and now for Our Self new
ratified and published, anno regni jº November 7º 1607.
"'Because all lovinge & loyall Subjects doe owe not onely themselves, but
allso their landes, livinges, goodes, and what soever they call theirs, to the
good of the Commonwealth, and estate under which they peaceably enjoy
all, It is further enacted that no man dissemble his estate, or hide his
abilitye, but be willinge at all times to pay such duetyes, taxes, and
subsidies, as shall be lawfully demaunded & thought reasonable without the
hinderance of his owne estate, upon payne of forfettinge himself and his
goodes whatsoever.'
[List of contributions amounting to 52li xiiis. vii]
"Though the whole company had thus largely contributed towards the
ensuinge sportes, yet it was found that when all thinges necessary should be
layed toegether, a great sum of money would be wantinge, and therfore a
course was thought upon of sendinge out privie Seales to able & willinge
Gentlemen which had been sometimes Fellowes or commoners of the
Colledge that it would please them to better the stocke, and out of their
good will contribute somewhat towardes the Prince's Revells."
Then followed the form of the writ issued, "To our trustye and welbeloved
Knight, or Esquire," &c. "Given under our privye Seale at our Pallace of St.
John's in Oxen, the seventh of December in the first yeare of our rayne,
1607." Then follow "the names of those who were served with this writt,
and who most willingly obeyed upon the receipt thereof," contributing
Page 207
altogether xvili xs 0. "Others were served and bragd of it, as though they had
given, but sent nothing."
"For all these Subsidies at home, and helpes abroad, yet it was founde that
in the ende there would rather be want (as indeed it happened) than any
superfluitye, and therfore the Prince tooke order with the Bowsers to send
out warrantes to all the Tenantes & other friendes of the Colledge, that they
should send in extraordinary provision against every Feast, which
accordingly was performed; some sendinge money, some wine, some
venison, some other provision, every one accordinge to his abilitye.
"All thinges beinge thus sufficiently (as it was thought) provided for, the
Councell table, with the Lord himself, mett together to nominate officers &
to appoint the day of the Prince's publike installment which was agreed
should be on St. Andrews Day at night; because at that time the Colledge
allso was to chouse their new officers for the yeare followinge.
"Now for that they would not playnely and barely install him without any
farther ceremonies, it was thought fitt that his whole ensuinge Regiment
(for good lucke sake) should be consecrated to the Deitie of Fortune, as the
sole Mistres and Patronesse of his estate, and therfore a schollerlike devise
called Ara Fortunæ was provided for his installment; which was performed
in manner & forme followinge:
ARA FORTUNÆ.
Inter-locutores.
Princeps. Princeps.
Fortuna. Stultus.
Tolmæa. Rebellis Primus.
Thesaurarius. ———— Secundus.
>Camerarius. ———— Tertius.
Jurisconsultus. ———— Quartus.
Philosophus. Nuncius.
[The Drama is not given on account of its length. And it will be remarked
that, whenever asterisks are substituted, some portion of the MS. has been
given, but sent nothing."
"For all these Subsidies at home, and helpes abroad, yet it was founde that
in the ende there would rather be want (as indeed it happened) than any
superfluitye, and therfore the Prince tooke order with the Bowsers to send
out warrantes to all the Tenantes & other friendes of the Colledge, that they
should send in extraordinary provision against every Feast, which
accordingly was performed; some sendinge money, some wine, some
venison, some other provision, every one accordinge to his abilitye.
"All thinges beinge thus sufficiently (as it was thought) provided for, the
Councell table, with the Lord himself, mett together to nominate officers &
to appoint the day of the Prince's publike installment which was agreed
should be on St. Andrews Day at night; because at that time the Colledge
allso was to chouse their new officers for the yeare followinge.
"Now for that they would not playnely and barely install him without any
farther ceremonies, it was thought fitt that his whole ensuinge Regiment
(for good lucke sake) should be consecrated to the Deitie of Fortune, as the
sole Mistres and Patronesse of his estate, and therfore a schollerlike devise
called Ara Fortunæ was provided for his installment; which was performed
in manner & forme followinge:
ARA FORTUNÆ.
Inter-locutores.
Princeps. Princeps.
Fortuna. Stultus.
Tolmæa. Rebellis Primus.
Thesaurarius. ———— Secundus.
>Camerarius. ———— Tertius.
Jurisconsultus. ———— Quartus.
Philosophus. Nuncius.
[The Drama is not given on account of its length. And it will be remarked
that, whenever asterisks are substituted, some portion of the MS. has been
Page 208
omitted.]
"This showe by ourselves was not thought worthye of a stage or scaffoldes,
and therfore after supper the tables were onlye sett together, which was not
done with out great toyle & difficulty, by reason of the great multitude of
people (which, by the default of the dorekeepers, and divers others, every
man bringinge in his friends) had filled the Hall before wee thought of it.
But for all this it began before 8 of clock, and was well liked by the whole
audience, who, how unrulye so ever they meante to bee afterwardes,
resolved I think at first with their good applause and quiet behaviour to
drawe us on so farr, as wee should not bee able to returne backwardes
without shame & discreditt. They gave us at the ende 4 severall & generall
plaudites; at the 2 wherof the Canopie which hunge over the Altare of
Fortune (as it had been frighted with the noise, or meante to signifie that 2
plaudites were as much as it deserved) suddenly fell downe; but it was
cleanly supported by some of the standers by till the company was voyded,
that none but our selves took notice of it.
"Some upon the sight of this Showe (for the better enoblinge of his person,
and drawinge his pedigree even from the Godes because the Prince's name
was Tucker, and the last Prince before him was Dr. Case) made this
conceipt that Casus et Fortuna genuerunt Τυχερον Principem Fortunatum
—so the one his father, and the other his mother.
"Another accident worthy observation (and which was allso then observed)
was that the Foole carelesly sittinge downe at the Prince's feete brake his
staff in the midst, whence wee could not but directly gather a verye ill
omen, that the default and follye of some would bee the very breaknecke of
our ensueing sports, which how it fell out, I leave to the censures of others;
our selves (I am sure) were guilty to our selves of many weaknesses and
faultes, the number wherof were increased by the crossinge untowardnesse,
and backwardnesse of divers of the Prince's neerest followers, nay the
Prince himself had some weaknesses which did much prejudice his state,
wherof the chiefest weere his openesse, and familiaritye with all sortes,
beinge unwillinge to displease eny, yet not able to please all. But to
proceede:—On St. Thomas day at night the officers before elect were
solemnly proclaimed by a Sergeant at armes, and an Herauld, the trumpetts
soundinge beetwixt every title. This proclamation after it was read, was for
"This showe by ourselves was not thought worthye of a stage or scaffoldes,
and therfore after supper the tables were onlye sett together, which was not
done with out great toyle & difficulty, by reason of the great multitude of
people (which, by the default of the dorekeepers, and divers others, every
man bringinge in his friends) had filled the Hall before wee thought of it.
But for all this it began before 8 of clock, and was well liked by the whole
audience, who, how unrulye so ever they meante to bee afterwardes,
resolved I think at first with their good applause and quiet behaviour to
drawe us on so farr, as wee should not bee able to returne backwardes
without shame & discreditt. They gave us at the ende 4 severall & generall
plaudites; at the 2 wherof the Canopie which hunge over the Altare of
Fortune (as it had been frighted with the noise, or meante to signifie that 2
plaudites were as much as it deserved) suddenly fell downe; but it was
cleanly supported by some of the standers by till the company was voyded,
that none but our selves took notice of it.
"Some upon the sight of this Showe (for the better enoblinge of his person,
and drawinge his pedigree even from the Godes because the Prince's name
was Tucker, and the last Prince before him was Dr. Case) made this
conceipt that Casus et Fortuna genuerunt Τυχερον Principem Fortunatum
—so the one his father, and the other his mother.
"Another accident worthy observation (and which was allso then observed)
was that the Foole carelesly sittinge downe at the Prince's feete brake his
staff in the midst, whence wee could not but directly gather a verye ill
omen, that the default and follye of some would bee the very breaknecke of
our ensueing sports, which how it fell out, I leave to the censures of others;
our selves (I am sure) were guilty to our selves of many weaknesses and
faultes, the number wherof were increased by the crossinge untowardnesse,
and backwardnesse of divers of the Prince's neerest followers, nay the
Prince himself had some weaknesses which did much prejudice his state,
wherof the chiefest weere his openesse, and familiaritye with all sortes,
beinge unwillinge to displease eny, yet not able to please all. But to
proceede:—On St. Thomas day at night the officers before elect were
solemnly proclaimed by a Sergeant at armes, and an Herauld, the trumpetts
soundinge beetwixt every title. This proclamation after it was read, was for
Page 209
a time hunge up in the Hall, that every man might the better understande the
qualitie of his owne place, and they that were of lower, or no place, might
learne what duety to performe to others.
"The manner wherof was as followeth:
"Whereas by the contagious poyson, and spreadinge malice of some ill
disposed persons, hath been threatned not onelye the danger of
subvertinge peaceable & orderlye proceedinges, but the allmost utter
annihilatinge of auncient & laudable customes—It hath been thought
convenient, or rather absolutely necessarye for the avoydinge of a most
dangerous ensuinge Anarchie, a more settled order of goverment, for
the better safetye of all well meaninge Subjects, and curbinge of
discontented, headstronge persons, should bee established. And
whereas through wante of good lawes by wise and discreet Magistrates
to bee duely and truely executed, a giddye conceipt hath possest the
mindes of manye turbulent spirites, of endueringe no superiour, hardly
an equall, whereby the common-wealth might growe to bee a manye-
headed monster—It hath been provided by the staide and mature
deliberations of well-experienced governours and provident
counsellours, that one whose highe deserts might answere his high
advancement should bee sett over all to the rulinge and directinge of
all—Therefore by these presentes bee it knowne unto all of what estate
or condicion soever whome it shall concerne that Thomas Tucker, an
honorable wise & learned Gentleman to the great comeforte of the
weale-publique from hence-forth to be reputed, taken and obayed for
the true, onely and undoubted Monarche of this revellinge Climate,
whom the generall consent and joynte approbation of the whole
Common-wealth hath invested and crowned with these honours and
titles followinge:
"The most magnificent and renowned Thomas by the favour of Fortune,
Prince of Alba Fortunata, Lord St. Johns, high Regent of the Hall,
Duke of St. Giles, Marquesse of Magdalens, Landgrave of the Grove,
County Palatine of the Cloisters, Chiefe Bailiffe of the Beaumonts,
high Ruler of Rome, Maister of the Manor of Waltham, Governour of
Gloster-greene, sole Commaunder of all Titles, Tourneaments, and
Triumphes, Superintendent in all Solemnities whatsoever.
qualitie of his owne place, and they that were of lower, or no place, might
learne what duety to performe to others.
"The manner wherof was as followeth:
"Whereas by the contagious poyson, and spreadinge malice of some ill
disposed persons, hath been threatned not onelye the danger of
subvertinge peaceable & orderlye proceedinges, but the allmost utter
annihilatinge of auncient & laudable customes—It hath been thought
convenient, or rather absolutely necessarye for the avoydinge of a most
dangerous ensuinge Anarchie, a more settled order of goverment, for
the better safetye of all well meaninge Subjects, and curbinge of
discontented, headstronge persons, should bee established. And
whereas through wante of good lawes by wise and discreet Magistrates
to bee duely and truely executed, a giddye conceipt hath possest the
mindes of manye turbulent spirites, of endueringe no superiour, hardly
an equall, whereby the common-wealth might growe to bee a manye-
headed monster—It hath been provided by the staide and mature
deliberations of well-experienced governours and provident
counsellours, that one whose highe deserts might answere his high
advancement should bee sett over all to the rulinge and directinge of
all—Therefore by these presentes bee it knowne unto all of what estate
or condicion soever whome it shall concerne that Thomas Tucker, an
honorable wise & learned Gentleman to the great comeforte of the
weale-publique from hence-forth to be reputed, taken and obayed for
the true, onely and undoubted Monarche of this revellinge Climate,
whom the generall consent and joynte approbation of the whole
Common-wealth hath invested and crowned with these honours and
titles followinge:
"The most magnificent and renowned Thomas by the favour of Fortune,
Prince of Alba Fortunata, Lord St. Johns, high Regent of the Hall,
Duke of St. Giles, Marquesse of Magdalens, Landgrave of the Grove,
County Palatine of the Cloisters, Chiefe Bailiffe of the Beaumonts,
high Ruler of Rome, Maister of the Manor of Waltham, Governour of
Gloster-greene, sole Commaunder of all Titles, Tourneaments, and
Triumphes, Superintendent in all Solemnities whatsoever.
Page 210
"Now because they whom the unknowne cares, & unweildie burdens of a
sole regiment shall relie upon, neede extraordinary helpe in the more than
ordinarye affaires, Hee hath as well for the better discharge & ease of those
royall duetyes (as it were) which attend on his place, as for the avoidinge
the odious & ingratefull suspition of a single dominion, and private
Tyranye, selected and chosen unto himself a grave and learned assistance
both for Councell and government, whom, and every of which, his princely
will is, shall in their severall places & dignities bee both honoured and
obeid, with no lesse respect and observance than if himself were there
present in person. And that carelesse ignorance may bee no lawfull excuse
for the breach of his will therin hee hath appointed their severall names and
titles, with their subordinate officers and deputies to be signified &
proclaimed to all his lovinge and leige Subjects, in manner followinge:
"The right gracious John Duke of Groveland, Earle de Bello-Monte, Baron
Smith, chiefe Ranger of the Woods & Forests, great Master of the
Prince's Game, hath for his subordinate officers—
Sir Frauncis Hudson, Keeper of the Parkes, & Warder of the
Warrens.
Sir Thomas Grice, Forrester & Sargeaunt of the Woodhowse.
"The right honourable Rowland Lord Juxon, Lord Chauncelour, Keeper of
the Great Seale, Signer of all publicke Charters, Allower of all
Priviledges, hath for his subordinate officers.
Sir William Dickenson, Master of the Requests, & the Prince's
Remembrancer.
Sir Owen Vertue, Clerke of the Signet, and Chafer of Waxe.
"The right honourable Thomas Lord Downer, Lord high Treasurer,
Receaver General of all Rents, Revenues, Subsidies, belonginge by
Nature, custome or accident to the Prince; the great Payemaster of all
necessary charges appertayninge to the Court, hath for his subordinate
Officers—
Sir John Williamson, Steward of the Household, Disburser for the
Familye.
Sir Christopher Wren, Cofferer, and Clerke of the Exchequer.
sole regiment shall relie upon, neede extraordinary helpe in the more than
ordinarye affaires, Hee hath as well for the better discharge & ease of those
royall duetyes (as it were) which attend on his place, as for the avoidinge
the odious & ingratefull suspition of a single dominion, and private
Tyranye, selected and chosen unto himself a grave and learned assistance
both for Councell and government, whom, and every of which, his princely
will is, shall in their severall places & dignities bee both honoured and
obeid, with no lesse respect and observance than if himself were there
present in person. And that carelesse ignorance may bee no lawfull excuse
for the breach of his will therin hee hath appointed their severall names and
titles, with their subordinate officers and deputies to be signified &
proclaimed to all his lovinge and leige Subjects, in manner followinge:
"The right gracious John Duke of Groveland, Earle de Bello-Monte, Baron
Smith, chiefe Ranger of the Woods & Forests, great Master of the
Prince's Game, hath for his subordinate officers—
Sir Frauncis Hudson, Keeper of the Parkes, & Warder of the
Warrens.
Sir Thomas Grice, Forrester & Sargeaunt of the Woodhowse.
"The right honourable Rowland Lord Juxon, Lord Chauncelour, Keeper of
the Great Seale, Signer of all publicke Charters, Allower of all
Priviledges, hath for his subordinate officers.
Sir William Dickenson, Master of the Requests, & the Prince's
Remembrancer.
Sir Owen Vertue, Clerke of the Signet, and Chafer of Waxe.
"The right honourable Thomas Lord Downer, Lord high Treasurer,
Receaver General of all Rents, Revenues, Subsidies, belonginge by
Nature, custome or accident to the Prince; the great Payemaster of all
necessary charges appertayninge to the Court, hath for his subordinate
Officers—
Sir John Williamson, Steward of the Household, Disburser for the
Familye.
Sir Christopher Wren, Cofferer, and Clerke of the Exchequer.
Page 211
"The right honourable Joseph Lord Fletcher, Lord high Admirall, great
Commaunder of all the narrow seas, floods and passages; Surveyor of
the Navye, Mayster of the Ordinance, hath for his subordinate
Officers,
Sir Stephen Angier, Warden of the Cinque Ports, and Victualler of
the Fleet.
Sir Anthony Steevens, Captayne of the Guard.
"The right honourable Richard Lord Baylie, Lord high Marshall, President
of all Titles, and Tourneaments, Commander in all Triumphes,
Suppressor of suddayne tumultes, Supervisor of all games, and
publique pastimes, hath for his subordinate Officers,
Sir William Blagrove, Master of the Revells.
Sir John Hungerford, Knight Marshall, severe Commander of the
Wayes for the Prince's passage.
"The right honourable John Lord Towse, Lord high Chamberlayne,
Purveyor for the Prince's pallace, Overseer of all feasts and banquets,
furnisher of all Chambers, and Galleries, Examiner of all private
pastimes, hath for his subordinate Officers,
Sir Richard Swinerton the Prince's Wards and
Squiers of his bodye.
Sir William Cheyney
Mr. Edward Cooper, Groome-Porter.
"The right honourable Richard Lord Holbrooke, Comptroller Generall,
Chiefe overseer of all Purseavants, Orderer of all household Servaunts, hath
for his subordinate officers,
Sir Thomas Stanley Sergeaunts at Armes &
Gentlemen Ushers to the
Mr. John Alford Prince
Mr. Brian Nailor, Master of the Robes of State, Keeper of the
Wardrobe, and Surveyor of Liveries.
Commaunder of all the narrow seas, floods and passages; Surveyor of
the Navye, Mayster of the Ordinance, hath for his subordinate
Officers,
Sir Stephen Angier, Warden of the Cinque Ports, and Victualler of
the Fleet.
Sir Anthony Steevens, Captayne of the Guard.
"The right honourable Richard Lord Baylie, Lord high Marshall, President
of all Titles, and Tourneaments, Commander in all Triumphes,
Suppressor of suddayne tumultes, Supervisor of all games, and
publique pastimes, hath for his subordinate Officers,
Sir William Blagrove, Master of the Revells.
Sir John Hungerford, Knight Marshall, severe Commander of the
Wayes for the Prince's passage.
"The right honourable John Lord Towse, Lord high Chamberlayne,
Purveyor for the Prince's pallace, Overseer of all feasts and banquets,
furnisher of all Chambers, and Galleries, Examiner of all private
pastimes, hath for his subordinate Officers,
Sir Richard Swinerton the Prince's Wards and
Squiers of his bodye.
Sir William Cheyney
Mr. Edward Cooper, Groome-Porter.
"The right honourable Richard Lord Holbrooke, Comptroller Generall,
Chiefe overseer of all Purseavants, Orderer of all household Servaunts, hath
for his subordinate officers,
Sir Thomas Stanley Sergeaunts at Armes &
Gentlemen Ushers to the
Mr. John Alford Prince
Mr. Brian Nailor, Master of the Robes of State, Keeper of the
Wardrobe, and Surveyor of Liveries.
Page 212
"The right honourable James Lord Berbloke, principall Secretarye, Lord
privye Seale, designer of all Embasies, Drawer of all Edicts and Letters,
Scribe to the State, hath for his subordinate Officers,
Sir Thomas Clarke, Master of the Roles, & Prothonotarye.
Mr. Marcheaumount Nedham, Clerke of the Councell-table.
"The right honourable John Lord English, Lord Chiefe Justice, Examiner of
all causes Capitall; Sessor upon life and death, Judge of controversies
criminall, hath for his subordinate Officers,
Sir John Alder, Attourney Generall, and the Prince's Solicitor.
Mr. John Sackevile, Baylife Erraunt.
"Now because good Governours without good laws, carefull Magistrates
without wholesome Statutes are like dumb (though paynted) images, or
unweapon'd soldiers—Hee of his absolute authoritye, conferred upon him
in the late free election, doth ratifie and establish all such Decrees and
Statutes, as Hee now findeth wisely and warely ordayned of his famous
Predecessor; promisinge onely by a full and severe execution to put life in
their dead remembrance, Adding moreover some few cautions to be
observed in his ensuinge Triumphs."
These statutes were ratified and established by the Prince "at our Manor of
Whites-Hall, December the 21st in the first of our Raygne."
"The same night the Prince, with the rest of his Councell meetinge at the
high table in the Hall, a Bill was preferred by the Lord Treasurer for the
advancement of Mr. Henery Swinarton to the Earldome of Cloyster-sheere,
and the over-seeinge of the Princes great Librarye." After due consideration,
"the Prince at length graunted the request, and his title was presently
drawne by the Clerke of the Councell-table, and pronounced in manner
followinge:
"The right honourable Henry Lord Swinarton, Earle of Cloister-Sheer,
Barron of the Garden, chiefe Master of the Presse, and overseer of the
Prince's great Librarye, hath for his subordinate Officers,
Mr. William Rippin, Surveyor of the Walkes.
Mr. Christopher Riley, Corrector of the Printe.
privye Seale, designer of all Embasies, Drawer of all Edicts and Letters,
Scribe to the State, hath for his subordinate Officers,
Sir Thomas Clarke, Master of the Roles, & Prothonotarye.
Mr. Marcheaumount Nedham, Clerke of the Councell-table.
"The right honourable John Lord English, Lord Chiefe Justice, Examiner of
all causes Capitall; Sessor upon life and death, Judge of controversies
criminall, hath for his subordinate Officers,
Sir John Alder, Attourney Generall, and the Prince's Solicitor.
Mr. John Sackevile, Baylife Erraunt.
"Now because good Governours without good laws, carefull Magistrates
without wholesome Statutes are like dumb (though paynted) images, or
unweapon'd soldiers—Hee of his absolute authoritye, conferred upon him
in the late free election, doth ratifie and establish all such Decrees and
Statutes, as Hee now findeth wisely and warely ordayned of his famous
Predecessor; promisinge onely by a full and severe execution to put life in
their dead remembrance, Adding moreover some few cautions to be
observed in his ensuinge Triumphs."
These statutes were ratified and established by the Prince "at our Manor of
Whites-Hall, December the 21st in the first of our Raygne."
"The same night the Prince, with the rest of his Councell meetinge at the
high table in the Hall, a Bill was preferred by the Lord Treasurer for the
advancement of Mr. Henery Swinarton to the Earldome of Cloyster-sheere,
and the over-seeinge of the Princes great Librarye." After due consideration,
"the Prince at length graunted the request, and his title was presently
drawne by the Clerke of the Councell-table, and pronounced in manner
followinge:
"The right honourable Henry Lord Swinarton, Earle of Cloister-Sheer,
Barron of the Garden, chiefe Master of the Presse, and overseer of the
Prince's great Librarye, hath for his subordinate Officers,
Mr. William Rippin, Surveyor of the Walkes.
Mr. Christopher Riley, Corrector of the Printe.
Page 213
"From this time forward, and not before, the Prince was thought fully to be
instal'd, and the forme of government fully established, in-so-much that
none might or durst contradict anything which was appoynted by himself,
or any of his officers.
"The Holy-dayes beinge now at hand, his privye-chamber was provided and
furnisht, wherein a chayre of state was placed upon a carpett with a cloth of
state hanged over it, newly made for the same purpose. On Christmas Day
in the morninge he was attended on to prayers by the whole companye of
the Bacchelours, and some others of his Gentlemen Ushers, bare before
him. At dinner beinge sett downe in the Hall at the high table in the Vice-
president's place (for the President himself was then allso present) he was
served with 20 dishes to a messe, all which were brought in by Gentlemen
of the Howse attired in his Guard's coats, ushered in by the Lord
Comptroller, and other Officers of the Hall. The first messe was a Boar's
Head, which was carried by the tallest and lustiest of all the Guard, before
whom (as attendants) wente first, one attired in a horseman's coate, with a
Boars-speare in his hande, next to him an other Huntsman in greene, with a
bloody faucion drawne; next to him 2 Pages in tafatye sarcenet, each of
them with a messe of mustard; next to whome came hee that carried the
Boares-head crost with a greene silk scarfe, by which hunge the empty
scabbard of the faulcion which was carried before him. As they entered the
Hall, he sang this Christmas Caroll, the three last verses of everie staffe
beinge repeated after him by the whole companye:
1. The Boare is dead,
Loe, here is his head,
What man could have done more
Than his head off to strike,
Meleager like,
And bringe it as I doe before?
2. He livinge spoyled
Where good men toyled,
Which made kinde Ceres sorrye;
But now dead and drawne,
Is very good brawne,
And wee have brought it for you.
3. Then sett downe the Swineyard,
instal'd, and the forme of government fully established, in-so-much that
none might or durst contradict anything which was appoynted by himself,
or any of his officers.
"The Holy-dayes beinge now at hand, his privye-chamber was provided and
furnisht, wherein a chayre of state was placed upon a carpett with a cloth of
state hanged over it, newly made for the same purpose. On Christmas Day
in the morninge he was attended on to prayers by the whole companye of
the Bacchelours, and some others of his Gentlemen Ushers, bare before
him. At dinner beinge sett downe in the Hall at the high table in the Vice-
president's place (for the President himself was then allso present) he was
served with 20 dishes to a messe, all which were brought in by Gentlemen
of the Howse attired in his Guard's coats, ushered in by the Lord
Comptroller, and other Officers of the Hall. The first messe was a Boar's
Head, which was carried by the tallest and lustiest of all the Guard, before
whom (as attendants) wente first, one attired in a horseman's coate, with a
Boars-speare in his hande, next to him an other Huntsman in greene, with a
bloody faucion drawne; next to him 2 Pages in tafatye sarcenet, each of
them with a messe of mustard; next to whome came hee that carried the
Boares-head crost with a greene silk scarfe, by which hunge the empty
scabbard of the faulcion which was carried before him. As they entered the
Hall, he sang this Christmas Caroll, the three last verses of everie staffe
beinge repeated after him by the whole companye:
1. The Boare is dead,
Loe, here is his head,
What man could have done more
Than his head off to strike,
Meleager like,
And bringe it as I doe before?
2. He livinge spoyled
Where good men toyled,
Which made kinde Ceres sorrye;
But now dead and drawne,
Is very good brawne,
And wee have brought it for you.
3. Then sett downe the Swineyard,
Page 214
The foe to the Vineyard,
Lett Bacchus crowne his fall,
Lett this Boare's-head and mustard
Stand for Pigg, Goose, and Custard,
And so you are wellcome all.
"At this time, as on all other Holy-dayes, the Princes allowed Musitions
(which were sent for from Readinge, because our owne Town Musick had
given us the slipp, as they use to doe at that time when we had most need of
them) played all dinner time, and allso at supper. The Prince as ofte as hee
satt in the Hall was attended on by a Commoner and Scholler of the
Colledge in tafaty sarcenett. After supper there was a private Showe
performed in the manner of an Interlude, contayninge the order of the
Saturnalls, and shewinge the first cause of Christmas-candles, and in the
ende there was an application made to the Day and Nativitie of Christ, all
which was performed in manner followinge:
SATURNALIA.
Hercules
Curius
Doulus
"This shew was very well liked of our selves, and the better: first, because
itt was the voluntary service of a younge youth; nexte, because there were
no strangers to trouble us.
"St. Steevens day was past over in silence, and so had St. John's day also;
butt that some of the Prince's honest neighbours of St. Giles's presented him
with a maske, or morris, which though it were but rudely performed, yet itt
being so freely and lovingly profered, it could not but bee as lovingly
received.
"The same nighte, the twelve daies were suddenly, and as it were
extempore, brought in, to offer their service to the Prince, the holy-daies
speaking Latine, and the working-daies English, the transition was this:
Lett Bacchus crowne his fall,
Lett this Boare's-head and mustard
Stand for Pigg, Goose, and Custard,
And so you are wellcome all.
"At this time, as on all other Holy-dayes, the Princes allowed Musitions
(which were sent for from Readinge, because our owne Town Musick had
given us the slipp, as they use to doe at that time when we had most need of
them) played all dinner time, and allso at supper. The Prince as ofte as hee
satt in the Hall was attended on by a Commoner and Scholler of the
Colledge in tafaty sarcenett. After supper there was a private Showe
performed in the manner of an Interlude, contayninge the order of the
Saturnalls, and shewinge the first cause of Christmas-candles, and in the
ende there was an application made to the Day and Nativitie of Christ, all
which was performed in manner followinge:
SATURNALIA.
Hercules
Curius
Doulus
"This shew was very well liked of our selves, and the better: first, because
itt was the voluntary service of a younge youth; nexte, because there were
no strangers to trouble us.
"St. Steevens day was past over in silence, and so had St. John's day also;
butt that some of the Prince's honest neighbours of St. Giles's presented him
with a maske, or morris, which though it were but rudely performed, yet itt
being so freely and lovingly profered, it could not but bee as lovingly
received.
"The same nighte, the twelve daies were suddenly, and as it were
extempore, brought in, to offer their service to the Prince, the holy-daies
speaking Latine, and the working-daies English, the transition was this:
Page 215
Yee see these working-daies they weare no satten,
And I assure you they can speake no Latten;
But if you please to stay a-while,
Some shepheard for them will change the style.
"After some few daunces the Prince, not much liking the sporte (for that
most of them were out both in their speeches and measures, having but
thought of this devise some few houres before) rose, and lefte the hall, after
whose departure, an honest fellow to breake of the sportes for that night,
and to void the company made suddenly this Epilogue:
These daunces were perform'd of yore
By many worthy Elfes,
Now if you will have any more
Pray shake your heeles your selves.
"The next day being Innocents-day, it was expected, and partly determined
by our selves, that the Tragedy of Philomela should have been publickly
acted, which (as wee thought) would well have fitted the day, by reason of
the murder of Innocent Itis. But the carpenters being no way ready with the
stage, or scaffolds (whereof notwithstanding some were made before
Christmas), wee were constrained to deferre it till the nexte day, which was
the 29th of December.
PHILOMELA.
Tereus, Rex Thraciæ.
Progne, Regina, Uxor Terei,
Eugenes, a consilijs Terei.
Tres Socii Terei a Classe,
Ancilla Prognes.
Philomela, Soror Prognes
Itis, Filius Pronges et Terei
Ancilla Philomelæ.
Faustulus, Pastor Regius.
Faustula, Pastoris Filia.
Chorus.
Terra
And I assure you they can speake no Latten;
But if you please to stay a-while,
Some shepheard for them will change the style.
"After some few daunces the Prince, not much liking the sporte (for that
most of them were out both in their speeches and measures, having but
thought of this devise some few houres before) rose, and lefte the hall, after
whose departure, an honest fellow to breake of the sportes for that night,
and to void the company made suddenly this Epilogue:
These daunces were perform'd of yore
By many worthy Elfes,
Now if you will have any more
Pray shake your heeles your selves.
"The next day being Innocents-day, it was expected, and partly determined
by our selves, that the Tragedy of Philomela should have been publickly
acted, which (as wee thought) would well have fitted the day, by reason of
the murder of Innocent Itis. But the carpenters being no way ready with the
stage, or scaffolds (whereof notwithstanding some were made before
Christmas), wee were constrained to deferre it till the nexte day, which was
the 29th of December.
PHILOMELA.
Tereus, Rex Thraciæ.
Progne, Regina, Uxor Terei,
Eugenes, a consilijs Terei.
Tres Socii Terei a Classe,
Ancilla Prognes.
Philomela, Soror Prognes
Itis, Filius Pronges et Terei
Ancilla Philomelæ.
Faustulus, Pastor Regius.
Faustula, Pastoris Filia.
Chorus.
Terra
Page 216
Mare.
"The whole play was wel acted and wel liked.
"New-yeare's eve was wholly spent in preparation for the Prince's triumphs,
so that nothing was done or expected that night.
"Next day in the morning (beeing New-yeare's-day) the Prince sent Mr.
Richard Swinnerton, one of the Squires of his body to Mr. President with a
paire of gloves, charging him to say nothing but these two verses:
The Prince and his Councell, in signe of their loves,
Present you, their President, with these paire of gloves.
"There was some what else written in the paper which covered them, but
what it is uncertaine.
"At night were celebrated the Prince's triumphs, at which time onely and
never before nor after he was carryed in full state from his pallace to the
hall, where in the sight of the whole University a supplication was
presented unto him by Time and seconded with a shew called Times
Complaint. It was performed in manner and forme following:
TIME'S COMPLAINT.
Time.
Veritas, the Daughter of Time.
Opinion Seducers of Veritas.
Error
Studioso, a Scholler.
Manco, a lame Souldiour.
Clinias, a poore Country-
man.
Humphry Swallow, a
drunken Cob
"The whole play was wel acted and wel liked.
"New-yeare's eve was wholly spent in preparation for the Prince's triumphs,
so that nothing was done or expected that night.
"Next day in the morning (beeing New-yeare's-day) the Prince sent Mr.
Richard Swinnerton, one of the Squires of his body to Mr. President with a
paire of gloves, charging him to say nothing but these two verses:
The Prince and his Councell, in signe of their loves,
Present you, their President, with these paire of gloves.
"There was some what else written in the paper which covered them, but
what it is uncertaine.
"At night were celebrated the Prince's triumphs, at which time onely and
never before nor after he was carryed in full state from his pallace to the
hall, where in the sight of the whole University a supplication was
presented unto him by Time and seconded with a shew called Times
Complaint. It was performed in manner and forme following:
TIME'S COMPLAINT.
Time.
Veritas, the Daughter of Time.
Opinion Seducers of Veritas.
Error
Studioso, a Scholler.
Manco, a lame Souldiour.
Clinias, a poore Country-
man.
Humphry Swallow, a
drunken Cob
Page 217
Goodwife Spiggot, an Ale-
wife.
Philonices, a rangling
Lawyer.
Seruus Philonices.
Bellicoso, a Casheere
Corporall.
PROLOGUE.[62]
"Worthelie heere wee bring you Time's Complaint
Whom we have most just cause for to complaine of,
For hee hath lent us such a little space
That what wee doe wants much of its true grace.
Yet let your wonted love that kindelie take,
Which we could wish were better for your sake.
EnterTime with the Musicians to place them
Time. O wellsaid, wellsaid; wellcome, wellcome, faith!
It doth mee good to see I have some friends.
Come, true observers of due time, come on:
A fitt of musicke, but keepe time, keepe time
In your remembrance still, or else you jarre:
These for my sake too much neglected are.
The world termes them beggars, fidling roagues,
But come my fidling friends, I like you well,
And for my sake I hope this company,
Naie more the Prince himselfe, will like your tunes.
Here take your place and shew your greatest skill,
All now is well that is not verie ill.
Time expecting the comming of the Prince (to whom hee preferreth a petition) placeth himselfe on the
stage till the traine bee past.
This waie hee comes, here will I place my selfe,
They saie hee is an honourable Prince,
Respectfull, curteous, liberall, and learn'd:
wife.
Philonices, a rangling
Lawyer.
Seruus Philonices.
Bellicoso, a Casheere
Corporall.
PROLOGUE.[62]
"Worthelie heere wee bring you Time's Complaint
Whom we have most just cause for to complaine of,
For hee hath lent us such a little space
That what wee doe wants much of its true grace.
Yet let your wonted love that kindelie take,
Which we could wish were better for your sake.
EnterTime with the Musicians to place them
Time. O wellsaid, wellsaid; wellcome, wellcome, faith!
It doth mee good to see I have some friends.
Come, true observers of due time, come on:
A fitt of musicke, but keepe time, keepe time
In your remembrance still, or else you jarre:
These for my sake too much neglected are.
The world termes them beggars, fidling roagues,
But come my fidling friends, I like you well,
And for my sake I hope this company,
Naie more the Prince himselfe, will like your tunes.
Here take your place and shew your greatest skill,
All now is well that is not verie ill.
Time expecting the comming of the Prince (to whom hee preferreth a petition) placeth himselfe on the
stage till the traine bee past.
This waie hee comes, here will I place my selfe,
They saie hee is an honourable Prince,
Respectfull, curteous, liberall, and learn'd:
Page 218
If hee bee soe hee will not choose but heare mee.
Poore aged Time was never so abused,
If not for my sake, yet for his owne good,
Hee will read over my petition.
Oft hath the like beene drawne and given up
To his nobilitie; But carelesse they
In theire deepe pockets swallow good men's praiers.
This his owne hand shall have, or I will keepe it:—
But here they come, stand close and viewe the traine.
Enter first six Knighte Marshalls men in suitable liveries with links and
truncheons two by two.
Next the Knighte Marshall alone in armour and bases with a truncheon.
Then fower other of his men as before.
After these fower Knightes in rich apparell with hats and feathers, rapiers
and daggers, bootes and spurres, everie one his Lackie attending on
him with torch-light, all two by two.
After these the Master of the Requests, the Master of the Robes in vaste
velvet gownes, with Lackies and torches before them.
After these fower Barons in velvet cloakes, likewise attended with Lackies
and torches.
After these an Herald at Armes bare, with two Lackies attendant bearing
torches.
After these six of the privie Counsell in Schollars gownes and civill hoods,
everie one attended on by a Footman bearing on his jacket both behind
and before his Lord's armes according to his office (as it is before
mentioned) with torches alsoe in theire hands.
After those two Sergeants at armes, with great Maces, and two Squiers
before them with torches, all bare.
Poore aged Time was never so abused,
If not for my sake, yet for his owne good,
Hee will read over my petition.
Oft hath the like beene drawne and given up
To his nobilitie; But carelesse they
In theire deepe pockets swallow good men's praiers.
This his owne hand shall have, or I will keepe it:—
But here they come, stand close and viewe the traine.
Enter first six Knighte Marshalls men in suitable liveries with links and
truncheons two by two.
Next the Knighte Marshall alone in armour and bases with a truncheon.
Then fower other of his men as before.
After these fower Knightes in rich apparell with hats and feathers, rapiers
and daggers, bootes and spurres, everie one his Lackie attending on
him with torch-light, all two by two.
After these the Master of the Requests, the Master of the Robes in vaste
velvet gownes, with Lackies and torches before them.
After these fower Barons in velvet cloakes, likewise attended with Lackies
and torches.
After these an Herald at Armes bare, with two Lackies attendant bearing
torches.
After these six of the privie Counsell in Schollars gownes and civill hoods,
everie one attended on by a Footman bearing on his jacket both behind
and before his Lord's armes according to his office (as it is before
mentioned) with torches alsoe in theire hands.
After those two Sergeants at armes, with great Maces, and two Squiers
before them with torches, all bare.
Page 219
After these two Hench-men, the one with a sword, the other with a scepter,
likewise attended by two Squiers with torch lights, all bare.
After these the Prince himselfe in a scholler's gowne and civill hood, with a
coronett of laurell about his hat, attended on by fower footmen in
suitable liveries with torches.
After these the Captaine of the guard alone in hose and dublett, hatt and
feather, etc., and following him, twenty of the guard in suitable guards'
coats and halberds in their hands, and lightes intermingled here and
there.
"When this traine first entered out of the Prince's palace there was a volye
of shotte to the number of fiftie or three-score gunnes, and once againe as it
passed through the quadrangle, and the third time when the Prince was
readie to enter uppon the stage in the hall, after which third peale ended, the
nobilitie having past along some parte of the stage, the rest of the traine
disposed in places provided for them, and the Prince himselfe newlie
entered, the showe went forward.
"It hath beene observed if they which performe much in these kinde of
sportes must needs doe something amisse, or at the least such is the danger
and trouble of them, that something in the doing will miscarry, and so be
taken amisse, and such was our fortune at this time; for the Prologue (to the
great prejudice of that which followed) was most shamefully out, and
having but halfe a verse to say, so that by the very sense the audience was
able to prompt him in that which followed, yet hee could not goe forward,
but after long stay and silence, was compelled abruptly to leave the stage,
whereupon beeing to play another part, hee was so dasht, that hee did
nothing well that night.
"After him Good-wife Spiggot, comming forth before her time, was most
miserably at a non plus & made others so also, whilst her selfe staulked in
the middest like a great Harry-Lion (as it pleased the audience to terme it),
either saying nothing at all, or nothing to the purpose.
likewise attended by two Squiers with torch lights, all bare.
After these the Prince himselfe in a scholler's gowne and civill hood, with a
coronett of laurell about his hat, attended on by fower footmen in
suitable liveries with torches.
After these the Captaine of the guard alone in hose and dublett, hatt and
feather, etc., and following him, twenty of the guard in suitable guards'
coats and halberds in their hands, and lightes intermingled here and
there.
"When this traine first entered out of the Prince's palace there was a volye
of shotte to the number of fiftie or three-score gunnes, and once againe as it
passed through the quadrangle, and the third time when the Prince was
readie to enter uppon the stage in the hall, after which third peale ended, the
nobilitie having past along some parte of the stage, the rest of the traine
disposed in places provided for them, and the Prince himselfe newlie
entered, the showe went forward.
"It hath beene observed if they which performe much in these kinde of
sportes must needs doe something amisse, or at the least such is the danger
and trouble of them, that something in the doing will miscarry, and so be
taken amisse, and such was our fortune at this time; for the Prologue (to the
great prejudice of that which followed) was most shamefully out, and
having but halfe a verse to say, so that by the very sense the audience was
able to prompt him in that which followed, yet hee could not goe forward,
but after long stay and silence, was compelled abruptly to leave the stage,
whereupon beeing to play another part, hee was so dasht, that hee did
nothing well that night.
"After him Good-wife Spiggot, comming forth before her time, was most
miserably at a non plus & made others so also, whilst her selfe staulked in
the middest like a great Harry-Lion (as it pleased the audience to terme it),
either saying nothing at all, or nothing to the purpose.
Page 220
"The drunken-man, which in the repetitions had much pleased and done
very well, was now so ambitious of his action, that he would needs make
his part much longer than it was, and stood so long upon it all, that he grew
most tedious, whereuppon it was well observed and said by one that
————'twas pitty there should bee
In any pleasing thing satiety.
"To make up the messe of absurdities the company had so fil'd the stage,
that there was no roome to doe any thing well, to bee sure many thinges
were mistaken and therefore could not but bee very distastfull, for it was
thought that particular men were aymed at, and disciphered by the drunken-
man, and Justice Bryar, though it was fully knowne to our-selves that the
author had no such purpose.
"In fine, expectation the devourer of all good endeavours had swallowed
more in the very name and title of the interlude than was either provided or
intended in the whole matter, for wee onely proposed to our selves a shew,
but the towne expected a perfect and absolute play, so that all things mett to
make us unhappy that night, and had not Time him selfe (whose lines and
actions were thought good) somewhat pleased them, they would never have
endured us without hissing, howsoever in the end they gave us two or three
cold plaudites, though they departed no way satisfyed, unlesse it were in the
shew about the quadrangle, wherein the Prince was carryd to his chamber in
the same state that hee came from thence in the beginning (as is above
mentioned), the whole company of actors beeing added to his traine who
immediately followed him before the guard in this order:
First, Time alone, attended, with two pages and lightes.
Next, Veritas alone, likewise attended.
Then Error and Opinion, which all the way they went pull'd Veritas by the
sleeve, one by one and the other by the other, but shee would not
harken to them.
After these came Studioso and Philonices, both pleading the case, one upon
his ringers and the other with both his hands.
very well, was now so ambitious of his action, that he would needs make
his part much longer than it was, and stood so long upon it all, that he grew
most tedious, whereuppon it was well observed and said by one that
————'twas pitty there should bee
In any pleasing thing satiety.
"To make up the messe of absurdities the company had so fil'd the stage,
that there was no roome to doe any thing well, to bee sure many thinges
were mistaken and therefore could not but bee very distastfull, for it was
thought that particular men were aymed at, and disciphered by the drunken-
man, and Justice Bryar, though it was fully knowne to our-selves that the
author had no such purpose.
"In fine, expectation the devourer of all good endeavours had swallowed
more in the very name and title of the interlude than was either provided or
intended in the whole matter, for wee onely proposed to our selves a shew,
but the towne expected a perfect and absolute play, so that all things mett to
make us unhappy that night, and had not Time him selfe (whose lines and
actions were thought good) somewhat pleased them, they would never have
endured us without hissing, howsoever in the end they gave us two or three
cold plaudites, though they departed no way satisfyed, unlesse it were in the
shew about the quadrangle, wherein the Prince was carryd to his chamber in
the same state that hee came from thence in the beginning (as is above
mentioned), the whole company of actors beeing added to his traine who
immediately followed him before the guard in this order:
First, Time alone, attended, with two pages and lightes.
Next, Veritas alone, likewise attended.
Then Error and Opinion, which all the way they went pull'd Veritas by the
sleeve, one by one and the other by the other, but shee would not
harken to them.
After these came Studioso and Philonices, both pleading the case, one upon
his ringers and the other with both his hands.
Page 221
Then came Manco, the lame souldiour and Philonices his man; the
souldiour haulting without his cruch, the other beating him with the
cruch for counterfeyting.
After these came Clinias and Bellicoso houlding the halter betwixt them,
which Bellicoso had found in Clinias his pocket.
Last after these came Humphry Swallow and good wife Spiggot, hee
reeling uppon her, she pulling and hayling him for the money he ought
her.
After these came the guard as before, and so the Prince in full state was
conveyed to his pallace.
"Here wee were all so discouraged that wee could have found in our heartes
to have gone no farther. But then consulting with our selves wee thought it
no way fitt to leave when thinges were at the worst, and therefore resolved
by more industry and better care of those things which should follow, to sue
out a fine of recovery for our credites. Whereuppon the comedy which was
already a foote and appointed to bee done on 12 day, was revewed and
corrected by the best judgments in the house, & a Chorus by their direction
inserted, to excuse former faults, all which was a cause that Twelfe eve &
Twelfe day past away in silence, because the comedy beeing wholy altered
could not bee so soone acted, neyther could any other thing bee so suddenly
provided to furnish those nights.
"Heere the Lord-treasurer made a complaint to the King and the rest of his
councell that his treasure was poore and almost exhausted, so that without a
fresh supply or new subsidy nothing more could bee done. And that this
might not seem an idle complaint, a bill of some of the particulars and
chiefe expences was exhibited, wherein it might appeare how costly the
presedent revels had beene."
The "Bill of Expences" amounted to lxiiijli vs od.
"This bill beeing seene and allowed, they begane to cast about for more
money, whereuppon a new privy seale was drawn in Latin." "Those which
were served with this writte and obey'd" contributed a total sum of 5li.
souldiour haulting without his cruch, the other beating him with the
cruch for counterfeyting.
After these came Clinias and Bellicoso houlding the halter betwixt them,
which Bellicoso had found in Clinias his pocket.
Last after these came Humphry Swallow and good wife Spiggot, hee
reeling uppon her, she pulling and hayling him for the money he ought
her.
After these came the guard as before, and so the Prince in full state was
conveyed to his pallace.
"Here wee were all so discouraged that wee could have found in our heartes
to have gone no farther. But then consulting with our selves wee thought it
no way fitt to leave when thinges were at the worst, and therefore resolved
by more industry and better care of those things which should follow, to sue
out a fine of recovery for our credites. Whereuppon the comedy which was
already a foote and appointed to bee done on 12 day, was revewed and
corrected by the best judgments in the house, & a Chorus by their direction
inserted, to excuse former faults, all which was a cause that Twelfe eve &
Twelfe day past away in silence, because the comedy beeing wholy altered
could not bee so soone acted, neyther could any other thing bee so suddenly
provided to furnish those nights.
"Heere the Lord-treasurer made a complaint to the King and the rest of his
councell that his treasure was poore and almost exhausted, so that without a
fresh supply or new subsidy nothing more could bee done. And that this
might not seem an idle complaint, a bill of some of the particulars and
chiefe expences was exhibited, wherein it might appeare how costly the
presedent revels had beene."
The "Bill of Expences" amounted to lxiiijli vs od.
"This bill beeing seene and allowed, they begane to cast about for more
money, whereuppon a new privy seale was drawn in Latin." "Those which
were served with this writte and obey'd" contributed a total sum of 5li.
Page 222
"This beeing not as yet sufficient there was a new subsedy levyed by the
Junior Masters and the rest of the Colledge to the summe of Six Poundes
three shillings, whereuppon finding themselves againe before hand, and
resolving to save nothing for a deare yeare, they proceeded to new expences
and new troubles.
"The Suneday after, beeing the last day of the Vacation and tenth day of the
moneth, two shewes were privately performed in the Lodging, the one
presently after dinner called Somnium Fundatoris, viz., the tradition that
wee have concearning the three trees that wee have in the President his
garden. This interlude by the reason of the death of him that made it, not
long after was lost, and so could not bee heere inserted; but it was very well
liked, and so wel deserved, for that it was both wel penned and well acted.
"Now because before were divers youths whose voyces or personages
would not suffer them to act any thing in publicke, yet withall it was
thought fitt, that in so publicke a buisnes every one should doe some thing,
therefore a mocke play was provided called The 7 Dayes of the Weeke,
which was to be performed by them which could do nothing in earnest, and,
that they should bee sure to spoyle nothing, every man's part was sorted to
his person, and it was resolved that the worse it was done, the better it
would be liked, and so it fell out; for the same day after supper it was
presented by one who bore the name of the Clerke of St. Gyleses, and acted
privately in the lodging in manner and forme following:
THE SEVEN DAYES OF THE WEEKE.
Interloqutores.
The Clerke of St. Gyleses.
Mooneday.
Tuseday.
Wenesday.
Thurseday.
Frieday.
Satterday.
Suneday.
Night.
Junior Masters and the rest of the Colledge to the summe of Six Poundes
three shillings, whereuppon finding themselves againe before hand, and
resolving to save nothing for a deare yeare, they proceeded to new expences
and new troubles.
"The Suneday after, beeing the last day of the Vacation and tenth day of the
moneth, two shewes were privately performed in the Lodging, the one
presently after dinner called Somnium Fundatoris, viz., the tradition that
wee have concearning the three trees that wee have in the President his
garden. This interlude by the reason of the death of him that made it, not
long after was lost, and so could not bee heere inserted; but it was very well
liked, and so wel deserved, for that it was both wel penned and well acted.
"Now because before were divers youths whose voyces or personages
would not suffer them to act any thing in publicke, yet withall it was
thought fitt, that in so publicke a buisnes every one should doe some thing,
therefore a mocke play was provided called The 7 Dayes of the Weeke,
which was to be performed by them which could do nothing in earnest, and,
that they should bee sure to spoyle nothing, every man's part was sorted to
his person, and it was resolved that the worse it was done, the better it
would be liked, and so it fell out; for the same day after supper it was
presented by one who bore the name of the Clerke of St. Gyleses, and acted
privately in the lodging in manner and forme following:
THE SEVEN DAYES OF THE WEEKE.
Interloqutores.
The Clerke of St. Gyleses.
Mooneday.
Tuseday.
Wenesday.
Thurseday.
Frieday.
Satterday.
Suneday.
Night.
Page 223
Chorus.
A Woman
A Paire of Snuffers.
Enter the Clerke with all his Acteurs.
Prologue
Clerke. "I am the poore, though not unlettered, Clerke,
And these your subjects of St. Gyles his parishe,
Who in this officious season would not sharke
But thought to greet your highnesse with a morrice,
Which since my riper judgement thought not fitt,
They have layd down their wisedomes to my witt.
And that you might perceive (though seeminge rude)
Wee savour somewhat of the Academie,
Wee had adventur'd on an enterlude
But then of actors wee did lacke a manye;
Therefore we clipt our play into a showe,
Yet bigg enough to speake more than wee knowe.
The subject of it was not farr to seeke
Fine witts worke mickle matter out of nifle:
Nam'd it I have The Seven Dayes of the Weeke,
Which though perchaunce grave heads may judge a trifle,
Yet if their action answere but my penninge,
You shall heare that, that will deserve a hemminge.
To tell the argument, were to forstalle
And sour the licquour of our sweete conceate;
Here are good fellowes that will tell you all
When wee begin once, you shall quickely ha'te,
A Woman
A Paire of Snuffers.
Enter the Clerke with all his Acteurs.
Prologue
Clerke. "I am the poore, though not unlettered, Clerke,
And these your subjects of St. Gyles his parishe,
Who in this officious season would not sharke
But thought to greet your highnesse with a morrice,
Which since my riper judgement thought not fitt,
They have layd down their wisedomes to my witt.
And that you might perceive (though seeminge rude)
Wee savour somewhat of the Academie,
Wee had adventur'd on an enterlude
But then of actors wee did lacke a manye;
Therefore we clipt our play into a showe,
Yet bigg enough to speake more than wee knowe.
The subject of it was not farr to seeke
Fine witts worke mickle matter out of nifle:
Nam'd it I have The Seven Dayes of the Weeke,
Which though perchaunce grave heads may judge a trifle,
Yet if their action answere but my penninge,
You shall heare that, that will deserve a hemminge.
To tell the argument, were to forstalle
And sour the licquour of our sweete conceate;
Here are good fellowes that will tell you all
When wee begin once, you shall quickely ha'te,
Page 224
Which if your grace will grace with your attention,
You shall soone sounde the depth of our invention."
[Then follows the mock play in seven Acts.]
"Nothing, throughout the whole yeare, was better liked and more pleasant
than this shewe, in so much that, although it were more privately done
before our selves onely or some few friends, yet the report of it went about
all the towne, till it came to the Vice-chauncellours and L. Clifford's eares,
who were very desyrous to see it acted againe, and so it was as heereafter
shal bee specifyed.
"The next day beeing Munday the 11 of January the terme should have
begun in the house, but because of the extreame cold and froast which had
now continued full six weekes and better without any intermission, as also
by reason the hall was still pestered with the stage and scaffolds which were
suffered to stand still in expectation of the Comedy, therefore it was agreed
by the President and the officers that the terme should bee prorogued for 7
dayes longer in which time it was agreed the Comedy should bee publickely
acted on Friday, the 15th day of January.
"But heere the President and some of the Seniors in abundance of care were
affrayd to put any thing againe to the publicke view of the University,
because their last paines at The Complaint of Time had so ill thriving.
Besides the season was so severe and tempestuous with wind and snow,
which had continued some dayes without ceasing, and the complaint of the
poore was so grievious for want of wood and meate, which by this time
were growne very scant and deere, that they urged it was a time rather to
lament and weepe than make sports in, whereupon a streight inhibition was
sent out from the officers, that no man should thinke of playing that night or
any time after, till the weather should breake up and bee more temperate,
for they thought it no way fitt publickly to revell at a time of such generall
wo and calamity.
"But yet because all thinges were in a readinesse and the expectation of the
whole towne was set uppon that night, the younger men of the Colledge
went forward with their buisnes, intending to take no notice of what the
You shall soone sounde the depth of our invention."
[Then follows the mock play in seven Acts.]
"Nothing, throughout the whole yeare, was better liked and more pleasant
than this shewe, in so much that, although it were more privately done
before our selves onely or some few friends, yet the report of it went about
all the towne, till it came to the Vice-chauncellours and L. Clifford's eares,
who were very desyrous to see it acted againe, and so it was as heereafter
shal bee specifyed.
"The next day beeing Munday the 11 of January the terme should have
begun in the house, but because of the extreame cold and froast which had
now continued full six weekes and better without any intermission, as also
by reason the hall was still pestered with the stage and scaffolds which were
suffered to stand still in expectation of the Comedy, therefore it was agreed
by the President and the officers that the terme should bee prorogued for 7
dayes longer in which time it was agreed the Comedy should bee publickely
acted on Friday, the 15th day of January.
"But heere the President and some of the Seniors in abundance of care were
affrayd to put any thing againe to the publicke view of the University,
because their last paines at The Complaint of Time had so ill thriving.
Besides the season was so severe and tempestuous with wind and snow,
which had continued some dayes without ceasing, and the complaint of the
poore was so grievious for want of wood and meate, which by this time
were growne very scant and deere, that they urged it was a time rather to
lament and weepe than make sports in, whereupon a streight inhibition was
sent out from the officers, that no man should thinke of playing that night or
any time after, till the weather should breake up and bee more temperate,
for they thought it no way fitt publickly to revell at a time of such generall
wo and calamity.
"But yet because all thinges were in a readinesse and the expectation of the
whole towne was set uppon that night, the younger men of the Colledge
went forward with their buisnes, intending to take no notice of what the
Page 225
officers had aggreed uppon, wherefore some of the officers were fayne to
come in person to forbid the worke-men, and to undo some things which
were already done, to the great griefe and discouragement of all the youth,
who, though the weather was extreame cold, were themselves most hotte
uppon the matter in hand, resolving now or never to recover their losse
credit.
"And, as though the heavens had favoured their designes, so it happened
that about noone the weather brake up and it begann to thaw, whereuppon
the President was agayne importun'd by the Prince himselfe and his
councell for the performance of the Comedy that night; who (seeing they
were all so earnest) did not so much graunt, as not deny them, their request,
whereuppon they begann againe to sett forward the buisnes, and what they
wanted in time they made up by their willingnesse and paynes, so that for
all these crosses they begann the play before 7 a clocke and performed it in
manner following:
PHILOMATHES.
interloqutores.
Chorus.
Janus.
Tempus.
Motus. Locus.
Quies. Vacuum.
Philomathes. Sophia.
Chrysophilos, Senex Avarus. Antarchia.
Phantasta, Stolidus Generosus. Anthadia.
Phantasta, Stolidus Generosus. Anthadia.
Αφρόνιος, Filius Chrysophili. Anæa, Mulier Inepta.
Chrestophilos, Socius Philomathis.
Crito, Senex, Pater Sophiæ.
come in person to forbid the worke-men, and to undo some things which
were already done, to the great griefe and discouragement of all the youth,
who, though the weather was extreame cold, were themselves most hotte
uppon the matter in hand, resolving now or never to recover their losse
credit.
"And, as though the heavens had favoured their designes, so it happened
that about noone the weather brake up and it begann to thaw, whereuppon
the President was agayne importun'd by the Prince himselfe and his
councell for the performance of the Comedy that night; who (seeing they
were all so earnest) did not so much graunt, as not deny them, their request,
whereuppon they begann againe to sett forward the buisnes, and what they
wanted in time they made up by their willingnesse and paynes, so that for
all these crosses they begann the play before 7 a clocke and performed it in
manner following:
PHILOMATHES.
interloqutores.
Chorus.
Janus.
Tempus.
Motus. Locus.
Quies. Vacuum.
Philomathes. Sophia.
Chrysophilos, Senex Avarus. Antarchia.
Phantasta, Stolidus Generosus. Anthadia.
Phantasta, Stolidus Generosus. Anthadia.
Αφρόνιος, Filius Chrysophili. Anæa, Mulier Inepta.
Chrestophilos, Socius Philomathis.
Crito, Senex, Pater Sophiæ.
Page 226
Critonis Seruus.
Cerdoos, Seruus Chrysophili.
Petinus, Seruus Phantastæ.
"This play was very well acted, but especially the Chorus, the stage was
never more free, the audience never more quiett and contented, so that they
went away many of them crieing—Abundè satisfactum est! itt was so well
liked and applauded of all that saw itt.
"Here the stage & scaffold were pul'd downe which had stood from
Cristmas, and it was resolved that upon the chaunge of the weather, the
terme should begin on the Munday following.
"But in the meane time on Sunday nighte, being the Seventeenth of January,
the Vice-chancelor, and the L. Clifford, with many other Doctors and
Gentlemen were invited to supper in the President's lodging, where after
supper they were entertained with a shew before mentioned, to witt, The
Seven Dayes in the Weeke, to which, by this time, there was somewhat
added, but not much: all was most kindly accepted, and the nighte was
spent in great mirth. For the straungenes of the matter, and rarity of the
fashion of their action pleased above expectation.
"At the end of this shew for the more rarity, there was one brought in my
Lord's Stockes with this speech made uppon itt:
"'My Lord, I which am the lowest, am now become the lowdest, though (I
hope) not the lewdest of your Lordshippe's servauntes. And though I come
pridie Calendas, before I am cald, yet (I hope) my audacity shall have
audience, and my faithfulnes favor. I am your Lordshippe's Elephaunt and
heere is your castell, so that where other Lords are brought to their castells,
heere your castell is brought to you. Est locus in carcere, there is a locke
upon your Lordshippe's castell, which was committed unto my trust, how
faithfull I have been therein they can tell who have taken an exact measure
of my office by the foote: the matter of which your castell is builded is so
precious, that there is none amongst company but is contented to wear of it
within his buttons, the end for which it was builded is very commendable,
Cerdoos, Seruus Chrysophili.
Petinus, Seruus Phantastæ.
"This play was very well acted, but especially the Chorus, the stage was
never more free, the audience never more quiett and contented, so that they
went away many of them crieing—Abundè satisfactum est! itt was so well
liked and applauded of all that saw itt.
"Here the stage & scaffold were pul'd downe which had stood from
Cristmas, and it was resolved that upon the chaunge of the weather, the
terme should begin on the Munday following.
"But in the meane time on Sunday nighte, being the Seventeenth of January,
the Vice-chancelor, and the L. Clifford, with many other Doctors and
Gentlemen were invited to supper in the President's lodging, where after
supper they were entertained with a shew before mentioned, to witt, The
Seven Dayes in the Weeke, to which, by this time, there was somewhat
added, but not much: all was most kindly accepted, and the nighte was
spent in great mirth. For the straungenes of the matter, and rarity of the
fashion of their action pleased above expectation.
"At the end of this shew for the more rarity, there was one brought in my
Lord's Stockes with this speech made uppon itt:
"'My Lord, I which am the lowest, am now become the lowdest, though (I
hope) not the lewdest of your Lordshippe's servauntes. And though I come
pridie Calendas, before I am cald, yet (I hope) my audacity shall have
audience, and my faithfulnes favor. I am your Lordshippe's Elephaunt and
heere is your castell, so that where other Lords are brought to their castells,
heere your castell is brought to you. Est locus in carcere, there is a locke
upon your Lordshippe's castell, which was committed unto my trust, how
faithfull I have been therein they can tell who have taken an exact measure
of my office by the foote: the matter of which your castell is builded is so
precious, that there is none amongst company but is contented to wear of it
within his buttons, the end for which it was builded is very commendable,
Page 227
that they may bee kepte in order with wood, which otherwise would not bee
kepte in order, heere is fons latus pedibus tribus, a fountaine to wash three
mens legs, that they which have bene aurium tenus, over shoes, heere may
be crurum tenus over bootes too, This your Lordshippe's oracle or Tripos,
out of which malefactors tell the truth and foretell of their amendment. Nay,
I wil bee bould to compare it to your Lordshippe's braine, for what is there
designed is heere executed. In these sells or ventricles are fancy,
understanding, and memory. For such as your Lordshippe doth not fancy
are put in the first hole, such as were dull and without understanding were
put in the second hole, but such as your Lordshippe threatned (remember
this) or I'le remember you, were put in the last and lowest dungeon, cum
nemini obtrudi potest itur ad me. When they cannot bee ruled otherwise
they are brought unto mee, and my entertainment is strato discumbitur
ostro, they straite sett downe att this oister table, where they are fast and
doe fast, ffor vinitur exiguo melius, they make small meales, till the flames
of clemency doe mitigate the Salamanders of your Lordshippe's severity.
Now, my Lord, since I have told you what I am, I will bee bold to tell you
what you may bee—You are mortall—Ergo you must die, the three sisters
will not spare you, though you were their owne brother, and therefore while
you have your good witts about you, fac quid vobis, make your will, that
wee may know amongst so many well deserving men, that doe lay claime to
this your castell, to whome as rightfull heire itt shall lawfully descend, that
so all controversies being ended, before your Lordshippe's deceasse,
hereafter your bones may ly, and wee your subjects live, in all rest and
quietnes.
"'Dixi.'
"To make an end of this nighte's sporte, all departed merry and very well
pleased, the actors were much commended, and the terme for their sakes
prorogued one day longer.
"On the Thursday following the Prince was solemnly invited by the Canons
of Christchurch to a comedy called Yuletide, where many thinges were
either ill ment by them, or ill taken by us, but wee had very good reason to
think the former, both for that the whole towne thought so, and the whole
play was a medley of Christmas sportes, by which occasion Christmas
Lords were much jested at, and our Prince was soe placed that many thinges
kepte in order, heere is fons latus pedibus tribus, a fountaine to wash three
mens legs, that they which have bene aurium tenus, over shoes, heere may
be crurum tenus over bootes too, This your Lordshippe's oracle or Tripos,
out of which malefactors tell the truth and foretell of their amendment. Nay,
I wil bee bould to compare it to your Lordshippe's braine, for what is there
designed is heere executed. In these sells or ventricles are fancy,
understanding, and memory. For such as your Lordshippe doth not fancy
are put in the first hole, such as were dull and without understanding were
put in the second hole, but such as your Lordshippe threatned (remember
this) or I'le remember you, were put in the last and lowest dungeon, cum
nemini obtrudi potest itur ad me. When they cannot bee ruled otherwise
they are brought unto mee, and my entertainment is strato discumbitur
ostro, they straite sett downe att this oister table, where they are fast and
doe fast, ffor vinitur exiguo melius, they make small meales, till the flames
of clemency doe mitigate the Salamanders of your Lordshippe's severity.
Now, my Lord, since I have told you what I am, I will bee bold to tell you
what you may bee—You are mortall—Ergo you must die, the three sisters
will not spare you, though you were their owne brother, and therefore while
you have your good witts about you, fac quid vobis, make your will, that
wee may know amongst so many well deserving men, that doe lay claime to
this your castell, to whome as rightfull heire itt shall lawfully descend, that
so all controversies being ended, before your Lordshippe's deceasse,
hereafter your bones may ly, and wee your subjects live, in all rest and
quietnes.
"'Dixi.'
"To make an end of this nighte's sporte, all departed merry and very well
pleased, the actors were much commended, and the terme for their sakes
prorogued one day longer.
"On the Thursday following the Prince was solemnly invited by the Canons
of Christchurch to a comedy called Yuletide, where many thinges were
either ill ment by them, or ill taken by us, but wee had very good reason to
think the former, both for that the whole towne thought so, and the whole
play was a medley of Christmas sportes, by which occasion Christmas
Lords were much jested at, and our Prince was soe placed that many thinges
Page 228
were acted upon him, but yet, Mr. Deane himselfe, then vice-chancelor,
very kindly sent for the Prince and some others of our howse, and laboured
to satisfie us, protesting that no such thing was mente, as was reported,
whereupon wee went away contented, and forebore the speaking of many
things which otherwise were afterwards intended, for aunswering of them in
their owne kind.
"On Candlemas nighte it was thoughte by our selves, and reported in the
towne, that the Prince should resigne his place, but nothing being in
readines for that purpose itt was deferred, but yet, least nothing should bee
done, there was a Vigilate (as they terme it) a watching nighte procured by
the Prince and his Counsell, and graunted by the officers of the Colledge,
which was performed in manner following.
"THE VIGILATE.
"First, about eighte of the Clocke (for then itt was to begin, and to continue
till fowre in the morning) the Colledge gates were shutt, and all the students
summon'd by the sounding of a Trumpett three times, to make their
personall appearance in the greate Hall, where after they were all come
together, that the Prince's pleasure might bee the better knowne, this
proclamation was publikely pronounced by a Serjeant att Armes, in the
hearing of them all.
"The high and mighty Thomas by the favour of Fortune Prince of Alba
Fortunata, Lord St. Johns, High Regent of the Hall, &c. To all
Presidents, Vice Presidents, Officers, Readers, Masters, Batchelors,
Felowes, Schollers, Commoners, Under-commoners, Servaunts,
Scruitors, sendeth greeting.
Whereas of late by the turbulent spirits of seditious minded persons hath
bene buzzed into the eares of many of our loving and liege subjectes a
fearefull and dangerous report of our sudden downefall, which according to
their libelling speeches should att this nighte fall upon us—We have
thought it necessary not so much for our owne feares which are none at all,
as for satisfieing and strengthening our welmeaning friends in their love and
duty, to publish and by these presents to all our loyal subjects of what state
and condicion soever, that they make their personall appearance to the
very kindly sent for the Prince and some others of our howse, and laboured
to satisfie us, protesting that no such thing was mente, as was reported,
whereupon wee went away contented, and forebore the speaking of many
things which otherwise were afterwards intended, for aunswering of them in
their owne kind.
"On Candlemas nighte it was thoughte by our selves, and reported in the
towne, that the Prince should resigne his place, but nothing being in
readines for that purpose itt was deferred, but yet, least nothing should bee
done, there was a Vigilate (as they terme it) a watching nighte procured by
the Prince and his Counsell, and graunted by the officers of the Colledge,
which was performed in manner following.
"THE VIGILATE.
"First, about eighte of the Clocke (for then itt was to begin, and to continue
till fowre in the morning) the Colledge gates were shutt, and all the students
summon'd by the sounding of a Trumpett three times, to make their
personall appearance in the greate Hall, where after they were all come
together, that the Prince's pleasure might bee the better knowne, this
proclamation was publikely pronounced by a Serjeant att Armes, in the
hearing of them all.
"The high and mighty Thomas by the favour of Fortune Prince of Alba
Fortunata, Lord St. Johns, High Regent of the Hall, &c. To all
Presidents, Vice Presidents, Officers, Readers, Masters, Batchelors,
Felowes, Schollers, Commoners, Under-commoners, Servaunts,
Scruitors, sendeth greeting.
Whereas of late by the turbulent spirits of seditious minded persons hath
bene buzzed into the eares of many of our loving and liege subjectes a
fearefull and dangerous report of our sudden downefall, which according to
their libelling speeches should att this nighte fall upon us—We have
thought it necessary not so much for our owne feares which are none at all,
as for satisfieing and strengthening our welmeaning friends in their love and
duty, to publish and by these presents to all our loyal subjects of what state
and condicion soever, that they make their personall appearance to the
Page 229
setting and furnishing of a most strong guarde and carefull watch as well for
their security as the safety of our owne royall person, & the whole
Common-wealth; In the which generall watch for the better comfort and
ease of all men, our selfe, with our honourable privy Counsell, and the rest
of our Nobility, intend to bee personally present.
"But because wee are no way minded to oppresse any man above his power,
on our princely bounty, wee give licence to such as (for age or infirmity) are
not able to perform that duty, to forfaite for their absence, yf they plead age
ijs. vid.; if infirmity, xiid., towards the furnishing of his Highnes with a tall
and sufficient watchman.
"Now because that which wee have wisely thought, and for our peace and
safety, may not proove the cause of new troubles and dissentions, wee have
thought good to adjoine some few cautions, in way of admonitions to bee
observed.
"First, for that the disorders of an unruly and mutinous watch doe often
open as it were the gate of danger and outrage, our princely will and
pleasure is, that each man keepe his station with out murmuring,
performing cheerefully all such offices and duties, as shal bee lawfully
enjoin'd by us, or our offices, upon paine of forfeiting ijs. vid., as for
age.
"Secondly, because sloth is a kind of disease in a well-ordered Common-
wealth wee further charge and command by the vertue of our absolute
authority, that no man bee found winking, or pincking, or nodding,
much lesse snorting, upon paine of forfaiting twelve pence, as for
infirmity.
"Thirdly, for the avoiding of a sudden dearth, or lingring famine which may
ensue and justly follow the free and undoubted liberty of a riotous and
luxurious time, yt is by us thought necessary that no man should in
hugger mugger eate or drincke more than is publickly seene and
allowed by the face of the body civill and politicke, upon paine of
paieing twise, for such is in a manner stolen provision, and the second
paiement to bee arbitrary.
"Given att our Mannor of Whites-hall, the seacond of February,
and in the first of our Raigne.
their security as the safety of our owne royall person, & the whole
Common-wealth; In the which generall watch for the better comfort and
ease of all men, our selfe, with our honourable privy Counsell, and the rest
of our Nobility, intend to bee personally present.
"But because wee are no way minded to oppresse any man above his power,
on our princely bounty, wee give licence to such as (for age or infirmity) are
not able to perform that duty, to forfaite for their absence, yf they plead age
ijs. vid.; if infirmity, xiid., towards the furnishing of his Highnes with a tall
and sufficient watchman.
"Now because that which wee have wisely thought, and for our peace and
safety, may not proove the cause of new troubles and dissentions, wee have
thought good to adjoine some few cautions, in way of admonitions to bee
observed.
"First, for that the disorders of an unruly and mutinous watch doe often
open as it were the gate of danger and outrage, our princely will and
pleasure is, that each man keepe his station with out murmuring,
performing cheerefully all such offices and duties, as shal bee lawfully
enjoin'd by us, or our offices, upon paine of forfeiting ijs. vid., as for
age.
"Secondly, because sloth is a kind of disease in a well-ordered Common-
wealth wee further charge and command by the vertue of our absolute
authority, that no man bee found winking, or pincking, or nodding,
much lesse snorting, upon paine of forfaiting twelve pence, as for
infirmity.
"Thirdly, for the avoiding of a sudden dearth, or lingring famine which may
ensue and justly follow the free and undoubted liberty of a riotous and
luxurious time, yt is by us thought necessary that no man should in
hugger mugger eate or drincke more than is publickly seene and
allowed by the face of the body civill and politicke, upon paine of
paieing twise, for such is in a manner stolen provision, and the second
paiement to bee arbitrary.
"Given att our Mannor of Whites-hall, the seacond of February,
and in the first of our Raigne.
Page 230
"This proclamation being read and set up in the great hall, the Prince called
for his officers and servants about him, charging every man carefully to
execute his office. First the steward and buttler (who for their auncient
fidelity kept their places according as they had long before beene appointed
by the Colledge) were commaunded to bring their bookes, and by them to
call up all the howse, whereupon (every one beeing first charged to
aunswere to his name) it presently appeared who were present and who
were absent.
"After this the Master of the Revels and the Knight Marshall were willed to
appoint severall sportes that no man might bee seene idle upon payne of the
Prince's high displeasure whereupon presently some went to cardes, some to
dice, some to dauncing, every one to some thing.
"Not long after, for more variety sake, there was brought in a maske; the
devise was sudden and extempore, videl: a little page attired in his long
coats, with these six verses which were spoke as soone as he entered the
hall.
"These are six carpet knights, and I one page
Can easily bring in six that bee of age,
They come to visite this your highnes court,
And if they can, to make your honour sport.
Nay, this is all, for I have seene the day
A richer maske had not so much to say.
"After these maskers had finished the measures, and some few other
daunces, the said page waved them forth with his wan, and spake these two
verses:
"There are three they say would shew you an anticke,
But when you see them, you'll thinke them franticke.
"Then there came in three in an anticke which were well attyred for that
purpose, and daunced well to the great delite of the beholders.
"After these had stollen away one by one, as the manner is, it pleased the
Prince to aske what was a clocke, it beeing aunswered almost twelve hee
presently called in for supper. But first the bill of those which were before
noted to bee absent was called, to see whether any of them would yet
appeare, and the Prince would deale favourably with them. It was also
examined whether any of those which were present before were now gon to
for his officers and servants about him, charging every man carefully to
execute his office. First the steward and buttler (who for their auncient
fidelity kept their places according as they had long before beene appointed
by the Colledge) were commaunded to bring their bookes, and by them to
call up all the howse, whereupon (every one beeing first charged to
aunswere to his name) it presently appeared who were present and who
were absent.
"After this the Master of the Revels and the Knight Marshall were willed to
appoint severall sportes that no man might bee seene idle upon payne of the
Prince's high displeasure whereupon presently some went to cardes, some to
dice, some to dauncing, every one to some thing.
"Not long after, for more variety sake, there was brought in a maske; the
devise was sudden and extempore, videl: a little page attired in his long
coats, with these six verses which were spoke as soone as he entered the
hall.
"These are six carpet knights, and I one page
Can easily bring in six that bee of age,
They come to visite this your highnes court,
And if they can, to make your honour sport.
Nay, this is all, for I have seene the day
A richer maske had not so much to say.
"After these maskers had finished the measures, and some few other
daunces, the said page waved them forth with his wan, and spake these two
verses:
"There are three they say would shew you an anticke,
But when you see them, you'll thinke them franticke.
"Then there came in three in an anticke which were well attyred for that
purpose, and daunced well to the great delite of the beholders.
"After these had stollen away one by one, as the manner is, it pleased the
Prince to aske what was a clocke, it beeing aunswered almost twelve hee
presently called in for supper. But first the bill of those which were before
noted to bee absent was called, to see whether any of them would yet
appeare, and the Prince would deale favourably with them. It was also
examined whether any of those which were present before were now gon to
Page 231
bed, and accordingly authority was given by the Prince to the marshalls of
the hall and other officers to search the chambers for sleepers, and where
they made aunswere to aske the reason of their slothfull neglect or wilfull
contempt of the Prince's commands, and if they pleaded either infirmity or
age to take their fine, and so quietly to depart, first causing them faithfull to
give their words that they harboured no other idle or suspicious parsons.
But if they knoct at any of the chambers of those that were absent and
nobody would answer, then they had full authority to breake open the dores
and to make a privy search, and if they found any abed they tooke them as
they were in their shirts and carryed them downe in state to the hall after
this manner:—
"First went the marshals with lights to make room.
Then came one squire carrying the goune of him whom they brought and
another that carryed his hatt & band.
Then came two other squires whereof one carryed his dublet the other his
breeches.
Then came two with lights.
Next came he that was in his shirt carryed by two in a chaire and covered
with a blanket.
Last behind came one squire more that carryed his shoes & stockings.
"All these beeing entered the hall, the squires made their attendance about
him, with great observance, every one reaching him his apparrell as it
pleased him to call for it, and then also helping him on with it. And this was
the punishment of those that were found a bed.
"Others which were found up in their chambers & would not answer were
violently brought downe with bills and staves as malefactors and by the
Knight Marshals appointment were committed close prisoners to the
Prince's castle, videl. the stocks, which were placed upon a table to that
purpose, that those which were punished might bee seene to the terrour of
others.
the hall and other officers to search the chambers for sleepers, and where
they made aunswere to aske the reason of their slothfull neglect or wilfull
contempt of the Prince's commands, and if they pleaded either infirmity or
age to take their fine, and so quietly to depart, first causing them faithfull to
give their words that they harboured no other idle or suspicious parsons.
But if they knoct at any of the chambers of those that were absent and
nobody would answer, then they had full authority to breake open the dores
and to make a privy search, and if they found any abed they tooke them as
they were in their shirts and carryed them downe in state to the hall after
this manner:—
"First went the marshals with lights to make room.
Then came one squire carrying the goune of him whom they brought and
another that carryed his hatt & band.
Then came two other squires whereof one carryed his dublet the other his
breeches.
Then came two with lights.
Next came he that was in his shirt carryed by two in a chaire and covered
with a blanket.
Last behind came one squire more that carryed his shoes & stockings.
"All these beeing entered the hall, the squires made their attendance about
him, with great observance, every one reaching him his apparrell as it
pleased him to call for it, and then also helping him on with it. And this was
the punishment of those that were found a bed.
"Others which were found up in their chambers & would not answer were
violently brought downe with bills and staves as malefactors and by the
Knight Marshals appointment were committed close prisoners to the
Prince's castle, videl. the stocks, which were placed upon a table to that
purpose, that those which were punished might bee seene to the terrour of
others.
Page 232
"By this time supper was ready and the sewer called to the dresser
whereupon the buttery bell was presently rung, as it uses to bee at other
ordinary meales, besides a trumpet was sounded at the kitchen hatch to call
the wayters together.
"After the first messe was served in, the Prince with the rest of his councell
satt downe, then all the rest of the howse in seniority.
"Towardes the end of supper two gentlemen of the second table fell out,
wee could never distinctly know about what, it was verely supposed
themselves scarsly knew, but from wordes they fell suddenly to blowes, and
ere any man was aware, one of them had stabbed the other into the arme
with his knife to the great prejudice of the mirth, which should or would
have followed that night. But the offender was presently apprehended (and
though a gentleman of some worth) put into my Lord's stocks, where hee
lay most part of that night with shame and blame enough. And yet for all
that punishment the next day he was convented before the officers of the
Colledge, and there agayne more grievously punished; for the fault was
much agravated by the circumstances of the time, place and person that was
hurt, who was a very worshipfull knight's sonne and heyre.
"After this the Prince with some of the better sort of the howse beeing much
disconted with the mischaunce that had happened, retyred themselves into
the president lodging, where privatly they made themselves merry, with a
wassall called the five bells of Magdalen Church, because it was an
auncient note of those bells, that they were almost never silent. This shew
for the better grace of the night was performed by some of the Masters and
officers themselves in manner following:
"Enter the Clerke of Magdalens alone,
"Your kind acceptance of the late devise
Presented by St. Gyles's clerke, my neighbour,
Hath hartned mee to furnish in a trice
This nights up sitting with a two houres labour:
For any thing I hope, though ne're so naghty
Wil be accepted in a Vigilate.
I have observed as your sportes did passe all
(A fault of mine to bee too curious)
The twelfe night slipt away without a wassall,
A great defect, to custome most injurious:
whereupon the buttery bell was presently rung, as it uses to bee at other
ordinary meales, besides a trumpet was sounded at the kitchen hatch to call
the wayters together.
"After the first messe was served in, the Prince with the rest of his councell
satt downe, then all the rest of the howse in seniority.
"Towardes the end of supper two gentlemen of the second table fell out,
wee could never distinctly know about what, it was verely supposed
themselves scarsly knew, but from wordes they fell suddenly to blowes, and
ere any man was aware, one of them had stabbed the other into the arme
with his knife to the great prejudice of the mirth, which should or would
have followed that night. But the offender was presently apprehended (and
though a gentleman of some worth) put into my Lord's stocks, where hee
lay most part of that night with shame and blame enough. And yet for all
that punishment the next day he was convented before the officers of the
Colledge, and there agayne more grievously punished; for the fault was
much agravated by the circumstances of the time, place and person that was
hurt, who was a very worshipfull knight's sonne and heyre.
"After this the Prince with some of the better sort of the howse beeing much
disconted with the mischaunce that had happened, retyred themselves into
the president lodging, where privatly they made themselves merry, with a
wassall called the five bells of Magdalen Church, because it was an
auncient note of those bells, that they were almost never silent. This shew
for the better grace of the night was performed by some of the Masters and
officers themselves in manner following:
"Enter the Clerke of Magdalens alone,
"Your kind acceptance of the late devise
Presented by St. Gyles's clerke, my neighbour,
Hath hartned mee to furnish in a trice
This nights up sitting with a two houres labour:
For any thing I hope, though ne're so naghty
Wil be accepted in a Vigilate.
I have observed as your sportes did passe all
(A fault of mine to bee too curious)
The twelfe night slipt away without a wassall,
A great defect, to custome most injurious:
Page 233
Which I to mend have done my best endeavour
To bring it in, for better late than never.
And more, for our more tuneable proceeding,
I have ta'ne downe the five bells in our towre,
Which will performe it, if you give them heeding,
Most musically, though they ring an houre.—
Now I go in to oyle my bells and pruin them,
When I come downe Ile bring them downe & tune them.
Exit.
"After a while he returned with five others presenting his five bells, and
tyed with five bell-ropes, which after he had pulled one by one, they all
began a peale, and sang in Latin as followeth:—
"Jam sumus lætis dapibus repleti,
Copiam vobis ferimus fluentem,
Gaudium vobis canimus jocose
Vivite læti.
Te deum dicunt (venerande Bacche)
Te deum dicunt (reverenda mater)
Vos graves vobis removete luctus:
Vivite læti.
Dat Ceres vires, hominumque firmat
Corpora, et Bacchus pater ille vini
Liberat curis animos molestis:
Vivite læti.
Ne dolor vestros animos fatiget,
Vos jubet læta hæc removere curas
Turba, lætari feriæque suadent
Vivite læti.
En Ceres lætæ segetis creatrix,
Et pater vini placidique somni
Pocula hæc vobis hilares ministrant
Sume {monarcha
{magister.
Bibunt omnes ordine dum, actores hæc ultima carmina sæpius repetunt;
max singuli toti conventui sic ordine gratulantur.
Tenor. Reddere fælicem si quemquam copia possit
Copia fælicis nomen habere jubet,
Copia læte jubet tristes depellere curas,
Copia quam cingit Bacchus et alma Ceres.
Counter. Copia quam cingit Bacchus et alma Ceres.
Tenor. Cujus non animum dulcia vina juvant?
Dulcia vina juvant dulcem dant vina soporem,
To bring it in, for better late than never.
And more, for our more tuneable proceeding,
I have ta'ne downe the five bells in our towre,
Which will performe it, if you give them heeding,
Most musically, though they ring an houre.—
Now I go in to oyle my bells and pruin them,
When I come downe Ile bring them downe & tune them.
Exit.
"After a while he returned with five others presenting his five bells, and
tyed with five bell-ropes, which after he had pulled one by one, they all
began a peale, and sang in Latin as followeth:—
"Jam sumus lætis dapibus repleti,
Copiam vobis ferimus fluentem,
Gaudium vobis canimus jocose
Vivite læti.
Te deum dicunt (venerande Bacche)
Te deum dicunt (reverenda mater)
Vos graves vobis removete luctus:
Vivite læti.
Dat Ceres vires, hominumque firmat
Corpora, et Bacchus pater ille vini
Liberat curis animos molestis:
Vivite læti.
Ne dolor vestros animos fatiget,
Vos jubet læta hæc removere curas
Turba, lætari feriæque suadent
Vivite læti.
En Ceres lætæ segetis creatrix,
Et pater vini placidique somni
Pocula hæc vobis hilares ministrant
Sume {monarcha
{magister.
Bibunt omnes ordine dum, actores hæc ultima carmina sæpius repetunt;
max singuli toti conventui sic ordine gratulantur.
Tenor. Reddere fælicem si quemquam copia possit
Copia fælicis nomen habere jubet,
Copia læte jubet tristes depellere curas,
Copia quam cingit Bacchus et alma Ceres.
Counter. Copia quam cingit Bacchus et alma Ceres.
Tenor. Cujus non animum dulcia vina juvant?
Dulcia vina juvant dulcem dant vina soporem,
Page 234
Magnificas ornant dulcia vina dapes.
Meane. Frugibus alma Ceres mortalia pectora nutrit,
Exornant campurn frugibus alma Ceres.
Si cuiquam desint Cerelia dona, nec illi
Lenæi patris munera grata placent.
Nec vobis Cereris nec Bacchi munera desint,
Annuat et votis Jupiter ipse meis.
Treble. Copia cum Baccho gaudia læta canunt
Copia cum Baccho gaudia læta canunt
Mox omnes cantantes Exeunt.
Gaudium lætum canimus, canemus
Hoc idem semper, nec enim dolere
Jam licet, lætae feriæ hic aguntur
Vivite læti.
Sæpius nobis reriæ revertant,
Sæpius vinum liceat potare,
Sæpius vobis hilares cánamus
Vivite læti.
"This then was suddenly and extempore clapt together for want of a better,
but notwithstanding was as willingly and chearefully receaved as it was
proferd.
"By this time it was foure a clocke and liberty was given to every one to
goe to bed or stay up as long as they pleased. The Prince with his councell
brake up their watch, so did most of the Masters of the house, but the
younger sort stayed up till prayers time, and durst not goe to bed for feare
of one another. For some, after they had licence to depart, were fetcht out of
their beds by their fellowes, and not suffered to put on their clothes till they
came into the hall. And thus the day came and made an end of the night's
sport.
"On the sixt of February, beeing egge Satterday, it pleased some gentlemen
schollers in the towne to make a dauncing night of it. They had provided
many new and curious daunces for the maske of Penelope's Woers, but the
yeare beeing far spent and Lent drawing on and many other thinges to bee
performed, the Prince was not able to bestow that state upon them which
Meane. Frugibus alma Ceres mortalia pectora nutrit,
Exornant campurn frugibus alma Ceres.
Si cuiquam desint Cerelia dona, nec illi
Lenæi patris munera grata placent.
Nec vobis Cereris nec Bacchi munera desint,
Annuat et votis Jupiter ipse meis.
Treble. Copia cum Baccho gaudia læta canunt
Copia cum Baccho gaudia læta canunt
Mox omnes cantantes Exeunt.
Gaudium lætum canimus, canemus
Hoc idem semper, nec enim dolere
Jam licet, lætae feriæ hic aguntur
Vivite læti.
Sæpius nobis reriæ revertant,
Sæpius vinum liceat potare,
Sæpius vobis hilares cánamus
Vivite læti.
"This then was suddenly and extempore clapt together for want of a better,
but notwithstanding was as willingly and chearefully receaved as it was
proferd.
"By this time it was foure a clocke and liberty was given to every one to
goe to bed or stay up as long as they pleased. The Prince with his councell
brake up their watch, so did most of the Masters of the house, but the
younger sort stayed up till prayers time, and durst not goe to bed for feare
of one another. For some, after they had licence to depart, were fetcht out of
their beds by their fellowes, and not suffered to put on their clothes till they
came into the hall. And thus the day came and made an end of the night's
sport.
"On the sixt of February, beeing egge Satterday, it pleased some gentlemen
schollers in the towne to make a dauncing night of it. They had provided
many new and curious daunces for the maske of Penelope's Woers, but the
yeare beeing far spent and Lent drawing on and many other thinges to bee
performed, the Prince was not able to bestow that state upon them which
Page 235
their love & skill deserved. But their good will was very kindely received
by the Prince in this night's private travels. They had some apparell
suddenly provided for them, and these few Latin verses for their induction:
"Isti fuere credo Penelopes proci
Quos justa forsan ira Telemachi domo
Expulit Ulyssis.
"After all this sport was ended the Prince entertayned them very royally
with good store of wine and a banquet, where they were very merry and
well pleased all that night.
"Against the next Tuesday following, beeing Shrovetuesday, the great stage
was againe set up and the scaffolds built about the hall for the Prince's
resignation, which was performed that night with great state and solemnity
in manner and forme following:
IRA SEU TUMULUS FORTUNE.
INTERLOCUTORES.
Princeps.
Admiralius.
Thesaurarius.
Comptrollarius.
Cancellarius.
Justitiarius.
Marescallus.
Camerarius.
Camerarius.
Philosophus. Juridicus.
Cynicus. Magister Ludorem.
Momus. Anteambulo Primus.
Polycrates. Anteambulo Secundus.
Philadelphus. Stultus.
CHORUS.
Minerva Fortuna.
Euphemia Tolmæa.
by the Prince in this night's private travels. They had some apparell
suddenly provided for them, and these few Latin verses for their induction:
"Isti fuere credo Penelopes proci
Quos justa forsan ira Telemachi domo
Expulit Ulyssis.
"After all this sport was ended the Prince entertayned them very royally
with good store of wine and a banquet, where they were very merry and
well pleased all that night.
"Against the next Tuesday following, beeing Shrovetuesday, the great stage
was againe set up and the scaffolds built about the hall for the Prince's
resignation, which was performed that night with great state and solemnity
in manner and forme following:
IRA SEU TUMULUS FORTUNE.
INTERLOCUTORES.
Princeps.
Admiralius.
Thesaurarius.
Comptrollarius.
Cancellarius.
Justitiarius.
Marescallus.
Camerarius.
Camerarius.
Philosophus. Juridicus.
Cynicus. Magister Ludorem.
Momus. Anteambulo Primus.
Polycrates. Anteambulo Secundus.
Philadelphus. Stultus.
CHORUS.
Minerva Fortuna.
Euphemia Tolmæa.
Page 236
"Many straungers of all sorts were invited to this shew, and many more
came together, for the name's sake only of a resignacon, to see the manner
and solemnity of it, for that it was reported (and truly) that there was
nothing els to bee done or seene beside the resignacon and no man thought
so much could have beene said of so little matter.
"The stage was never so oppressed with company, insomuch that it was
verely thought it could not bee performed that night for want of roome; but
the audience was so favourable as to stand as close and yeeld as much
backe as was possible; so that for all tumults it began about 7 a clocke, and
was very well liked of all.
"Only some few, more upon their owne guilty suspicion than our plaine
intention, thinking themselves toucht at that verse of Momus:
"Dixi et quem dederat cursum fortuna peregi,
laboured to raise an hissing, but it was soon smothered, and the whole
company in the end gave us good applause and departed very well pleased.
"After the shew was ended, the sometimes Lord was carried in state to his
owne private chamber after this manner:
First went two Squires with lights.
Next Euphemia and Tolmæa.
Then 2 other Squires with lightes.
Next Minerva and Fortuna.
Then came 4 other Squires with lightes, and in the midst of them 4 schollers
bearing on their shoulders a tombe or sepulcher adorned with
scutchions and little flagges, wherein all the Prince's honours had bene
buried before.
After this came the Prince alone in his schollers gowne and hood as the
chiefe mourner.
Then all the rest of his Counsell and company likewise in blacke gownes
and hoodes, like mourners, two by two.
came together, for the name's sake only of a resignacon, to see the manner
and solemnity of it, for that it was reported (and truly) that there was
nothing els to bee done or seene beside the resignacon and no man thought
so much could have beene said of so little matter.
"The stage was never so oppressed with company, insomuch that it was
verely thought it could not bee performed that night for want of roome; but
the audience was so favourable as to stand as close and yeeld as much
backe as was possible; so that for all tumults it began about 7 a clocke, and
was very well liked of all.
"Only some few, more upon their owne guilty suspicion than our plaine
intention, thinking themselves toucht at that verse of Momus:
"Dixi et quem dederat cursum fortuna peregi,
laboured to raise an hissing, but it was soon smothered, and the whole
company in the end gave us good applause and departed very well pleased.
"After the shew was ended, the sometimes Lord was carried in state to his
owne private chamber after this manner:
First went two Squires with lights.
Next Euphemia and Tolmæa.
Then 2 other Squires with lightes.
Next Minerva and Fortuna.
Then came 4 other Squires with lightes, and in the midst of them 4 schollers
bearing on their shoulders a tombe or sepulcher adorned with
scutchions and little flagges, wherein all the Prince's honours had bene
buried before.
After this came the Prince alone in his schollers gowne and hood as the
chiefe mourner.
Then all the rest of his Counsell and company likewise in blacke gownes
and hoodes, like mourners, two by two.
Page 237
"All these were said to goe to the Temple of Minerva there to consecrate
and erecte the sepulcher, and this state was very well liked of all that saw
itt.
"Heere wee thought to have made an end of all, and to have puld downe the
scaffolds and stage, but then many said that so much preparacon was too
much for so small a show. Besides there was an English Tragedy almost
ready, which they were very earnest should bee performed, but many
arguments were alledged against it: first, for the time, because it was neere
Lent, and consequently a season unfitt for plaies—Secondly, the stile for
that itt was English, a language unfitt for the Universitie, especially to end
so much late sporte with all—Thirdly, the suspicon of some did more hinder
it than all the rest, for that it was thought that some particulars were aimed
att in the Chorus, which must needs bee distastfull—Lastly, the ill lucke,
which wee had before with English, made many very loth to have any thing
done againe in that straine.
"But these objections being aunswered all well as might bee, and faithfull
promise being made and taken that if any word were thought personall, it
should be presently put out, the stage was suffered to stand, and the
scaffolds somewhat enlarged against the Saturday following. Att which time
such a concourse of people from all places, and of all sorts came together
presently after dinner, that itt was thought impossible any thing should have
beene done that night for tumults. Yet in the beginning such order and care
was taken (every one being willing att the last cast to helpe towardes the
making a good end,) that the stage was kept voide of all company, and the
scaffoldes were reserved for straungers and men sorte, better than ever they
were before, so that it began very peaceably somewhat before six a clocke,
and was performed in manner following:
PERIANDER.
CHORUS
The Master of the Revels. Detraction.
The Master of the Revels Boy. Resolution.
Ingenuity a Doctor of Physicke.
and erecte the sepulcher, and this state was very well liked of all that saw
itt.
"Heere wee thought to have made an end of all, and to have puld downe the
scaffolds and stage, but then many said that so much preparacon was too
much for so small a show. Besides there was an English Tragedy almost
ready, which they were very earnest should bee performed, but many
arguments were alledged against it: first, for the time, because it was neere
Lent, and consequently a season unfitt for plaies—Secondly, the stile for
that itt was English, a language unfitt for the Universitie, especially to end
so much late sporte with all—Thirdly, the suspicon of some did more hinder
it than all the rest, for that it was thought that some particulars were aimed
att in the Chorus, which must needs bee distastfull—Lastly, the ill lucke,
which wee had before with English, made many very loth to have any thing
done againe in that straine.
"But these objections being aunswered all well as might bee, and faithfull
promise being made and taken that if any word were thought personall, it
should be presently put out, the stage was suffered to stand, and the
scaffolds somewhat enlarged against the Saturday following. Att which time
such a concourse of people from all places, and of all sorts came together
presently after dinner, that itt was thought impossible any thing should have
beene done that night for tumults. Yet in the beginning such order and care
was taken (every one being willing att the last cast to helpe towardes the
making a good end,) that the stage was kept voide of all company, and the
scaffoldes were reserved for straungers and men sorte, better than ever they
were before, so that it began very peaceably somewhat before six a clocke,
and was performed in manner following:
PERIANDER.
CHORUS
The Master of the Revels. Detraction.
The Master of the Revels Boy. Resolution.
Ingenuity a Doctor of Physicke.
Page 238
INTERLOCUTORES.
Periander, Tyrannus Corinthi.
Cypsilus, Hæres Periandri, Stultus.
Lycophron Frater Cypsili.
Neotinos, Puer, Satelles Lycoph.
Lysimachos
Nobiles et a Consilijs Periandri.
Aristhæus
Philarches
Eriterus Juuenes Nobiles in Aulâ Periandri.
Symphilus
Cratæa Mater Periandri.
Melissa Uxor Periandri.
Melissæ Umbra.
Eugenia Filia Periandri.
Pronæa
Duæ Meritriculæ Periandri.
Zona
Larissæa Soror Philarchis.
Europe Aristhæi Filia.
Fæminæ Quatuor Corinthiæ cum 4 or Pueris Inseruientibus.
Arion Celebris Musicus.
Nantæ Quatuor.
Cines Duo Togati.
Vigiles Duo.
Calistus
Stratocles Satellites Periandri.
Borius
Tres Aut 4 or Alij Satellites.
Epilogus.
"EPILOGUE.
"Gentlemen, welcome! our great promises
Periander, Tyrannus Corinthi.
Cypsilus, Hæres Periandri, Stultus.
Lycophron Frater Cypsili.
Neotinos, Puer, Satelles Lycoph.
Lysimachos
Nobiles et a Consilijs Periandri.
Aristhæus
Philarches
Eriterus Juuenes Nobiles in Aulâ Periandri.
Symphilus
Cratæa Mater Periandri.
Melissa Uxor Periandri.
Melissæ Umbra.
Eugenia Filia Periandri.
Pronæa
Duæ Meritriculæ Periandri.
Zona
Larissæa Soror Philarchis.
Europe Aristhæi Filia.
Fæminæ Quatuor Corinthiæ cum 4 or Pueris Inseruientibus.
Arion Celebris Musicus.
Nantæ Quatuor.
Cines Duo Togati.
Vigiles Duo.
Calistus
Stratocles Satellites Periandri.
Borius
Tres Aut 4 or Alij Satellites.
Epilogus.
"EPILOGUE.
"Gentlemen, welcome! our great promises
Page 239
Wee would make upp, your selves must needs confesse,
But our small timbred actors, narrow roome,
Necessity of thrifte make all short come
Of our first apprehensions; wee must keepe
Our auntient customes though wee after creepe.
But wee forgett times limitts, Nowe tis Lente—
Old store this weeke may lawfully be spente
Our former shewes were giv'n to our cal'd Lorde,
This, and att his request, for you was storde.
By many hands was Periander slaine,
Your gentler hands will give him live againe.
FINIS.
"A certain gentlewoman, upon the hearing of these two last verses, made
two other verses, and in way of an aunswer sent them to the Prince, who
having first plaied Periander afterwards himselfe also pronounced the
Epilogue.
"The verses were these
If that my hand or hart him life could give,
By hand and hart should Periander live.
"But it is almost incredible to thinke how well this Tragedy was performed
of all parties, and how well liked of the whole, which (as many of them as
were within the hall) were very quiet and attentive. But those that were
without and could not get in made such an hideous noice, and raised such a
tumult with breaking of windows all about the colledge, throwinge of
stones into the hall and such like ryott, that the officers of the coll: (beeing
first dar'd to appeare) were faine to rush forth in the beginning of the play,
with about a dozen whiflers well armed and swords drawne, whereat the
whole company (which were gathered together before the chapell doore to
try whether they could breake it open) seeing them come behind them out
of the lodging, presently gave backe, and ranne away though itt was thought
they were not so few as 4 or 500.
"The officers gave some faire words and some fowle as they saw occasion,
the whiflers were very heedfull to marke who were the ringleaders of the
rest, and having some notice given of them by some of our friendes, they
took some of them and committed them to the Porter's lodge, where they
But our small timbred actors, narrow roome,
Necessity of thrifte make all short come
Of our first apprehensions; wee must keepe
Our auntient customes though wee after creepe.
But wee forgett times limitts, Nowe tis Lente—
Old store this weeke may lawfully be spente
Our former shewes were giv'n to our cal'd Lorde,
This, and att his request, for you was storde.
By many hands was Periander slaine,
Your gentler hands will give him live againe.
FINIS.
"A certain gentlewoman, upon the hearing of these two last verses, made
two other verses, and in way of an aunswer sent them to the Prince, who
having first plaied Periander afterwards himselfe also pronounced the
Epilogue.
"The verses were these
If that my hand or hart him life could give,
By hand and hart should Periander live.
"But it is almost incredible to thinke how well this Tragedy was performed
of all parties, and how well liked of the whole, which (as many of them as
were within the hall) were very quiet and attentive. But those that were
without and could not get in made such an hideous noice, and raised such a
tumult with breaking of windows all about the colledge, throwinge of
stones into the hall and such like ryott, that the officers of the coll: (beeing
first dar'd to appeare) were faine to rush forth in the beginning of the play,
with about a dozen whiflers well armed and swords drawne, whereat the
whole company (which were gathered together before the chapell doore to
try whether they could breake it open) seeing them come behind them out
of the lodging, presently gave backe, and ranne away though itt was thought
they were not so few as 4 or 500.
"The officers gave some faire words and some fowle as they saw occasion,
the whiflers were very heedfull to marke who were the ringleaders of the
rest, and having some notice given of them by some of our friendes, they
took some of them and committed them to the Porter's lodge, where they
Page 240
lay close prisoners till the play was done, and then they were brought forth
and punished, and so sente home.
"After this all was quiet only some were so thrust in the hall, that they were
carried forth for dead but soone recovered, when they came into the aire.
"The Chorus of this Tragedy much pleased for the rarity of it. Detraction
beeing taken from among the company, where hee had liked to have been
beaten for his sawsines (as it was supposed) for nobody at first toke him for
an actor. The chiefest in the hall commaunded that notice should be taken of
him, that hee might afterwards bee punished for his boldnes;—but as soone
as it at once appeared that he was an actor, their disdaine and anger turned
to much pleasure and content.
"All were so pleased att the whole course of this play, that there were at
least eight generall plaudites given in the midst of it in divers places and to
divers persons.
"In the end, they clapped their hands so long, that they went forth of the
colledge clapping.
"But in the midst of all this good liking wee were neere two mischaunces,
the one from Lycophron who lost a faire gold ring from his finger, which
notwithstanding all the hurleburly in the end of the play, was soone found
againe; the other from Periander, who, going to kill his daughter Eugenia,
did not so couch his dagger within his hand, but that hee prickt her through
all her attire, but (as God would have it) it was onely a scratch and so it
passed.
THE CONCLUSION.
"Many other thinges were in this yeare intended which neither were nor
could be performed. As the maske of Penelope's Wooer, with the State of
Telemachus, with a Controversie of Jrus and his ragged Company, whereof
a great parte was made. The devise of the Embassage from Lubber-land,
whereof also a parte was made. The Creation of White Knights of the order
of Aristotle's Well, which should bee sworne to defend Aristotle against all
authors, water against wine, footemen against horsemen, and many more
such like injunctions. A lottery for those of the colledge or straungers as itt
and punished, and so sente home.
"After this all was quiet only some were so thrust in the hall, that they were
carried forth for dead but soone recovered, when they came into the aire.
"The Chorus of this Tragedy much pleased for the rarity of it. Detraction
beeing taken from among the company, where hee had liked to have been
beaten for his sawsines (as it was supposed) for nobody at first toke him for
an actor. The chiefest in the hall commaunded that notice should be taken of
him, that hee might afterwards bee punished for his boldnes;—but as soone
as it at once appeared that he was an actor, their disdaine and anger turned
to much pleasure and content.
"All were so pleased att the whole course of this play, that there were at
least eight generall plaudites given in the midst of it in divers places and to
divers persons.
"In the end, they clapped their hands so long, that they went forth of the
colledge clapping.
"But in the midst of all this good liking wee were neere two mischaunces,
the one from Lycophron who lost a faire gold ring from his finger, which
notwithstanding all the hurleburly in the end of the play, was soone found
againe; the other from Periander, who, going to kill his daughter Eugenia,
did not so couch his dagger within his hand, but that hee prickt her through
all her attire, but (as God would have it) it was onely a scratch and so it
passed.
THE CONCLUSION.
"Many other thinges were in this yeare intended which neither were nor
could be performed. As the maske of Penelope's Wooer, with the State of
Telemachus, with a Controversie of Jrus and his ragged Company, whereof
a great parte was made. The devise of the Embassage from Lubber-land,
whereof also a parte was made. The Creation of White Knights of the order
of Aristotle's Well, which should bee sworne to defend Aristotle against all
authors, water against wine, footemen against horsemen, and many more
such like injunctions. A lottery for those of the colledge or straungers as itt
Page 241
pleased them to draw, not for matters of wealth, but only of mirth and witt.
The triumph of all the founders of the colledges in Oxford, a devise much
thought on, but it required more invention, more cost than the time would
affoord. The holding of a court leet and baron for the Prince, wherein there
should have beene leasses drawne, copies taken, surrenders made, all which
were not so much neglected as prevented by the shortnes of time and want
of money, better wits and richer daies may hereafter make upp which was
then lefte unperfect.
"Here some letters might be inserted, and other gratulatory messages from
divers friends to the Prince, but it is high time to make an end of this
tedious and fruitelesse relation, unlesse the knowledge of trouble and vanity
bee fruitefull.
"Wee intended in these exercises the practise and audacity of our youth, the
credit and good name of our colledge, the love and favor of the University;
but instead of all these (so easie a thing it is to be deceived in a good
meaning) wee met with peevishnesse at home, perversnes abroad,
contradictions everywhere; some never thought themselves entreated
enough to their owne good and creditt; others thought themselves able to
doe nothing if they could not thwarte and hinder something; most stood by
and gave aime, willing to see much and doe nothing, nay perchaunce they
were ready to procure most trouble, which would bee sure to yield least
helpe. And yet wee may not so much grudge at faults at home as wee may
justly complaine of hard measure abroad; for instead of the love and favour
of the Universitie, wee found our selves (wee will say justly) taxed for any
the least error (though ingenious spirits would have pardoned many things,
where all things were intended for their owne pleasure) but most unjustly
censured, and envied for that which was done (wee dare say) indifferently
well: so that, in a word, wee paide deere for trouble, and in a manner hired
and sent for men to doe us wrong.
"Let others herafter take heed how they attempte the like, unlesse they find
better meanes at home, and better mindes abroad. And yet wee cannot
complaine of all, some ment well and said well, and those tooke good will
for good paiment, good endevors for good performaunce, and such (in this
kind) shall deserve a private favour, when other shal bee denied a common
benefitt.
The triumph of all the founders of the colledges in Oxford, a devise much
thought on, but it required more invention, more cost than the time would
affoord. The holding of a court leet and baron for the Prince, wherein there
should have beene leasses drawne, copies taken, surrenders made, all which
were not so much neglected as prevented by the shortnes of time and want
of money, better wits and richer daies may hereafter make upp which was
then lefte unperfect.
"Here some letters might be inserted, and other gratulatory messages from
divers friends to the Prince, but it is high time to make an end of this
tedious and fruitelesse relation, unlesse the knowledge of trouble and vanity
bee fruitefull.
"Wee intended in these exercises the practise and audacity of our youth, the
credit and good name of our colledge, the love and favor of the University;
but instead of all these (so easie a thing it is to be deceived in a good
meaning) wee met with peevishnesse at home, perversnes abroad,
contradictions everywhere; some never thought themselves entreated
enough to their owne good and creditt; others thought themselves able to
doe nothing if they could not thwarte and hinder something; most stood by
and gave aime, willing to see much and doe nothing, nay perchaunce they
were ready to procure most trouble, which would bee sure to yield least
helpe. And yet wee may not so much grudge at faults at home as wee may
justly complaine of hard measure abroad; for instead of the love and favour
of the Universitie, wee found our selves (wee will say justly) taxed for any
the least error (though ingenious spirits would have pardoned many things,
where all things were intended for their owne pleasure) but most unjustly
censured, and envied for that which was done (wee dare say) indifferently
well: so that, in a word, wee paide deere for trouble, and in a manner hired
and sent for men to doe us wrong.
"Let others herafter take heed how they attempte the like, unlesse they find
better meanes at home, and better mindes abroad. And yet wee cannot
complaine of all, some ment well and said well, and those tooke good will
for good paiment, good endevors for good performaunce, and such (in this
kind) shall deserve a private favour, when other shal bee denied a common
benefitt.
Page 242
"Seria vix recte agnoscit, qui ludicra nescit.
"finis"
"finis"
Page 243
Christmas Tournaments.
During the reign of James the First there was a revival of chivalric
exercises, especially in connection with the training of the young Prince
Henry. Almost as soon as he could wield a lance and manage his horse
when clothed in complete armour, he insisted on taking his place at the lists;
and from this time no great tournament took place in England in which his
Royal Highness did not take part. The most important of these exhibitions
was
The Grand "Feat of Armes"
which took place on Twelfth Night, 1610, at the palace of Whitehall, in the
presence of King James I. and his queen, and a brilliant assemblage of
lords, ladies, and gentlemen, among whom were several foreign
ambassadors, when the heir-apparent, Prince Henry, was in the 16th year of
his age, and therefore arrived at the period for claiming the principality of
Wales and the duchy of Cornwall. It was granted to him by the king and the
High Court of Parliament, and the 4th of June following appointed for his
investiture: "the Christmas before which," Sir Charles Cornwallis says, "his
highnesse, not onely for his owne recreation, but also that the world might
know what a brave prince they were likely to enjoy, under the name of
Meliades, lord of the isles, (an ancient title due to the first born of
Scotland,) did, in his name, by some appointed for the same purpose,
strangely attired, accompanied with drummes and trumpets, in the presence,
before the king and queene, and in the presence of the whole Court, deliver
a challenge to all knights of Great Britaine." The challenge was to this
effect, "That Meliades, their noble master, burning with an earnest desire to
trie the valour of his young yeares in foraigne countryes, and to know
where vertue triumphed most, had sent them abroad to espy the same, who,
after their long travailes in all countreys, and returne," had nowhere
discovered it, "save in the fortunate isle of Great Britaine: which ministring
matter of exceeding joy to their young Meliades, who (as they said) could
lineally derive his pedegree from the famous knights of this isle, was the
cause that he had now sent to present the first fruits of his chivalrie at his
majesties' feete: then after returning with a short speech to her majestie,
During the reign of James the First there was a revival of chivalric
exercises, especially in connection with the training of the young Prince
Henry. Almost as soon as he could wield a lance and manage his horse
when clothed in complete armour, he insisted on taking his place at the lists;
and from this time no great tournament took place in England in which his
Royal Highness did not take part. The most important of these exhibitions
was
The Grand "Feat of Armes"
which took place on Twelfth Night, 1610, at the palace of Whitehall, in the
presence of King James I. and his queen, and a brilliant assemblage of
lords, ladies, and gentlemen, among whom were several foreign
ambassadors, when the heir-apparent, Prince Henry, was in the 16th year of
his age, and therefore arrived at the period for claiming the principality of
Wales and the duchy of Cornwall. It was granted to him by the king and the
High Court of Parliament, and the 4th of June following appointed for his
investiture: "the Christmas before which," Sir Charles Cornwallis says, "his
highnesse, not onely for his owne recreation, but also that the world might
know what a brave prince they were likely to enjoy, under the name of
Meliades, lord of the isles, (an ancient title due to the first born of
Scotland,) did, in his name, by some appointed for the same purpose,
strangely attired, accompanied with drummes and trumpets, in the presence,
before the king and queene, and in the presence of the whole Court, deliver
a challenge to all knights of Great Britaine." The challenge was to this
effect, "That Meliades, their noble master, burning with an earnest desire to
trie the valour of his young yeares in foraigne countryes, and to know
where vertue triumphed most, had sent them abroad to espy the same, who,
after their long travailes in all countreys, and returne," had nowhere
discovered it, "save in the fortunate isle of Great Britaine: which ministring
matter of exceeding joy to their young Meliades, who (as they said) could
lineally derive his pedegree from the famous knights of this isle, was the
cause that he had now sent to present the first fruits of his chivalrie at his
majesties' feete: then after returning with a short speech to her majestie,
Page 244
next to the earles, lords, and knights, excusing their lord in this their so
sudden and short warning, and, lastly, to the ladies; they, after humble
delivery of their chartle concerning time, place, conditions, number of
weapons and assailants, tooke their leave, departing solemnly as they
entered."
Then preparations began to be made for this great fight, and each was
happy who found himself admitted for a defendant, much more an assailant.
"At last to encounter his highness, six assailants, and fifty-eight defendants,
consisting of earles, barons, knights, and esquires, were appointed and
chosen; eight defendants to one assailant, every assailant being to fight by
turnes eight several times fighting, two every time with push and pike of
sword, twelve strokes at a time; after which, the barre for separation was to
be let downe until a fresh onset." The summons ran in these words:
"To our verie loving good ffreind sir Gilbert Loughton, knight, geave theis with speed:
"After our hartie commendacions unto you. The prince, his highnes, hath commanded us to signifie
to you that whereas he doth intend to make a challenge in his owne person at the Barriers, with six
other assistants, to bee performed some tyme this Christmas; and that he hath made choice of you for
one of the defendants (whereof wee have comandement to give you knowledge), that theruppon you
may so repaire hither to prepare yourselfe, as you may bee fitt to attend him. Hereunto expecting
your speedie answer wee rest, from Whitehall this 25th of December, 1609. Your very loving friends,
Nottingham. T. Suffolke. E. Worcester.
On New Year's Day, 1610, or the day after, the Prince's challenge was
proclaimed at court, and "his highnesse, in his own lodging, in the
Christmas, did feast the earles, barons, and knights, assailants and
defendants, until the great Twelfth appointed night, on which this great fight
was to be performed."
On the 6th of January, in the evening, "the barriers" were held at the palace
of Whitehall, in the presence of the king and queen, the ambassadors of
Spain and Venice, and the peers and ladies of the land, with a multitude of
others assembled in the banquetting-house: at the upper end whereof was
the king's chair of state, and on the right a sumptuous pavilion for the prince
and his associates, whence, "with great bravery and ingenious devices, they
descended into the middell of the roome, and there the prince performed his
first feates of armes, that is to say, at Barriers, against all commers, being
assisted onlie with six others, viz., the duke of Lenox, the earle of Arundell,
sudden and short warning, and, lastly, to the ladies; they, after humble
delivery of their chartle concerning time, place, conditions, number of
weapons and assailants, tooke their leave, departing solemnly as they
entered."
Then preparations began to be made for this great fight, and each was
happy who found himself admitted for a defendant, much more an assailant.
"At last to encounter his highness, six assailants, and fifty-eight defendants,
consisting of earles, barons, knights, and esquires, were appointed and
chosen; eight defendants to one assailant, every assailant being to fight by
turnes eight several times fighting, two every time with push and pike of
sword, twelve strokes at a time; after which, the barre for separation was to
be let downe until a fresh onset." The summons ran in these words:
"To our verie loving good ffreind sir Gilbert Loughton, knight, geave theis with speed:
"After our hartie commendacions unto you. The prince, his highnes, hath commanded us to signifie
to you that whereas he doth intend to make a challenge in his owne person at the Barriers, with six
other assistants, to bee performed some tyme this Christmas; and that he hath made choice of you for
one of the defendants (whereof wee have comandement to give you knowledge), that theruppon you
may so repaire hither to prepare yourselfe, as you may bee fitt to attend him. Hereunto expecting
your speedie answer wee rest, from Whitehall this 25th of December, 1609. Your very loving friends,
Nottingham. T. Suffolke. E. Worcester.
On New Year's Day, 1610, or the day after, the Prince's challenge was
proclaimed at court, and "his highnesse, in his own lodging, in the
Christmas, did feast the earles, barons, and knights, assailants and
defendants, until the great Twelfth appointed night, on which this great fight
was to be performed."
On the 6th of January, in the evening, "the barriers" were held at the palace
of Whitehall, in the presence of the king and queen, the ambassadors of
Spain and Venice, and the peers and ladies of the land, with a multitude of
others assembled in the banquetting-house: at the upper end whereof was
the king's chair of state, and on the right a sumptuous pavilion for the prince
and his associates, whence, "with great bravery and ingenious devices, they
descended into the middell of the roome, and there the prince performed his
first feates of armes, that is to say, at Barriers, against all commers, being
assisted onlie with six others, viz., the duke of Lenox, the earle of Arundell,
Page 245
the earle of Southampton, the lord Hay, sir Thomas Somerset, and sir
Richard Preston, who was shortly afterwards created lord Dingwell."
To answer these challengers came fifty-six earles, barons, knights, and
esquiers. They were at "the lower end of the roome, where was erected a
very delicat and pleasant place, where in privat manner they and their traine
remained, which was so very great that no man imagined that the place
could have concealed halfe so many." Thence they issued in comely order,
"to the middell of the roome, where sate the king and the queene, and the
court, to behold the barriers, with the several showes and devices of each
combatant." Every challenger fought with eight several defendants two
several combats at two several weapons, viz. at push of pike, and with
single sword. "The prince performed this challenge with wonderous skill
and courage, to the great joy and admiration of the beholders," he "not
being full sixteene yeeres of age until the 19th of February." These feats,
and other "triumphant shewes," began before ten o'clock at night, and
continued until three o'clock in the morning, "being Sonday." The speeches
at "the barriers" were written by Ben Jonson. The next day (Sunday) the
prince rode in great pomp to convoy the king to St. James', whither he had
invited him and all the court to supper, the queen alone being absent; and
then the prince bestowed prizes to the three combatants best deserving;
namely, the Earl of Montgomery, Sir Thomas Darey (son of Lord Darey),
and Sir Robert Gourdon. Thus ended the Twelftide court festivities in 1610.
During the early years of James's reign tournaments divided with masques
the favour of the Court; and, as we have just seen when Prince Henry
reached his sixteenth year, he put himself forth in a more heroic manner
than usual with princes of his time to engage in "feats of armes" and
chivalric exercises; but after his death (1612) these sports fell quite out of
fashion, and George Wither, a poet of the period, expresses, in the person of
Britannia, the feelings of the nation:—
"Alas! who now shall grace my tournaments,
Or honour me with deeds of chivalry?
What shall become of all my merriments,
My ceremonies, shows of heraldry,
And other rites?"
Richard Preston, who was shortly afterwards created lord Dingwell."
To answer these challengers came fifty-six earles, barons, knights, and
esquiers. They were at "the lower end of the roome, where was erected a
very delicat and pleasant place, where in privat manner they and their traine
remained, which was so very great that no man imagined that the place
could have concealed halfe so many." Thence they issued in comely order,
"to the middell of the roome, where sate the king and the queene, and the
court, to behold the barriers, with the several showes and devices of each
combatant." Every challenger fought with eight several defendants two
several combats at two several weapons, viz. at push of pike, and with
single sword. "The prince performed this challenge with wonderous skill
and courage, to the great joy and admiration of the beholders," he "not
being full sixteene yeeres of age until the 19th of February." These feats,
and other "triumphant shewes," began before ten o'clock at night, and
continued until three o'clock in the morning, "being Sonday." The speeches
at "the barriers" were written by Ben Jonson. The next day (Sunday) the
prince rode in great pomp to convoy the king to St. James', whither he had
invited him and all the court to supper, the queen alone being absent; and
then the prince bestowed prizes to the three combatants best deserving;
namely, the Earl of Montgomery, Sir Thomas Darey (son of Lord Darey),
and Sir Robert Gourdon. Thus ended the Twelftide court festivities in 1610.
During the early years of James's reign tournaments divided with masques
the favour of the Court; and, as we have just seen when Prince Henry
reached his sixteenth year, he put himself forth in a more heroic manner
than usual with princes of his time to engage in "feats of armes" and
chivalric exercises; but after his death (1612) these sports fell quite out of
fashion, and George Wither, a poet of the period, expresses, in the person of
Britannia, the feelings of the nation:—
"Alas! who now shall grace my tournaments,
Or honour me with deeds of chivalry?
What shall become of all my merriments,
My ceremonies, shows of heraldry,
And other rites?"
Page 246
Religious matters received a good deal of attention from James I. in the
later years of his reign, and his Majesty's proposals raised the question of
the observance of
The Christmas Festival in Scotland.
In 1617 the King made a journey to Scotland with the object of establishing
the English Church in all its forms and authority as the State Church of
Scotland for ever. One of the famous Five Articles in which the King set
forth his will proposed "That the festivals of Christmas, Good Friday,
Easter, Ascension Day, and Whit Sunday, should be observed in Scotland
just as in England." The Articles were received with unequivocal marks of
displeasure, many of the churches refusing to obey the royal command, and
the revival of the festival of Christmas was denounced as the return of the
ancient Saturnalia. Three years later the King obtained an Act of Parliament
enforcing the Articles on the repugnant spirit of the people. "Dr. Laud,
whose name we now meet for the first time, afterwards to become so
notorious, even urged James to go further lengths; but his fatal advice was
destined to act with more force on the next generation."[63]
The King returned to London very much displeased with the religious views
of his Scotch subjects, and his sourness seems to have manifested itself
even at Christmastide, for on December 20th of this year Mr. Chamberlaine
thus wrote to Sir Dudley Carleton: "The King hath been at Theobald's ever
since Wednesday, and came to town this day. I am sorry to hear that he
grows every day more froward, and with such a kind of morosity, that doth
later years of his reign, and his Majesty's proposals raised the question of
the observance of
The Christmas Festival in Scotland.
In 1617 the King made a journey to Scotland with the object of establishing
the English Church in all its forms and authority as the State Church of
Scotland for ever. One of the famous Five Articles in which the King set
forth his will proposed "That the festivals of Christmas, Good Friday,
Easter, Ascension Day, and Whit Sunday, should be observed in Scotland
just as in England." The Articles were received with unequivocal marks of
displeasure, many of the churches refusing to obey the royal command, and
the revival of the festival of Christmas was denounced as the return of the
ancient Saturnalia. Three years later the King obtained an Act of Parliament
enforcing the Articles on the repugnant spirit of the people. "Dr. Laud,
whose name we now meet for the first time, afterwards to become so
notorious, even urged James to go further lengths; but his fatal advice was
destined to act with more force on the next generation."[63]
The King returned to London very much displeased with the religious views
of his Scotch subjects, and his sourness seems to have manifested itself
even at Christmastide, for on December 20th of this year Mr. Chamberlaine
thus wrote to Sir Dudley Carleton: "The King hath been at Theobald's ever
since Wednesday, and came to town this day. I am sorry to hear that he
grows every day more froward, and with such a kind of morosity, that doth
Page 247
either argue a great discontent in mind, or a distemper of humours in his
body. Yet he is never so out of tune but the very sight of my Lord of
Buckingham doth settle and quiet all."[64] So soothed and softened was the
King by "my Lord of Buckingham" that Mr. Chamberlaine, writing again
on the 3rd of January, says that on New Year's Day the earl was created
"Marquis of Buckingham, a dignity the King hath not bestowed since his
coming to this crown." And, says the same writer, "This night was the Lord
Marquiss's [Buckingham's] great
Feast, where were the King and Prince,
with Lords and Ladies sans nombre. You may guess at the rest of the cheer
by this scantling, that there were said to be seventeen dozen of pheasants,
and twelve partridges in a dish throughout; which methinks was rather spoil
than largess; yet for all the plenty of presents, the supper cost £600. Sir
Thomas Edmondes undertook the providing and managing of all, so that it
was much after the French. The King was exceedingly pleased, and could
not be satisfied with commending the meat and the Master; and yet some
stick not to say, that young Sir Henry Mildmay, a son of George Brooke,
that was executed at Winchester, and a son of Sir William Monson's, begins
to come into consideration."
The Failing Health of the King
interfered somewhat with the celebration of the subsequent Royal
Christmases of this reign; and Nichols, referring to the Court celebrations of
Twelfth Day, 1620-1, says:
"'On Twelfth Day the King went to Chappel, but they had much ado to
support him. He offered gold, frankincence, and myrrhe, and touched 80 of
the evil.'[65] In the evening 'the French Ambassador and his choise followers
were brought to court by the Earle of Warwick to be present at a Maske; he
seated as before with the King, the better sort of the other on a fourme
behind the Lords, the Lord Treasurer onely and the Marquesse of Hamilton
sitting at the upper end of it, and all the rest in a box, and in the best places
of the scaffolds on the right hand of his Majesty. No other Ambassadors
were at that time present or invited.'"
body. Yet he is never so out of tune but the very sight of my Lord of
Buckingham doth settle and quiet all."[64] So soothed and softened was the
King by "my Lord of Buckingham" that Mr. Chamberlaine, writing again
on the 3rd of January, says that on New Year's Day the earl was created
"Marquis of Buckingham, a dignity the King hath not bestowed since his
coming to this crown." And, says the same writer, "This night was the Lord
Marquiss's [Buckingham's] great
Feast, where were the King and Prince,
with Lords and Ladies sans nombre. You may guess at the rest of the cheer
by this scantling, that there were said to be seventeen dozen of pheasants,
and twelve partridges in a dish throughout; which methinks was rather spoil
than largess; yet for all the plenty of presents, the supper cost £600. Sir
Thomas Edmondes undertook the providing and managing of all, so that it
was much after the French. The King was exceedingly pleased, and could
not be satisfied with commending the meat and the Master; and yet some
stick not to say, that young Sir Henry Mildmay, a son of George Brooke,
that was executed at Winchester, and a son of Sir William Monson's, begins
to come into consideration."
The Failing Health of the King
interfered somewhat with the celebration of the subsequent Royal
Christmases of this reign; and Nichols, referring to the Court celebrations of
Twelfth Day, 1620-1, says:
"'On Twelfth Day the King went to Chappel, but they had much ado to
support him. He offered gold, frankincence, and myrrhe, and touched 80 of
the evil.'[65] In the evening 'the French Ambassador and his choise followers
were brought to court by the Earle of Warwick to be present at a Maske; he
seated as before with the King, the better sort of the other on a fourme
behind the Lords, the Lord Treasurer onely and the Marquesse of Hamilton
sitting at the upper end of it, and all the rest in a box, and in the best places
of the scaffolds on the right hand of his Majesty. No other Ambassadors
were at that time present or invited.'"
Page 248
As to
The Christmas Festivities
of the next year (1621-2) Nichols[66] says Mr. Meade wrote thus to Sir
Martin Stuteville:—
"'The Lieutenant of Middle Temple played a game this Christmas-time,
whereat his Majesty was highly displeased. He made choise of some thirty
of the civillest and best-fashioned gentlemen of the House to sup with him;
and, being at supper, took a cup of wine in one hand, and held his sword
drawn in the other, and so began a health to the distressed Lady Elizabeth
[the Queen of Bohemia], and having drunk, kissed his sword, and laying his
hand upon it, took an oath to live and die in her service; then delivered the
cup and sword to the next, and so the health and ceremonie went round.
"'The Gentlemen of Graye's Inne, to make an end of Christmas on Twelfe-
night, in the dead time of the night, shot off all the chambers they had
borrowed from the Tower, being as many as filled four carts. The King,
awakened with this noise, started out of his bed, and cryed, "Treason,
treason," &c., and that the Cittie was in an uprore, in such sort (as it is told)
that the whole court was raised and almost in armes, the Earle of Arundell
running to the Bed-chamber with his sword drawne as to rescue the King's
person.'"
In this reign many accomplished writers assisted in the Christmas
festivities. Professor Henry Morley[67] mentions that in December, 1623,
the name of Philip Massinger, poet and dramatist, first appeared in the
office book of the Master of the Revells, when his "Bondman" was acted,
and the play was first printed in 1624.
King James I. died at Theobald's, Herts, on the 27th March, 1625, and was
buried in Westminster Abbey.
King James I. and Bishop Andrewes on Christmas Days.
The remarkable fact that Bishop Andrewes preached seventeen sermons on
the Nativity before James I. gives an unusual interest to the Christmas Day
The Christmas Festivities
of the next year (1621-2) Nichols[66] says Mr. Meade wrote thus to Sir
Martin Stuteville:—
"'The Lieutenant of Middle Temple played a game this Christmas-time,
whereat his Majesty was highly displeased. He made choise of some thirty
of the civillest and best-fashioned gentlemen of the House to sup with him;
and, being at supper, took a cup of wine in one hand, and held his sword
drawn in the other, and so began a health to the distressed Lady Elizabeth
[the Queen of Bohemia], and having drunk, kissed his sword, and laying his
hand upon it, took an oath to live and die in her service; then delivered the
cup and sword to the next, and so the health and ceremonie went round.
"'The Gentlemen of Graye's Inne, to make an end of Christmas on Twelfe-
night, in the dead time of the night, shot off all the chambers they had
borrowed from the Tower, being as many as filled four carts. The King,
awakened with this noise, started out of his bed, and cryed, "Treason,
treason," &c., and that the Cittie was in an uprore, in such sort (as it is told)
that the whole court was raised and almost in armes, the Earle of Arundell
running to the Bed-chamber with his sword drawne as to rescue the King's
person.'"
In this reign many accomplished writers assisted in the Christmas
festivities. Professor Henry Morley[67] mentions that in December, 1623,
the name of Philip Massinger, poet and dramatist, first appeared in the
office book of the Master of the Revells, when his "Bondman" was acted,
and the play was first printed in 1624.
King James I. died at Theobald's, Herts, on the 27th March, 1625, and was
buried in Westminster Abbey.
King James I. and Bishop Andrewes on Christmas Days.
The remarkable fact that Bishop Andrewes preached seventeen sermons on
the Nativity before James I. gives an unusual interest to the Christmas Day
Page 249
services of this reign. Nichols makes the following references to them:—
1605. "On Christmas Day the King attended Divine Service at Whitehall,
where Dr Lancelot Andrews, then recently promoted to the Bishoprick of
Chichester, preached before his Majesty, on the Epistle of St. Paul to the
Hebrews, ii. 16."
1606. "On Christmas Day, the King attended Divine Service at Whitehall,
where Bishop Andrews, now decidedly the King's favourite Preacher,
discoursed on Esaias ix. 6."
1607. "On Thursday, being Christmas Day, the King attended Divine
Service at Whitehall, and there heard Bishop Andrews preach on 1 Tim. iii.
16."
1609. "Monday, December 25, being Christmas Day, the King attended
Divine Service at Whitehall, and there heard the Bishop of Ely, Dr.
Andrews, on Galat. iv. 4, 5." In a note Nichols says: "This sermon was
much admired by the King. This was probably the reason that it was printed
in 1610, together with that the Bishop preached on the same occasion in
that year, under the following title: 'Two Sermons preached before the
King's Majestie at Whitehall; of the Birth of Christ; the one on Christmas
Day, anno 1609, the other on Christmas Day last, anno 1610. By the Bishop
of Elie, his Majestie's Almoner. Imprinted at London by Robert Barker,
Printer to the King's most excellent Majestie, anno 1610.'"
1610. "On Tuesday, the 25th December, Christmas Day, the King attended
Divine Service at Whitehall, where Bishop Andrews preached on Luke ii. 9,
10."
1611. "On Christmas Day the King attended Divine Service at Whitehall,
and Bishop Andrews preached on John. i. 14."
1612. "On Friday, 25th December, Christmas Day was kept as usual at
Whitehall; where the King attended Divine Service, and Bishop Andrews
(as usual) preached."
1613. "Saturday, 25th December, being Christmas Day, was kept with the
usual solemnities; the King attended Divine service at Whitehall, and
Bishop Andrews preached."
1605. "On Christmas Day the King attended Divine Service at Whitehall,
where Dr Lancelot Andrews, then recently promoted to the Bishoprick of
Chichester, preached before his Majesty, on the Epistle of St. Paul to the
Hebrews, ii. 16."
1606. "On Christmas Day, the King attended Divine Service at Whitehall,
where Bishop Andrews, now decidedly the King's favourite Preacher,
discoursed on Esaias ix. 6."
1607. "On Thursday, being Christmas Day, the King attended Divine
Service at Whitehall, and there heard Bishop Andrews preach on 1 Tim. iii.
16."
1609. "Monday, December 25, being Christmas Day, the King attended
Divine Service at Whitehall, and there heard the Bishop of Ely, Dr.
Andrews, on Galat. iv. 4, 5." In a note Nichols says: "This sermon was
much admired by the King. This was probably the reason that it was printed
in 1610, together with that the Bishop preached on the same occasion in
that year, under the following title: 'Two Sermons preached before the
King's Majestie at Whitehall; of the Birth of Christ; the one on Christmas
Day, anno 1609, the other on Christmas Day last, anno 1610. By the Bishop
of Elie, his Majestie's Almoner. Imprinted at London by Robert Barker,
Printer to the King's most excellent Majestie, anno 1610.'"
1610. "On Tuesday, the 25th December, Christmas Day, the King attended
Divine Service at Whitehall, where Bishop Andrews preached on Luke ii. 9,
10."
1611. "On Christmas Day the King attended Divine Service at Whitehall,
and Bishop Andrews preached on John. i. 14."
1612. "On Friday, 25th December, Christmas Day was kept as usual at
Whitehall; where the King attended Divine Service, and Bishop Andrews
(as usual) preached."
1613. "Saturday, 25th December, being Christmas Day, was kept with the
usual solemnities; the King attended Divine service at Whitehall, and
Bishop Andrews preached."
Page 250
1614. "His Majesty returned to keep Christmas Day, as was customary, at
Whitehall. Bishop Andrews addressed him from the pulpit as usual."
1615. "'On Christmas Day, the King, being sorely troubled with the gout,
was not able to go to Divine service; but heard a sermon in private, and
took the Sacrament.' The Preacher was, as usual, Bishop Andrews."
1616. "On Christmas Day, Thomas, Earl of Arundel, who was educated
from his youth in the Popish Religion, and had lately travelled all over Italy
detesting the abuses of the Papists, embraced the Protestant religion, and
received the Sacrament in the King's Chapel at Whitehall, where Bishop
Andrews preached, as was customary, a sermon suited to the Festival of the
Nativity."
1618. "On the 25th [December], Bishop Andrews resumed his post as
preacher on Christmas Day, before the King at Whitehall. His text was from
Luke ii. 12, 13."
1619. "Christmas was kept by the King at Whitehall, as had ever been his
practice; and Bishop Andrews preached then before him, on Saturday, the
25th."
1620. "During the month of December, before the King left the country, he
knighted at Newmarket, Sir Francis Michell, afterward degraded in June
1621; and at Theobalds, Sir Gilbert Cornwall. On the 23rd, his Majestie
'came to Westminster, but went not to Chappel, being prevented by the
gout.' On Monday, the 25th, however, being Christmas Day, Bishop
Andrews preached before him at Whitehall, on Matt. ii. 1, 2; and during
Christmas, Sir Clement Cotterell and Sir Henry Carvell were there
knighted."
1622. "On the 25th [December] Bishop Andrews resumed his Christmas
station in the pulpit at Whitehall, and thence preached to the King and his
Court on the same text as he had adopted on the same occasion two years
before, Matt. ii. 1, 2."
1623. "The King kept inviolate his old custom of being at Whitehall on
Christmas Day, and hearing there a sermon from Bishop Andrews, who this
year preached on Ephes. i. 10."
Whitehall. Bishop Andrews addressed him from the pulpit as usual."
1615. "'On Christmas Day, the King, being sorely troubled with the gout,
was not able to go to Divine service; but heard a sermon in private, and
took the Sacrament.' The Preacher was, as usual, Bishop Andrews."
1616. "On Christmas Day, Thomas, Earl of Arundel, who was educated
from his youth in the Popish Religion, and had lately travelled all over Italy
detesting the abuses of the Papists, embraced the Protestant religion, and
received the Sacrament in the King's Chapel at Whitehall, where Bishop
Andrews preached, as was customary, a sermon suited to the Festival of the
Nativity."
1618. "On the 25th [December], Bishop Andrews resumed his post as
preacher on Christmas Day, before the King at Whitehall. His text was from
Luke ii. 12, 13."
1619. "Christmas was kept by the King at Whitehall, as had ever been his
practice; and Bishop Andrews preached then before him, on Saturday, the
25th."
1620. "During the month of December, before the King left the country, he
knighted at Newmarket, Sir Francis Michell, afterward degraded in June
1621; and at Theobalds, Sir Gilbert Cornwall. On the 23rd, his Majestie
'came to Westminster, but went not to Chappel, being prevented by the
gout.' On Monday, the 25th, however, being Christmas Day, Bishop
Andrews preached before him at Whitehall, on Matt. ii. 1, 2; and during
Christmas, Sir Clement Cotterell and Sir Henry Carvell were there
knighted."
1622. "On the 25th [December] Bishop Andrews resumed his Christmas
station in the pulpit at Whitehall, and thence preached to the King and his
Court on the same text as he had adopted on the same occasion two years
before, Matt. ii. 1, 2."
1623. "The King kept inviolate his old custom of being at Whitehall on
Christmas Day, and hearing there a sermon from Bishop Andrews, who this
year preached on Ephes. i. 10."
Page 251
1624. "On Saturday, the 25th of December, Bishop Andrews preached
before his Majesty at Whitehall, on Psalm ii. 7, it being at least the
seventeenth, as it was the last, Christmas Day on which King James heard
that favourite preacher."
The unique series of "Seventeen Sermons on the Nativity, preached before
King James I. at Whitehall, by the Right Honourable and Reverend Father
in God, Lancelot Andrewes, sometime Lord Bishop of Winchester," were
preserved to posterity by an order of Charles I., who, after Bishop
Andrewes's death, commanded Bishops Laud and Buckeridge to collect and
publish his sermons. This series of sermons on the Nativity have recently
been reprinted in "The Ancient and Modern Library of Theological
Literature," and the editor, after referring to the ability and integrity of
Bishop Andrewes, says: "An interest apart from that which must be created
by his genius, learning, and character, belongs to him as the exponent of the
mind and practice of the English Church in the years that intervened
between the Reformation and the Revolution."
The Popular Amusements of Christmastide
at this period are thus enumerated by Robert Burton in his "Anatomy of
Melancholy," published in 1621:—
"The ordinary recreations which we have in winter are cards, tables and
dice, shovelboard, chess-play, the philosopher's game, small trunks,
billiards, music, masks, singing, dancing, ule games, catches, purposes,
questions; merry tales of errant knights, kings, queens, lovers, lords, ladies,
giants, dwarfs, thieves, fairies, goblins, friars, witches, and the rest."
The following curious cut is from the title-page of the amusing story of the
great "Giant Gargantua" of this period:—
before his Majesty at Whitehall, on Psalm ii. 7, it being at least the
seventeenth, as it was the last, Christmas Day on which King James heard
that favourite preacher."
The unique series of "Seventeen Sermons on the Nativity, preached before
King James I. at Whitehall, by the Right Honourable and Reverend Father
in God, Lancelot Andrewes, sometime Lord Bishop of Winchester," were
preserved to posterity by an order of Charles I., who, after Bishop
Andrewes's death, commanded Bishops Laud and Buckeridge to collect and
publish his sermons. This series of sermons on the Nativity have recently
been reprinted in "The Ancient and Modern Library of Theological
Literature," and the editor, after referring to the ability and integrity of
Bishop Andrewes, says: "An interest apart from that which must be created
by his genius, learning, and character, belongs to him as the exponent of the
mind and practice of the English Church in the years that intervened
between the Reformation and the Revolution."
The Popular Amusements of Christmastide
at this period are thus enumerated by Robert Burton in his "Anatomy of
Melancholy," published in 1621:—
"The ordinary recreations which we have in winter are cards, tables and
dice, shovelboard, chess-play, the philosopher's game, small trunks,
billiards, music, masks, singing, dancing, ule games, catches, purposes,
questions; merry tales of errant knights, kings, queens, lovers, lords, ladies,
giants, dwarfs, thieves, fairies, goblins, friars, witches, and the rest."
The following curious cut is from the title-page of the amusing story of the
great "Giant Gargantua" of this period:—
Page 252
The legends of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Bevis of
Southampton, Guy of Warwick, Adam Bell, and Clymme of Clough, were
favourites among the lovers of romance; but the people of this age, being
very superstitious, were very fond of stories about ghosts and goblins,
believing them to be founded on fact, and also attributing feats performed
by conjurors and jugglers to supernatural agency. The King himself was
equally superstitious, for Strutt in describing the tricks of jugglers says:
"Our learned monarch, James I., was perfectly convinced that these, and
other inferior feats exhibited by the tregetours, could only be performed by
the agency of the devil, 'who,' says he, 'will learne them many juglarie
tricks, at cardes and dice, to deceive men's senses thereby, and such
innumerable false practiques, which are proved by over-many in this age.'"
[68]
Looking back to the ancient superstitions about ghosts and fairies, Dryden,
the poet, has some lines which may fitly close this chapter:—
"I speak of ancient times, for now the swain
Returning late may pass the woods in vain,
And never hope to see the mighty train;
In vain the dairy now with mint is dressed,
The dairy-maid expects no fairy guest,
To skim the bowls and after pay the feast.
She sighs and shakes her empty shoes in vain,
No silver penny to reward her pain:
For priests, with prayers and other godly gear,
Have made the merry goblins disappear."
Southampton, Guy of Warwick, Adam Bell, and Clymme of Clough, were
favourites among the lovers of romance; but the people of this age, being
very superstitious, were very fond of stories about ghosts and goblins,
believing them to be founded on fact, and also attributing feats performed
by conjurors and jugglers to supernatural agency. The King himself was
equally superstitious, for Strutt in describing the tricks of jugglers says:
"Our learned monarch, James I., was perfectly convinced that these, and
other inferior feats exhibited by the tregetours, could only be performed by
the agency of the devil, 'who,' says he, 'will learne them many juglarie
tricks, at cardes and dice, to deceive men's senses thereby, and such
innumerable false practiques, which are proved by over-many in this age.'"
[68]
Looking back to the ancient superstitions about ghosts and fairies, Dryden,
the poet, has some lines which may fitly close this chapter:—
"I speak of ancient times, for now the swain
Returning late may pass the woods in vain,
And never hope to see the mighty train;
In vain the dairy now with mint is dressed,
The dairy-maid expects no fairy guest,
To skim the bowls and after pay the feast.
She sighs and shakes her empty shoes in vain,
No silver penny to reward her pain:
For priests, with prayers and other godly gear,
Have made the merry goblins disappear."
Page 253
[58] "Curiosities of Literature."
[59] "Memoirs of Ben Jonson."
[60] "Progresses of King James the First."
[61] Cassell's "History of England."
[62] This portion is inserted to introduce the Prince's Triumph, as they are
termed.
[63] Cassell's "History of England."
[64] Nichols's "Progresses."
[65] "Camden's Annals."
[66] "Progresses."
[67] "Library of English Literature."
[68] "Dæmonologie," by King James I.
CHAPTER IX.
CHRISTMAS UNDER CHARLES I. AND THE
COMMONWEALTH.
(1625-1660.)
King Charles the First
[59] "Memoirs of Ben Jonson."
[60] "Progresses of King James the First."
[61] Cassell's "History of England."
[62] This portion is inserted to introduce the Prince's Triumph, as they are
termed.
[63] Cassell's "History of England."
[64] Nichols's "Progresses."
[65] "Camden's Annals."
[66] "Progresses."
[67] "Library of English Literature."
[68] "Dæmonologie," by King James I.
CHAPTER IX.
CHRISTMAS UNDER CHARLES I. AND THE
COMMONWEALTH.
(1625-1660.)
King Charles the First
Page 254
was the second son of James I. and of Anne, daughter of Frederick III.,
King of Denmark, and he came to the throne on the death of his father in
March 1625. As Prince Charles he had taken part in the Court
entertainments of Christmastide, and had particularly distinguished himself
in Ben Jonson's masque, "The Vision of Delight." These magnificent
Christmas masques were continued after Charles's accession to the throne
until the troubles of his reign stopped them. Gifford[69] mentions that
Jonson's "Masque of Owls" was presented at Kenilworth Castle, "By the
Ghost of Captain Cox mounted on his Hobby-horse, in 1626":—
"Enter Captain Cox, on his Hobby-horse.
Room! room! for my horse will wince,
If he come within so many yards of a prince;
And though he have not on his wings,
He will do strange things,
He is the Pegasus that uses
To wait on Warwick Muses;
And on gaudy-days he paces
Before the Coventry Graces;
For to tell you true, and in rhyme,
He was foal'd in Queen Elizabeth's time,
When the great Earl of Lester
In this castle did feast her."
King of Denmark, and he came to the throne on the death of his father in
March 1625. As Prince Charles he had taken part in the Court
entertainments of Christmastide, and had particularly distinguished himself
in Ben Jonson's masque, "The Vision of Delight." These magnificent
Christmas masques were continued after Charles's accession to the throne
until the troubles of his reign stopped them. Gifford[69] mentions that
Jonson's "Masque of Owls" was presented at Kenilworth Castle, "By the
Ghost of Captain Cox mounted on his Hobby-horse, in 1626":—
"Enter Captain Cox, on his Hobby-horse.
Room! room! for my horse will wince,
If he come within so many yards of a prince;
And though he have not on his wings,
He will do strange things,
He is the Pegasus that uses
To wait on Warwick Muses;
And on gaudy-days he paces
Before the Coventry Graces;
For to tell you true, and in rhyme,
He was foal'd in Queen Elizabeth's time,
When the great Earl of Lester
In this castle did feast her."
Page 255
the hobby-horse.
Jonson's "The Fortunate Isles, and Their Union," a masque designed for the
Court, was presented on Twelfth Night, 1626; and "Love's Triumph through
Callipolis" (a masque invented by Ben Jonson and Inigo Jones) was
presented at Court in 1630.
The Lord of Misrule
also made merry at Christmas at this period; but it sometimes happened that
when he went forth with his band of merry men, they got into trouble. An
instance of this, which occurred in 1627, is recorded in one of Meade's
letters to Sir Martin Stuteville. The letter is worth reprinting as an
illustration of the manners of the age, and as relating to what was probably
the last Lord of Misrule elected by the barristers. Meade writes:—"On
Saturday the Templars chose one Mr. Palmer their Lord of Misrule, who, on
Twelfth-eve, late in the night, sent out to gather up his rents at five shillings
Jonson's "The Fortunate Isles, and Their Union," a masque designed for the
Court, was presented on Twelfth Night, 1626; and "Love's Triumph through
Callipolis" (a masque invented by Ben Jonson and Inigo Jones) was
presented at Court in 1630.
The Lord of Misrule
also made merry at Christmas at this period; but it sometimes happened that
when he went forth with his band of merry men, they got into trouble. An
instance of this, which occurred in 1627, is recorded in one of Meade's
letters to Sir Martin Stuteville. The letter is worth reprinting as an
illustration of the manners of the age, and as relating to what was probably
the last Lord of Misrule elected by the barristers. Meade writes:—"On
Saturday the Templars chose one Mr. Palmer their Lord of Misrule, who, on
Twelfth-eve, late in the night, sent out to gather up his rents at five shillings
Page 256
a house in Ram-alley and Fleet Street. At every door they came to they
winded the Temple-horn, and if at the second blast or summons they within
opened not the door, then the Lord of Misrule cried out, 'Give fire, gunner!'
His gunner was a robustious Vulcan, and the gun or petard itself was a huge
overgrown smith's hammer. This being complained of to my Lord Mayor,
he said he would be with them about eleven o'clock on Sunday night last;
willing that all that ward should attend him with their halberds, and that
himself, besides those that came out of his house, should bring the watches
along with him. His lordship, thus attended, advanced as high as Ram-alley
in martial equipage: when forth came the Lord of Misrule, attended by his
gallants, out of the Temple-gate, with their swords all armed in cuerpo. A
halberdier bade the Lord of Misrule come to my Lord Mayor. He answered,
No! let the Lord Mayor come to me! At length they agreed to meet halfway:
and, as the interview of rival princes is never without danger of some ill
accident, so it happened in this: for first, Mr. Palmer being quarrelled with
for not pulling off his hat to my Lord Mayor, and giving cross answers, the
halberds began to fly about his ears, and he and his company to brandish
their swords. At last being beaten to the ground, and the Lord of Misrule
sore wounded, they were fain to yield to the longer and more numerous
weapon. My Lord Mayor taking Mr. Palmer by the shoulder, led him to the
Compter, and thrust him in at the prison-gate with a kind of indignation;
and so, notwithstanding his hurts, he was forced to lie among the common
prisoners for two nights. On Tuesday the King's attorney became a suitor to
my Lord Mayor for their liberty: which his lordship granted, upon condition
that they should repay the gathered rents, and do reparations upon broken
doors. Thus the game ended. Mr. Attorney-General, being of the same
house, fetched them in his own coach, and carried them to the court, where
the King himself reconciled my Lord Mayor and them together with joining
all hands; the gentlemen of the Temple being this Shrovetide to present a
Mask to their majesties, over and besides the King's own great Mask, to be
performed at the Banquetting-house by an hundred actors."
We get other glances at
The Christmas Festivities in the 17th Century
winded the Temple-horn, and if at the second blast or summons they within
opened not the door, then the Lord of Misrule cried out, 'Give fire, gunner!'
His gunner was a robustious Vulcan, and the gun or petard itself was a huge
overgrown smith's hammer. This being complained of to my Lord Mayor,
he said he would be with them about eleven o'clock on Sunday night last;
willing that all that ward should attend him with their halberds, and that
himself, besides those that came out of his house, should bring the watches
along with him. His lordship, thus attended, advanced as high as Ram-alley
in martial equipage: when forth came the Lord of Misrule, attended by his
gallants, out of the Temple-gate, with their swords all armed in cuerpo. A
halberdier bade the Lord of Misrule come to my Lord Mayor. He answered,
No! let the Lord Mayor come to me! At length they agreed to meet halfway:
and, as the interview of rival princes is never without danger of some ill
accident, so it happened in this: for first, Mr. Palmer being quarrelled with
for not pulling off his hat to my Lord Mayor, and giving cross answers, the
halberds began to fly about his ears, and he and his company to brandish
their swords. At last being beaten to the ground, and the Lord of Misrule
sore wounded, they were fain to yield to the longer and more numerous
weapon. My Lord Mayor taking Mr. Palmer by the shoulder, led him to the
Compter, and thrust him in at the prison-gate with a kind of indignation;
and so, notwithstanding his hurts, he was forced to lie among the common
prisoners for two nights. On Tuesday the King's attorney became a suitor to
my Lord Mayor for their liberty: which his lordship granted, upon condition
that they should repay the gathered rents, and do reparations upon broken
doors. Thus the game ended. Mr. Attorney-General, being of the same
house, fetched them in his own coach, and carried them to the court, where
the King himself reconciled my Lord Mayor and them together with joining
all hands; the gentlemen of the Temple being this Shrovetide to present a
Mask to their majesties, over and besides the King's own great Mask, to be
performed at the Banquetting-house by an hundred actors."
We get other glances at
The Christmas Festivities in the 17th Century
Page 257
through contemporary writers of the period. Nicholas Breton,[70] writing in
merry mood, says: "It is now Christmas, and not a cup of drink must pass
without a carol; the beasts, fowl, and fish come to a general execution, and
the corn is ground to dust for the bakehouse and the pastry: cards and dice
purge many a purse, and the youth show their agility in shoeing of the wild
mare: now, good cheer, and welcome, and God be with you, and I thank
you:—and against the New Year provide for the presents:—The Lord of
Misrule is no mean man for his time, and the guests of the high table must
lack no wine: the lusty bloods must look about them like men, and piping
and dancing puts away much melancholy: stolen venison is sweet, and a fat
coney is worth money: pit-falls are now set for small birds, and a woodcock
hangs himself in a gin: a good fire heats all the house, and a full alms-
basket makes the beggar's prayers:—the maskers and the mummers make
the merry sport, but if they lose their money their drum goes dead: swearers
and swaggerers are sent away to the ale-house, and unruly wenches go in
danger of judgment; musicians now make their instruments speak out, and a
good song is worth the hearing. In sum it is a holy time, a duty in Christians
for the remembrance of Christ and custom among friends for the
maintenance of good fellowship. In brief I thus conclude it: I hold it a
memory of the Heaven's love and the world's peace, the mirth of the honest,
and the meeting of the friendly. Farewell."
In 1633, William Prynne, a Puritan lawyer, published his "Histriomastix,"
against plays, masques, balls, the decking of houses with evergreens at
Christmas, &c., for which he was committed to the Tower, prosecuted in the
Star Chamber, and sentenced to pay a fine to the King of £5,000, to be
expelled from the University of Oxford, from the Society of Lincoln's Inn,
and from his profession of the law; to stand twice in the pillory, each time
losing an ear; to have his book burnt before his face by the hangman; and to
suffer perpetual imprisonment: a most barbarous sentence, which Green[71]
says, "showed the hard cruelty of the Primate."
Milton's masque of "Comus" was produced the following year (1634) for
performance at Ludlow Castle, in Shropshire, which was the seat of
government for the Principality of Wales, the Earl of Bridgewater being
then the Lord President, and having a jurisdiction and military command
that comprised the English counties of Gloucester, Worcester, Hereford and
Shropshire. Ludlow Castle was to the Lord President of Wales of that period
merry mood, says: "It is now Christmas, and not a cup of drink must pass
without a carol; the beasts, fowl, and fish come to a general execution, and
the corn is ground to dust for the bakehouse and the pastry: cards and dice
purge many a purse, and the youth show their agility in shoeing of the wild
mare: now, good cheer, and welcome, and God be with you, and I thank
you:—and against the New Year provide for the presents:—The Lord of
Misrule is no mean man for his time, and the guests of the high table must
lack no wine: the lusty bloods must look about them like men, and piping
and dancing puts away much melancholy: stolen venison is sweet, and a fat
coney is worth money: pit-falls are now set for small birds, and a woodcock
hangs himself in a gin: a good fire heats all the house, and a full alms-
basket makes the beggar's prayers:—the maskers and the mummers make
the merry sport, but if they lose their money their drum goes dead: swearers
and swaggerers are sent away to the ale-house, and unruly wenches go in
danger of judgment; musicians now make their instruments speak out, and a
good song is worth the hearing. In sum it is a holy time, a duty in Christians
for the remembrance of Christ and custom among friends for the
maintenance of good fellowship. In brief I thus conclude it: I hold it a
memory of the Heaven's love and the world's peace, the mirth of the honest,
and the meeting of the friendly. Farewell."
In 1633, William Prynne, a Puritan lawyer, published his "Histriomastix,"
against plays, masques, balls, the decking of houses with evergreens at
Christmas, &c., for which he was committed to the Tower, prosecuted in the
Star Chamber, and sentenced to pay a fine to the King of £5,000, to be
expelled from the University of Oxford, from the Society of Lincoln's Inn,
and from his profession of the law; to stand twice in the pillory, each time
losing an ear; to have his book burnt before his face by the hangman; and to
suffer perpetual imprisonment: a most barbarous sentence, which Green[71]
says, "showed the hard cruelty of the Primate."
Milton's masque of "Comus" was produced the following year (1634) for
performance at Ludlow Castle, in Shropshire, which was the seat of
government for the Principality of Wales, the Earl of Bridgewater being
then the Lord President, and having a jurisdiction and military command
that comprised the English counties of Gloucester, Worcester, Hereford and
Shropshire. Ludlow Castle was to the Lord President of Wales of that period
Page 258
what Dublin Castle is to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in the present day;
and, as hospitality was one of the duties of the Lord President's office, the
Earl and Countess of Bridgewater gave a grand entertainment to the country
people, in which the masque of "Comus" was an important feature. The
music was composed by the eminent musician Henry Lawes, and the
masque was adapted for performance by the family of the earl and countess,
who then had ten children—eight daughters and two sons.
It is quite refreshing to think of the author of "Paradise Lost," with his
friend Lawes, the musician, among the country dancers, listening to the
song of the attendant spirit:—
"Back, shepherds, back; enough your play
Till next sun-shine holiday:
Here be, without duck or nod,
Other trippings to be trod
Of lighter toes, and such court guise
As Mercury did first devise
With the mincing Dryades,
On the lawns, and on the leas."
"But Milton was a courtier when he wrote the Masque at Ludlow Castle,"
says Charles Lamb, "and still more of a courtier when he composed the
'Arcades'" (a masque, or entertainment presented to the Countess Dowager
of Derby, at Harefield, by some noble persons of her family). "When the
national struggle was to begin, he becomingly cast these varieties behind
him."
From "Archæologia" (vol. xviii. p. 335), we learn that "Richard Evelyn,
Esq., High Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex in 1634, held a splendid Christmas
at his mansion at Wotton, having a regular Lord of Misrule for the occasion:
and it appears it was then the custom for the neighbours to send presents of
eatables to provide for the great consumption consequent upon such
entertainments. The following is a list of those sent on this occasion: two
sides of venison, two half brawns, three pigs, ninety capons, five geese, six
turkeys, four rabbits, eight partridges, two pullets, five sugar loaves, half a
pound of nutmeg, one basket of apples, two baskets of pears."
Hone[72] states that "in the ninth year of King Charles I. the four Inns of
Court provided a Christmas mask, which cost £2,400, and the King invited
a hundred and twenty gentlemen of the four Inns to a mask at Whitehall on
and, as hospitality was one of the duties of the Lord President's office, the
Earl and Countess of Bridgewater gave a grand entertainment to the country
people, in which the masque of "Comus" was an important feature. The
music was composed by the eminent musician Henry Lawes, and the
masque was adapted for performance by the family of the earl and countess,
who then had ten children—eight daughters and two sons.
It is quite refreshing to think of the author of "Paradise Lost," with his
friend Lawes, the musician, among the country dancers, listening to the
song of the attendant spirit:—
"Back, shepherds, back; enough your play
Till next sun-shine holiday:
Here be, without duck or nod,
Other trippings to be trod
Of lighter toes, and such court guise
As Mercury did first devise
With the mincing Dryades,
On the lawns, and on the leas."
"But Milton was a courtier when he wrote the Masque at Ludlow Castle,"
says Charles Lamb, "and still more of a courtier when he composed the
'Arcades'" (a masque, or entertainment presented to the Countess Dowager
of Derby, at Harefield, by some noble persons of her family). "When the
national struggle was to begin, he becomingly cast these varieties behind
him."
From "Archæologia" (vol. xviii. p. 335), we learn that "Richard Evelyn,
Esq., High Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex in 1634, held a splendid Christmas
at his mansion at Wotton, having a regular Lord of Misrule for the occasion:
and it appears it was then the custom for the neighbours to send presents of
eatables to provide for the great consumption consequent upon such
entertainments. The following is a list of those sent on this occasion: two
sides of venison, two half brawns, three pigs, ninety capons, five geese, six
turkeys, four rabbits, eight partridges, two pullets, five sugar loaves, half a
pound of nutmeg, one basket of apples, two baskets of pears."
Hone[72] states that "in the ninth year of King Charles I. the four Inns of
Court provided a Christmas mask, which cost £2,400, and the King invited
a hundred and twenty gentlemen of the four Inns to a mask at Whitehall on
Page 259
Shrove Tuesday following." And Sandys says that on the 13th December,
1637, a warrant under Privy Seal was issued to George Kirke, for £150 to
provide masking apparel for the King; and on the 1st of the same month
Edmund Taverner had a warrant for £1,400 towards the charge of a mask to
be presented at Whitehall the next Twelfth Night. A similar sum for a
similar purpose was granted to Michael Oldisworth on the 3rd of January,
1639.
In connection with the entertainments at the Inns of Court, Sandys mentions
that by an order, 17th November, 4th Charles I., all playing at dice, cards, or
otherwise was forbidden at Gray's Inn, except during the 20 days in
Christmas.
As indicating the prolongation of the Christmas revels at this period, it is
recorded that in February, 1633, there was a celebrated masque, called "The
Triumph of Peace," presented jointly by the two Temples, Lincoln's Inn and
Gray's Inn, which cost the Societies about £20,000. Evelyn, in his
"Memoirs," relates, that on the 15th December, 1641, he was elected one of
the Comptrollers of the Middle Temple revellers, "as the custom of ye
young students and gentlemen was, the Christmas being kept this yeare
with greate solemnity"; but he got excused.
An order still existed directing the nobility and gentry who had mansions in
the country "to repair to them to keep hospitality meet to their degrees;" for
a note in Collier's History states that Sir J. Astley, on the 20th of March,
1637, in consequence of ill-health, obtained a license to reside in London,
or where he pleased, at Christmas, or any other times; which proves such
license to have been requisite.
At this period noblemen and gentlemen lived like petty princes, and in the
arrangement of their households copied their sovereign, having officers of
the same import, and even heralds wearing their coat of arms at Christmas,
and other solemn feasts, crying largesse thrice at the proper times. They
feasted in their halls where many of the Christmas sports were performed.
When coals were introduced the hearth was commonly in the middle,
whence, according to Aubrey, is the saying, "Round about our coal-fire."
Christmas was considered as the commemoration of a holy festival, to be
observed with cheerfulness as well as devotion. The comforts and personal
1637, a warrant under Privy Seal was issued to George Kirke, for £150 to
provide masking apparel for the King; and on the 1st of the same month
Edmund Taverner had a warrant for £1,400 towards the charge of a mask to
be presented at Whitehall the next Twelfth Night. A similar sum for a
similar purpose was granted to Michael Oldisworth on the 3rd of January,
1639.
In connection with the entertainments at the Inns of Court, Sandys mentions
that by an order, 17th November, 4th Charles I., all playing at dice, cards, or
otherwise was forbidden at Gray's Inn, except during the 20 days in
Christmas.
As indicating the prolongation of the Christmas revels at this period, it is
recorded that in February, 1633, there was a celebrated masque, called "The
Triumph of Peace," presented jointly by the two Temples, Lincoln's Inn and
Gray's Inn, which cost the Societies about £20,000. Evelyn, in his
"Memoirs," relates, that on the 15th December, 1641, he was elected one of
the Comptrollers of the Middle Temple revellers, "as the custom of ye
young students and gentlemen was, the Christmas being kept this yeare
with greate solemnity"; but he got excused.
An order still existed directing the nobility and gentry who had mansions in
the country "to repair to them to keep hospitality meet to their degrees;" for
a note in Collier's History states that Sir J. Astley, on the 20th of March,
1637, in consequence of ill-health, obtained a license to reside in London,
or where he pleased, at Christmas, or any other times; which proves such
license to have been requisite.
At this period noblemen and gentlemen lived like petty princes, and in the
arrangement of their households copied their sovereign, having officers of
the same import, and even heralds wearing their coat of arms at Christmas,
and other solemn feasts, crying largesse thrice at the proper times. They
feasted in their halls where many of the Christmas sports were performed.
When coals were introduced the hearth was commonly in the middle,
whence, according to Aubrey, is the saying, "Round about our coal-fire."
Christmas was considered as the commemoration of a holy festival, to be
observed with cheerfulness as well as devotion. The comforts and personal
Page 260
gratification of their dependants were provided for by the landlords, their
merriment encouraged, and their sports joined. The working man looked
forward to Christmas as the time which repaid his former toils; and
gratitude for worldly comforts then received caused him to reflect on the
eternal blessings bestowed on mankind by the event then commemorated.
servants' christmas feast.
Of all our English poets, Robert Herrick, a writer of the seventeenth
century, has left us the most complete contemporary picture of the
Christmas season. He was born in Cheapside, London, and received his
merriment encouraged, and their sports joined. The working man looked
forward to Christmas as the time which repaid his former toils; and
gratitude for worldly comforts then received caused him to reflect on the
eternal blessings bestowed on mankind by the event then commemorated.
servants' christmas feast.
Of all our English poets, Robert Herrick, a writer of the seventeenth
century, has left us the most complete contemporary picture of the
Christmas season. He was born in Cheapside, London, and received his
Page 261
early education, it is supposed, at Westminster School, whence he removed
to Cambridge, and after taking his M.A. degree in 1620, left Cambridge. He
afterwards spent some years in London in familiar intercourse with the wits
and writers of the age, enjoying those "lyric feasts" which are celebrated in
his "Ode to Ben Jonson":—
"Ah Ben!
Say how or when
Shall we, thy guests
Meet at those lyric feasts
Made at the Sun,
The Dog, the Triple Tun;
Where we such clusters had
As made us nobly wild, not mad?
And yet each verse of thine
Outdid the meat, outdid the frolic wine.
In 1629 he accepted the living of Dean Prior, in Devonshire, where he lived
as a bachelor Vicar, being ejected by the Long Parliament, returning on the
Restoration under Charles the Second, and dying at length at the age of
eighty-four. He was buried in the Church at Dean Prior, where a memorial
tablet has latterly been erected to his memory. And it is fitting that he
should die and be buried in the quiet Devonshire hamlet from which he
drew so much of his happiest inspiration, and which will always be
associated now with the endless charm of the "Hesperides."
In "A New Year's Gift, sent to Sir Simeon Steward," included in his
"Hesperides," Herrick refers to the Christmas sports of the time, and says:
—
"No new device or late-found trick
- - - - -
We send you; but here a jolly
Verse crowned with ivy and with holly;
That tells of winter's tales and mirth,
That milk-maids make about the hearth,
Of Christmas sports, the Wassail bowl,
That's tossed up after Fox-i'-th'-hole;
Of Blind-man's-buff, and of the care
That young men have to shoe the Mare;
Of Twelfth-tide cake, of peas and beans,
Wherewith ye make those merry scenes,
When as ye choose your king and queen,
And cry out, 'Hey for our town green.'
Of ash-heaps in the which ye use
to Cambridge, and after taking his M.A. degree in 1620, left Cambridge. He
afterwards spent some years in London in familiar intercourse with the wits
and writers of the age, enjoying those "lyric feasts" which are celebrated in
his "Ode to Ben Jonson":—
"Ah Ben!
Say how or when
Shall we, thy guests
Meet at those lyric feasts
Made at the Sun,
The Dog, the Triple Tun;
Where we such clusters had
As made us nobly wild, not mad?
And yet each verse of thine
Outdid the meat, outdid the frolic wine.
In 1629 he accepted the living of Dean Prior, in Devonshire, where he lived
as a bachelor Vicar, being ejected by the Long Parliament, returning on the
Restoration under Charles the Second, and dying at length at the age of
eighty-four. He was buried in the Church at Dean Prior, where a memorial
tablet has latterly been erected to his memory. And it is fitting that he
should die and be buried in the quiet Devonshire hamlet from which he
drew so much of his happiest inspiration, and which will always be
associated now with the endless charm of the "Hesperides."
In "A New Year's Gift, sent to Sir Simeon Steward," included in his
"Hesperides," Herrick refers to the Christmas sports of the time, and says:
—
"No new device or late-found trick
- - - - -
We send you; but here a jolly
Verse crowned with ivy and with holly;
That tells of winter's tales and mirth,
That milk-maids make about the hearth,
Of Christmas sports, the Wassail bowl,
That's tossed up after Fox-i'-th'-hole;
Of Blind-man's-buff, and of the care
That young men have to shoe the Mare;
Of Twelfth-tide cake, of peas and beans,
Wherewith ye make those merry scenes,
When as ye choose your king and queen,
And cry out, 'Hey for our town green.'
Of ash-heaps in the which ye use
Page 262
Husbands and wives by streaks to choose:
Of crackling laurel, which fore-sounds
A plenteous harvest to your grounds;
Of these, and such like things, for shift,
We send instead of New-year's gift.
Read then, and when your faces shine
With bucksome meat and cap'ring wine,
Remember us in cups full crowned,
And let our city's health go round,
Quite through the young maids and the men,
To the ninth number, if not ten,
Until the firèd chestnuts leap
For joy to see the fruits ye reap,
From the plump chalice and the cup
That tempts till it be tossèd up.
Then as ye sit about your embers,
Call not to mind those fled Decembers;
But think on these, that are t' appear,
As daughters to the instant year;
Sit crowned with rose-buds and carouse,
Till Liber Pater twirls the house
About your ears, and lay upon
The year, your cares, that's fled and gone.
And let the russet swains the plough
And harrow hang up resting now;
And to the bagpipe all address
Till sleep takes place of weariness.
And thus, throughout, with Christmas plays,
Frolic the full twelve holy-days."
Sir Isaac Newton's Birth, on Christmas Day,
at Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire, was the most important Christmas event of
the memorable year which saw the outbreak of the Civil War (1642). In the
year of the Restoration he entered Cambridge, where the teaching of Isaac
Barrow quickened his genius for mathematics, and from the time he left
College his life became a series of wonderful physical discoveries. As early
as 1666, he discovered the law of gravitation, but it was not till the eve of
the Revolution that his "Principia" revealed to the world his new theory of
the universe.
The Customs of Christmastide in the Seventeenth Century.
Of crackling laurel, which fore-sounds
A plenteous harvest to your grounds;
Of these, and such like things, for shift,
We send instead of New-year's gift.
Read then, and when your faces shine
With bucksome meat and cap'ring wine,
Remember us in cups full crowned,
And let our city's health go round,
Quite through the young maids and the men,
To the ninth number, if not ten,
Until the firèd chestnuts leap
For joy to see the fruits ye reap,
From the plump chalice and the cup
That tempts till it be tossèd up.
Then as ye sit about your embers,
Call not to mind those fled Decembers;
But think on these, that are t' appear,
As daughters to the instant year;
Sit crowned with rose-buds and carouse,
Till Liber Pater twirls the house
About your ears, and lay upon
The year, your cares, that's fled and gone.
And let the russet swains the plough
And harrow hang up resting now;
And to the bagpipe all address
Till sleep takes place of weariness.
And thus, throughout, with Christmas plays,
Frolic the full twelve holy-days."
Sir Isaac Newton's Birth, on Christmas Day,
at Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire, was the most important Christmas event of
the memorable year which saw the outbreak of the Civil War (1642). In the
year of the Restoration he entered Cambridge, where the teaching of Isaac
Barrow quickened his genius for mathematics, and from the time he left
College his life became a series of wonderful physical discoveries. As early
as 1666, he discovered the law of gravitation, but it was not till the eve of
the Revolution that his "Principia" revealed to the world his new theory of
the universe.
The Customs of Christmastide in the Seventeenth Century.
Page 263
"A Christmas Carol," by George Wither, a well-known poet of this period,
contains many allusions to the customs of Christmastide:—
So, now is come our joyful'st feast;
Let every man be jolly;
Each room with ivy leaves is drest,
And every post with holly.
Though some churls at our mirth repine,
Round your foreheads garlands twine;
Drown sorrow in a cup of wine,
And let us all be merry.
Now all our neighbours' chimneys smoke,
And Christmas blocks are burning;
Their ovens they with baked meats choke,
And all their spits are turning.
Without the door let sorrow lie;
And if for cold it hap to die,
We'll bury 't in a Christmas pie,
And ever more be merry.
Now every lad is wondrous trim,
And no man minds his labour;
Our lasses have provided them
A bag-pipe and a tabour;
Young men and maids, and girls and boys,
Give life to one another's joys;
And you anon shall by their noise
Perceive that they are merry.
Rank misers now do sparing shun;
Their hall of music soundeth;
And dogs thence with whole shoulders run,
So all things there aboundeth.
The country folks themselves advance
With crowdy-muttons[73] out of France;
And Jack shall pipe, and Jill shall dance,
And all the town be merry.
Ned Squash hath fetched his bands from pawn,
And all his best apparel;
Brisk Nell hath bought a ruff of lawn
With droppings of the barrel;
And those that hardly all the year
Had bread to eat, or rags to wear,
Will have both clothes and dainty fare,
And all the day be merry.
Now poor men to the justices
With capons make their errants;
contains many allusions to the customs of Christmastide:—
So, now is come our joyful'st feast;
Let every man be jolly;
Each room with ivy leaves is drest,
And every post with holly.
Though some churls at our mirth repine,
Round your foreheads garlands twine;
Drown sorrow in a cup of wine,
And let us all be merry.
Now all our neighbours' chimneys smoke,
And Christmas blocks are burning;
Their ovens they with baked meats choke,
And all their spits are turning.
Without the door let sorrow lie;
And if for cold it hap to die,
We'll bury 't in a Christmas pie,
And ever more be merry.
Now every lad is wondrous trim,
And no man minds his labour;
Our lasses have provided them
A bag-pipe and a tabour;
Young men and maids, and girls and boys,
Give life to one another's joys;
And you anon shall by their noise
Perceive that they are merry.
Rank misers now do sparing shun;
Their hall of music soundeth;
And dogs thence with whole shoulders run,
So all things there aboundeth.
The country folks themselves advance
With crowdy-muttons[73] out of France;
And Jack shall pipe, and Jill shall dance,
And all the town be merry.
Ned Squash hath fetched his bands from pawn,
And all his best apparel;
Brisk Nell hath bought a ruff of lawn
With droppings of the barrel;
And those that hardly all the year
Had bread to eat, or rags to wear,
Will have both clothes and dainty fare,
And all the day be merry.
Now poor men to the justices
With capons make their errants;
Page 264
And if they hap to fail of these;
They plague them with their warrants;
But now they feed them with good cheer.
And what they want they take in beer;
For Christmas comes but once a year,
And then they shall be merry.
Good farmers in the country nurse
The poor that else were undone;
Some landlords spend their money worse,
On lust and pride at London.
There the roys'ters they do play,
Drab and dice their lands away,
Which may be ours another day;
And therefore let's be merry.
The client now his suit forbears,
The prisoner's heart is eased:
The debtor drinks away his cares,
And for the time is pleased.
Though other purses be more fat,
Why should we pine or grieve at that?
Hang sorrow! care will kill a cat,
And therefore let's be merry.
Hark! how the wags abroad do call
Each other forth to rambling:
Anon you'll see them in the hall
For nuts and apples scrambling.
Hark! how the roofs with laughter sound!
Anon they'll think the house goes round,
For they the cellar's depth have found,
And there they will be merry.
The wenches with their wassail bowls
About the streets are singing;
The boys are come to catch the owls,
The wild mare in is bringing.
Our kitchen-boy hath broke his box,[74]
And to the dealing of the ox
Our honest neighbours come by flocks,
And here they will be merry.
Now kings and queens poor sheep cotes have,
And mate with everybody;
The honest now may play the knave,
And wise men play the noddy.
Some youths will now a mumming go,
Some others play at Rowland-ho
And twenty other gambols mo,
Because they will be merry.
They plague them with their warrants;
But now they feed them with good cheer.
And what they want they take in beer;
For Christmas comes but once a year,
And then they shall be merry.
Good farmers in the country nurse
The poor that else were undone;
Some landlords spend their money worse,
On lust and pride at London.
There the roys'ters they do play,
Drab and dice their lands away,
Which may be ours another day;
And therefore let's be merry.
The client now his suit forbears,
The prisoner's heart is eased:
The debtor drinks away his cares,
And for the time is pleased.
Though other purses be more fat,
Why should we pine or grieve at that?
Hang sorrow! care will kill a cat,
And therefore let's be merry.
Hark! how the wags abroad do call
Each other forth to rambling:
Anon you'll see them in the hall
For nuts and apples scrambling.
Hark! how the roofs with laughter sound!
Anon they'll think the house goes round,
For they the cellar's depth have found,
And there they will be merry.
The wenches with their wassail bowls
About the streets are singing;
The boys are come to catch the owls,
The wild mare in is bringing.
Our kitchen-boy hath broke his box,[74]
And to the dealing of the ox
Our honest neighbours come by flocks,
And here they will be merry.
Now kings and queens poor sheep cotes have,
And mate with everybody;
The honest now may play the knave,
And wise men play the noddy.
Some youths will now a mumming go,
Some others play at Rowland-ho
And twenty other gambols mo,
Because they will be merry.
Page 265
Then wherefore in these merry days
Should we, I pray, be duller?
No, let us sing some roundelays,
To make our mirth the fuller.
And, whilst thus inspired we sing,
Let all the streets with echoes ring,
Woods and hills, and everything,
Bear witness we are merry.
The preceding poem was evidently written by Wither before the Civil War
troubles of the reign of Charles the First had interfered to damp the national
hilarity, or check the rejoicings at the festive season of Christmas.
The Defeat of the Royalists,
the overthrow of the monarchy, and the changes resulting therefrom at
Christmastide are alluded to in "The Complaint of Christmas, written after
Twelftide, and printed before Candlemas, 1646," by old John Taylor, the
Water Poet, who says: "All the liberty and harmless sports, the merry
gambols, dances and friscols, with which the toiling ploughman and
labourer once a year were wont to be recreated, and their spirits and hopes
revived for a whole twelvemonth, are now extinct and put out of use, in
such a fashion as if they never had been. Thus are the merry lords of bad
rule at Westminster; nay, more, their madness hath extended itself to the
very vegetables; senseless trees, herbs, and weeds, are in a profane
estimation amongst them—holly, ivy, mistletoe, rosemary, bays, are
accounted ungodly branches of superstition for your entertainment. And to
roast a sirloin of beef, to touch a collar of brawn, to take a pie, to put a plum
in the pottage pot, to burn a great candle, or to lay one block the more in the
fire for your sake, Master Christmas, is enough to make a man to be
suspected and taken for a Christian, for which he shall be apprehended for
committing high Parliament Treason and mighty malignancy against the
general Council of the Directorian private Presbyterian Conventicle."
With the success of the Parliamentarians, certain changes came in the ruling
manners of the age; but
The Attempt to Abolish Christmas Day
Should we, I pray, be duller?
No, let us sing some roundelays,
To make our mirth the fuller.
And, whilst thus inspired we sing,
Let all the streets with echoes ring,
Woods and hills, and everything,
Bear witness we are merry.
The preceding poem was evidently written by Wither before the Civil War
troubles of the reign of Charles the First had interfered to damp the national
hilarity, or check the rejoicings at the festive season of Christmas.
The Defeat of the Royalists,
the overthrow of the monarchy, and the changes resulting therefrom at
Christmastide are alluded to in "The Complaint of Christmas, written after
Twelftide, and printed before Candlemas, 1646," by old John Taylor, the
Water Poet, who says: "All the liberty and harmless sports, the merry
gambols, dances and friscols, with which the toiling ploughman and
labourer once a year were wont to be recreated, and their spirits and hopes
revived for a whole twelvemonth, are now extinct and put out of use, in
such a fashion as if they never had been. Thus are the merry lords of bad
rule at Westminster; nay, more, their madness hath extended itself to the
very vegetables; senseless trees, herbs, and weeds, are in a profane
estimation amongst them—holly, ivy, mistletoe, rosemary, bays, are
accounted ungodly branches of superstition for your entertainment. And to
roast a sirloin of beef, to touch a collar of brawn, to take a pie, to put a plum
in the pottage pot, to burn a great candle, or to lay one block the more in the
fire for your sake, Master Christmas, is enough to make a man to be
suspected and taken for a Christian, for which he shall be apprehended for
committing high Parliament Treason and mighty malignancy against the
general Council of the Directorian private Presbyterian Conventicle."
With the success of the Parliamentarians, certain changes came in the ruling
manners of the age; but
The Attempt to Abolish Christmas Day
Page 266
was, of course, a signal failure. The event commemorated made it
impossible for the commemoration to cease. Men may differ as to the mode
of celebration, but the Christ must and will be celebrated.
"In 1642," says Sandys, "the first ordinances were issued to suppress the
performance of plays, and hesitation was expressed as to the manner of
keeping Christmas. Some shops in London were even opened on Christmas
Day, 1643, part of the people being fearful of a Popish observance of the
day. The Puritans gradually prevailed, and in 1647 some parish officers
were committed for permitting ministers to preach upon Christmas Day, and
for adorning the church. On the 3rd of June in the same year, it was
ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament that the feast of the
Nativity of Christ, with other holidays, should be no longer observed, and
that all scholars, apprentices, and other servants, with the leave and
approbation of their masters, should have such relaxation from labour on
the second Tuesday in every month as they used to have from such festivals
and holy days; and in Canterbury, on the 22nd of December following, the
crier went round by direction of the Mayor, and proclaimed that Christmas
Day and all other superstitious festivals should be put down, and a market
kept upon that day."
In describing "The First Christmas under the Puritan Directory," the
Saturday Review (December 27, 1884) says:—"It must have been taken as a
piece of good luck by the Parliamentary and Puritanical masters of England,
or, as they would have said, as 'a providence,' that the Christmas Day of
1645 fell upon a week-day. It was the first Christmas Day after the
legislative abolition of the Anglican Prayer-book and the establishment of
'the Directory' in its stead; and, if it had fallen upon a Sunday, the Churches
must have been opened. A 'Sabbath' could not be ignored, even though it
chanced to be the 25th of December. There can be small doubt that, if the
Presbyterian and Independent preachers who held all the English parishes
subject to the Parliament had been obliged to go into the pulpits on the 25th
of December 1645, they would again have irritated the masses of the people
by ferociously 'improving the occasion.' The Parliament had not the courage
to repeat the brutal experiment of the previous year. It was easy to abolish
the feast by an ordinance; but it was risky to insist by an ordinance that the
English people and English families should keep the dearest and most
sacred of their festivals as a fast. The rulers knew that such an ordinance
impossible for the commemoration to cease. Men may differ as to the mode
of celebration, but the Christ must and will be celebrated.
"In 1642," says Sandys, "the first ordinances were issued to suppress the
performance of plays, and hesitation was expressed as to the manner of
keeping Christmas. Some shops in London were even opened on Christmas
Day, 1643, part of the people being fearful of a Popish observance of the
day. The Puritans gradually prevailed, and in 1647 some parish officers
were committed for permitting ministers to preach upon Christmas Day, and
for adorning the church. On the 3rd of June in the same year, it was
ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament that the feast of the
Nativity of Christ, with other holidays, should be no longer observed, and
that all scholars, apprentices, and other servants, with the leave and
approbation of their masters, should have such relaxation from labour on
the second Tuesday in every month as they used to have from such festivals
and holy days; and in Canterbury, on the 22nd of December following, the
crier went round by direction of the Mayor, and proclaimed that Christmas
Day and all other superstitious festivals should be put down, and a market
kept upon that day."
In describing "The First Christmas under the Puritan Directory," the
Saturday Review (December 27, 1884) says:—"It must have been taken as a
piece of good luck by the Parliamentary and Puritanical masters of England,
or, as they would have said, as 'a providence,' that the Christmas Day of
1645 fell upon a week-day. It was the first Christmas Day after the
legislative abolition of the Anglican Prayer-book and the establishment of
'the Directory' in its stead; and, if it had fallen upon a Sunday, the Churches
must have been opened. A 'Sabbath' could not be ignored, even though it
chanced to be the 25th of December. There can be small doubt that, if the
Presbyterian and Independent preachers who held all the English parishes
subject to the Parliament had been obliged to go into the pulpits on the 25th
of December 1645, they would again have irritated the masses of the people
by ferociously 'improving the occasion.' The Parliament had not the courage
to repeat the brutal experiment of the previous year. It was easy to abolish
the feast by an ordinance; but it was risky to insist by an ordinance that the
English people and English families should keep the dearest and most
sacred of their festivals as a fast. The rulers knew that such an ordinance
Page 267
would not be obeyed. They resolved simply to ignore the day, or treat it as
any ordinary Thursday. Doubtless many of the members kept up some sort
of celebration of the old family festival in their own private houses. But the
legislators marched solemnly to the Lower House, and the 'divines' marched
as solemnly to the Assembly in the Jerusalem Chamber, affecting to take no
notice of the unusual aspect of the shops and streets, which everywhere
bore witness to the fact that there was a deep and fundamental estrangement
between 'the State' and 'the people,' and that the people were actually
keeping the festival which the 'Synod' had declared to be profane and
superstitious, and which the Parliament to please the Scots, the
Nonconformists, and the Sectaries, had abolished by law. 'Notwithstanding
the Ordinance,' wrote a Member of the House of Commons, the Erastian
Whitelock, in his 'Memorials,' 'yet generally this day, in London, the shops
were shut and the day observed.' The Christmas number of the Mercurius
Academicus (December 25 to 31, 1645), states that General Browne, who
was a Presbyterian zealot, 'proclaimed' the abolition of Christmas Day at
Abingdon, and 'sent out his warrants for men to work on that day
especially.' ... The Parliamentary newspaper, The Weekly Account, (LIII.
week, 1645), has the bald record: 'Thursday, Decemb. 25. The Commons
sate in a Grand Committee concerning the privileges of members of their
House.' The news in the Tuesday paper, The Kingdome's Weekly
Intelligencer (No. 152), is equally thin: 'Thursday, Decemb. 25, vulgarly
known by the name of Christmas Day, both Houses sate. The House of
Commons more especially debated some things in reference to the
privileges of that House, and made some orders therein.' ... The
Presbyterian and Independent divines spent Christmas Day in the 'Synod' of
Westminster. December the 25th, 1645, was entered in their minutes as
'Session 561.' ... The City newspaper of that period, Mercurius Civicus, or
London's Intelligencer, in what we may call its Christmas number (No. 135,
December 18 to December 24, 1645), printed an article explaining to the
citizens of London the absurdity, if not the impiety, of keeping Christmas
Day. Every good citizen was expected to open his shop as usual on the
coming Thursday, and compel his apprentices to keep behind the counter.
The City newspaper stated, that it was more probable that the Saviour was
born in September than in December, and quotes 'a late reverend minister's
opinion, that God did conceale the time when Christ was borne, upon the
same reason that He tooke away the body of Moses, that they might not put
any ordinary Thursday. Doubtless many of the members kept up some sort
of celebration of the old family festival in their own private houses. But the
legislators marched solemnly to the Lower House, and the 'divines' marched
as solemnly to the Assembly in the Jerusalem Chamber, affecting to take no
notice of the unusual aspect of the shops and streets, which everywhere
bore witness to the fact that there was a deep and fundamental estrangement
between 'the State' and 'the people,' and that the people were actually
keeping the festival which the 'Synod' had declared to be profane and
superstitious, and which the Parliament to please the Scots, the
Nonconformists, and the Sectaries, had abolished by law. 'Notwithstanding
the Ordinance,' wrote a Member of the House of Commons, the Erastian
Whitelock, in his 'Memorials,' 'yet generally this day, in London, the shops
were shut and the day observed.' The Christmas number of the Mercurius
Academicus (December 25 to 31, 1645), states that General Browne, who
was a Presbyterian zealot, 'proclaimed' the abolition of Christmas Day at
Abingdon, and 'sent out his warrants for men to work on that day
especially.' ... The Parliamentary newspaper, The Weekly Account, (LIII.
week, 1645), has the bald record: 'Thursday, Decemb. 25. The Commons
sate in a Grand Committee concerning the privileges of members of their
House.' The news in the Tuesday paper, The Kingdome's Weekly
Intelligencer (No. 152), is equally thin: 'Thursday, Decemb. 25, vulgarly
known by the name of Christmas Day, both Houses sate. The House of
Commons more especially debated some things in reference to the
privileges of that House, and made some orders therein.' ... The
Presbyterian and Independent divines spent Christmas Day in the 'Synod' of
Westminster. December the 25th, 1645, was entered in their minutes as
'Session 561.' ... The City newspaper of that period, Mercurius Civicus, or
London's Intelligencer, in what we may call its Christmas number (No. 135,
December 18 to December 24, 1645), printed an article explaining to the
citizens of London the absurdity, if not the impiety, of keeping Christmas
Day. Every good citizen was expected to open his shop as usual on the
coming Thursday, and compel his apprentices to keep behind the counter.
The City newspaper stated, that it was more probable that the Saviour was
born in September than in December, and quotes 'a late reverend minister's
opinion, that God did conceale the time when Christ was borne, upon the
same reason that He tooke away the body of Moses, that they might not put
Page 268
an holinesse upon that day.' If the apprentices want a holiday, 'let them keep
the fift of November, and other dayes of that nature, or the late great mercy
of God in the taking of Hereford, which deserves an especiall day of
thanksgiving.' The mass of the English folk meanwhile protested by all such
ways as were open to them against the outlandish new religion which was
being invented for them. The Mercuricus Civicus complained that, 'Many
people in these times are too much addicted to the superstitious observance
of this day, December 25th, and other saints days, as they are called.' It was
asked in a 'Hue and Cry after Christmas,' published anonymously at the end
of the year 1645, 'Where may Christmas be found?' The answer is, 'In the
corner of a translator's shop, where the cobbler was wont so merrily to
chant his carols.' The Moderate Intelligencer, which devoted itself to
'impartially communicating martiall affaires,' in its forty-third number
(December 25, 1645, to January 1, 1646), expressed itself as scandalized at
the zeal with which the English people, in spite of Parliament and the
Assembly, had kept their Christmas. Social phenomena lay beyond the
usual ken of the military chroniclers; but 'we shall only observe,' they
wrote, 'the loathnesse of the People to part with it, which certainly argues a
greater adoration than should have been. Hardly forty shops were open
within the lines upon that day. The State hath done well to null it out of this
respect, as Moses did the Brazen Serpent.' The Scriptural knowledge of the
Puritan military newsmen was curiously at fault; they evidently confounded
Moses with Hezekiah, unless they substituted the lawgiver for the king,
because they thought it unwise to represent the King as the foe of idolatry.
The traditional scorn of the Pharisee for the common people which know
not the law comes out in the ironical passage with which the 'martiall' organ
concludes its reference to the distressing social symptom; 'Sure if there
were an ordinance for recreation and labour upon the Lord's Day, or
Sabbath (like the prelatical Book of Sports), these would want no observers.
Unwillingness to obey, in a multitude, argues generally the goodnesse of a
law, readinesse the contrary, especially in those laws which have anything
of religion in them.' Hence the puritanical tyrants thought the observation of
Christmas Day should be visited in future years with more severe penalties.
A few days after Christmas a pamphlet was issued under the title of 'The
Arraignment, Conviction, and Imprisonment of Christmas.' A letter from a
'Malignant scholar' in Oxford, where Christmas had been observed as usual,
to 'a Malignant lady in London,' had contained the promise or threat,
the fift of November, and other dayes of that nature, or the late great mercy
of God in the taking of Hereford, which deserves an especiall day of
thanksgiving.' The mass of the English folk meanwhile protested by all such
ways as were open to them against the outlandish new religion which was
being invented for them. The Mercuricus Civicus complained that, 'Many
people in these times are too much addicted to the superstitious observance
of this day, December 25th, and other saints days, as they are called.' It was
asked in a 'Hue and Cry after Christmas,' published anonymously at the end
of the year 1645, 'Where may Christmas be found?' The answer is, 'In the
corner of a translator's shop, where the cobbler was wont so merrily to
chant his carols.' The Moderate Intelligencer, which devoted itself to
'impartially communicating martiall affaires,' in its forty-third number
(December 25, 1645, to January 1, 1646), expressed itself as scandalized at
the zeal with which the English people, in spite of Parliament and the
Assembly, had kept their Christmas. Social phenomena lay beyond the
usual ken of the military chroniclers; but 'we shall only observe,' they
wrote, 'the loathnesse of the People to part with it, which certainly argues a
greater adoration than should have been. Hardly forty shops were open
within the lines upon that day. The State hath done well to null it out of this
respect, as Moses did the Brazen Serpent.' The Scriptural knowledge of the
Puritan military newsmen was curiously at fault; they evidently confounded
Moses with Hezekiah, unless they substituted the lawgiver for the king,
because they thought it unwise to represent the King as the foe of idolatry.
The traditional scorn of the Pharisee for the common people which know
not the law comes out in the ironical passage with which the 'martiall' organ
concludes its reference to the distressing social symptom; 'Sure if there
were an ordinance for recreation and labour upon the Lord's Day, or
Sabbath (like the prelatical Book of Sports), these would want no observers.
Unwillingness to obey, in a multitude, argues generally the goodnesse of a
law, readinesse the contrary, especially in those laws which have anything
of religion in them.' Hence the puritanical tyrants thought the observation of
Christmas Day should be visited in future years with more severe penalties.
A few days after Christmas a pamphlet was issued under the title of 'The
Arraignment, Conviction, and Imprisonment of Christmas.' A letter from a
'Malignant scholar' in Oxford, where Christmas had been observed as usual,
to 'a Malignant lady in London,' had contained the promise or threat,
Page 269
according to the pamphleteer, that the King would shortly appear in
London, and restore to his poor people their old social and religious
liberties. 'We shall soon be in London, and have all things as they were
wont.' There was small chance, six months after Naseby, of the fulfilment of
the prediction. The puritanical pamphleteer, however, owns that it would be
welcome to 'every 'prentice boy,' because the return of the King would have
meant the return of a free Christmas, which he sorely missed. 'All popish,
prelatical, Jesuitical, ignorant, Judaical, and superstitious persons,' said he,
'ask after the old, old, old, very old grey-bearded gentleman called
Christmas, who was wont to be a very familiar ghest (sic). Whoever finds
him again shall be rewarded with a benediction from the Pope, a hundred
oaths from the Cavaliers, forty kisses from the wanton wenches, and be
made pursuivant to the next Archbishop.' 'The poor,' he added, 'are sorry for
it. They go to every door a-begging, as they were wont to do, 'Good
Mistress, somewhat against this good time.' Instead of going to the alehouse
to be drunke, they are fain to work all the holy dayes.' Again, 'The schollars
come into the hall, where their hungry stomacks had thought to have found
good brawne and Christmas pie, roast-beef and plum-porridge. But no such
matter. Away, ye profane! These are superstitious meats; your stomacks
must be fed with sound doctrine.'"
In the National Magazine (1857), Dr. Doran, on "The Ups and Downs of
Christmas," remarks upon the stout resistance given by the citizens of
London to the order of the Puritan Parliament, that shops should be opened
and churches closed on Christmas Day. "We may have a sermon on any
other day," said the London apprentices, who did not always go to hear it,
"why should we be deprived on this day?" "It is no longer lawful for the day
to be kept," was the reply. "Nay," exclaimed the sharp-witted fellows, "you
keep it yourselves by thus distinguishing it by desecration." "They
declared," says Dr. Doran, "they would go to church; numerous preachers
promised to be ready for them with prayer and lecture; and the porters of
Cornhill swore they would dress up their conduit with holly, if it were only
to prove that in that orthodox and heavily-enduring body there was some
respect yet left for Christianity and hard drinking—for the raising of the
holly was ever accompanied by the lifting of tankards.
"Nor was the gallant Christmas spirit less lively in the country than in the
capital. At Oxford there was a world of skull-breaking; and at Ipswich the
London, and restore to his poor people their old social and religious
liberties. 'We shall soon be in London, and have all things as they were
wont.' There was small chance, six months after Naseby, of the fulfilment of
the prediction. The puritanical pamphleteer, however, owns that it would be
welcome to 'every 'prentice boy,' because the return of the King would have
meant the return of a free Christmas, which he sorely missed. 'All popish,
prelatical, Jesuitical, ignorant, Judaical, and superstitious persons,' said he,
'ask after the old, old, old, very old grey-bearded gentleman called
Christmas, who was wont to be a very familiar ghest (sic). Whoever finds
him again shall be rewarded with a benediction from the Pope, a hundred
oaths from the Cavaliers, forty kisses from the wanton wenches, and be
made pursuivant to the next Archbishop.' 'The poor,' he added, 'are sorry for
it. They go to every door a-begging, as they were wont to do, 'Good
Mistress, somewhat against this good time.' Instead of going to the alehouse
to be drunke, they are fain to work all the holy dayes.' Again, 'The schollars
come into the hall, where their hungry stomacks had thought to have found
good brawne and Christmas pie, roast-beef and plum-porridge. But no such
matter. Away, ye profane! These are superstitious meats; your stomacks
must be fed with sound doctrine.'"
In the National Magazine (1857), Dr. Doran, on "The Ups and Downs of
Christmas," remarks upon the stout resistance given by the citizens of
London to the order of the Puritan Parliament, that shops should be opened
and churches closed on Christmas Day. "We may have a sermon on any
other day," said the London apprentices, who did not always go to hear it,
"why should we be deprived on this day?" "It is no longer lawful for the day
to be kept," was the reply. "Nay," exclaimed the sharp-witted fellows, "you
keep it yourselves by thus distinguishing it by desecration." "They
declared," says Dr. Doran, "they would go to church; numerous preachers
promised to be ready for them with prayer and lecture; and the porters of
Cornhill swore they would dress up their conduit with holly, if it were only
to prove that in that orthodox and heavily-enduring body there was some
respect yet left for Christianity and hard drinking—for the raising of the
holly was ever accompanied by the lifting of tankards.
"Nor was the gallant Christmas spirit less lively in the country than in the
capital. At Oxford there was a world of skull-breaking; and at Ipswich the
Page 270
festival was celebrated by some loss of life. Canterbury especially
distinguished itself by its violent opposition to the municipal order to be
mirthless. There was a combat there, which was most rudely maintained,
and in which the mayor got pummelled until he was as senseless as a pocket
of hops. The mob mauled him terribly, broke all his windows, as well as his
bones, and, as we are told, 'burnt the stoupes at the coming in of his door.'
So serious was the riot, so complete the popular victory, and so jubilant the
exultation, that thousands of the never-conquered men of Kent and Kentish
men met in Canterbury, and passed a solemn resolution that if they could
not have their Christmas Day, they were determined to have the King on his
throne again."
Of the Canterbury riot an account is given in a rare tract, published in 1647
(preserved in the British Museum), and entitled—
"The Declaration of many thousands of the city of Canterbury, or county of
Kent. Concerning the late tumult in the city of Canterbury, provokt by the
Mayor's violent proceedings against those who desired to continue the
celebration of the Feast of Christ's Nativity, 1,500 years and upwards
maintained in the Church. Together with their Resolutions for the restitution
of His Majestie to his Crown and dignity, whereby Religion may be
restored to its ancient splendour, and the known Laws of this Kingdom
maintained. As also their desires to all His Majesties loyall subjects within
his Dominions, for their concurrence and assistance in this so good and
pious a work."
The resolutions of the Canterbury citizens were not couched in the choicest
terms, for the tract states that the two Houses of Parliament "have sate
above seven years to hatch Cocatrices and Vipers, they have filled the
kingdom with Serpents, bloodthirsty Souldiers, extorting Committees,
Sequestrators, Excisemen; all the Rogues and scumme of the kingdom have
they set on work to torment and vex the people, to rob them, and to eat the
bread out of their mouthes; they have raised a causelesse and unnaturall
Warre against their own Soveraigne Lord and King, a most pious Christian
Prince, contrary to their allegiance and duty, and have shed innocent blood
in this Land. Religion is onely talkt of, nothing done; they have put down
what is good," &c., &c. And further on the tract says:—"The cause of this
so sudden a posture of defence which we have put our selves into was the
distinguished itself by its violent opposition to the municipal order to be
mirthless. There was a combat there, which was most rudely maintained,
and in which the mayor got pummelled until he was as senseless as a pocket
of hops. The mob mauled him terribly, broke all his windows, as well as his
bones, and, as we are told, 'burnt the stoupes at the coming in of his door.'
So serious was the riot, so complete the popular victory, and so jubilant the
exultation, that thousands of the never-conquered men of Kent and Kentish
men met in Canterbury, and passed a solemn resolution that if they could
not have their Christmas Day, they were determined to have the King on his
throne again."
Of the Canterbury riot an account is given in a rare tract, published in 1647
(preserved in the British Museum), and entitled—
"The Declaration of many thousands of the city of Canterbury, or county of
Kent. Concerning the late tumult in the city of Canterbury, provokt by the
Mayor's violent proceedings against those who desired to continue the
celebration of the Feast of Christ's Nativity, 1,500 years and upwards
maintained in the Church. Together with their Resolutions for the restitution
of His Majestie to his Crown and dignity, whereby Religion may be
restored to its ancient splendour, and the known Laws of this Kingdom
maintained. As also their desires to all His Majesties loyall subjects within
his Dominions, for their concurrence and assistance in this so good and
pious a work."
The resolutions of the Canterbury citizens were not couched in the choicest
terms, for the tract states that the two Houses of Parliament "have sate
above seven years to hatch Cocatrices and Vipers, they have filled the
kingdom with Serpents, bloodthirsty Souldiers, extorting Committees,
Sequestrators, Excisemen; all the Rogues and scumme of the kingdom have
they set on work to torment and vex the people, to rob them, and to eat the
bread out of their mouthes; they have raised a causelesse and unnaturall
Warre against their own Soveraigne Lord and King, a most pious Christian
Prince, contrary to their allegiance and duty, and have shed innocent blood
in this Land. Religion is onely talkt of, nothing done; they have put down
what is good," &c., &c. And further on the tract says:—"The cause of this
so sudden a posture of defence which we have put our selves into was the
Page 271
violent proceedings of the Mayor of this city of Canterbury and his uncivill
carriage in persuance of some petty order of the House of Commons for
hindering the celebration of Christ's Nativity so long continued in the
Church of God. That which we so much desired that day was but a Sermon,
which any other day of the weeke was tollerable by the orders and practise
of the two Houses and all their adherents, but that day (because it was
Christ's birth day) we must have none; that which is good all the yeer long,
yet is this day superstitious. The Mayor causing some of us to be beaten
contrary to his oath and office, who ought to preserve the peace, and to that
purpose chiefly is the sword of justice put into his hands, and wrongfully
imprisoned divers of us, because we did assemble ourselves to hear the
Word of God, which he was pleased to interpret a Ryot; yet we were
unarmed, behaved ourselves civilly, intended no such tumult as afterwards
we were forc'd unto; but at last, seeing the manifest wrong done to our
children, servants, and neighbours, by beating, wounding, and imprisoning
them, and to release them that were imprisoned, and did call unto our
assistance our brethren of the county of Kent, who very readily came in to
us, as have associated themselves to us in this our just and lawfull defence,
and do concurre with us in this our Remonstrance concerning the King
Majestie, and the settlement of the peace in this Kingdome." And the tract
afterwards expresses the desire that "all his Majesties loyall subjects within
his Dominions" will "readily and cheerfully concurre and assist in this so
good and pious a work."
Among the single sheets in the British Museum is an order of Parliament,
dated the 24th of December, 1652, directing,
"That no observation shall be had of the five and twentieth day of
December, commonly called Christmas Day; nor any solemnity used or
exercised in churches upon that day in respect thereof."
Referring to the celebration of Christmas Day in 1657, Evelyn says:—
"I went to London with my wife to celebrate Christmas Day, Mr. Gunning
preaching in Exeter Chapel, on Micah vii. 2. Sermon ended; as he was
giving us the Holy Sacrament the chapel was surrounded with soldiers, and
all the communicants and assembly surprised and kept prisoners by them,
some in the house, others carried away. It fell to my share to be confined to
carriage in persuance of some petty order of the House of Commons for
hindering the celebration of Christ's Nativity so long continued in the
Church of God. That which we so much desired that day was but a Sermon,
which any other day of the weeke was tollerable by the orders and practise
of the two Houses and all their adherents, but that day (because it was
Christ's birth day) we must have none; that which is good all the yeer long,
yet is this day superstitious. The Mayor causing some of us to be beaten
contrary to his oath and office, who ought to preserve the peace, and to that
purpose chiefly is the sword of justice put into his hands, and wrongfully
imprisoned divers of us, because we did assemble ourselves to hear the
Word of God, which he was pleased to interpret a Ryot; yet we were
unarmed, behaved ourselves civilly, intended no such tumult as afterwards
we were forc'd unto; but at last, seeing the manifest wrong done to our
children, servants, and neighbours, by beating, wounding, and imprisoning
them, and to release them that were imprisoned, and did call unto our
assistance our brethren of the county of Kent, who very readily came in to
us, as have associated themselves to us in this our just and lawfull defence,
and do concurre with us in this our Remonstrance concerning the King
Majestie, and the settlement of the peace in this Kingdome." And the tract
afterwards expresses the desire that "all his Majesties loyall subjects within
his Dominions" will "readily and cheerfully concurre and assist in this so
good and pious a work."
Among the single sheets in the British Museum is an order of Parliament,
dated the 24th of December, 1652, directing,
"That no observation shall be had of the five and twentieth day of
December, commonly called Christmas Day; nor any solemnity used or
exercised in churches upon that day in respect thereof."
Referring to the celebration of Christmas Day in 1657, Evelyn says:—
"I went to London with my wife to celebrate Christmas Day, Mr. Gunning
preaching in Exeter Chapel, on Micah vii. 2. Sermon ended; as he was
giving us the Holy Sacrament the chapel was surrounded with soldiers, and
all the communicants and assembly surprised and kept prisoners by them,
some in the house, others carried away. It fell to my share to be confined to
Page 272
a room in the house, where yet I was permitted to dine with the master of it,
the Countess of Dorset, Lady Hatton, and some others of quality who
invited me. In the afternoon came Colonel Whalley, Goffe, and others from
Whitehall to examine us one by one; some they committed to the Marshal,
some to prison. When I came before them they took my name and abode,
examined me why, contrary to the ordinance made that none should any
longer observe the superstitious time of the Nativity (as esteemed by them),
I durst offend, and particularly be at Common Prayers, which they told me
was but the mass in English, and particularly pray for Charles Stuart, for
which we had no Scripture. I told them we did not pray for Charles Stuart,
but for all Christian kings, princes, and governors. They replied, in so doing
we prayed for the King of Spain too, who was their enemy and a Papist;
with other frivolous and ensnaring questions and much threatening, and,
finding no colour to detain me, they dismissed me with much pity of my
ignorance. These were men of high flight and above ordinances, and spake
spiteful things of our Lord's Nativity. As we went up to receive the
sacrament the miscreants held their muskets against us, as if they would
have shot us at the altar, but yet suffering us to finish the office of
communion, as perhaps not having instructions what to do in case they
found us in that action; so I got home late the next day, blessed be God!"
Notwithstanding the adverse acts of the Puritans, however, and the
suppression of Christmas observances in high places, the old customs and
festivities were still observed in different parts of the country, though with
less ostentation than formerly; and various publications appeared which
plainly showed that the popular sentiments were in favour of the festivities.
The motto of No. 37 of Mercurius Democritus, from December 22, 1652,
begins:
"Old Christmas now is come to town
Though few do him regard,
He laughs to see them going down
That have put down his Lord."
In "The Vindication of Father Christmas," 1653, a mock complaint in the
character of Father Christmas, he laments the treatment he had received for
the last twelve years, and that he was even then but coolly received. "But
welcome, or not welcome, I am come," he says, and then states that his
"best and freest welcome was with some kinde of country farmers in
the Countess of Dorset, Lady Hatton, and some others of quality who
invited me. In the afternoon came Colonel Whalley, Goffe, and others from
Whitehall to examine us one by one; some they committed to the Marshal,
some to prison. When I came before them they took my name and abode,
examined me why, contrary to the ordinance made that none should any
longer observe the superstitious time of the Nativity (as esteemed by them),
I durst offend, and particularly be at Common Prayers, which they told me
was but the mass in English, and particularly pray for Charles Stuart, for
which we had no Scripture. I told them we did not pray for Charles Stuart,
but for all Christian kings, princes, and governors. They replied, in so doing
we prayed for the King of Spain too, who was their enemy and a Papist;
with other frivolous and ensnaring questions and much threatening, and,
finding no colour to detain me, they dismissed me with much pity of my
ignorance. These were men of high flight and above ordinances, and spake
spiteful things of our Lord's Nativity. As we went up to receive the
sacrament the miscreants held their muskets against us, as if they would
have shot us at the altar, but yet suffering us to finish the office of
communion, as perhaps not having instructions what to do in case they
found us in that action; so I got home late the next day, blessed be God!"
Notwithstanding the adverse acts of the Puritans, however, and the
suppression of Christmas observances in high places, the old customs and
festivities were still observed in different parts of the country, though with
less ostentation than formerly; and various publications appeared which
plainly showed that the popular sentiments were in favour of the festivities.
The motto of No. 37 of Mercurius Democritus, from December 22, 1652,
begins:
"Old Christmas now is come to town
Though few do him regard,
He laughs to see them going down
That have put down his Lord."
In "The Vindication of Father Christmas," 1653, a mock complaint in the
character of Father Christmas, he laments the treatment he had received for
the last twelve years, and that he was even then but coolly received. "But
welcome, or not welcome, I am come," he says, and then states that his
"best and freest welcome was with some kinde of country farmers in
Page 273
Devonshire," thus describing his entertainment among them:—"After
dinner we arose from the boord, and sate by the fire, where the harth was
imbrodered all over with roasted apples, piping hot, expecting a bole of ale
for a cooler, which immediately was transformed into warm lamb wool.
After which we discoursed merily, without either prophaneness or
obscenity; some went to cards; others sung carols and pleasant songs
(suitable to the times), and then the poor laboring Hinds, and maid-servants,
with the plow-boys, went nimbly to dancing; the poor toyling wretches
being glad of my company, because they had little or no sport at all till I
came amongst them; and therefore they skipped and leaped for joy, singing
a carol to the tune of hey,
"Let's dance and sing, and make good chear,
For Christmas comes but once a year:
Draw hogsheads dry, let flagons fly,
For now the bells shall ring;
Whilst we endeavour to make good
The title 'gainst a King.
"Thus at active games, and gambols of hot cockles, shooing the wild mare,
and the like harmless sports, some part of the tedious night was spent."
The National Troubles
were not brought to an end by the execution of Charles I. on the 30th of
January, 1649. In addition to the rioting caused by the attempt to abolish the
festival of Christmas by law, the Lord Protector (Oliver Cromwell) had to
struggle against discontented republicans and also against fresh outbreaks
of the Royalists; and, although able to carry on the Protectorate to the end
of his own life, Cromwell was unable to secure a strong successor. He died
on September 3, 1658, having on his deathbed nominated his son Richard to
succeed him. Richard Cromwell was accepted in England and by the
dinner we arose from the boord, and sate by the fire, where the harth was
imbrodered all over with roasted apples, piping hot, expecting a bole of ale
for a cooler, which immediately was transformed into warm lamb wool.
After which we discoursed merily, without either prophaneness or
obscenity; some went to cards; others sung carols and pleasant songs
(suitable to the times), and then the poor laboring Hinds, and maid-servants,
with the plow-boys, went nimbly to dancing; the poor toyling wretches
being glad of my company, because they had little or no sport at all till I
came amongst them; and therefore they skipped and leaped for joy, singing
a carol to the tune of hey,
"Let's dance and sing, and make good chear,
For Christmas comes but once a year:
Draw hogsheads dry, let flagons fly,
For now the bells shall ring;
Whilst we endeavour to make good
The title 'gainst a King.
"Thus at active games, and gambols of hot cockles, shooing the wild mare,
and the like harmless sports, some part of the tedious night was spent."
The National Troubles
were not brought to an end by the execution of Charles I. on the 30th of
January, 1649. In addition to the rioting caused by the attempt to abolish the
festival of Christmas by law, the Lord Protector (Oliver Cromwell) had to
struggle against discontented republicans and also against fresh outbreaks
of the Royalists; and, although able to carry on the Protectorate to the end
of his own life, Cromwell was unable to secure a strong successor. He died
on September 3, 1658, having on his deathbed nominated his son Richard to
succeed him. Richard Cromwell was accepted in England and by the
Page 274
European Powers, and carried himself discreetly in his new position. A
Parliament was assembled on January 17, 1659, which recognised the new
Protector, but the republican minority, headed by Vane and Haselrig, united
with the officers of the army, headed by Lambert, Fleetwood, and
Desborough, to force him to dissolve Parliament (April 22, 1659). The
Protector's supporters urged him to meet force by force, but he replied, "I
will not have a drop of blood spilt for the preservation of my greatness,
which is a burden to me." He signed a formal abdication (May, 1659), in
return for which the restored Rump undertook the discharge of his debts.
After the Restoration Richard Cromwell fled to the Continent, where he
remained for many years, returning to England in 1680. A portion of his
property was afterwards restored to him. He died at Cheshunt,
Hertfordshire, in 1712.
On Richard Cromwell declining to uphold the Protectorate by force of
arms, the only hope of establishing a settled form of government and of
saving the country from a military despotism seemed to be in the restoration
of the monarchy; therefore, chiefly through the instrumentality of General
Monk, Charles, the son of Charles I. and Henrietta Maria, was invited to
return to England. He at once responded, and entered London in triumph as
Charles II., on May 29, 1660, having previously signed the declaration of
Breda. By this declaration the King granted a free and general pardon to all
"who within forty days after the publishing hereof shall lay hold upon this
our grace and favour, and shall by any public act declare their doing so,"
except such as the Parliament of both houses should except.
[69] "Works of Ben Jonson."
[70] "Fantasticks," 1626.
[71] "History of the English People."
[72] "Year Book."
Parliament was assembled on January 17, 1659, which recognised the new
Protector, but the republican minority, headed by Vane and Haselrig, united
with the officers of the army, headed by Lambert, Fleetwood, and
Desborough, to force him to dissolve Parliament (April 22, 1659). The
Protector's supporters urged him to meet force by force, but he replied, "I
will not have a drop of blood spilt for the preservation of my greatness,
which is a burden to me." He signed a formal abdication (May, 1659), in
return for which the restored Rump undertook the discharge of his debts.
After the Restoration Richard Cromwell fled to the Continent, where he
remained for many years, returning to England in 1680. A portion of his
property was afterwards restored to him. He died at Cheshunt,
Hertfordshire, in 1712.
On Richard Cromwell declining to uphold the Protectorate by force of
arms, the only hope of establishing a settled form of government and of
saving the country from a military despotism seemed to be in the restoration
of the monarchy; therefore, chiefly through the instrumentality of General
Monk, Charles, the son of Charles I. and Henrietta Maria, was invited to
return to England. He at once responded, and entered London in triumph as
Charles II., on May 29, 1660, having previously signed the declaration of
Breda. By this declaration the King granted a free and general pardon to all
"who within forty days after the publishing hereof shall lay hold upon this
our grace and favour, and shall by any public act declare their doing so,"
except such as the Parliament of both houses should except.
[69] "Works of Ben Jonson."
[70] "Fantasticks," 1626.
[71] "History of the English People."
[72] "Year Book."
Page 275
[73] Fiddlers.
[74] An allusion to the Christmas money-box, made of earthenware which
required to be broken to obtain possession of the money it held.
[74] An allusion to the Christmas money-box, made of earthenware which
required to be broken to obtain possession of the money it held.
Page 276
CHAPTER X.
CHRISTMAS FROM THE RESTORATION TO THE DEATH OF
GEORGE II.
(1660-1760.)
The Restoration of the Monarchy
under Charles II., sometimes styled the "Merry
Monarch," was an occasion of great rejoicing, and the
spirit in which the so-long-fugitive Prince, who once
eluded his pursuers by hiding in an oak, was now
welcomed as "Charles our King" by "the roaring,
ranting" portion of the populace is set forth in the
following ballad, written for the first Christmas after
the Restoration, printed in London, the same year, and
now copied from a collection of illustrated broadsides
preserved in the Library of the British Museum:—
merry boys of christmas,
or
The Milk-maid's New Year's Gift.
When Lads and Lasses take delight,
together for to be;
They pass away the Winter night,
and live most merrily.
To the tune of, Hey boys up go we.
Come, come my roaring ranting boys
lets never be cast down,
We'l never mind the female toys,
but Loyal be to th' Crown:
We'l never break our hearts with care,
nor be cast down with fear,
Our bellys then let us prepare
to drink some Christmas Beer.
CHRISTMAS FROM THE RESTORATION TO THE DEATH OF
GEORGE II.
(1660-1760.)
The Restoration of the Monarchy
under Charles II., sometimes styled the "Merry
Monarch," was an occasion of great rejoicing, and the
spirit in which the so-long-fugitive Prince, who once
eluded his pursuers by hiding in an oak, was now
welcomed as "Charles our King" by "the roaring,
ranting" portion of the populace is set forth in the
following ballad, written for the first Christmas after
the Restoration, printed in London, the same year, and
now copied from a collection of illustrated broadsides
preserved in the Library of the British Museum:—
merry boys of christmas,
or
The Milk-maid's New Year's Gift.
When Lads and Lasses take delight,
together for to be;
They pass away the Winter night,
and live most merrily.
To the tune of, Hey boys up go we.
Come, come my roaring ranting boys
lets never be cast down,
We'l never mind the female toys,
but Loyal be to th' Crown:
We'l never break our hearts with care,
nor be cast down with fear,
Our bellys then let us prepare
to drink some Christmas Beer.
Page 277
to drink some Christmas Beer.
Then here's a health to Charles our King,
throughout the world admir'd,
Let us his great applauses sing,
that we so much desir'd,
And wisht amongst us for to reign,
when Oliver rul'd here,
But since he's home return'd again,
come fill some Christmas Beer.
These holidays we'l briskly drink,
all mirth we will devise,
No Treason we will speak or think,
then bring us brave minc'd pies
Roast Beef and brave Plum porridge,
our Loyal hearts to chear,
Then prithee make no more ado,
but bring us Christmas Beer.
Then here's a health to Charles our King,
throughout the world admir'd,
Let us his great applauses sing,
that we so much desir'd,
And wisht amongst us for to reign,
when Oliver rul'd here,
But since he's home return'd again,
come fill some Christmas Beer.
These holidays we'l briskly drink,
all mirth we will devise,
No Treason we will speak or think,
then bring us brave minc'd pies
Roast Beef and brave Plum porridge,
our Loyal hearts to chear,
Then prithee make no more ado,
but bring us Christmas Beer.
Page 278
the hackin.
[In these Times all the Spits were sparkling the Hackin must be boiled by Daybreak or else two
young Men took the Maiden by the Arms and run her round the Market Place till she was ashamed of
her laziness.—Round about our Coal Fire or Christmas Entertainments published in 1740.]
[In these Times all the Spits were sparkling the Hackin must be boiled by Daybreak or else two
young Men took the Maiden by the Arms and run her round the Market Place till she was ashamed of
her laziness.—Round about our Coal Fire or Christmas Entertainments published in 1740.]
Page 279
Many of the popular songs of this period complain of the decline of the
Christmas celebrations during the time of the Commonwealth, and some of
them contrast the present with former celebrations. In a ballad called "The
Old and Young Courtier," printed in 1670, comparing the times of Queen
Elizabeth with those of her successors, the fifth and twelfth verses contain
the following parallel respecting Christmas—
V
"With a good old fashion, when Christmasse was come,
To call in all his old neighbours with bagpipe and drum,
With good chear enough to furnish every old room,
And old liquor, able to make a cat speak, and man dumb
Like an old Courtier of the Queen's,
And the Queen's old Courtier"
XII
"With a new fashion, when Christmas is drawing on,
On a new journey to London straight we all must begone,
And leave none to keep house, but our new porter John,
Who relieves the poor with a thump on the back with a stone,
Like a young courtier of the King's,
And the King's young courtier" (Percy's Reliques)
Another called "Time's Alteration, or, the Old Man's Rehearsal, what brave
dayes he knew a great while agone, when his old cap was new," says—
"A man might then behold,
At Christmas, in each hall,
Good fires to curb the cold
And meat for great and small;
The neighbours were friendly bidden,
And all had welcome true,
The poor from the gates were not chidden,
When this old cap was new
Black jacks to every man
Were filled with wine and beer,
No pewter pot nor can
In those days did appear
Good cheer in a nobleman's house
Was counted a seemly shew,
We wanted no brawn nor souse,
When this old cap was new." (Evans's Ballads)
Referring to the Restoration of the monarchy, and contrasting it with the
Protectorate period, Poor Robin's Almanack, 1685, says—
Christmas celebrations during the time of the Commonwealth, and some of
them contrast the present with former celebrations. In a ballad called "The
Old and Young Courtier," printed in 1670, comparing the times of Queen
Elizabeth with those of her successors, the fifth and twelfth verses contain
the following parallel respecting Christmas—
V
"With a good old fashion, when Christmasse was come,
To call in all his old neighbours with bagpipe and drum,
With good chear enough to furnish every old room,
And old liquor, able to make a cat speak, and man dumb
Like an old Courtier of the Queen's,
And the Queen's old Courtier"
XII
"With a new fashion, when Christmas is drawing on,
On a new journey to London straight we all must begone,
And leave none to keep house, but our new porter John,
Who relieves the poor with a thump on the back with a stone,
Like a young courtier of the King's,
And the King's young courtier" (Percy's Reliques)
Another called "Time's Alteration, or, the Old Man's Rehearsal, what brave
dayes he knew a great while agone, when his old cap was new," says—
"A man might then behold,
At Christmas, in each hall,
Good fires to curb the cold
And meat for great and small;
The neighbours were friendly bidden,
And all had welcome true,
The poor from the gates were not chidden,
When this old cap was new
Black jacks to every man
Were filled with wine and beer,
No pewter pot nor can
In those days did appear
Good cheer in a nobleman's house
Was counted a seemly shew,
We wanted no brawn nor souse,
When this old cap was new." (Evans's Ballads)
Referring to the Restoration of the monarchy, and contrasting it with the
Protectorate period, Poor Robin's Almanack, 1685, says—
Page 280
"Now thanks to God for Charles' return,
Whose absence made old Christmas mourn,
For then we scarcely did it know,
Whether it Christmas were or no
- - - - -
To feast the poor was counted sin,
When treason that great praise did win
May we ne'er see the like again,
The roguish Rump should o'er us reign."
After the Restoration an effort was made to revive the Christmas
entertainments of the Court at Whitehall, but they do not appear to have
recovered their former splendour. The habits of Charles the Second were of
too sensual a nature to induce him to interest himself in such pursuits;
besides which the manners of the country had been changed during the
sway of the Puritans. Pepys states that Charles II. visited Lincoln's Inn to
see the Christmas revels of 1661, "there being, according to an old custom,
a Prince and all his nobles, and other matters of sport and charge." And the
diary of the Rev. John Ward, vicar of Stratford-upon-Avon, extending from
1648 to 1679, states: "The Duke of Norfolk expended £20,000 in keeping
Christmas. Charles II. gave over keeping that festival on this account; his
munificence gave great offence at Court." Sandys mentions that a pastoral
called Calisto, written by Crowne, was acted by the daughters of the Duke
of York and the young nobility. About the same time the Lady Anne,
afterwards Queen, acted the part of Semandra in Lee's "Mithridates."
Betterton and his wife instructed the performers, in remembrance of which,
when Anne came to the throne, she gave the latter a pension of £100 a year.
The Inns of Court also had their Christmas feasts; but the conduct of them
was evidently not so much coveted as in former times, for there is an entry
in the records of Gray's Inn on November 3, 1682, "That Mr. Richard
Gipps, on his promise to perform the office of Master of the Revels, this
and the next Term, be called to the Bar of Grace," i.e., without payment of
the usual fees: thus holding out a reward for his services, instead of
allowing him, as in former times, to spend a large portion of his private
fortune unrequited, except by the honour of the temporary office.
Among the principal of the royal amusements in the time of Charles the
Second were horse-racing and theatrical performances. The King kept an
establishment at Newmarket, where, according to Strutt, "he entered horses
Whose absence made old Christmas mourn,
For then we scarcely did it know,
Whether it Christmas were or no
- - - - -
To feast the poor was counted sin,
When treason that great praise did win
May we ne'er see the like again,
The roguish Rump should o'er us reign."
After the Restoration an effort was made to revive the Christmas
entertainments of the Court at Whitehall, but they do not appear to have
recovered their former splendour. The habits of Charles the Second were of
too sensual a nature to induce him to interest himself in such pursuits;
besides which the manners of the country had been changed during the
sway of the Puritans. Pepys states that Charles II. visited Lincoln's Inn to
see the Christmas revels of 1661, "there being, according to an old custom,
a Prince and all his nobles, and other matters of sport and charge." And the
diary of the Rev. John Ward, vicar of Stratford-upon-Avon, extending from
1648 to 1679, states: "The Duke of Norfolk expended £20,000 in keeping
Christmas. Charles II. gave over keeping that festival on this account; his
munificence gave great offence at Court." Sandys mentions that a pastoral
called Calisto, written by Crowne, was acted by the daughters of the Duke
of York and the young nobility. About the same time the Lady Anne,
afterwards Queen, acted the part of Semandra in Lee's "Mithridates."
Betterton and his wife instructed the performers, in remembrance of which,
when Anne came to the throne, she gave the latter a pension of £100 a year.
The Inns of Court also had their Christmas feasts; but the conduct of them
was evidently not so much coveted as in former times, for there is an entry
in the records of Gray's Inn on November 3, 1682, "That Mr. Richard
Gipps, on his promise to perform the office of Master of the Revels, this
and the next Term, be called to the Bar of Grace," i.e., without payment of
the usual fees: thus holding out a reward for his services, instead of
allowing him, as in former times, to spend a large portion of his private
fortune unrequited, except by the honour of the temporary office.
Among the principal of the royal amusements in the time of Charles the
Second were horse-racing and theatrical performances. The King kept an
establishment at Newmarket, where, according to Strutt, "he entered horses
Page 281
and ran them in his name." And the author of some doggerel verses,
referring to Burford Downs, says:—
"Next for the glory of the place,
Here has been rode many a race,—
King Charles the Second I saw here;
But I've forgotten in what year."
Christmas at Sea in 1675.
The Rev. Henry Teonge, chaplain of an English ship of war, gives in his
diary a description of the manner in which the Christmas was spent on
board, in 1675:—"Dec. 25, 1675.—Crismas day wee keepe thus. At 4 in the
morning our trumpeters all doe flatt their trumpetts, and begin at our
Captain's cabin, and thence to all the officers' and gentlemen's cabins;
playing a levite at each cabine door, and bidding good morrow, wishing a
merry Crismas. After they goe to their station, viz., on the poope, and sound
3 levitts in honour of the morning. At 10 wee goe to prayers and sermon;
text, Zacc. ix. 9. Our Captaine had all his officers and gentlemen to dinner
with him, where wee had excellent good fayre: a ribb of beife, plumb-
puddings, minct pyes, &c. and plenty of good wines of severall sorts;
dranke healths to the King, to our wives and friends, and ended the day with
much civill myrth."
referring to Burford Downs, says:—
"Next for the glory of the place,
Here has been rode many a race,—
King Charles the Second I saw here;
But I've forgotten in what year."
Christmas at Sea in 1675.
The Rev. Henry Teonge, chaplain of an English ship of war, gives in his
diary a description of the manner in which the Christmas was spent on
board, in 1675:—"Dec. 25, 1675.—Crismas day wee keepe thus. At 4 in the
morning our trumpeters all doe flatt their trumpetts, and begin at our
Captain's cabin, and thence to all the officers' and gentlemen's cabins;
playing a levite at each cabine door, and bidding good morrow, wishing a
merry Crismas. After they goe to their station, viz., on the poope, and sound
3 levitts in honour of the morning. At 10 wee goe to prayers and sermon;
text, Zacc. ix. 9. Our Captaine had all his officers and gentlemen to dinner
with him, where wee had excellent good fayre: a ribb of beife, plumb-
puddings, minct pyes, &c. and plenty of good wines of severall sorts;
dranke healths to the King, to our wives and friends, and ended the day with
much civill myrth."
Page 282
Christmas-Keeping in the Country,
at this period, is referred to by different writers.
Among the Garrick Plays in the British Museum is "The Christmas
Ordinary, a Private Show; wherein is expressed the jovial Freedom of that
Festival: as it was acted at a Gentleman's House among other Revels. By W.
R., Master of Arts, 4 to. London, 1682."
The Memoirs of the hospitable Sir John Reresby (Camden Society) contain
references to the Christmas festivities at Thrybergh. In 1682, there
assembled on Christmas Eve nineteen of the poorer tenants from Denby and
Hooton; on Christmas Day twenty-six of the poorer tenants from
Thrybergh, Brinsford, and Mexborough; on St. Stephen's Day farmers and
better sort of tenants to the number of fifty-four; on St. John's-day forty five
of the chief tenants; on the 30th of December eighteen gentlemen of the
neighbourhood with their wives; on the 1st of January sixteen gentlemen;
on the 4th twelve of the neighbouring clergymen; and on the 6th seven
gentlemen and tradesmen. Among the guests who lodged at the house were
"Mr. Rigden, merchant of York, and his wife, a handsome woman," and
"Mr. Belton, an ingenious clergyman, but too much a good fellow." How
the "ingenious clergyman" became "too much of a good fellow" may be
easily guessed from Sir John's further observation that "the expense of
liquor, both of wine & others, was considerable, as of other provisions, and
my friends appeared well satisfied." In 1684, writes Sir John, "I returned to
Thrybergh, by God's mercy, in safety, to keep Christmas amongst my
neighbours and tenants. I had more company this Christmas than
heretofore. The four first days of the new year all my tenants of Thrybergh,
Brinsford, Denby, Mexborough, Hooton Roberts, and Rotterham dined with
me; the rest of the time some four-score of gentlemen and yeomen with
their wives were invited, besides some that came from York; so that all the
beds in the house and most in the town were taken up. There were seldom
less than four-score, counting all sorts of people, that dined in the house
every day, and some days many more. On New Year's-day chiefly there
dined above three hundred, so that whole sheep were roasted and served up
to feed them. For music I had four violins, besides bagpipes, drums, and
trumpets."
at this period, is referred to by different writers.
Among the Garrick Plays in the British Museum is "The Christmas
Ordinary, a Private Show; wherein is expressed the jovial Freedom of that
Festival: as it was acted at a Gentleman's House among other Revels. By W.
R., Master of Arts, 4 to. London, 1682."
The Memoirs of the hospitable Sir John Reresby (Camden Society) contain
references to the Christmas festivities at Thrybergh. In 1682, there
assembled on Christmas Eve nineteen of the poorer tenants from Denby and
Hooton; on Christmas Day twenty-six of the poorer tenants from
Thrybergh, Brinsford, and Mexborough; on St. Stephen's Day farmers and
better sort of tenants to the number of fifty-four; on St. John's-day forty five
of the chief tenants; on the 30th of December eighteen gentlemen of the
neighbourhood with their wives; on the 1st of January sixteen gentlemen;
on the 4th twelve of the neighbouring clergymen; and on the 6th seven
gentlemen and tradesmen. Among the guests who lodged at the house were
"Mr. Rigden, merchant of York, and his wife, a handsome woman," and
"Mr. Belton, an ingenious clergyman, but too much a good fellow." How
the "ingenious clergyman" became "too much of a good fellow" may be
easily guessed from Sir John's further observation that "the expense of
liquor, both of wine & others, was considerable, as of other provisions, and
my friends appeared well satisfied." In 1684, writes Sir John, "I returned to
Thrybergh, by God's mercy, in safety, to keep Christmas amongst my
neighbours and tenants. I had more company this Christmas than
heretofore. The four first days of the new year all my tenants of Thrybergh,
Brinsford, Denby, Mexborough, Hooton Roberts, and Rotterham dined with
me; the rest of the time some four-score of gentlemen and yeomen with
their wives were invited, besides some that came from York; so that all the
beds in the house and most in the town were taken up. There were seldom
less than four-score, counting all sorts of people, that dined in the house
every day, and some days many more. On New Year's-day chiefly there
dined above three hundred, so that whole sheep were roasted and served up
to feed them. For music I had four violins, besides bagpipes, drums, and
trumpets."
Page 283
At Houghton Chapel, Nottinghamshire, says an old writer, "the good Sir
William Hollis kept his house in great splendour and hospitality. He began
Christmas at All Hallowtide, and continued it till Candlemas, during which
time any man was permitted to stay three days without being asked who he
was, or from whence he came." This generous knight had many guests who
rejoiced in the couplet:—
"If I ask'not my guest whence and whither his way,
'Tis because I would have him here with me to stay."
It is no part of our purpose to enter into details of the events which led up to
the Revolution. Suffice it to say, that during the reign of Charles II. began
the great struggle between the King and the people, but Charles steadily
refused to alter the succession by excluding his brother James. He died on
the 6th of February, 1685, and
James II. came to the Throne
in the midst of an unsettled state of affairs. James made a bold, but
unsuccessful, attempt to restore the power of Romanism in England, and,
ultimately, consulted his own safety by fleeing to France, landing at
Ambleteuse, in Brittany, on Christmas Day, 1688,
The Christmas of the Revolution.
The flight of James put an end to the struggle between Crown and people,
and the offering of the Crown, with constitutional limitations, to William,
Prince of Orange, and his wife Mary, daughter of King James II. and
granddaughter of King Charles I. of England, speedily followed.
William and Mary
accepted the invitation of the English people, and began their reign on
February 13, 1689. They both took an interest in the sports and pastimes of
the people. Strutt says William patronised horse-racing, "and established an
academy for riding; and his queen not only continued the bounty of her
predecessors, but added several plates to the former donations." The death
of Queen Mary, from small-pox, on the 28th of December, 1694, cast a
William Hollis kept his house in great splendour and hospitality. He began
Christmas at All Hallowtide, and continued it till Candlemas, during which
time any man was permitted to stay three days without being asked who he
was, or from whence he came." This generous knight had many guests who
rejoiced in the couplet:—
"If I ask'not my guest whence and whither his way,
'Tis because I would have him here with me to stay."
It is no part of our purpose to enter into details of the events which led up to
the Revolution. Suffice it to say, that during the reign of Charles II. began
the great struggle between the King and the people, but Charles steadily
refused to alter the succession by excluding his brother James. He died on
the 6th of February, 1685, and
James II. came to the Throne
in the midst of an unsettled state of affairs. James made a bold, but
unsuccessful, attempt to restore the power of Romanism in England, and,
ultimately, consulted his own safety by fleeing to France, landing at
Ambleteuse, in Brittany, on Christmas Day, 1688,
The Christmas of the Revolution.
The flight of James put an end to the struggle between Crown and people,
and the offering of the Crown, with constitutional limitations, to William,
Prince of Orange, and his wife Mary, daughter of King James II. and
granddaughter of King Charles I. of England, speedily followed.
William and Mary
accepted the invitation of the English people, and began their reign on
February 13, 1689. They both took an interest in the sports and pastimes of
the people. Strutt says William patronised horse-racing, "and established an
academy for riding; and his queen not only continued the bounty of her
predecessors, but added several plates to the former donations." The death
of Queen Mary, from small-pox, on the 28th of December, 1694, cast a
Page 284
gloom over the Christmas festivities, and left King William almost heart-
broken at her loss. As to
The Christmas Festivities
Brand says that in "Batt upon Batt," a Poem by a Person of Quality (1694),
speaking of Batt's carving knives and other implements, the author asks:—
"Without their help, who can good Christmas keep?
Our teeth would chatter and our eyes would weep;
Hunger and dullness would invade our feasts,
Did not Batt find us arms against such guests.
He is the cunning engineer, whose skill
Makes fools to carve the goose, and shape the quill:
Fancy and wit unto our meals supplies:
Carols, and not minc'd-meat, make Christmas pies.
'Tis mirth, not dishes, sets a table off;
Brutes and Phanaticks eat, and never laugh.
- - - - -
When brawn, with powdred wig, comes swaggering in,
And mighty serjeant ushers in the Chine,
What ought a wise man first to think upon?
Have I my Tools? if not, I am undone:
For 'tis a law concerns both saint and sinner,
He that hath no knife must have no dinner.
So he falls on; pig, goose, and capon, feel
The goodness of his stomach and Batt's steel.
In such fierce frays, alas! there no remorse is;
All flesh is grass, which makes men feed like horses:
But when the battle's done, off goes the hat,
And each man sheaths, with God-a-mercy Batt.'"
"Batt upon Batt" also gives the following account of the Christmas
Gambols in 1694:—
"O mortal man! is eating all you do
At Christ-Tide? or the making Sing-songs? No:
Our Batt can dance, play at high Jinks with Dice,
At any primitive, orthodoxal Vice.
Shooing the wild Mare, tumbling the young Wenches,
Drinking all Night, and sleeping on the Benches.
Shew me a man can shuffle fair and cut,
Yet always have three Trays in hand at Putt:
Shew me a man can turn up Noddy still,
And deal himself three Fives too when he will:
Conclude with one and thirty, and a Pair,
Never fail Ten in stock, and yet play fair,
If Batt be not that Wight, I lose my aim."
broken at her loss. As to
The Christmas Festivities
Brand says that in "Batt upon Batt," a Poem by a Person of Quality (1694),
speaking of Batt's carving knives and other implements, the author asks:—
"Without their help, who can good Christmas keep?
Our teeth would chatter and our eyes would weep;
Hunger and dullness would invade our feasts,
Did not Batt find us arms against such guests.
He is the cunning engineer, whose skill
Makes fools to carve the goose, and shape the quill:
Fancy and wit unto our meals supplies:
Carols, and not minc'd-meat, make Christmas pies.
'Tis mirth, not dishes, sets a table off;
Brutes and Phanaticks eat, and never laugh.
- - - - -
When brawn, with powdred wig, comes swaggering in,
And mighty serjeant ushers in the Chine,
What ought a wise man first to think upon?
Have I my Tools? if not, I am undone:
For 'tis a law concerns both saint and sinner,
He that hath no knife must have no dinner.
So he falls on; pig, goose, and capon, feel
The goodness of his stomach and Batt's steel.
In such fierce frays, alas! there no remorse is;
All flesh is grass, which makes men feed like horses:
But when the battle's done, off goes the hat,
And each man sheaths, with God-a-mercy Batt.'"
"Batt upon Batt" also gives the following account of the Christmas
Gambols in 1694:—
"O mortal man! is eating all you do
At Christ-Tide? or the making Sing-songs? No:
Our Batt can dance, play at high Jinks with Dice,
At any primitive, orthodoxal Vice.
Shooing the wild Mare, tumbling the young Wenches,
Drinking all Night, and sleeping on the Benches.
Shew me a man can shuffle fair and cut,
Yet always have three Trays in hand at Putt:
Shew me a man can turn up Noddy still,
And deal himself three Fives too when he will:
Conclude with one and thirty, and a Pair,
Never fail Ten in stock, and yet play fair,
If Batt be not that Wight, I lose my aim."
Page 285
Another enumeration of the festive sports of this season occurs (says Brand)
in a poem entitled Christmas—
"Young Men and Maidens, now
At Feed the Dove (with laurel leaf in mouth)
Or Blindman's Buff, or Hunt the Slipper play,
Replete with glee. Some, haply, Cards adopt;
Of it to Forfeits they the Sport confine,
The happy Folk, adjacent to the fire,
Their Stations take; excepting one alone.
(Sometimes the social Mistress of the house)
Who sits within the centre of the room,
To cry the pawns; much is the laughter, now,
Of such as can't the Christmas Catch repeat,
And who, perchance, are sentenc'd to salute
The jetty beauties of the chimney black,
Or Lady's shoe: others, more lucky far,
By hap or favour, meet a sweeter doom,
And on each fair-one's lovely lips imprint
The ardent kiss."
Poor Robin's Almanack (1695) thus rejoices at the return of the festival:—
"Now thrice welcome, Christmas,
Which brings us good cheer,
Minc'd-pies and plumb-porridge,
Good ale and strong beer;
With pig, goose, and capon,
The best that may be,
So well doth the weather
And our stomachs agree.
Observe how the chimneys
Do smoak all about,
The cooks are providing
For dinner, no doubt;
But those on whose tables
No victuals appear,
O may they keep Lent
All the rest of the year!
With holly and ivy
So green and so gay;
We deck up our houses
As fresh as the day,
With bays and rosemary,
And laurel compleat,
And every one now
Is a king in conceit.
- - - - -
in a poem entitled Christmas—
"Young Men and Maidens, now
At Feed the Dove (with laurel leaf in mouth)
Or Blindman's Buff, or Hunt the Slipper play,
Replete with glee. Some, haply, Cards adopt;
Of it to Forfeits they the Sport confine,
The happy Folk, adjacent to the fire,
Their Stations take; excepting one alone.
(Sometimes the social Mistress of the house)
Who sits within the centre of the room,
To cry the pawns; much is the laughter, now,
Of such as can't the Christmas Catch repeat,
And who, perchance, are sentenc'd to salute
The jetty beauties of the chimney black,
Or Lady's shoe: others, more lucky far,
By hap or favour, meet a sweeter doom,
And on each fair-one's lovely lips imprint
The ardent kiss."
Poor Robin's Almanack (1695) thus rejoices at the return of the festival:—
"Now thrice welcome, Christmas,
Which brings us good cheer,
Minc'd-pies and plumb-porridge,
Good ale and strong beer;
With pig, goose, and capon,
The best that may be,
So well doth the weather
And our stomachs agree.
Observe how the chimneys
Do smoak all about,
The cooks are providing
For dinner, no doubt;
But those on whose tables
No victuals appear,
O may they keep Lent
All the rest of the year!
With holly and ivy
So green and so gay;
We deck up our houses
As fresh as the day,
With bays and rosemary,
And laurel compleat,
And every one now
Is a king in conceit.
- - - - -
Page 286
But as for curmudgeons,
Who will not be free,
I wish they may die
On the three-legged tree."
At Christmastide, 1696, an Act of Attainder was passed against Sir John
Fenwick, one of the most ardent of the Jacobite conspirators who took part
in the plot to assassinate the King. He was executed on Tower Hill, January
28, 1697. This was the last instance in English history in which a person
was attainted by Act of Parliament, and Hallam's opinion of this Act of
Attainder is that "it did not, like some acts of attainder, inflict a punishment
beyond the offence, but supplied the deficiency of legal evidence."
Peter the Great, of Russia, kept the Christmas of 1697 in England, residing
at Sayes Court, a house of the celebrated John Evelyn, close to Deptford
Dockyard.
Christmas, 1701.
[From Poor Robin's Almanack.]
Now enter Christmas like a man,
Armed with spit and dripping-pan,
Attended with pasty, plum-pie,
Puddings, plum-porridge, furmity;
With beef, pork, mutton of each sort
More than my pen can make report;
Pig, swan, goose, rabbits, partridge, teal,
With legs and loins and breasts of veal:
But above all the minced pies
Must mention'd be in any wise,
Or else my Muse were much to blame,
Since they from Christmas take their name.
With these, or any one of these,
A man may dine well if he please;
Yet this must well be understood,—
Who will not be free,
I wish they may die
On the three-legged tree."
At Christmastide, 1696, an Act of Attainder was passed against Sir John
Fenwick, one of the most ardent of the Jacobite conspirators who took part
in the plot to assassinate the King. He was executed on Tower Hill, January
28, 1697. This was the last instance in English history in which a person
was attainted by Act of Parliament, and Hallam's opinion of this Act of
Attainder is that "it did not, like some acts of attainder, inflict a punishment
beyond the offence, but supplied the deficiency of legal evidence."
Peter the Great, of Russia, kept the Christmas of 1697 in England, residing
at Sayes Court, a house of the celebrated John Evelyn, close to Deptford
Dockyard.
Christmas, 1701.
[From Poor Robin's Almanack.]
Now enter Christmas like a man,
Armed with spit and dripping-pan,
Attended with pasty, plum-pie,
Puddings, plum-porridge, furmity;
With beef, pork, mutton of each sort
More than my pen can make report;
Pig, swan, goose, rabbits, partridge, teal,
With legs and loins and breasts of veal:
But above all the minced pies
Must mention'd be in any wise,
Or else my Muse were much to blame,
Since they from Christmas take their name.
With these, or any one of these,
A man may dine well if he please;
Yet this must well be understood,—
Page 287
Though one of these be singly good,
Yet more the merrier is the best
As well of dishes as of guest.
But the times are grown so bad
Scarce one dish for the poor is had;
Good housekeeping is laid aside,
And all is spent to maintain pride;
Good works are counted popish, and
Small charity is in the land.
A man may sooner (truth I tell ye)
Break his own neck than fill his belly.
Good God amend what is amiss
And send a remedy to this,
That Christmas day again may rise
And we enjoy our Christmas pies.
The Christmas customs of this period are thus referred to by the "Bellman,
on Christmas Eve":—
"This night (you may my Almanack believe)
Is the return of famous Christmas Eve:
Ye virgins then your cleanly rooms prepare,
And let the windows bays and laurels wear;
Your Rosemary preserve to dress your Beef,
Not forget me, which I advise in chief."
Christmas, at Haddon Hall,
was magnificently kept in the early part of the eighteenth century. The
amount of good cheer that was required for the table may be readily
imagined from the magnitude of the culinary furniture in the kitchen—two
vast fireplaces, with irons for sustaining a surprising number of spits, and
several enormous chopping-blocks—which survived to the nineteenth
century. John, the ninth Earl and first Duke of Rutland (created Marquis of
Granby and Duke of Rutland in 1703), revived in the ancient spirit the
hospitality of Christmastide. He kept sevenscore servants, and his twelve
days' feasts at Christmas recalled the bountiful celebrations of the "King of
Yet more the merrier is the best
As well of dishes as of guest.
But the times are grown so bad
Scarce one dish for the poor is had;
Good housekeeping is laid aside,
And all is spent to maintain pride;
Good works are counted popish, and
Small charity is in the land.
A man may sooner (truth I tell ye)
Break his own neck than fill his belly.
Good God amend what is amiss
And send a remedy to this,
That Christmas day again may rise
And we enjoy our Christmas pies.
The Christmas customs of this period are thus referred to by the "Bellman,
on Christmas Eve":—
"This night (you may my Almanack believe)
Is the return of famous Christmas Eve:
Ye virgins then your cleanly rooms prepare,
And let the windows bays and laurels wear;
Your Rosemary preserve to dress your Beef,
Not forget me, which I advise in chief."
Christmas, at Haddon Hall,
was magnificently kept in the early part of the eighteenth century. The
amount of good cheer that was required for the table may be readily
imagined from the magnitude of the culinary furniture in the kitchen—two
vast fireplaces, with irons for sustaining a surprising number of spits, and
several enormous chopping-blocks—which survived to the nineteenth
century. John, the ninth Earl and first Duke of Rutland (created Marquis of
Granby and Duke of Rutland in 1703), revived in the ancient spirit the
hospitality of Christmastide. He kept sevenscore servants, and his twelve
days' feasts at Christmas recalled the bountiful celebrations of the "King of
Page 288
the Peak," Sir George Vernon—the last male heir of the Vernon family in
Derbyshire who inherited the manor of Haddon, and who died in the
seventh year of Queen Elizabeth's reign. "The King of the Peak" was the
father of the charming Dorothy Vernon, the fair heiress, whose romantic
elopement is thus depicted in "Picturesque Europe":—"In the fullness of
time Dorothy loved, but her father did not approve. She determined to
elope; and now we must fill, in fancy, the Long Gallery with the splendour
of a revel and the stately joy of a great ball in the time of Elizabeth. In the
midst of the noise and excitement the fair young daughter of the house
steals unobserved away. She issues from her door, and her light feet fly with
tremulous speed along the darkling Terrace, flecked with light from the
blazing ball-room, till they reach a postern in the wall, which opens upon
the void of the night outside dancing Haddon. At that postern some one is
waiting eagerly for her; waiting with swift horses. That some one is young
Sir John Manners, second son of the House of Rutland, and her own true
love. The anxious lovers mount, and ride rapidly and silently away; and so
Dorothy Vernon transfers Haddon to the owners of Belvoir; and the boar's
head of Vernon becomes mingled, at Haddon, with the peacock of Manners.
We fancy with sympathetic pleasure that night-ride and the hurried
marriage; and— forgetting that the thing happened 'ages long agone'—we
wish, with full hearts, all happiness to the dear and charming Dorothy!"
From the boar's head of Vernon and the peacock of Manners, thought passes
quite naturally to the boar's head and peacock, which were principal items
of Christmas fare in the olden time.
In her "Collected Writings," Janetta, Duchess of Rutland, gives an
interesting account of a revival of some of the ancient glories of Haddon:
"In the winter of 1872 the late Duke entertained the Prince and Princess of
Wales in the banqueting hall at luncheon, when the boar's head and peacock
in pride were carried in, and formed part of the fare, as in olden days: while
once more musicians filled the minstrels' gallery, great logs blazed in the
huge fireplace, and scarlet hangings were spread over the walls."
Derbyshire who inherited the manor of Haddon, and who died in the
seventh year of Queen Elizabeth's reign. "The King of the Peak" was the
father of the charming Dorothy Vernon, the fair heiress, whose romantic
elopement is thus depicted in "Picturesque Europe":—"In the fullness of
time Dorothy loved, but her father did not approve. She determined to
elope; and now we must fill, in fancy, the Long Gallery with the splendour
of a revel and the stately joy of a great ball in the time of Elizabeth. In the
midst of the noise and excitement the fair young daughter of the house
steals unobserved away. She issues from her door, and her light feet fly with
tremulous speed along the darkling Terrace, flecked with light from the
blazing ball-room, till they reach a postern in the wall, which opens upon
the void of the night outside dancing Haddon. At that postern some one is
waiting eagerly for her; waiting with swift horses. That some one is young
Sir John Manners, second son of the House of Rutland, and her own true
love. The anxious lovers mount, and ride rapidly and silently away; and so
Dorothy Vernon transfers Haddon to the owners of Belvoir; and the boar's
head of Vernon becomes mingled, at Haddon, with the peacock of Manners.
We fancy with sympathetic pleasure that night-ride and the hurried
marriage; and— forgetting that the thing happened 'ages long agone'—we
wish, with full hearts, all happiness to the dear and charming Dorothy!"
From the boar's head of Vernon and the peacock of Manners, thought passes
quite naturally to the boar's head and peacock, which were principal items
of Christmas fare in the olden time.
In her "Collected Writings," Janetta, Duchess of Rutland, gives an
interesting account of a revival of some of the ancient glories of Haddon:
"In the winter of 1872 the late Duke entertained the Prince and Princess of
Wales in the banqueting hall at luncheon, when the boar's head and peacock
in pride were carried in, and formed part of the fare, as in olden days: while
once more musicians filled the minstrels' gallery, great logs blazed in the
huge fireplace, and scarlet hangings were spread over the walls."
Page 289
an ancient fireplace.
On the 20th of February, 1702, King William III. fell from his horse,
breaking his collar-bone and sustaining other serious injuries, which
terminated fatally on Sunday, the 8th of March. He was succeeded by
Queen Anne, who was the second daughter of King James II., and the last
of the Stuart sovereigns.
Queen Anne kept a Royal Christmas
at Windsor, in 1703, and entertained the new King of Spain, who arrived at
Spithead on the 26th of December. "The Queen dispatched the Dukes of
Somerset and Marlborough to conduct him to Windsor, and Prince George
met him on the way at Petworth, the seat of the Duke of Somerset, and
conducted him to Windsor on the 29th. The King was entertained in great
state for three days at Windsor, during which time he was politic enough to
ingratiate himself with the Duchess of Marlborough. When the Duchess
presented the basin and napkin after supper to the Queen for her to wash her
hands, the King gallantly took the napkin and held it himself, and on
returning it to the Queen's great favourite, he presented her with a superb
diamond ring. After three days the King returned to Portsmouth, and on the
4th of January, 1704, he embarked on board the fleet commanded by Sir
George Rooke, for Portugal, accompanied by a body of land forces under
the Duke of Schomberg. The voyage was, however, a most stormy one, and
when the fleet had nearly reached Cape Finisterre, it was compelled to put
back to Spithead, where it remained till the middle of February. His next
attempt was more successful, and he landed in Lisbon amid much popular
On the 20th of February, 1702, King William III. fell from his horse,
breaking his collar-bone and sustaining other serious injuries, which
terminated fatally on Sunday, the 8th of March. He was succeeded by
Queen Anne, who was the second daughter of King James II., and the last
of the Stuart sovereigns.
Queen Anne kept a Royal Christmas
at Windsor, in 1703, and entertained the new King of Spain, who arrived at
Spithead on the 26th of December. "The Queen dispatched the Dukes of
Somerset and Marlborough to conduct him to Windsor, and Prince George
met him on the way at Petworth, the seat of the Duke of Somerset, and
conducted him to Windsor on the 29th. The King was entertained in great
state for three days at Windsor, during which time he was politic enough to
ingratiate himself with the Duchess of Marlborough. When the Duchess
presented the basin and napkin after supper to the Queen for her to wash her
hands, the King gallantly took the napkin and held it himself, and on
returning it to the Queen's great favourite, he presented her with a superb
diamond ring. After three days the King returned to Portsmouth, and on the
4th of January, 1704, he embarked on board the fleet commanded by Sir
George Rooke, for Portugal, accompanied by a body of land forces under
the Duke of Schomberg. The voyage was, however, a most stormy one, and
when the fleet had nearly reached Cape Finisterre, it was compelled to put
back to Spithead, where it remained till the middle of February. His next
attempt was more successful, and he landed in Lisbon amid much popular
Page 290
demonstration, though the court itself was sunk in sorrow by the death of
the Infanta, whom he went to marry."[75]
At the Christmas festivities the following year (1704) there were great
rejoicings over the return home of the Duke of Marlborough from the
continental wars. "He arrived in England in the middle of December,
carrying with him Marshal Tallard and the rest of the distinguished officers,
with the standards and other trophies of his victories. He was received with
acclaim by all classes, except a few Ultra Tories, who threatened to impeach
him for his rash march to the Danube. As Parliament had assembled,
Marlborough took his seat in the House of Peers the day after his arrival,
where he was complimented on his magnificent success by the Lord
Keeper. This was followed by a deputation with a vote of thanks from the
Commons, and by similar honours from the City. But perhaps the most
palpable triumph of Marlborough was the transferring of the military
trophies which he had taken from the Tower, where they were first
deposited, to Westminster Hall. This was done by each soldier carrying a
standard or other trophy, amid the thunders of artillery and the hurrahs of
the people; such a spectacle never having been witnessed since the days of
the Spanish Armada. The Royal Manor of Woodstock was granted him, and
Blenheim Mansion erected at the cost of the nation."
Christmas-keeping in the Country.
The country squire of three hundred a year, an independent gentleman in the
reign of Queen Anne, is described as having "never played at cards but at
Christmas, when the family pack was produced from the mantle-piece."
"His chief drink the year round was generally ale, except at this season, the
5th of November, or some gala days, when he would make a bowl of strong
brandy punch, garnished with a toast and nutmeg. In the corner of his hall,
by the fireside, stood a large wooden two-armed chair, with a cushion, and
within the chimney corner were a couple of seats. Here, at Christmas, he
entertained his tenants, assembled round a glowing fire, made of the roots
of trees, and other great logs, and told and heard the traditionary tales of the
village, respecting ghosts and witches, till fear made them afraid to move.
In the meantime the jorum of ale was in continual circulation."[76]
"This is Yuletide! Bring the holly boughs,
the Infanta, whom he went to marry."[75]
At the Christmas festivities the following year (1704) there were great
rejoicings over the return home of the Duke of Marlborough from the
continental wars. "He arrived in England in the middle of December,
carrying with him Marshal Tallard and the rest of the distinguished officers,
with the standards and other trophies of his victories. He was received with
acclaim by all classes, except a few Ultra Tories, who threatened to impeach
him for his rash march to the Danube. As Parliament had assembled,
Marlborough took his seat in the House of Peers the day after his arrival,
where he was complimented on his magnificent success by the Lord
Keeper. This was followed by a deputation with a vote of thanks from the
Commons, and by similar honours from the City. But perhaps the most
palpable triumph of Marlborough was the transferring of the military
trophies which he had taken from the Tower, where they were first
deposited, to Westminster Hall. This was done by each soldier carrying a
standard or other trophy, amid the thunders of artillery and the hurrahs of
the people; such a spectacle never having been witnessed since the days of
the Spanish Armada. The Royal Manor of Woodstock was granted him, and
Blenheim Mansion erected at the cost of the nation."
Christmas-keeping in the Country.
The country squire of three hundred a year, an independent gentleman in the
reign of Queen Anne, is described as having "never played at cards but at
Christmas, when the family pack was produced from the mantle-piece."
"His chief drink the year round was generally ale, except at this season, the
5th of November, or some gala days, when he would make a bowl of strong
brandy punch, garnished with a toast and nutmeg. In the corner of his hall,
by the fireside, stood a large wooden two-armed chair, with a cushion, and
within the chimney corner were a couple of seats. Here, at Christmas, he
entertained his tenants, assembled round a glowing fire, made of the roots
of trees, and other great logs, and told and heard the traditionary tales of the
village, respecting ghosts and witches, till fear made them afraid to move.
In the meantime the jorum of ale was in continual circulation."[76]
"This is Yuletide! Bring the holly boughs,
Page 291
Deck the old mansion with its berries red;
Bring in the mistletoe, that lover's vows
Be sweetly sealed the while it hangs o'erhead.
Pile on the logs, fresh gathered from the wood,
And let the firelight dance upon the walls,
The while we tell the stories of the good,
The brave, the noble, that the past recalls."[77]
Many interesting tales respecting the manners and customs of the
eighteenth century are given by Steele and Addison in their well-known
series of papers entitled the Spectator. Charity and hospitality are
conspicuous traits of the typical country gentleman of the period, Sir Roger
de Coverley. "Sir Roger," says the Spectator, "after the laudable custom of
his ancestors, always keeps open house at Christmas. I learned from him,
that he had killed eight fat hogs for this season; that he had dealt about his
chines very liberally amongst his neighbours; and that in particular he had
sent a string of hog's puddings with a pack of cards to every poor family in
the parish. 'I have often thought,' says Sir Roger, 'it happens well that
Christmas should fall out in the middle of winter. It is the most dead
uncomfortable time of the year, when the poor people would suffer very
much from their poverty and cold, if they had not good cheer, warm fires,
and Christmas gambols to support them. I love to rejoice their poor hearts at
this season, and to see the whole village merry in my great hall. I allow a
double quantity of malt to my small beer, and set it running for twelve days
to every one that calls for it. I have always a piece of cold beef and a mince-
pie upon the table, and am wonderfully pleased to see my tenants pass away
a whole evening in playing their innocent tricks, and smutting one another.
Our friend Will Wimble is as merry as any of them, and shows a thousand
roguish tricks upon these occasions."
Puppet-shows and other scenic exhibitions with moving figures were
among the Christmas amusements in the reign of Queen Anne. Strutt quotes
a description of such an exhibition "by the manager of a show exhibited at
the great house in the Strand, over against the Globe Tavern, near
Hungerford Market; the best places at one shilling and the others at
sixpence each: 'To be seen, the greatest Piece of Curiosity that ever arrived
in England, being made by a famous engineer from the camp before Lisle,
who, with great labour and industry, has collected into a moving picture the
following figures: first, it doth represent the confederate camp, and the
Bring in the mistletoe, that lover's vows
Be sweetly sealed the while it hangs o'erhead.
Pile on the logs, fresh gathered from the wood,
And let the firelight dance upon the walls,
The while we tell the stories of the good,
The brave, the noble, that the past recalls."[77]
Many interesting tales respecting the manners and customs of the
eighteenth century are given by Steele and Addison in their well-known
series of papers entitled the Spectator. Charity and hospitality are
conspicuous traits of the typical country gentleman of the period, Sir Roger
de Coverley. "Sir Roger," says the Spectator, "after the laudable custom of
his ancestors, always keeps open house at Christmas. I learned from him,
that he had killed eight fat hogs for this season; that he had dealt about his
chines very liberally amongst his neighbours; and that in particular he had
sent a string of hog's puddings with a pack of cards to every poor family in
the parish. 'I have often thought,' says Sir Roger, 'it happens well that
Christmas should fall out in the middle of winter. It is the most dead
uncomfortable time of the year, when the poor people would suffer very
much from their poverty and cold, if they had not good cheer, warm fires,
and Christmas gambols to support them. I love to rejoice their poor hearts at
this season, and to see the whole village merry in my great hall. I allow a
double quantity of malt to my small beer, and set it running for twelve days
to every one that calls for it. I have always a piece of cold beef and a mince-
pie upon the table, and am wonderfully pleased to see my tenants pass away
a whole evening in playing their innocent tricks, and smutting one another.
Our friend Will Wimble is as merry as any of them, and shows a thousand
roguish tricks upon these occasions."
Puppet-shows and other scenic exhibitions with moving figures were
among the Christmas amusements in the reign of Queen Anne. Strutt quotes
a description of such an exhibition "by the manager of a show exhibited at
the great house in the Strand, over against the Globe Tavern, near
Hungerford Market; the best places at one shilling and the others at
sixpence each: 'To be seen, the greatest Piece of Curiosity that ever arrived
in England, being made by a famous engineer from the camp before Lisle,
who, with great labour and industry, has collected into a moving picture the
following figures: first, it doth represent the confederate camp, and the
Page 292
army lying intrenched before the town; secondly, the convoys and the mules
with Prince Eugene's baggage; thirdly, the English forces commanded by
the Duke of Marlborough; likewise, several vessels laden with provisions
for the army, which are so artificially done as to seem to drive the water
before them. The city and the citadel are very fine, with all its outworks,
ravelins, horn-works, counter-scarps, half-moons, and palisades; the French
horse marching out at one gate, and the confederate army marching in at the
other; the prince's travelling coach with two generals in it, one saluting the
company as it passes by; then a trumpeter sounds a call as he rides, at the
noise whereof a sleeping sentinel starts, and lifts up his head, but, not being
espied, lies down to sleep again; beside abundance more admirable
curiosities too tedious to be inserted here.' He then modestly adds, 'In short,
the whole piece is so contrived by art that it seems to be life and nature.'"
a druid priestess bearing mistletoe.
with Prince Eugene's baggage; thirdly, the English forces commanded by
the Duke of Marlborough; likewise, several vessels laden with provisions
for the army, which are so artificially done as to seem to drive the water
before them. The city and the citadel are very fine, with all its outworks,
ravelins, horn-works, counter-scarps, half-moons, and palisades; the French
horse marching out at one gate, and the confederate army marching in at the
other; the prince's travelling coach with two generals in it, one saluting the
company as it passes by; then a trumpeter sounds a call as he rides, at the
noise whereof a sleeping sentinel starts, and lifts up his head, but, not being
espied, lies down to sleep again; beside abundance more admirable
curiosities too tedious to be inserted here.' He then modestly adds, 'In short,
the whole piece is so contrived by art that it seems to be life and nature.'"
a druid priestess bearing mistletoe.
Page 293
Tumbling and feats of agility were also fashionable during the Christmas
festival at this period, for in one of the Tatlers (No. 115, dated January 3,
1709) the following passage occurs: "I went on Friday last to the Opera, and
was surprised to find a thin house at so noble an entertainment, 'till I heard
that the tumbler was not to make his appearance that night." The sword-
dance—dancing "among the points of swords and spears with most
wonderful agility, and even with the most elegant and graceful motions"—
rope-dancing, feats of balancing, leaping and vaulting, tricks by horses and
other animals, and bull-baiting and bear-baiting were also among the public
amusements. And Hot Cockles was one of the favourite indoor amusements
of Christmastide. Strutt, in his "Sports and Pastimes," says, Hot Cockles is
from the French hautes-coquilles, "a play in which one kneels, and covering
his eyes, lays his head in another's lap and guesses who struck him." John
Gay, a poet of the time, thus pleasantly writes of the game:—
"As at Hot Cockles once I laid me down,
And felt the weighty hand of many a clown,
Buxoma gave a gentle tap, and I
Quick rose, and read soft mischief in her eye."
On the death of Queen Anne (August 11, 1714) Prince
George Louis of Hanover was proclaimed King of
England as
George the First.
There was little change in the Christmas festivities in
this reign, for, as Mr. Thackeray says in his lively
sketch of George I.: "He was a moderate ruler of
England. His aim was to leave it to itself as much as
possible, and to live out of it as much as he could. His
heart was in Hanover." The most important addition to
the plays of the period was
The Christmas Pantomime.
In his "English Plays," Professor Henry Morley thus
records the introduction of the modern English
festival at this period, for in one of the Tatlers (No. 115, dated January 3,
1709) the following passage occurs: "I went on Friday last to the Opera, and
was surprised to find a thin house at so noble an entertainment, 'till I heard
that the tumbler was not to make his appearance that night." The sword-
dance—dancing "among the points of swords and spears with most
wonderful agility, and even with the most elegant and graceful motions"—
rope-dancing, feats of balancing, leaping and vaulting, tricks by horses and
other animals, and bull-baiting and bear-baiting were also among the public
amusements. And Hot Cockles was one of the favourite indoor amusements
of Christmastide. Strutt, in his "Sports and Pastimes," says, Hot Cockles is
from the French hautes-coquilles, "a play in which one kneels, and covering
his eyes, lays his head in another's lap and guesses who struck him." John
Gay, a poet of the time, thus pleasantly writes of the game:—
"As at Hot Cockles once I laid me down,
And felt the weighty hand of many a clown,
Buxoma gave a gentle tap, and I
Quick rose, and read soft mischief in her eye."
On the death of Queen Anne (August 11, 1714) Prince
George Louis of Hanover was proclaimed King of
England as
George the First.
There was little change in the Christmas festivities in
this reign, for, as Mr. Thackeray says in his lively
sketch of George I.: "He was a moderate ruler of
England. His aim was to leave it to itself as much as
possible, and to live out of it as much as he could. His
heart was in Hanover." The most important addition to
the plays of the period was
The Christmas Pantomime.
In his "English Plays," Professor Henry Morley thus
records the introduction of the modern English
Page 294
pantomime, which has since been the great show of Christmastide:—
"The theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields, which
Christopher Rich had been restoring, his son,
John Rich, was allowed to open on the 18th of
December, 1714. John Rich was a clever mimic,
and after a year or two he found it to his
advantage to compete with the actors in a
fashion of his own. He was the inventor of the
modern English form of pantomime, with a
serious part that he took from Ovid's
Metamorphosis or any fabulous history, and a
comic addition of the courtship of harlequin and
columbine, with surprising tricks and
transformations. He introduced the old Italian
characters of pantomime under changed
conditions, and beginning with 'Harlequin
Sorcerer' in 1717, continued to produce these
entertainments until a year before his death in
1761. They have since been retained as
Christmas shows upon the English stage."
In a note to "The Dunciad," Pope complains of
"the extravagancies introduced on the stage, and
a nest of fools.
frequented by persons of the first quality in
England to the twentieth and thirtieth time," and
states that "all the extravagances" in the following lines of the poem
actually appeared on the stage:—
"See now, what Dulness and her sons admire!
See what the charms, that smite the simple heart
Not touch'd by nature, and not reach'd by art.
His never-blushing head he turn'd aside,
(Not half so pleased when Goodman prophesied)
And look'd, and saw a sable Sorcerer rise,
Swift to whose hand a winged volume flies:
All sudden, gorgons hiss, and dragons glare,
And ten-horn'd fiends and giants rush to war.
Hell rises, Heaven descends, and dance on earth:
Gods, imps, and monsters, music, rage, and mirth,
A fire, a jig, a battle, and a ball,
Till one wide conflagration swallows all.
"The theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields, which
Christopher Rich had been restoring, his son,
John Rich, was allowed to open on the 18th of
December, 1714. John Rich was a clever mimic,
and after a year or two he found it to his
advantage to compete with the actors in a
fashion of his own. He was the inventor of the
modern English form of pantomime, with a
serious part that he took from Ovid's
Metamorphosis or any fabulous history, and a
comic addition of the courtship of harlequin and
columbine, with surprising tricks and
transformations. He introduced the old Italian
characters of pantomime under changed
conditions, and beginning with 'Harlequin
Sorcerer' in 1717, continued to produce these
entertainments until a year before his death in
1761. They have since been retained as
Christmas shows upon the English stage."
In a note to "The Dunciad," Pope complains of
"the extravagancies introduced on the stage, and
a nest of fools.
frequented by persons of the first quality in
England to the twentieth and thirtieth time," and
states that "all the extravagances" in the following lines of the poem
actually appeared on the stage:—
"See now, what Dulness and her sons admire!
See what the charms, that smite the simple heart
Not touch'd by nature, and not reach'd by art.
His never-blushing head he turn'd aside,
(Not half so pleased when Goodman prophesied)
And look'd, and saw a sable Sorcerer rise,
Swift to whose hand a winged volume flies:
All sudden, gorgons hiss, and dragons glare,
And ten-horn'd fiends and giants rush to war.
Hell rises, Heaven descends, and dance on earth:
Gods, imps, and monsters, music, rage, and mirth,
A fire, a jig, a battle, and a ball,
Till one wide conflagration swallows all.
Page 295
Thence a new world, to nature's laws unknown,
Breaks out refulgent, with a heaven its own:
Another Cynthia her new journey runs,
And other planets circle other suns.
The forests dance, the rivers upward rise,
Whales sport in woods, and dolphins in the skies;
And last, to give the whole creation grace,
Lo! one vast egg produces human race."
David Garrick, the eminent actor, wrote in a similar strain, finding it hard to
hold his own against the patrons of the pantomime:—
"They in the drama find no joys,
But doat on mimicry and toys.
Thus, when a dance is in my bill,
Nobility my boxes fill;
Or send three days before the time,
To crowd a new-made pantomime."
"Old Merry Plentiful Christmas,"
at this period, is sketched by a writer in Poor Robin's Almanack, for 1723,
thus:—"Now comes on old merry plentiful Christmas. The Husbandman
lays his great Log behind the fire, and with a few of his neighbours, over a
good fire, taps his Christmas beer, cuts his Christmas cheese, and sets
forward for a merry Christmas. The Landlord (for we hope there are yet
some generous ones left) invites his Tenants and Labourers, and with a
good Sirloin of Roast Beef, and a few pitchers of nappy ale or beer, he
wisheth them all a merry Christmas. The beggar begs his bread, sells some
of it for money to buy drink, and without fear of being arrested, or call'd
upon for parish duties, has as merry a Christmas as any of them all."
Breaks out refulgent, with a heaven its own:
Another Cynthia her new journey runs,
And other planets circle other suns.
The forests dance, the rivers upward rise,
Whales sport in woods, and dolphins in the skies;
And last, to give the whole creation grace,
Lo! one vast egg produces human race."
David Garrick, the eminent actor, wrote in a similar strain, finding it hard to
hold his own against the patrons of the pantomime:—
"They in the drama find no joys,
But doat on mimicry and toys.
Thus, when a dance is in my bill,
Nobility my boxes fill;
Or send three days before the time,
To crowd a new-made pantomime."
"Old Merry Plentiful Christmas,"
at this period, is sketched by a writer in Poor Robin's Almanack, for 1723,
thus:—"Now comes on old merry plentiful Christmas. The Husbandman
lays his great Log behind the fire, and with a few of his neighbours, over a
good fire, taps his Christmas beer, cuts his Christmas cheese, and sets
forward for a merry Christmas. The Landlord (for we hope there are yet
some generous ones left) invites his Tenants and Labourers, and with a
good Sirloin of Roast Beef, and a few pitchers of nappy ale or beer, he
wisheth them all a merry Christmas. The beggar begs his bread, sells some
of it for money to buy drink, and without fear of being arrested, or call'd
upon for parish duties, has as merry a Christmas as any of them all."
Page 296
the mask dance.
So the people made merry at Christmas throughout the reign of George I.,
who died on June 10, 1727, and was succeeded by his son,
George the Second.
In this reign the customs of Christmas were kept up with unabated
heartiness, and liberality to the poor was not forgotten. The customary
distributions of creature comforts on Christmas Eve were continued, and, in
some instances, provision for the maintenance of them was made in the
So the people made merry at Christmas throughout the reign of George I.,
who died on June 10, 1727, and was succeeded by his son,
George the Second.
In this reign the customs of Christmas were kept up with unabated
heartiness, and liberality to the poor was not forgotten. The customary
distributions of creature comforts on Christmas Eve were continued, and, in
some instances, provision for the maintenance of them was made in the
Page 297
wills of worthy parishioners. An instance of this kind is recorded in
Devonshire. "It appears, from a statement of charities in an old book, that
John Martyn, by will, 28th of November, 1729, gave to the churchwardens
and overseers of the poor of the parish of St. Mary Major, Exeter, twenty
pounds, to be put out at interest, and the profits thereof to be laid out every
Christmas Eve in twenty pieces of beef, to be distributed to twenty poor
people of the parish, such as had no relief on that day, for ever."[78]
That
Christmas Housekeeping in London,
at this period, was excellent, both as to quantity and quality, is evident, from
a contribution made to Read's Weekly Journal, of Saturday, January 9, 1731,
by Mr. Thomas North, who thus describes the Christmas entertainment and
good cheer he met with in London at the house of a friend: "It was the
house of an eminent and worthy merchant, and tho', sir, I have been
accustomed in my own country to what may very well be called good
housekeeping, yet I assure you I should have taken this dinner to have been
provided for a whole parish, rather than for about a dozen gentlemen: 'Tis
impossible for me to give you half our bill of fare, so you must be content
to know that we had turkies, geese, capons, puddings of a dozen sorts more
than I had ever seen in my life, besides brawn, roast beef, and many things
of which I know not the names, minc'd pyes in abundance, and a thing they
call plumb pottage, which may be good for ought I know, though it seems
to me to have 50 different tastes. Our wines were of the best, as were all the
rest of our liquors; in short, the God of plenty seemed to reign here, and to
make everything perfect, our company was polite and every way agreeable;
nothing but mirth and loyal healths went round. If a stranger were to have
made an estimate of London from this place, he would imagine it not only
the most rich but the most happy city in the world."
Another interesting item of this period is the following—
Curious Christmas Advertisement,
which has been cut from some publication and (by the late Mr. Joseph
Haslewood) inserted between pages 358 and 359 of the British Museum
Devonshire. "It appears, from a statement of charities in an old book, that
John Martyn, by will, 28th of November, 1729, gave to the churchwardens
and overseers of the poor of the parish of St. Mary Major, Exeter, twenty
pounds, to be put out at interest, and the profits thereof to be laid out every
Christmas Eve in twenty pieces of beef, to be distributed to twenty poor
people of the parish, such as had no relief on that day, for ever."[78]
That
Christmas Housekeeping in London,
at this period, was excellent, both as to quantity and quality, is evident, from
a contribution made to Read's Weekly Journal, of Saturday, January 9, 1731,
by Mr. Thomas North, who thus describes the Christmas entertainment and
good cheer he met with in London at the house of a friend: "It was the
house of an eminent and worthy merchant, and tho', sir, I have been
accustomed in my own country to what may very well be called good
housekeeping, yet I assure you I should have taken this dinner to have been
provided for a whole parish, rather than for about a dozen gentlemen: 'Tis
impossible for me to give you half our bill of fare, so you must be content
to know that we had turkies, geese, capons, puddings of a dozen sorts more
than I had ever seen in my life, besides brawn, roast beef, and many things
of which I know not the names, minc'd pyes in abundance, and a thing they
call plumb pottage, which may be good for ought I know, though it seems
to me to have 50 different tastes. Our wines were of the best, as were all the
rest of our liquors; in short, the God of plenty seemed to reign here, and to
make everything perfect, our company was polite and every way agreeable;
nothing but mirth and loyal healths went round. If a stranger were to have
made an estimate of London from this place, he would imagine it not only
the most rich but the most happy city in the world."
Another interesting item of this period is the following—
Curious Christmas Advertisement,
which has been cut from some publication and (by the late Mr. Joseph
Haslewood) inserted between pages 358 and 359 of the British Museum
Page 298
large paper copy of Brand's "Antiquities," and dated December, 1739:—
"This day is published, Price 6d.
"THE TRIAL OF OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS for encouraging his
Majesty's subjects in Idleness, Drunkenness, Gaming, Rioting, and all
manner of Extravagance and Debauchery, at the Assizes held in the city of
Profusion before the Lord Chief Justice Churchman, Mr. Justice Feast, Mr.
Justice Gambol, and several other his Majesty's Justices of Oyer and
Terminer, and Gaol-Delivery.
"To which is added a Diary found in the Pocket of Old Father Christmas,
with Directions to all Lovers of him how to welcome their neighbours;
likewise the Judge's sentence and Opinion how Christmas ought to be kept;
and further Witty Tales and Merry Stories designed for Christmas Evenings
Diversion, when round about our Coal Fire.
By Josiah King,
Printer for T. Cooper, at the Globe in Pater-noster Row; and sold by the
Pamphlet-shops of London and Westminster."
Now we come to a quaintly interesting account of
Christmas Entertainment in the Olden Time.
The manner of observing the Christmas festival in the time of George the
Second is described in an amusing little book entitled "Round about our
Coal Fire, or Christmas Entertainments," published in 1740, and "illustrated
with many diverting cuts." We quote the following extracts:—
PROLOGUE
I.
"O you merry, merry souls,
Christmas is a coming,
We shall have flowing Bowls,
Dancing, piping, drumming.
II.
"Delicate minced Pies,
To feast every Virgin,
"This day is published, Price 6d.
"THE TRIAL OF OLD FATHER CHRISTMAS for encouraging his
Majesty's subjects in Idleness, Drunkenness, Gaming, Rioting, and all
manner of Extravagance and Debauchery, at the Assizes held in the city of
Profusion before the Lord Chief Justice Churchman, Mr. Justice Feast, Mr.
Justice Gambol, and several other his Majesty's Justices of Oyer and
Terminer, and Gaol-Delivery.
"To which is added a Diary found in the Pocket of Old Father Christmas,
with Directions to all Lovers of him how to welcome their neighbours;
likewise the Judge's sentence and Opinion how Christmas ought to be kept;
and further Witty Tales and Merry Stories designed for Christmas Evenings
Diversion, when round about our Coal Fire.
By Josiah King,
Printer for T. Cooper, at the Globe in Pater-noster Row; and sold by the
Pamphlet-shops of London and Westminster."
Now we come to a quaintly interesting account of
Christmas Entertainment in the Olden Time.
The manner of observing the Christmas festival in the time of George the
Second is described in an amusing little book entitled "Round about our
Coal Fire, or Christmas Entertainments," published in 1740, and "illustrated
with many diverting cuts." We quote the following extracts:—
PROLOGUE
I.
"O you merry, merry souls,
Christmas is a coming,
We shall have flowing Bowls,
Dancing, piping, drumming.
II.
"Delicate minced Pies,
To feast every Virgin,
Page 299
Capon and Goose likewise,
Brawn and a dish of Sturgeon.
III.
"Then for your Christmas Box,
Sweet Plumb-cakes and money,
Delicate Holland Smocks,
Kisses sweet as Honey.
IV.
"Hey for the Christmas Ball,
Where we shall be jolly,
Jigging short and tall,
Kate, Dick, Ralph, and Molly.
V.
"Then to the Hop we'll go,
Where we'll jig and caper,
Maidens all-a-row,
Will shall pay the Scraper.
VI.
"Hodge shall dance with Prue,
Keeping Time with Kisses
We'll have a jovial Crew,
Of sweet smirking Misses.
Brawn and a dish of Sturgeon.
III.
"Then for your Christmas Box,
Sweet Plumb-cakes and money,
Delicate Holland Smocks,
Kisses sweet as Honey.
IV.
"Hey for the Christmas Ball,
Where we shall be jolly,
Jigging short and tall,
Kate, Dick, Ralph, and Molly.
V.
"Then to the Hop we'll go,
Where we'll jig and caper,
Maidens all-a-row,
Will shall pay the Scraper.
VI.
"Hodge shall dance with Prue,
Keeping Time with Kisses
We'll have a jovial Crew,
Of sweet smirking Misses.
Page 300
Page 301
the christmas mummers.
"First acknowledging the sacredness of the Holy Time of Christmas, I
proceed to set forth the Rejoicings which are generally made at that great
Festival.
"You must understand, good People, that the manner of celebrating this
great Course of Holydays is vastly different now to what it was in former
days: There was once upon a time Hospitality in the land; an English
gentleman at the opening of the great Day, had all his Tenants and
Neighbours enter'd his Hall by Day-break, the strong Beer was broach'd,
and the Black Jacks went plentifully about with Toast, Sugar, Nutmeg, and
good Cheshire Cheese; the Rooms were embower'd with Holly, Ivy,
Cypress, Bays, Laurel, and Missleto, and a bouncing Christmas Log in the
Chimney glowing like the cheeks of a country Milk-maid; then was the
pewter as bright as Clarinda, and every bit of Brass as polished as the most
refined Gentleman; the Servants were then running here and there, with
merry Hearts and jolly Countenances; every one was busy welcoming of
Guests, and look'd as smug as new-lick'd Puppies; the Lasses as blithe and
buxom as the maids in good Queen Bess's Days, when they eat Sir-Loins of
Roast Beef for Breakfast; Peg would scuttle about to make a Toast for John,
while Tom run harum scarum to draw a Jug of Ale for Margery: Gaffer
Spriggins was bid thrice welcome by the 'Squire, and Gooddy Goose did
not fail of a smacking Buss from his Worship while his Son and Heir did
the Honours of the House: in a word, the Spirit of Generosity ran thro' the
whole House.
"In these Times all the Spits were sparkling, the Hackin must be boiled by
Day-break, or else two young Men took the Maiden by the Arms, and run
her round the Market-place, till she was ashamed of her Laziness. And what
was worse than this, she must not play with the Young Fellows that Day, but
stand Neuter, like a Girl doing penance in a Winding-sheet at a Church-
door.
"But now let us enquire a little farther, to arrive at the Sense of the Thing;
this great Festival was in former Times kept with so much Freedom and
Openness of Heart, that every one in the Country where a Gentleman
resided, possessed at least a Day of Pleasure in the Christmas Holydays; the
Tables were all spread from the first to the last, the Sir-Loyns of Beef, the
"First acknowledging the sacredness of the Holy Time of Christmas, I
proceed to set forth the Rejoicings which are generally made at that great
Festival.
"You must understand, good People, that the manner of celebrating this
great Course of Holydays is vastly different now to what it was in former
days: There was once upon a time Hospitality in the land; an English
gentleman at the opening of the great Day, had all his Tenants and
Neighbours enter'd his Hall by Day-break, the strong Beer was broach'd,
and the Black Jacks went plentifully about with Toast, Sugar, Nutmeg, and
good Cheshire Cheese; the Rooms were embower'd with Holly, Ivy,
Cypress, Bays, Laurel, and Missleto, and a bouncing Christmas Log in the
Chimney glowing like the cheeks of a country Milk-maid; then was the
pewter as bright as Clarinda, and every bit of Brass as polished as the most
refined Gentleman; the Servants were then running here and there, with
merry Hearts and jolly Countenances; every one was busy welcoming of
Guests, and look'd as smug as new-lick'd Puppies; the Lasses as blithe and
buxom as the maids in good Queen Bess's Days, when they eat Sir-Loins of
Roast Beef for Breakfast; Peg would scuttle about to make a Toast for John,
while Tom run harum scarum to draw a Jug of Ale for Margery: Gaffer
Spriggins was bid thrice welcome by the 'Squire, and Gooddy Goose did
not fail of a smacking Buss from his Worship while his Son and Heir did
the Honours of the House: in a word, the Spirit of Generosity ran thro' the
whole House.
"In these Times all the Spits were sparkling, the Hackin must be boiled by
Day-break, or else two young Men took the Maiden by the Arms, and run
her round the Market-place, till she was ashamed of her Laziness. And what
was worse than this, she must not play with the Young Fellows that Day, but
stand Neuter, like a Girl doing penance in a Winding-sheet at a Church-
door.
"But now let us enquire a little farther, to arrive at the Sense of the Thing;
this great Festival was in former Times kept with so much Freedom and
Openness of Heart, that every one in the Country where a Gentleman
resided, possessed at least a Day of Pleasure in the Christmas Holydays; the
Tables were all spread from the first to the last, the Sir-Loyns of Beef, the
Page 302
Minc'd-Pies, the Plumb-Porridge, the Capons, Turkeys, Geese, and Plumb-
Puddings, were all brought upon the board; and all those who had sharp
stomachs and sharp Knives eat heartily and were welcome, which gave rise
to the Proverb—
Merry in the Hall, when Beards wag all".
"There were then Turnspits employed, who by the time Dinner was over,
would look as black and as greasy as a Welch Porridge-pot, but the Jacks
have since turned them all out of Doors. The Geese which used to be fatted
for the honest Neighbours, have been of late sent to London, and the Quills
made into Pens to convey away the Landlord's Estate; the Sheep are drove
away to raise Money to answer the Loss of a Game at Dice or Cards, and
their Skins made into Parchment for Deeds and Indentures; nay even the
poor innocent Bee, who used to pay its Tribute to the Lord once a Year at
least in good Metheglin, for the Entertainment of the Guests, and its Wax
converted into beneficial Plaisters for sick Neighbours, is now used for the
sealing of Deeds to his Disadvantage.
"But give me the Man who has a good Heart, and has Spirit enough to keep
up the Old way of Hospitality, feeds his People till they are as plump as
Partridges, and as fat as Porpoises that every Servant may appear as jolly as
the late Bishop of Winchester's Porter at Chelsea.
"The News-Papers however inform us, that the Spirit of Hospitality has not
quite forsaken us; for three or four of them tell us, that several of the Gentry
are gone down to their respective Seats in the Country, in order to keep their
Christmas in the Old Way, and entertain their Tenants and Trades-folks as
their Ancestors used to do and I wish them a merry Christmas accordingly. I
must also take notice to the stingy Tribe, that if they don't at least make
their Tenants or Tradesmen drink when they come to see them in the
Christmas Holydays, they have Liberty of retaliating which is a Law of very
ancient Date.
"A merry Gentleman of my Acquaintance desires I will insert, that the old
Folks in Days of yore kept open House at Christmas out of Interest; for
then, says he, they receive the greatest Part of their Rent in Kind; such as
Wheat, Barley or Malt, Oxen, Calves, Sheep, Swine, Turkeys, Capon,
Geese, and such like; and they not having Room enough to preserve their
Puddings, were all brought upon the board; and all those who had sharp
stomachs and sharp Knives eat heartily and were welcome, which gave rise
to the Proverb—
Merry in the Hall, when Beards wag all".
"There were then Turnspits employed, who by the time Dinner was over,
would look as black and as greasy as a Welch Porridge-pot, but the Jacks
have since turned them all out of Doors. The Geese which used to be fatted
for the honest Neighbours, have been of late sent to London, and the Quills
made into Pens to convey away the Landlord's Estate; the Sheep are drove
away to raise Money to answer the Loss of a Game at Dice or Cards, and
their Skins made into Parchment for Deeds and Indentures; nay even the
poor innocent Bee, who used to pay its Tribute to the Lord once a Year at
least in good Metheglin, for the Entertainment of the Guests, and its Wax
converted into beneficial Plaisters for sick Neighbours, is now used for the
sealing of Deeds to his Disadvantage.
"But give me the Man who has a good Heart, and has Spirit enough to keep
up the Old way of Hospitality, feeds his People till they are as plump as
Partridges, and as fat as Porpoises that every Servant may appear as jolly as
the late Bishop of Winchester's Porter at Chelsea.
"The News-Papers however inform us, that the Spirit of Hospitality has not
quite forsaken us; for three or four of them tell us, that several of the Gentry
are gone down to their respective Seats in the Country, in order to keep their
Christmas in the Old Way, and entertain their Tenants and Trades-folks as
their Ancestors used to do and I wish them a merry Christmas accordingly. I
must also take notice to the stingy Tribe, that if they don't at least make
their Tenants or Tradesmen drink when they come to see them in the
Christmas Holydays, they have Liberty of retaliating which is a Law of very
ancient Date.
"A merry Gentleman of my Acquaintance desires I will insert, that the old
Folks in Days of yore kept open House at Christmas out of Interest; for
then, says he, they receive the greatest Part of their Rent in Kind; such as
Wheat, Barley or Malt, Oxen, Calves, Sheep, Swine, Turkeys, Capon,
Geese, and such like; and they not having Room enough to preserve their
Page 303
Grain, or Fodder enough to preserve their Cattle or Poultry, nor Markets to
sell off the Overplus, they were obliged to use them in their own Houses;
and by treating the People of the Country, gained Credit amongst them, and
riveted the Minds and Goodwill of their Neighbours so firmly in them, that
no one durst venture to oppose them. The 'Squire's Will was done whatever
came on it; for if he happened to ask a Neighbour what it was a Clock, they
returned with a low Scrape, it is what your Worship pleases.
"The Dancing and Singing of the Benchers in the great Inns of Court in
Christmas, is in some sort founded upon Interest; for they hold, as I am
informed, some Priviledge by Dancing about the Fire in the middle of their
Hall, and singing the Song of Round about our Coal Fire, &c.
"This time of year being cold and frosty generally speaking, or when Jack-
Frost commonly takes us by the Nose, the Diversions are within Doors,
either in Exercise or by the Fire-side.
"Country-Dancing is one of the chief Exercises....
"Then comes Mumming or Masquerading, when the 'Squire's Wardrobe is
ransacked for Dresses of all Kinds, and the coal-hole searched around, or
corks burnt to black the Faces of the Fair, or make Deputy-Mustaches, and
every one in the Family except the 'Squire himself must be transformed
from what they were....
"Or else there is a Match at Blind-Man's-Buff, and then it is lawful to set
anything in the way for Folks to tumble over....
"As for Puss in the Corner, that is a very harmless Sport, and one may
romp at it as much as one will....
"The next game to this is Questions and Commands, when the Commander
may oblige his Subject to answer any lawful Question, and make the same
obey him instantly, under the penalty of being smutted, or paying such
Forfeit as may be laid on the Aggressor; but the Forfeits being generally
fixed at some certain Price, as a Shilling, Half a Crown, &c., so every one
knowing what to do if they should be too stubborn to submit, make
themselves easy at discretion.
sell off the Overplus, they were obliged to use them in their own Houses;
and by treating the People of the Country, gained Credit amongst them, and
riveted the Minds and Goodwill of their Neighbours so firmly in them, that
no one durst venture to oppose them. The 'Squire's Will was done whatever
came on it; for if he happened to ask a Neighbour what it was a Clock, they
returned with a low Scrape, it is what your Worship pleases.
"The Dancing and Singing of the Benchers in the great Inns of Court in
Christmas, is in some sort founded upon Interest; for they hold, as I am
informed, some Priviledge by Dancing about the Fire in the middle of their
Hall, and singing the Song of Round about our Coal Fire, &c.
"This time of year being cold and frosty generally speaking, or when Jack-
Frost commonly takes us by the Nose, the Diversions are within Doors,
either in Exercise or by the Fire-side.
"Country-Dancing is one of the chief Exercises....
"Then comes Mumming or Masquerading, when the 'Squire's Wardrobe is
ransacked for Dresses of all Kinds, and the coal-hole searched around, or
corks burnt to black the Faces of the Fair, or make Deputy-Mustaches, and
every one in the Family except the 'Squire himself must be transformed
from what they were....
"Or else there is a Match at Blind-Man's-Buff, and then it is lawful to set
anything in the way for Folks to tumble over....
"As for Puss in the Corner, that is a very harmless Sport, and one may
romp at it as much as one will....
"The next game to this is Questions and Commands, when the Commander
may oblige his Subject to answer any lawful Question, and make the same
obey him instantly, under the penalty of being smutted, or paying such
Forfeit as may be laid on the Aggressor; but the Forfeits being generally
fixed at some certain Price, as a Shilling, Half a Crown, &c., so every one
knowing what to do if they should be too stubborn to submit, make
themselves easy at discretion.
Page 304
"As for the Game of Hoop and Hide, the Parties have the Liberty of hiding
where they will, in any part of the House; and if they happen to be caught,
the Dispute ends in Kissing, &c.
"Most of the other Diversions are Cards and Dice, but they are seldom set
on foot, unless a Lawyer is at hand, to breed some dispute for him to
decide, or at least have some Party in.
"And now I come to another Entertainment frequently used, which is of the
Story-telling Order, viz. of Hobgoblins, Witches, Conjurers, Ghosts, Fairies,
and such like common Disturbers."
At this period
David Garrick's Christmas Acting
won him great applause. At Christmas, 1741, he brought out at Goodman's
Fields a Christmas Farce, written by himself, entitled "The Lying Valet,"
wherein the great actor took the part of "Sharp." It was thought the most
diverting farce ever performed. "There was a general roar from beginning to
end. So great was his versatility that people were not able to determine
whether he was best in tragedy or comedy." On his benefit, when his real
name was placed on the bills for the first time, there was an immense
gathering, and the applause was quite extraordinary.
The Christmas festivities of 1745 were marred by the
Disturbances of the Jacobites,
under the romantic "Prince Charlie," whose attempted invasion of England
speedily collapsed.
Pointer, in his Oxoniensis Academia (1749) refers to
An Old Christmas Custom
of this period. He states that at Merton College, Oxford, the Fellows meet
together in the Hall, on Christmas Eve, to sing a Psalm and drink a grace-
where they will, in any part of the House; and if they happen to be caught,
the Dispute ends in Kissing, &c.
"Most of the other Diversions are Cards and Dice, but they are seldom set
on foot, unless a Lawyer is at hand, to breed some dispute for him to
decide, or at least have some Party in.
"And now I come to another Entertainment frequently used, which is of the
Story-telling Order, viz. of Hobgoblins, Witches, Conjurers, Ghosts, Fairies,
and such like common Disturbers."
At this period
David Garrick's Christmas Acting
won him great applause. At Christmas, 1741, he brought out at Goodman's
Fields a Christmas Farce, written by himself, entitled "The Lying Valet,"
wherein the great actor took the part of "Sharp." It was thought the most
diverting farce ever performed. "There was a general roar from beginning to
end. So great was his versatility that people were not able to determine
whether he was best in tragedy or comedy." On his benefit, when his real
name was placed on the bills for the first time, there was an immense
gathering, and the applause was quite extraordinary.
The Christmas festivities of 1745 were marred by the
Disturbances of the Jacobites,
under the romantic "Prince Charlie," whose attempted invasion of England
speedily collapsed.
Pointer, in his Oxoniensis Academia (1749) refers to
An Old Christmas Custom
of this period. He states that at Merton College, Oxford, the Fellows meet
together in the Hall, on Christmas Eve, to sing a Psalm and drink a grace-
Page 305
cup to one another (called Poculum Charitatis), wishing one another health
and happiness.
The Christmas of 1752 was
The First Christmas under the "New Style,"
and many refused to observe the festival eleven days earlier than usual, but
insisted on keeping "Old Christmas Day." Why should they be robbed of
eleven days by a new Act of Parliament? It was of no use to tell them that it
had been discovered that the fractional few minutes which are tailed on to
the days and hours which make up the year had, by neglect through many
centuries, brought us into a wrong condition, and that to set us right it
would be necessary to give credit for eleven days which nobody was
conscious of having enjoyed. The law, however, had said that it should be
so. Accordingly, the day after the 2nd of September, 1752, was called the
14th, to the great indignation of thousands, who reckoned that they had thus
been cut off from nearly a fortnight of life which honestly belonged to
them. These persons sturdily refused to acknowledge the Christmas Eve and
Day of the new calendar. They averred that the true festival was that which
now began on the 5th of January next year. They would go to church, they
said, on no other day; nor eat mince-pies nor drink punch but in reference to
this one day. The clergy had a hard time of it with these recusants. It will be
well, therefore, to quote one singular example to show how this recusancy
was encountered. It is from a collection of pamphlet-sermons preserved by
George III., none of which, however, have anything curious or particularly
meritorious about them save this one, which was preached on Friday,
January 5, 1753, "Old Christmas Day." Mr. Francis Blackburne, "one of the
candid disquisitors," opened his church on that day, which was crowded by
a congregation anxious to see the day celebrated as that of the anniversary
of the Nativity. The service for Christmas Day, however, was not used. "I
will answer your expectations so far," said the preacher in his sermon, "as to
give you a sermon on the day; and the rather because I perceive you are
disappointed of something else that you expected." The purport of the
discourse is to show that the change of style was desirable, and that it
having been effected by Act of Parliament, with the sanction of the King,
there was nothing for it but acquiescence. "For," says the preacher, "had I,
and happiness.
The Christmas of 1752 was
The First Christmas under the "New Style,"
and many refused to observe the festival eleven days earlier than usual, but
insisted on keeping "Old Christmas Day." Why should they be robbed of
eleven days by a new Act of Parliament? It was of no use to tell them that it
had been discovered that the fractional few minutes which are tailed on to
the days and hours which make up the year had, by neglect through many
centuries, brought us into a wrong condition, and that to set us right it
would be necessary to give credit for eleven days which nobody was
conscious of having enjoyed. The law, however, had said that it should be
so. Accordingly, the day after the 2nd of September, 1752, was called the
14th, to the great indignation of thousands, who reckoned that they had thus
been cut off from nearly a fortnight of life which honestly belonged to
them. These persons sturdily refused to acknowledge the Christmas Eve and
Day of the new calendar. They averred that the true festival was that which
now began on the 5th of January next year. They would go to church, they
said, on no other day; nor eat mince-pies nor drink punch but in reference to
this one day. The clergy had a hard time of it with these recusants. It will be
well, therefore, to quote one singular example to show how this recusancy
was encountered. It is from a collection of pamphlet-sermons preserved by
George III., none of which, however, have anything curious or particularly
meritorious about them save this one, which was preached on Friday,
January 5, 1753, "Old Christmas Day." Mr. Francis Blackburne, "one of the
candid disquisitors," opened his church on that day, which was crowded by
a congregation anxious to see the day celebrated as that of the anniversary
of the Nativity. The service for Christmas Day, however, was not used. "I
will answer your expectations so far," said the preacher in his sermon, "as to
give you a sermon on the day; and the rather because I perceive you are
disappointed of something else that you expected." The purport of the
discourse is to show that the change of style was desirable, and that it
having been effected by Act of Parliament, with the sanction of the King,
there was nothing for it but acquiescence. "For," says the preacher, "had I,
Page 306
to oblige you, disobeyed this Act of Parliament, it is very probable I might
have lost my benefice, which, you know, is all the subsistence I have in the
world; and I should have been rightly served; for who am I that I should fly
in the face of his Majesty and the Parliament? These things are left to be
ordered by the higher powers; and in any such case as that, I hope not to
think myself wiser than the King, the whole nobility, and principal gentry of
Great Britain"!!
The peasants of Buckinghamshire, however, pitched upon a very pretty
method to settle the question of Christmas, left so meekly by Mr.
Blackburne to the King, nobility, and most of the gentry. They bethought
themselves of a blackthorn near one of their villages; and this thorn was for
the nonce declared to be the growth of a slip from the Christmas-flowering
thorn at Glastonbury. If the Buckinghamshire thorn, so argued the peasants,
will only blossom in the night of the 24th of December, we will go to
church next day, and allow that the Christmas by Act of Parliament is the
true Christmas; but no blossom no feast, and there shall be no revel till the
eve of old Christmas Day. They watched the thorn and drank to its budding;
but as it produced no promise of a flower by the morning, they turned to go
homewards as best they might, perfectly satisfied with the success of the
experiment. Some were interrupted in their way by their respective "vicars,"
who took them by the arm and would fain have persuaded them to go to
church. They argued the question by field, stile, and church-gate; but not a
Bucks peasant would consent to enter a pew till the parson had promised to
preach a sermon to, and smoke a pipe with, them on the only Christmas
Day they chose to acknowledge.
Now, however, this old prejudice has been conquered, and the "new style"
has maintained its ground. It has even done more, for its authors have so
arranged the years and leap years that a confusion in the time of Christmas
or any other festival is not likely to occur again.
have lost my benefice, which, you know, is all the subsistence I have in the
world; and I should have been rightly served; for who am I that I should fly
in the face of his Majesty and the Parliament? These things are left to be
ordered by the higher powers; and in any such case as that, I hope not to
think myself wiser than the King, the whole nobility, and principal gentry of
Great Britain"!!
The peasants of Buckinghamshire, however, pitched upon a very pretty
method to settle the question of Christmas, left so meekly by Mr.
Blackburne to the King, nobility, and most of the gentry. They bethought
themselves of a blackthorn near one of their villages; and this thorn was for
the nonce declared to be the growth of a slip from the Christmas-flowering
thorn at Glastonbury. If the Buckinghamshire thorn, so argued the peasants,
will only blossom in the night of the 24th of December, we will go to
church next day, and allow that the Christmas by Act of Parliament is the
true Christmas; but no blossom no feast, and there shall be no revel till the
eve of old Christmas Day. They watched the thorn and drank to its budding;
but as it produced no promise of a flower by the morning, they turned to go
homewards as best they might, perfectly satisfied with the success of the
experiment. Some were interrupted in their way by their respective "vicars,"
who took them by the arm and would fain have persuaded them to go to
church. They argued the question by field, stile, and church-gate; but not a
Bucks peasant would consent to enter a pew till the parson had promised to
preach a sermon to, and smoke a pipe with, them on the only Christmas
Day they chose to acknowledge.
Now, however, this old prejudice has been conquered, and the "new style"
has maintained its ground. It has even done more, for its authors have so
arranged the years and leap years that a confusion in the time of Christmas
or any other festival is not likely to occur again.
Page 307
[75] Cassell's "History of England."
[76] Grose.
[77] Herbert H. Adams.
[78] "Old English Customs and Charities," 1842.
CHAPTER XI.
MODERN CHRISTMASES AT HOME.
[76] Grose.
[77] Herbert H. Adams.
[78] "Old English Customs and Charities," 1842.
CHAPTER XI.
MODERN CHRISTMASES AT HOME.
Page 308
the waits.
King George the Third
came to the throne on the death of his grandfather, George II. (October 25,
1760), and the first Christmas of his reign "was a high festival at Court,
when his Majesty, preceded by heralds, pursuivants, &c., went with their
usual state to the Chapel Royal, and heard a sermon preached by his Grace
the Archbishop of York; and it being a collar day, the Knights of the Garter,
Thistle and Bath, appeared in the collars of their respective orders. After the
King George the Third
came to the throne on the death of his grandfather, George II. (October 25,
1760), and the first Christmas of his reign "was a high festival at Court,
when his Majesty, preceded by heralds, pursuivants, &c., went with their
usual state to the Chapel Royal, and heard a sermon preached by his Grace
the Archbishop of York; and it being a collar day, the Knights of the Garter,
Thistle and Bath, appeared in the collars of their respective orders. After the
Page 309
sermon was over, his Majesty, Prince Edward and Princess Augusta went
into the Chapel Royal, and received the sacrament from the hands of the
Bishop of Durham; and the King offered the byzant, or wedge of gold, in a
purse, for the benefit of the poor, and the royal family all made offerings.
His Majesty afterwards dined with his royal mother at Leicester House, and
in the evening returned to St. James's."[79]
At this period
The Favourite Christmas Diversion
was card-playing. The King himself spent a great deal of his time in playing
at cards with the ladies and gentlemen of his court. In doing so, however, he
was but following the example of George II., of whom the biographer
already quoted (Mr. Huish) says:—
"After the death of Queen Caroline, the King was very fond of a game at
cards with the Countess of Pembroke, Albemarle, and other distinguished
ladies. His attachment to cards was transferred to his attachment for the
ladies, and it was said that what he gained by the one he lost by the other."
Cards were very much resorted to at the family parties and other social
gatherings held during the twelve days of Christmas. Hone makes various
allusions to card-playing at Christmastide, and Washington Irving, in his
"Life of Oliver Goldsmith," pictures the poet "keeping the card-table in an
uproar." Mrs. Bunbury invited Goldsmith down to Barton to pass the
Christmas holidays. Irving regrets "that we have no record of this Christmas
visit to Barton; that the poet had no Boswell to follow at his heels, and take
notes of all his sayings and doings. We can only picture him in our minds,
casting off all care; enacting the Lord of Misrule; presiding at the Christmas
revels; providing all kinds of merriment; keeping the card-table in an
uproar, and finally opening the ball on the first day of the year in his spring-
velvet suit, with the Jessamy Bride for a partner."
From the reprint additions made in the British Museum large paper copy of
Brand's "Antiquities," by the late Mr. Joseph Haslewood, and dated January,
1779, we quote the following verses descriptive of the concluding portion
of the Christmas festivities at this period:—
TWELFTH DAY.
into the Chapel Royal, and received the sacrament from the hands of the
Bishop of Durham; and the King offered the byzant, or wedge of gold, in a
purse, for the benefit of the poor, and the royal family all made offerings.
His Majesty afterwards dined with his royal mother at Leicester House, and
in the evening returned to St. James's."[79]
At this period
The Favourite Christmas Diversion
was card-playing. The King himself spent a great deal of his time in playing
at cards with the ladies and gentlemen of his court. In doing so, however, he
was but following the example of George II., of whom the biographer
already quoted (Mr. Huish) says:—
"After the death of Queen Caroline, the King was very fond of a game at
cards with the Countess of Pembroke, Albemarle, and other distinguished
ladies. His attachment to cards was transferred to his attachment for the
ladies, and it was said that what he gained by the one he lost by the other."
Cards were very much resorted to at the family parties and other social
gatherings held during the twelve days of Christmas. Hone makes various
allusions to card-playing at Christmastide, and Washington Irving, in his
"Life of Oliver Goldsmith," pictures the poet "keeping the card-table in an
uproar." Mrs. Bunbury invited Goldsmith down to Barton to pass the
Christmas holidays. Irving regrets "that we have no record of this Christmas
visit to Barton; that the poet had no Boswell to follow at his heels, and take
notes of all his sayings and doings. We can only picture him in our minds,
casting off all care; enacting the Lord of Misrule; presiding at the Christmas
revels; providing all kinds of merriment; keeping the card-table in an
uproar, and finally opening the ball on the first day of the year in his spring-
velvet suit, with the Jessamy Bride for a partner."
From the reprint additions made in the British Museum large paper copy of
Brand's "Antiquities," by the late Mr. Joseph Haslewood, and dated January,
1779, we quote the following verses descriptive of the concluding portion
of the Christmas festivities at this period:—
TWELFTH DAY.
Page 310
Now the jovial girls and boys,
Struggling for the cake and plumbs,
Testify their eager joys,
And lick their fingers and their thumbs.
Statesmen like, they struggle still,
Scarcely hands kept out of dishes,
And yet, when they have had their fill,
Still anxious for the loaves and fishes.
Kings and Queens, in petty state,
Now their sovereign will declare,
But other sovereigns' plans they hate,
Full fond of peace—detesting war.
One moral from this tale appears,
Worth notice when a world's at stake;
That all our hopes and all our fears,
Are but a struggling for the Cake.
Other particulars of the
Popular Christmas Festivities
in the latter part of the eighteenth century are gleaned from contemporary
writers:—
"At Ripon, on Christmas Eve, the grocers, send each of their customers a
pound or half of currants and raisins to make a Christmas pudding. The
chandlers also send large mould candles, and the coopers logs of wood,
generally called Yule clogs, which are always used on Christmas Eve; but
should it be so large as not to be all burnt that night, which is frequently the
case, the remains are kept till old Christmas Eve."[80]
In Sinclair's Account of Scotland, parish of Kirkden, county of Angus
(1792), Christmas is said to be held as a great festival in the neighbourhood.
"The servant is free from his master, and goes about visiting his friends and
acquaintance. The poorest must have beef or mutton on the table, and what
they call a dinner with their friends. Many amuse themselves with various
diversions, particularly with shooting for prizes, called here wad-shooting;
and many do but little business all the Christmas week; the evening of
almost every day being spent in amusement." And in the account of Keith,
Struggling for the cake and plumbs,
Testify their eager joys,
And lick their fingers and their thumbs.
Statesmen like, they struggle still,
Scarcely hands kept out of dishes,
And yet, when they have had their fill,
Still anxious for the loaves and fishes.
Kings and Queens, in petty state,
Now their sovereign will declare,
But other sovereigns' plans they hate,
Full fond of peace—detesting war.
One moral from this tale appears,
Worth notice when a world's at stake;
That all our hopes and all our fears,
Are but a struggling for the Cake.
Other particulars of the
Popular Christmas Festivities
in the latter part of the eighteenth century are gleaned from contemporary
writers:—
"At Ripon, on Christmas Eve, the grocers, send each of their customers a
pound or half of currants and raisins to make a Christmas pudding. The
chandlers also send large mould candles, and the coopers logs of wood,
generally called Yule clogs, which are always used on Christmas Eve; but
should it be so large as not to be all burnt that night, which is frequently the
case, the remains are kept till old Christmas Eve."[80]
In Sinclair's Account of Scotland, parish of Kirkden, county of Angus
(1792), Christmas is said to be held as a great festival in the neighbourhood.
"The servant is free from his master, and goes about visiting his friends and
acquaintance. The poorest must have beef or mutton on the table, and what
they call a dinner with their friends. Many amuse themselves with various
diversions, particularly with shooting for prizes, called here wad-shooting;
and many do but little business all the Christmas week; the evening of
almost every day being spent in amusement." And in the account of Keith,
Page 311
in Banffshire, the inhabitants are said to "have no pastimes or holidays,
except dancing on Christmas and New Year's Day."
Boyhood's Christmas Breaking-up is thus described in a poem entitled
"Christmas" (Bristol, 1795):—
"A school there was, within a well-known town,
(Bridgwater call'd), in which the boys were wont,
At breaking-up for Christmas' lov'd recess,
To meet the master, on the happy morn,
At early hour; the custom, too, prevail'd,
That he who first the seminary reach'd
Should, instantly, perambulate the streets
With sounding horn, to rouse his fellows up;
And, as a compensation for his care,
His flourish'd copies, and his chapter-task,
Before the rest, he from the master had.
For many days, ere breaking-up commenced,
Much was the clamour, 'mongst the beardless crowd,
Who first would dare his well-warm'd bed forego,
And, round the town, with horn of ox equipp'd,
His schoolmates call. Great emulation glow'd
In all their breasts; but, when the morning came,
Straightway was heard, resounding through the streets,
The pleasing blast (more welcome far, to them,
Than is, to sportsmen, the delightful cry
Of hounds on chase), which soon together brought
A tribe of boys, who, thund'ring at the doors
Of those, their fellows, sunk in Somnus' arms,
Great hubbub made, and much the town alarm'd.
At length the gladsome, congregated throng,
Toward the school their willing progress bent,
With loud huzzas, and, crowded round the desk,
Where sat the master busy at his books,
In reg'lar order, each receiv'd his own,
The youngsters then, enfranchised from the school,
Their fav'rite sports pursued."
A writer in the Gentleman's Magazine for February, 1795, gives the
following account of a Christmas Eve custom at the house of Sir —— Holt,
Bart., of Aston, near Birmingham:
"As soon as supper is over, a table is set in the hall. On it is placed a brown
loaf, with twenty silver threepences stuck on the top of it, a tankard of ale,
with pipes and tobacco; and the two oldest servants have chairs behind it, to
sit as judges if they please. The steward brings the servants, both men and
women, by one at a time, covered with a winnow-sheet, and lays their right
except dancing on Christmas and New Year's Day."
Boyhood's Christmas Breaking-up is thus described in a poem entitled
"Christmas" (Bristol, 1795):—
"A school there was, within a well-known town,
(Bridgwater call'd), in which the boys were wont,
At breaking-up for Christmas' lov'd recess,
To meet the master, on the happy morn,
At early hour; the custom, too, prevail'd,
That he who first the seminary reach'd
Should, instantly, perambulate the streets
With sounding horn, to rouse his fellows up;
And, as a compensation for his care,
His flourish'd copies, and his chapter-task,
Before the rest, he from the master had.
For many days, ere breaking-up commenced,
Much was the clamour, 'mongst the beardless crowd,
Who first would dare his well-warm'd bed forego,
And, round the town, with horn of ox equipp'd,
His schoolmates call. Great emulation glow'd
In all their breasts; but, when the morning came,
Straightway was heard, resounding through the streets,
The pleasing blast (more welcome far, to them,
Than is, to sportsmen, the delightful cry
Of hounds on chase), which soon together brought
A tribe of boys, who, thund'ring at the doors
Of those, their fellows, sunk in Somnus' arms,
Great hubbub made, and much the town alarm'd.
At length the gladsome, congregated throng,
Toward the school their willing progress bent,
With loud huzzas, and, crowded round the desk,
Where sat the master busy at his books,
In reg'lar order, each receiv'd his own,
The youngsters then, enfranchised from the school,
Their fav'rite sports pursued."
A writer in the Gentleman's Magazine for February, 1795, gives the
following account of a Christmas Eve custom at the house of Sir —— Holt,
Bart., of Aston, near Birmingham:
"As soon as supper is over, a table is set in the hall. On it is placed a brown
loaf, with twenty silver threepences stuck on the top of it, a tankard of ale,
with pipes and tobacco; and the two oldest servants have chairs behind it, to
sit as judges if they please. The steward brings the servants, both men and
women, by one at a time, covered with a winnow-sheet, and lays their right
Page 312
hand on the loaf, exposing no other part of the body. The oldest of the two
judges guesses at the person, by naming a name, then the younger judge,
and lastly the oldest again. If they hit upon the right name, the steward leads
the person back again; but, if they do not, he takes off the winnow-sheet,
and the person receives a threepence, makes a low obeisance to the judges,
but speaks not a word. When the second servant was brought, the younger
judge guessed first and third; and this they did alternately, till all the money
was given away. Whatever servant had not slept in the house the preceding
night forfeited his right to the money. No account is given of the origin of
this strange custom, but it has been practised ever since the family lived
there. When the money is gone, the servants have full liberty to drink,
dance, sing, and go to bed when they please."
Brand quotes the foregoing paragraph and asks: "Can this be what Aubrey
calls the sport of 'Cob-loaf stealing'?"
THE DELIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS.
A New Song by R. P.
(Tune—"Since Love is my Plan.")
In the Poor Soldier.
When Christmas approaches each bosom is gay,
That festival banishes sorrow away,
While Richard he kisses both Susan and Dolly,
When tricking the house up with ivy and holly;
For never as yet it was counted a crime,
To be merry and cherry at that happy time.
For never as yet, &c.
Then comes turkey and chine, with the famous roast beef,
Of English provisions still reckon'd the chief;
Roger whispers the cook-maid his wishes to crown,
O Dolly! pray give me a bit of the brown;
For never as yet it was counted a crime,
To be merry and cherry at that happy time.
For never as yet, &c.
The luscious plum-pudding does smoking appear,
And the charming mince pye is not far in the rear,
Then each licks his chops to behold such a sight,
But to taste it affords him superior delight;
For never as yet it was counted a crime,
To be merry and cherry at that happy time.
For never as yet, &c.
Now the humming October goes merrily round,
judges guesses at the person, by naming a name, then the younger judge,
and lastly the oldest again. If they hit upon the right name, the steward leads
the person back again; but, if they do not, he takes off the winnow-sheet,
and the person receives a threepence, makes a low obeisance to the judges,
but speaks not a word. When the second servant was brought, the younger
judge guessed first and third; and this they did alternately, till all the money
was given away. Whatever servant had not slept in the house the preceding
night forfeited his right to the money. No account is given of the origin of
this strange custom, but it has been practised ever since the family lived
there. When the money is gone, the servants have full liberty to drink,
dance, sing, and go to bed when they please."
Brand quotes the foregoing paragraph and asks: "Can this be what Aubrey
calls the sport of 'Cob-loaf stealing'?"
THE DELIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS.
A New Song by R. P.
(Tune—"Since Love is my Plan.")
In the Poor Soldier.
When Christmas approaches each bosom is gay,
That festival banishes sorrow away,
While Richard he kisses both Susan and Dolly,
When tricking the house up with ivy and holly;
For never as yet it was counted a crime,
To be merry and cherry at that happy time.
For never as yet, &c.
Then comes turkey and chine, with the famous roast beef,
Of English provisions still reckon'd the chief;
Roger whispers the cook-maid his wishes to crown,
O Dolly! pray give me a bit of the brown;
For never as yet it was counted a crime,
To be merry and cherry at that happy time.
For never as yet, &c.
The luscious plum-pudding does smoking appear,
And the charming mince pye is not far in the rear,
Then each licks his chops to behold such a sight,
But to taste it affords him superior delight;
For never as yet it was counted a crime,
To be merry and cherry at that happy time.
For never as yet, &c.
Now the humming October goes merrily round,
Page 313
And each with good humour is happily crown'd,
The song and the dance, and the mirth-giving jest,
Alike without harm by each one is expressed;
For never as yet it was counted a crime,
To be merry and cherry at that happy time.
For never as yet, &c.
Twelfth Day next approaches, to give you delight,
And the sugar'd rich cake is display'd to the sight,
Then sloven and slut and the king and the queen,
Alike must be present to add to the scene;
For never as yet it was counted a crime,
To be merry and cherry at that happy time.
For never as yet, &c.
May each be found thus as the year circles round,
With mirth and good humour each Christmas be crown'd,
And may all who have plenty of riches in store
With their bountiful blessings make happy the poor;
For never as yet it was counted a crime,
To be merry and cherry at that happy time.
For never as yet, &c.[81]
Charles Lamb on Christmas.
In his essay on "Recollections of Christ's Hospital," Charles Lamb thus
refers to the Christmas festivities of his schoolboy days:—
"Let me have leave to remember the festivities at Christmas, when the
richest of us would club our stock to have a gaudy day, sitting round the
fire, replenished to the height with logs, and the pennyless, and he that
could contribute nothing, partook in all the mirth, and in some of the
substantialities of the feasting; the carol sung by night at that time of the
year, which, when a young boy, I have so often lain awake to hear from
seven (the hour of going to bed) till ten when it was sung by the older boys
and monitors, and have listened to it, in their rude chaunting, till I have
been transported in fancy to the fields of Bethlehem, and the song which
was sung at that season, by angels' voices to the shepherds."
In a sonnet sent to Coleridge, in 1797, Lamb says:—
"It were unwisely done, should we refuse
To cheer our path, as featly as we may—
Our lonely path to cheer, as travellers use,
With merry song, quaint tale, or roundelay.
The song and the dance, and the mirth-giving jest,
Alike without harm by each one is expressed;
For never as yet it was counted a crime,
To be merry and cherry at that happy time.
For never as yet, &c.
Twelfth Day next approaches, to give you delight,
And the sugar'd rich cake is display'd to the sight,
Then sloven and slut and the king and the queen,
Alike must be present to add to the scene;
For never as yet it was counted a crime,
To be merry and cherry at that happy time.
For never as yet, &c.
May each be found thus as the year circles round,
With mirth and good humour each Christmas be crown'd,
And may all who have plenty of riches in store
With their bountiful blessings make happy the poor;
For never as yet it was counted a crime,
To be merry and cherry at that happy time.
For never as yet, &c.[81]
Charles Lamb on Christmas.
In his essay on "Recollections of Christ's Hospital," Charles Lamb thus
refers to the Christmas festivities of his schoolboy days:—
"Let me have leave to remember the festivities at Christmas, when the
richest of us would club our stock to have a gaudy day, sitting round the
fire, replenished to the height with logs, and the pennyless, and he that
could contribute nothing, partook in all the mirth, and in some of the
substantialities of the feasting; the carol sung by night at that time of the
year, which, when a young boy, I have so often lain awake to hear from
seven (the hour of going to bed) till ten when it was sung by the older boys
and monitors, and have listened to it, in their rude chaunting, till I have
been transported in fancy to the fields of Bethlehem, and the song which
was sung at that season, by angels' voices to the shepherds."
In a sonnet sent to Coleridge, in 1797, Lamb says:—
"It were unwisely done, should we refuse
To cheer our path, as featly as we may—
Our lonely path to cheer, as travellers use,
With merry song, quaint tale, or roundelay.
Page 314
And we will sometimes talk past troubles o'er,
Of mercies shown, and all our sickness heal'd,
And in His judgments God remembering love:
And we will learn to praise God evermore,
For those 'glad tidings of great joy,' reveal'd
By that sooth messenger, sent from above."
Of mercies shown, and all our sickness heal'd,
And in His judgments God remembering love:
And we will learn to praise God evermore,
For those 'glad tidings of great joy,' reveal'd
By that sooth messenger, sent from above."
Page 315
the christmas plum-pudding.
(From an old print.)
Writing to Southey, in 1798, Lamb tells the poet that Christmas is a
"glorious theme"; and addressing his "dear old friend and absentee," Mr.
Manning, at Canton, on December 25, 1815, Lamb says:—"This is
Christmas Day, 1815, with us; what it may be with you I don't know, the
12th of June next year perhaps; and if it should be the consecrated season
with you, I don't see how you can keep it. You have no turkeys; you would
not desecrate the festival by offering up a withered Chinese bantam, instead
of the savoury grand Norfolcian holocaust, that smokes all around my
nostrils at this moment from a thousand firesides. Then what puddings have
you? Where will you get holly to stick in your churches, or churches to
stick your dried tea-leaves (that must be the substitute) in? Come out of
Babylon, O my friend."
italian minstrels in london, at christmas, 1825.
(From a sketch of that period.)
"Ranged in a row, with guitars slung
Before them thus, they played and sung:
Their instruments and choral voice
Bid each glad guest still more rejoice;
And each guest wish'd again to hear
Their wild guitars and voices clear."[82]
The Christmas Games
(From an old print.)
Writing to Southey, in 1798, Lamb tells the poet that Christmas is a
"glorious theme"; and addressing his "dear old friend and absentee," Mr.
Manning, at Canton, on December 25, 1815, Lamb says:—"This is
Christmas Day, 1815, with us; what it may be with you I don't know, the
12th of June next year perhaps; and if it should be the consecrated season
with you, I don't see how you can keep it. You have no turkeys; you would
not desecrate the festival by offering up a withered Chinese bantam, instead
of the savoury grand Norfolcian holocaust, that smokes all around my
nostrils at this moment from a thousand firesides. Then what puddings have
you? Where will you get holly to stick in your churches, or churches to
stick your dried tea-leaves (that must be the substitute) in? Come out of
Babylon, O my friend."
italian minstrels in london, at christmas, 1825.
(From a sketch of that period.)
"Ranged in a row, with guitars slung
Before them thus, they played and sung:
Their instruments and choral voice
Bid each glad guest still more rejoice;
And each guest wish'd again to hear
Their wild guitars and voices clear."[82]
The Christmas Games
Page 316
at the beginning of the nineteenth century include the old Christmas game
of Forfeits, for every breach of the rules of which the players have to
deposit some little article as a forfeit, to be redeemed by some sportive
penalty, imposed by the "Crier of the Forfeits" (usually a bonnie lassie). The
"crying of the forfeits" and paying of the penalties creates much merriment,
particularly when a bashful youth is sentenced to "kiss through the fire-
tongs" some beautiful romp of a girl, who delights playing him tricks while
the room rings with laughter.
Some of the old pastimes, however, have fallen into disuse, as, for instance,
the once popular game of Hot Cockles, Hunt the Slipper, and "the vulgar
game of Post and Pair"; but Cards are still popular, and Snapdragon
continues such Christmas merriment as is set forth in the following verses:
—
SNAP DRAGON.
"Here he comes with flaming bowl,
Don't he mean to take his toll,
Snip! Snap! Dragon!
Take care you don't take too much,
Be not greedy in your clutch,
Snip! Snap! Dragon!
of Forfeits, for every breach of the rules of which the players have to
deposit some little article as a forfeit, to be redeemed by some sportive
penalty, imposed by the "Crier of the Forfeits" (usually a bonnie lassie). The
"crying of the forfeits" and paying of the penalties creates much merriment,
particularly when a bashful youth is sentenced to "kiss through the fire-
tongs" some beautiful romp of a girl, who delights playing him tricks while
the room rings with laughter.
Some of the old pastimes, however, have fallen into disuse, as, for instance,
the once popular game of Hot Cockles, Hunt the Slipper, and "the vulgar
game of Post and Pair"; but Cards are still popular, and Snapdragon
continues such Christmas merriment as is set forth in the following verses:
—
SNAP DRAGON.
"Here he comes with flaming bowl,
Don't he mean to take his toll,
Snip! Snap! Dragon!
Take care you don't take too much,
Be not greedy in your clutch,
Snip! Snap! Dragon!
Page 317
With his blue and lapping tongue
Many of you will be stung,
Snip! Snap! Dragon!
For he snaps at all that comes
Snatching at his feast of plums,
Snip! Snap! Dragon!
But old Christmas makes him come,
Though he looks so fee! fa! fum!
Snip! Snap! Dragon!
Don't 'ee fear him, be but bold—
Out he goes, his flames are cold,
Snip! Snap! Dragon!"
"Don't 'ee fear him, be but bold," accords with the advice of a writer in
"Pantalogia," in 1813, who says that when the brandy in the bowl is set on
fire, and raisins thrown into it, those who are unused to the sport are afraid
to take out, but the raisins may be safely snatched by a quick motion and
put blazing into the mouth, which being closed, the fire is at once
extinguished. The game requires both courage and rapidity of action, and a
good deal of merriment is caused by the unsuccessful efforts of competitors
for the raisins in the flaming bowl.
Blindman's Buff,
A favourite game of Christmastide, is thus described by Thomas Miller, in
his "Sports and Pastimes of Merry England":—
"The very youngest of our brothers and sisters can join in this old English
game: and it is selfish to select only such sports as they cannot become
sharers of. Its ancient name is 'hoodman-blind'; and when hoods were worn
by both men and women—centuries before hats and caps were so common
as they are now—the hood was reversed, placed hind-before, and was, no
doubt, a much surer way of blinding the player than that now adopted—for
we have seen Charley try to catch his pretty cousin Caroline, by chasing her
behind chairs and into all sorts of corners, to our strong conviction that he
was not half so well blinded as he ought to have been. Some said he could
see through the black silk handkerchief; others that it ought to have been
tied clean over his nose, for that when he looked down he could see her
feet, wherever she moved; and Charley had often been heard to say that she
had the prettiest foot and ankle he had ever seen. But there he goes, head
Many of you will be stung,
Snip! Snap! Dragon!
For he snaps at all that comes
Snatching at his feast of plums,
Snip! Snap! Dragon!
But old Christmas makes him come,
Though he looks so fee! fa! fum!
Snip! Snap! Dragon!
Don't 'ee fear him, be but bold—
Out he goes, his flames are cold,
Snip! Snap! Dragon!"
"Don't 'ee fear him, be but bold," accords with the advice of a writer in
"Pantalogia," in 1813, who says that when the brandy in the bowl is set on
fire, and raisins thrown into it, those who are unused to the sport are afraid
to take out, but the raisins may be safely snatched by a quick motion and
put blazing into the mouth, which being closed, the fire is at once
extinguished. The game requires both courage and rapidity of action, and a
good deal of merriment is caused by the unsuccessful efforts of competitors
for the raisins in the flaming bowl.
Blindman's Buff,
A favourite game of Christmastide, is thus described by Thomas Miller, in
his "Sports and Pastimes of Merry England":—
"The very youngest of our brothers and sisters can join in this old English
game: and it is selfish to select only such sports as they cannot become
sharers of. Its ancient name is 'hoodman-blind'; and when hoods were worn
by both men and women—centuries before hats and caps were so common
as they are now—the hood was reversed, placed hind-before, and was, no
doubt, a much surer way of blinding the player than that now adopted—for
we have seen Charley try to catch his pretty cousin Caroline, by chasing her
behind chairs and into all sorts of corners, to our strong conviction that he
was not half so well blinded as he ought to have been. Some said he could
see through the black silk handkerchief; others that it ought to have been
tied clean over his nose, for that when he looked down he could see her
feet, wherever she moved; and Charley had often been heard to say that she
had the prettiest foot and ankle he had ever seen. But there he goes, head
Page 318
over heels across a chair, tearing off Caroline's gown skirt in his fall, as he
clutches it in the hope of saving himself. Now, that is what I call retributive
justice; for she threw down the chair for him to stumble over, and, if he has
grazed his knees, she suffers under a torn dress, and must retire until one of
the maids darn up the rent. But now the mirth and glee grow 'fast and
furious,' for hoodman blind has imprisoned three or four of the youngest
boys in a corner, and can place his hand on whichever he likes. Into what a
small compass they have forced themselves! But the one behind has the
wall at his back, and, taking advantage of so good a purchase, he sends his
three laughing companions sprawling on the floor, and is himself caught
through their having fallen, as his shoulder is the first that is grasped by
Blindman-buff—so that he must now submit to be hooded."
clutches it in the hope of saving himself. Now, that is what I call retributive
justice; for she threw down the chair for him to stumble over, and, if he has
grazed his knees, she suffers under a torn dress, and must retire until one of
the maids darn up the rent. But now the mirth and glee grow 'fast and
furious,' for hoodman blind has imprisoned three or four of the youngest
boys in a corner, and can place his hand on whichever he likes. Into what a
small compass they have forced themselves! But the one behind has the
wall at his back, and, taking advantage of so good a purchase, he sends his
three laughing companions sprawling on the floor, and is himself caught
through their having fallen, as his shoulder is the first that is grasped by
Blindman-buff—so that he must now submit to be hooded."
Page 319
blindman's buff.
(In the last century.)
The Christmas Dance.
"Again the ball-room is wide open thrown,
The oak beams festooned with the garlands gay;
The red dais where the fiddlers sit alone,
Where, flushed with pride, the good old tunes they play.
Strike, fiddlers, strike! we're ready for the set;
The young folks' feet are eager for the dance;
We'll trip Sir Roger and the minuet,
And revel in the latest games from France."[83]
(In the last century.)
The Christmas Dance.
"Again the ball-room is wide open thrown,
The oak beams festooned with the garlands gay;
The red dais where the fiddlers sit alone,
Where, flushed with pride, the good old tunes they play.
Strike, fiddlers, strike! we're ready for the set;
The young folks' feet are eager for the dance;
We'll trip Sir Roger and the minuet,
And revel in the latest games from France."[83]
Page 320
"Man should be called a dancing animal," said Old Florentine; and Burton,
in his "Anatomy of Melancholy," says, "Young lasses are never better
pleased than when, upon a holiday, after even-song, they may meet their
sweethearts and dance." And dancing is just as popular at Christmas in the
present day, as it was in that mediæval age when (according to William of
Malmesbury) the priest Rathbertus, being disturbed at his Christmas mass
by young men and women dancing outside the church, prayed God and St.
Magnus that they might continue to dance for a whole year without
cessation—a prayer which the old chronicler gravely assures us was
answered.
the christmas dance.
Christmas Eve in the Olden Time.
And well our Christian sires of old
Loved when the year its course had roll'd,
And brought blithe Christmas back again,
With all his hospitable train.
in his "Anatomy of Melancholy," says, "Young lasses are never better
pleased than when, upon a holiday, after even-song, they may meet their
sweethearts and dance." And dancing is just as popular at Christmas in the
present day, as it was in that mediæval age when (according to William of
Malmesbury) the priest Rathbertus, being disturbed at his Christmas mass
by young men and women dancing outside the church, prayed God and St.
Magnus that they might continue to dance for a whole year without
cessation—a prayer which the old chronicler gravely assures us was
answered.
the christmas dance.
Christmas Eve in the Olden Time.
And well our Christian sires of old
Loved when the year its course had roll'd,
And brought blithe Christmas back again,
With all his hospitable train.
Page 321
Domestic and religious rite
Gave honour to the holy night:
On Christmas Eve the bells were rung;
On Christmas Eve the mass was sung:
That only night in all the year,
Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear.
The damsel donn'd her kirtle sheen;
The hall was dress'd with holly green;
Forth to the wood did merry-men go,
To gather in the mistletoe.
Then open'd wide the Baron's hall
To vassal, tenant, serf, and all;
Power laid his rod of rule aside,
And Ceremony doffed his pride.
The heir, with roses in his shoes,
That night might village partner choose.
The lord, underogating, share
The vulgar game of "post and pair."
All hail'd, with uncontroll'd delight,
And general voice, the happy night
That to the cottage, as the crown,
Brought tidings of salvation down!
The fire, with well-dried logs supplied,
Went roaring up the chimney wide;
The huge hall-table's oaken face,
Scrubb'd till it shone, the day to grace
Bore then upon its massive board
No mark to part the squire and lord.
Then was brought in the lusty brawn
By old blue-coated serving man;
Then the grim boar's-head frowned on high,
Crested with bays and rosemary.
Well can the green-garbed ranger tell
How, when, and where the monster fell;
What dogs before his death he tore,
And all the baiting of the boar.
The wassail round in good brown bowls,
Garnish'd with ribbons, blithely trowls.
There the huge sirloin reek'd; hard by
Plum-porridge stood, and Christmas-pye;
Nor fail'd old Scotland to produce,
At such high tide, her savoury goose.
Then came the merry masquers in,
And carols roar'd with blithesome din
If unmelodious was the song,
It was a hearty note, and strong.
Who lists may in their mumming see
Gave honour to the holy night:
On Christmas Eve the bells were rung;
On Christmas Eve the mass was sung:
That only night in all the year,
Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear.
The damsel donn'd her kirtle sheen;
The hall was dress'd with holly green;
Forth to the wood did merry-men go,
To gather in the mistletoe.
Then open'd wide the Baron's hall
To vassal, tenant, serf, and all;
Power laid his rod of rule aside,
And Ceremony doffed his pride.
The heir, with roses in his shoes,
That night might village partner choose.
The lord, underogating, share
The vulgar game of "post and pair."
All hail'd, with uncontroll'd delight,
And general voice, the happy night
That to the cottage, as the crown,
Brought tidings of salvation down!
The fire, with well-dried logs supplied,
Went roaring up the chimney wide;
The huge hall-table's oaken face,
Scrubb'd till it shone, the day to grace
Bore then upon its massive board
No mark to part the squire and lord.
Then was brought in the lusty brawn
By old blue-coated serving man;
Then the grim boar's-head frowned on high,
Crested with bays and rosemary.
Well can the green-garbed ranger tell
How, when, and where the monster fell;
What dogs before his death he tore,
And all the baiting of the boar.
The wassail round in good brown bowls,
Garnish'd with ribbons, blithely trowls.
There the huge sirloin reek'd; hard by
Plum-porridge stood, and Christmas-pye;
Nor fail'd old Scotland to produce,
At such high tide, her savoury goose.
Then came the merry masquers in,
And carols roar'd with blithesome din
If unmelodious was the song,
It was a hearty note, and strong.
Who lists may in their mumming see
Page 322
Traces of ancient mystery;
White shirts supplied the masquerade,
And smutted cheeks the visors made;
But oh! what masquers, richly dight,
Can boast of bosoms half so light!
England was merry England when
Old Christmas brought his sports again.
'Twas Christmas broached the mightiest ale,
'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale;
A Christmas gambol oft could cheer
The poor man's heart through half the year.
Sir Walter Scott, 1808.
Lyson's "Magna Britannia" (1813) states the following as an
Old English Custom.
"At Cumnor the parishioners, who paid vicarial tithes, claimed a custom of
being entertained at the vicarage on the afternoon of Christmas Day, with
four bushels of malt brewed into ale and beer, two bushels of wheat made
into bread, and half a hundred weight of cheese. The remainder was given
to the poor the next morning after divine service."
Mason ("Statistical Account of Ireland," 1814) records the following
Irish Christmas Customs:—
"At Culdaff, previous to Christmas, it is customary with the labouring
classes to raffle for mutton, when a sufficient number can subscribe to
defray the cost of a sheep. During the Christmas holidays they amuse
themselves with a game of kamman, which consists in impelling a wooden
ball with a crooked stick to a given point, while an adversary endeavours to
drive it in a contrary direction."
Yorkshire.
A writer in "Time's Telescope" (1822) states that in Yorkshire at eight
o'clock on Christmas Eve the bells greet "Old Father Christmas" with a
merry peal, the children parade the streets with drums, trumpets, bells, or
perhaps, in their absence, with the poker and shovel, taken from their
humble cottage fire; the yule candle is lighted, and—
White shirts supplied the masquerade,
And smutted cheeks the visors made;
But oh! what masquers, richly dight,
Can boast of bosoms half so light!
England was merry England when
Old Christmas brought his sports again.
'Twas Christmas broached the mightiest ale,
'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale;
A Christmas gambol oft could cheer
The poor man's heart through half the year.
Sir Walter Scott, 1808.
Lyson's "Magna Britannia" (1813) states the following as an
Old English Custom.
"At Cumnor the parishioners, who paid vicarial tithes, claimed a custom of
being entertained at the vicarage on the afternoon of Christmas Day, with
four bushels of malt brewed into ale and beer, two bushels of wheat made
into bread, and half a hundred weight of cheese. The remainder was given
to the poor the next morning after divine service."
Mason ("Statistical Account of Ireland," 1814) records the following
Irish Christmas Customs:—
"At Culdaff, previous to Christmas, it is customary with the labouring
classes to raffle for mutton, when a sufficient number can subscribe to
defray the cost of a sheep. During the Christmas holidays they amuse
themselves with a game of kamman, which consists in impelling a wooden
ball with a crooked stick to a given point, while an adversary endeavours to
drive it in a contrary direction."
Yorkshire.
A writer in "Time's Telescope" (1822) states that in Yorkshire at eight
o'clock on Christmas Eve the bells greet "Old Father Christmas" with a
merry peal, the children parade the streets with drums, trumpets, bells, or
perhaps, in their absence, with the poker and shovel, taken from their
humble cottage fire; the yule candle is lighted, and—
Page 323
"High on the cheerful fire
Is blazing seen th' enormous Christmas brand."
Supper is served, of which one dish, from the lordly mansion to the
humblest shed, is invariably furmety; yule cake, one of which is always
made for each individual in the family, and other more substantial viands
are also added.
Some Social Festivities
of Christmastide are sketched by a contributor to the New Monthly
Magazine, December 1, 1825, who says:—
"On the north side of the church at M. are a great many holly-trees. It is
from these that our dining and bed-rooms are furnished with boughs.
Families take it by turns to entertain their friends. They meet early; the beef
and pudding are noble; the mince-pies—peculiar; the nuts half play-things
and half-eatables; the oranges as cold and acid as they ought to be,
furnishing us with a superfluity which we can afford to laugh at; the cakes
indestructible; the wassail bowls generous, old English, huge, demanding
ladles, threatening overflow as they come in, solid with roasted apples when
set down. Towards bed-time you hear of elder-wine, and not seldom of
punch. At the manorhouse it is pretty much the same as elsewhere. Girls,
although they be ladies, are kissed under the mistletoe. If any family among
us happen to have hit upon an exquisite brewing, they send some of it round
about, the squire's house included; and he does the same by the rest.
Riddles, hot-cockles, forfeits, music, dances sudden and not to be
suppressed, prevail among great and small; and from two o'clock in the day
to midnight, M. looks like a deserted place out of doors, but is full of life
and merriment within. Playing at knights and ladies last year, a jade of a
charming creature must needs send me out for a piece of ice to put in her
wine. It was evening and a hard frost. I shall never forget the cold, cutting,
dreary, dead look of every thing out of doors, with a wind through the wiry
trees, and the snow on the ground, contrasted with the sudden return to
warmth, light, and joviality.
"I remember we had a discussion that time as to what was the great point
and crowning glory of Christmas. Many were for mince-pie; some for the
beef and plum-pudding; more for the wassail-bowl; a maiden lady timidly
Is blazing seen th' enormous Christmas brand."
Supper is served, of which one dish, from the lordly mansion to the
humblest shed, is invariably furmety; yule cake, one of which is always
made for each individual in the family, and other more substantial viands
are also added.
Some Social Festivities
of Christmastide are sketched by a contributor to the New Monthly
Magazine, December 1, 1825, who says:—
"On the north side of the church at M. are a great many holly-trees. It is
from these that our dining and bed-rooms are furnished with boughs.
Families take it by turns to entertain their friends. They meet early; the beef
and pudding are noble; the mince-pies—peculiar; the nuts half play-things
and half-eatables; the oranges as cold and acid as they ought to be,
furnishing us with a superfluity which we can afford to laugh at; the cakes
indestructible; the wassail bowls generous, old English, huge, demanding
ladles, threatening overflow as they come in, solid with roasted apples when
set down. Towards bed-time you hear of elder-wine, and not seldom of
punch. At the manorhouse it is pretty much the same as elsewhere. Girls,
although they be ladies, are kissed under the mistletoe. If any family among
us happen to have hit upon an exquisite brewing, they send some of it round
about, the squire's house included; and he does the same by the rest.
Riddles, hot-cockles, forfeits, music, dances sudden and not to be
suppressed, prevail among great and small; and from two o'clock in the day
to midnight, M. looks like a deserted place out of doors, but is full of life
and merriment within. Playing at knights and ladies last year, a jade of a
charming creature must needs send me out for a piece of ice to put in her
wine. It was evening and a hard frost. I shall never forget the cold, cutting,
dreary, dead look of every thing out of doors, with a wind through the wiry
trees, and the snow on the ground, contrasted with the sudden return to
warmth, light, and joviality.
"I remember we had a discussion that time as to what was the great point
and crowning glory of Christmas. Many were for mince-pie; some for the
beef and plum-pudding; more for the wassail-bowl; a maiden lady timidly
Page 324
said the mistletoe; but we agreed at last, that although all these were
prodigious, and some of them exclusively belonging to the season, the fire
was the great indispensable. Upon which we all turned our faces towards it,
and began warming our already scorched hands. A great blazing fire, too
big, is the visible heart and
soul of Christmas. You may do without beef and plum-pudding; even the
absence of mince-pie may be tolerated; there must be a bowl, poetically
speaking, but it need not be absolutely wassail. The bowl may give place to
the bottle. But a huge, heaped-up, over heaped-up, all-attracting fire, with a
semicircle of faces about it, is not to be denied us. It is the lar and genius of
the meeting; the proof positive of the season; the representative of all our
warm emotions and bright thoughts; the glorious eye of the room; the
inciter to mirth, yet the retainer of order; the amalgamater of the age and
sex; the universal relish. Tastes may differ even on a mince-pie; but who
gainsays a fire? The absence of other luxuries still leaves you in possession
of that; but
'Who can hold a fire in his hand
With thinking on the frostiest twelfth-cake?'
"Let me have a dinner of some sort, no matter what, and then give me my
fire, and my friends, the humblest glass of wine, and a few penn'orths of
chestnuts, and I will still make out my Christmas. What! Have we not
Burgundy in our blood? Have we not joke, laughter, repartee, bright eyes,
comedies of other people, and comedies of our own; songs, memories,
hopes? [An organ strikes up in the street at this word, as if to answer me in
the affirmative. Right thou old spirit of harmony, wandering about in that
ark of thine, and touching the public ear with sweetness and an abstraction!
Let the multitude bustle on, but not unarrested by thee and by others, and
not unreminded of the happiness of renewing a wise childhood.] As to our
old friends the chestnuts, if anybody wants an excuse to his dignity for
roasting them, let him take the authority of Milton. 'Who now,' says he
lamenting the loss of his friend Deodati,—'who now will help to soothe my
cares for me, and make the long night seem short with his conversation;
while the roasting pear hisses tenderly on the fire, and the nuts burst away
with a noise,—
'And out of doors a washing storm o'erwhelms
Nature pitch-dark, and rides the thundering elms?'"
prodigious, and some of them exclusively belonging to the season, the fire
was the great indispensable. Upon which we all turned our faces towards it,
and began warming our already scorched hands. A great blazing fire, too
big, is the visible heart and
soul of Christmas. You may do without beef and plum-pudding; even the
absence of mince-pie may be tolerated; there must be a bowl, poetically
speaking, but it need not be absolutely wassail. The bowl may give place to
the bottle. But a huge, heaped-up, over heaped-up, all-attracting fire, with a
semicircle of faces about it, is not to be denied us. It is the lar and genius of
the meeting; the proof positive of the season; the representative of all our
warm emotions and bright thoughts; the glorious eye of the room; the
inciter to mirth, yet the retainer of order; the amalgamater of the age and
sex; the universal relish. Tastes may differ even on a mince-pie; but who
gainsays a fire? The absence of other luxuries still leaves you in possession
of that; but
'Who can hold a fire in his hand
With thinking on the frostiest twelfth-cake?'
"Let me have a dinner of some sort, no matter what, and then give me my
fire, and my friends, the humblest glass of wine, and a few penn'orths of
chestnuts, and I will still make out my Christmas. What! Have we not
Burgundy in our blood? Have we not joke, laughter, repartee, bright eyes,
comedies of other people, and comedies of our own; songs, memories,
hopes? [An organ strikes up in the street at this word, as if to answer me in
the affirmative. Right thou old spirit of harmony, wandering about in that
ark of thine, and touching the public ear with sweetness and an abstraction!
Let the multitude bustle on, but not unarrested by thee and by others, and
not unreminded of the happiness of renewing a wise childhood.] As to our
old friends the chestnuts, if anybody wants an excuse to his dignity for
roasting them, let him take the authority of Milton. 'Who now,' says he
lamenting the loss of his friend Deodati,—'who now will help to soothe my
cares for me, and make the long night seem short with his conversation;
while the roasting pear hisses tenderly on the fire, and the nuts burst away
with a noise,—
'And out of doors a washing storm o'erwhelms
Nature pitch-dark, and rides the thundering elms?'"
Page 325
Christmas in the Highlands.
From Grant's "Popular Superstitions of the Highlands"
Hone gathered the following account:—
"As soon as the brightening glow of the eastern sky
warns the anxious house-maid of the approach of
Christmas Day, she rises full of anxiety at the prospect
of her morning labours. The meal, which was steeped
in the sowans-bowie a fortnight ago, to make the
Prechdachdan sour, or sour scones, is the first object
of her attention. The gridiron is put on the fire, and the
sour scones are soon followed by hard cakes, soft
cakes, buttered cakes, brandered bannocks, and
pannich perm. The baking being once over, the sowans pot succeeds the
gridiron, full of new sowans, which are to be given to the family, agreeably
to custom, this day in their beds. The sowans are boiled into the consistence
of molasses, when the Lagan-le-vrich, or yeast bread, to distinguish it from
boiled sowans, is ready. It is then poured into as many bickers as there are
individuals to partake of it, and presently served to the whole, old and
young. It would suit well the pen of a Burns, or the pencil of a Hogarth, to
paint the scene which follows. The ambrosial food is despatched in aspiring
draughts by the family, who soon give evident proofs of the enlivening
effects of the Lagan-le-vrich. As soon as each despatches his bicker, he
jumps out of bed—the elder branches to examine the ominous signs of the
day,[84] and the younger to enter on its amusements. Flocking to the swing,
From Grant's "Popular Superstitions of the Highlands"
Hone gathered the following account:—
"As soon as the brightening glow of the eastern sky
warns the anxious house-maid of the approach of
Christmas Day, she rises full of anxiety at the prospect
of her morning labours. The meal, which was steeped
in the sowans-bowie a fortnight ago, to make the
Prechdachdan sour, or sour scones, is the first object
of her attention. The gridiron is put on the fire, and the
sour scones are soon followed by hard cakes, soft
cakes, buttered cakes, brandered bannocks, and
pannich perm. The baking being once over, the sowans pot succeeds the
gridiron, full of new sowans, which are to be given to the family, agreeably
to custom, this day in their beds. The sowans are boiled into the consistence
of molasses, when the Lagan-le-vrich, or yeast bread, to distinguish it from
boiled sowans, is ready. It is then poured into as many bickers as there are
individuals to partake of it, and presently served to the whole, old and
young. It would suit well the pen of a Burns, or the pencil of a Hogarth, to
paint the scene which follows. The ambrosial food is despatched in aspiring
draughts by the family, who soon give evident proofs of the enlivening
effects of the Lagan-le-vrich. As soon as each despatches his bicker, he
jumps out of bed—the elder branches to examine the ominous signs of the
day,[84] and the younger to enter on its amusements. Flocking to the swing,
Page 326
a favourite amusement on this occasion, the youngest of the family get the
first 'shoulder,' and the next oldest in regular succession. In order to add the
more to the spirit of the exercise, it is a common practice with the person in
the swing, and the person appointed to swing him, to enter into a very warm
and humorous altercation. As the swinged person approaches the swinger,
he exclaims, Ei mi tu chal, 'I'll eat your kail.' To this the swinger replies,
with a violent shove, Cha ni u mu chal, 'You shan't eat my kail.' These
threats and repulses are sometimes carried to such a height, as to break
down or capsize the threatener, which generally puts an end to the quarrel.
"As the day advances, those minor amusements are terminated at the report
of the gun, or the rattle of the ball clubs—the gun inviting the marksman to
the 'Kiavamuchd,' or prize-shooting, and the latter to 'Luchd-vouil,' or the
ball combatants—both
the principal sports of the day. Tired at length of the active amusements of
the field, they exchange them for the substantial entertainments of the table.
Groaning under the 'sonsy haggis,'[85] and many other savoury dainties,
unseen for twelve months before, the relish communicated to the company,
by the appearance of the festive board, is more easily conceived than
described. The dinner once despatched, the flowing bowl succeeds, and the
sparkling glass flies to and fro like a weaver's shuttle. As it continues its
rounds, the spirits of the company become more jovial and happy. Animated
by its cheering influence, even old decrepitude no longer feels his habitual
pains—the fire of youth is in his eye, as he details to the company the
exploits which distinguished him in the days of 'auld langsyne;' while the
young, with hearts inflamed with 'love and glory,' long to mingle in the
more lively scenes of mirth, to display their prowess and agility. Leaving
the patriarchs to finish those professions of friendship for each other, in
which they are so devoutly engaged, the younger part of the company will
shape their course to the ball-room, or the card-table, as their individual
inclinations suggest; and the remainder of the evening is spent with the
greatest pleasure of which human nature is susceptible."
Sword Dancing at Christmas.
Hone's "Table Book" (vol. i.), 1827, contains a letter descriptive of the
pitmen of Northumberland, which says:—
first 'shoulder,' and the next oldest in regular succession. In order to add the
more to the spirit of the exercise, it is a common practice with the person in
the swing, and the person appointed to swing him, to enter into a very warm
and humorous altercation. As the swinged person approaches the swinger,
he exclaims, Ei mi tu chal, 'I'll eat your kail.' To this the swinger replies,
with a violent shove, Cha ni u mu chal, 'You shan't eat my kail.' These
threats and repulses are sometimes carried to such a height, as to break
down or capsize the threatener, which generally puts an end to the quarrel.
"As the day advances, those minor amusements are terminated at the report
of the gun, or the rattle of the ball clubs—the gun inviting the marksman to
the 'Kiavamuchd,' or prize-shooting, and the latter to 'Luchd-vouil,' or the
ball combatants—both
the principal sports of the day. Tired at length of the active amusements of
the field, they exchange them for the substantial entertainments of the table.
Groaning under the 'sonsy haggis,'[85] and many other savoury dainties,
unseen for twelve months before, the relish communicated to the company,
by the appearance of the festive board, is more easily conceived than
described. The dinner once despatched, the flowing bowl succeeds, and the
sparkling glass flies to and fro like a weaver's shuttle. As it continues its
rounds, the spirits of the company become more jovial and happy. Animated
by its cheering influence, even old decrepitude no longer feels his habitual
pains—the fire of youth is in his eye, as he details to the company the
exploits which distinguished him in the days of 'auld langsyne;' while the
young, with hearts inflamed with 'love and glory,' long to mingle in the
more lively scenes of mirth, to display their prowess and agility. Leaving
the patriarchs to finish those professions of friendship for each other, in
which they are so devoutly engaged, the younger part of the company will
shape their course to the ball-room, or the card-table, as their individual
inclinations suggest; and the remainder of the evening is spent with the
greatest pleasure of which human nature is susceptible."
Sword Dancing at Christmas.
Hone's "Table Book" (vol. i.), 1827, contains a letter descriptive of the
pitmen of Northumberland, which says:—
Page 327
"The ancient custom of sword-dancing at Christmas is kept up in
Northumberland exclusively by these people. They may be constantly seen
at that festive season with their fiddler, bands of swordsmen, Tommy and
Bessy, most grotesquely dressed, performing their annual routine of warlike
evolutions."
And the present writer heard of similar festivities at Christmastide in the
Madeley district of Shropshire, accompanied by grotesque imitations of the
ancient hobby-horse.
Cumberland.
"A. W. R.," writing to Hone's "Year Book," December 8, 1827, says:—
"Nowhere does the Christmas season produce more heart-inspiring mirth
than among the inhabitants of Cumberland.
"With Christmas Eve commences a regular series of 'festivities and merry
makings.' Night after night, if you want the farmer or his family, you must
look for them anywhere but at home; and in the different houses that you
pass at one, two, or three in the morning, should you happen to be out so
late, you will find candles and fires still unextinguished. At Christmas,
every farmer gives two 'feasts,' one called 't' ould foaks neet,' which is for
those who are married, and the other 't' young foaks neet,' for those who are
single. Suppose you and I, sir, take the liberty of attending one of these
Northumberland exclusively by these people. They may be constantly seen
at that festive season with their fiddler, bands of swordsmen, Tommy and
Bessy, most grotesquely dressed, performing their annual routine of warlike
evolutions."
And the present writer heard of similar festivities at Christmastide in the
Madeley district of Shropshire, accompanied by grotesque imitations of the
ancient hobby-horse.
Cumberland.
"A. W. R.," writing to Hone's "Year Book," December 8, 1827, says:—
"Nowhere does the Christmas season produce more heart-inspiring mirth
than among the inhabitants of Cumberland.
"With Christmas Eve commences a regular series of 'festivities and merry
makings.' Night after night, if you want the farmer or his family, you must
look for them anywhere but at home; and in the different houses that you
pass at one, two, or three in the morning, should you happen to be out so
late, you will find candles and fires still unextinguished. At Christmas,
every farmer gives two 'feasts,' one called 't' ould foaks neet,' which is for
those who are married, and the other 't' young foaks neet,' for those who are
single. Suppose you and I, sir, take the liberty of attending one of these
Page 328
feasts unasked (which by the bye is considered no liberty at all in
Cumberland) and see what is going on. Upon entering the room we behold
several card parties, some at 'whist,' others at 'loo' (there called 'lant'), or
any other game that may suit their fancy. You will be surprised on looking
over the company to find that there is no distinction of persons. Masters and
servants, rich and poor, humble and lofty, all mingle together without
restraint—all cares are forgotten—and each one seems to glory in his own
enjoyment and in that of his fellow-creatures. It is pleasant to find ourselves
in such society, especially as it is rarely in one's life that such opportunities
offer. Cast your eyes towards the sideboard, and there see that large bowl of
punch, which the good wife is inviting her guests to partake of, with apples,
oranges, biscuits, and other agreeable eatables in plenty. The hospitable
master welcomes us with a smiling countenance and requests us to take
seats and join one of the tables.
"In due time some one enters to tell the company that supper is waiting in
the next room. Thither we adjourn, and find the raised and mince pies, all
sorts of tarts, and all cold—except the welcomes and entreaties—with
cream, ale, &c., in abundance; in the midst of all a large goose pie, which
seems to say 'Come and cut again.'
"After supper the party return to the card room, sit there for two or three
hours longer, and afterwards make the best of their way home, to take a
good long nap, and prepare for the same scene the next night. At these
'feasts' intoxication is entirely out of the question—it never happens.
"Such are the innocent amusements of these people."
"With gentle deeds and kindly thoughts,
And loving words withal,
Welcome the merry Christmas in
And hear a brother's call."[86]
Provision for the Poor on Christmas Day.
Cumberland) and see what is going on. Upon entering the room we behold
several card parties, some at 'whist,' others at 'loo' (there called 'lant'), or
any other game that may suit their fancy. You will be surprised on looking
over the company to find that there is no distinction of persons. Masters and
servants, rich and poor, humble and lofty, all mingle together without
restraint—all cares are forgotten—and each one seems to glory in his own
enjoyment and in that of his fellow-creatures. It is pleasant to find ourselves
in such society, especially as it is rarely in one's life that such opportunities
offer. Cast your eyes towards the sideboard, and there see that large bowl of
punch, which the good wife is inviting her guests to partake of, with apples,
oranges, biscuits, and other agreeable eatables in plenty. The hospitable
master welcomes us with a smiling countenance and requests us to take
seats and join one of the tables.
"In due time some one enters to tell the company that supper is waiting in
the next room. Thither we adjourn, and find the raised and mince pies, all
sorts of tarts, and all cold—except the welcomes and entreaties—with
cream, ale, &c., in abundance; in the midst of all a large goose pie, which
seems to say 'Come and cut again.'
"After supper the party return to the card room, sit there for two or three
hours longer, and afterwards make the best of their way home, to take a
good long nap, and prepare for the same scene the next night. At these
'feasts' intoxication is entirely out of the question—it never happens.
"Such are the innocent amusements of these people."
"With gentle deeds and kindly thoughts,
And loving words withal,
Welcome the merry Christmas in
And hear a brother's call."[86]
Provision for the Poor on Christmas Day.
Page 329
the giving away of christmas doles.
By the will of John Popple, dated the 12th of March, 1830, £4 yearly is to
be paid unto the vicar, churchwardens, and overseers of the poor of the
parish of Burnham, Buckinghamshire, to provide for the poor people who
should be residing in the poorhouse, a dinner, with a proper quantity of
good ale and likewise with tobacco and snuff on Christmas Day.[87]
This kindly provision of Mr. Popple for the poor shows that he wished to
keep up the good old Christmas customs which are so much admired by the
By the will of John Popple, dated the 12th of March, 1830, £4 yearly is to
be paid unto the vicar, churchwardens, and overseers of the poor of the
parish of Burnham, Buckinghamshire, to provide for the poor people who
should be residing in the poorhouse, a dinner, with a proper quantity of
good ale and likewise with tobacco and snuff on Christmas Day.[87]
This kindly provision of Mr. Popple for the poor shows that he wished to
keep up the good old Christmas customs which are so much admired by the
Page 330
"old man" in Southey's "The Old Mansion" (a poem of this period). In
recalling the good doings at the mansion "in my lady's time" the "old man"
says:—
"A woful day
'Twas for the poor when to her grave she went!
- - - - -
Were they sick?
She had rare cordial waters, and for herbs
She could have taught the doctors. Then at winter,
When weekly she distributed the bread
In the poor old porch, to see her and to hear
The blessings on her! And I warrant them
They were a blessing to her when her wealth
Had been no comfort else. At Christmas, sir!
It would have warmed your heart if you had seen
Her Christmas kitchen; how the blazing fire
Made her fine pewter shine, and holly boughs
So cheerful red; and as for mistletoe,
The finest bough that grew in the country round
Was mark'd for madam. Then her old ale went
So bountiful about! a Christmas cask,—
And 'twas a noble one!—God help me, sir!
But I shall never see such days again."
The Royal Christmases
In the reigns of George IV. and William IV., though not kept with the
grandeur of earlier reigns, were observed with much rejoicing and festivity,
recalling the good doings at the mansion "in my lady's time" the "old man"
says:—
"A woful day
'Twas for the poor when to her grave she went!
- - - - -
Were they sick?
She had rare cordial waters, and for herbs
She could have taught the doctors. Then at winter,
When weekly she distributed the bread
In the poor old porch, to see her and to hear
The blessings on her! And I warrant them
They were a blessing to her when her wealth
Had been no comfort else. At Christmas, sir!
It would have warmed your heart if you had seen
Her Christmas kitchen; how the blazing fire
Made her fine pewter shine, and holly boughs
So cheerful red; and as for mistletoe,
The finest bough that grew in the country round
Was mark'd for madam. Then her old ale went
So bountiful about! a Christmas cask,—
And 'twas a noble one!—God help me, sir!
But I shall never see such days again."
The Royal Christmases
In the reigns of George IV. and William IV., though not kept with the
grandeur of earlier reigns, were observed with much rejoicing and festivity,
Page 331
and the Royal Bounties to the poor of the metropolis and the country
districts surrounding Windsor and the other Royal Palaces were dispensed
with the customary generosity. In his "Sketch Book," Washington Irving,
who was born in the reign of George III. (1783), and lived on through the
reigns of George IV., and William IV., and the first two decades of the reign
of Queen Victoria, gives delightful descriptions of the
Festivities of the Nobility and Gentry
of the period, recalling the times when the old halls of castles and manor
houses resounded with the harp and the Christmas Carol and their ample
boards groaned under the weight of hospitality. He had travelled a good
deal on both sides of the Atlantic and he gives a picturesque account of an
old English stage coach journey "on the day preceding Christmas." The
coach was crowded with passengers. "It was also loaded with hampers of
game, and baskets and boxes of delicacies; and hares hung dangling their
long ears about the coachman's box, presents from distant friends for the
impending feast. I had three fine rosy-cheeked schoolboys for my fellow-
passengers inside, full of the buxom health and manly spirit which I have
observed in the children of this country. They were returning home for the
holidays in high glee, and promising themselves a world of enjoyment. It
was delightful to hear the gigantic plans of the little rogues, and the
impracticable feats they were to perform during their six weeks'
emancipation from the abhorred thraldom of book, birch, and pedagogue."
Then follows Irving's graphic sketch of the English stage coachman, and the
incidents of the journey, during which it seemed "as if everybody was in
good looks and good spirits.
"Game, poultry, and other luxuries of the table, were in brisk circulation in
the villages; the grocers,' butchers,' and fruiterers' shops were thronged with
customers. The house-wives were stirring briskly about, putting their
dwellings in order; and the glossy branches of holly, with their bright red
berries, began to appear at the windows."
- - - - - - -
districts surrounding Windsor and the other Royal Palaces were dispensed
with the customary generosity. In his "Sketch Book," Washington Irving,
who was born in the reign of George III. (1783), and lived on through the
reigns of George IV., and William IV., and the first two decades of the reign
of Queen Victoria, gives delightful descriptions of the
Festivities of the Nobility and Gentry
of the period, recalling the times when the old halls of castles and manor
houses resounded with the harp and the Christmas Carol and their ample
boards groaned under the weight of hospitality. He had travelled a good
deal on both sides of the Atlantic and he gives a picturesque account of an
old English stage coach journey "on the day preceding Christmas." The
coach was crowded with passengers. "It was also loaded with hampers of
game, and baskets and boxes of delicacies; and hares hung dangling their
long ears about the coachman's box, presents from distant friends for the
impending feast. I had three fine rosy-cheeked schoolboys for my fellow-
passengers inside, full of the buxom health and manly spirit which I have
observed in the children of this country. They were returning home for the
holidays in high glee, and promising themselves a world of enjoyment. It
was delightful to hear the gigantic plans of the little rogues, and the
impracticable feats they were to perform during their six weeks'
emancipation from the abhorred thraldom of book, birch, and pedagogue."
Then follows Irving's graphic sketch of the English stage coachman, and the
incidents of the journey, during which it seemed "as if everybody was in
good looks and good spirits.
"Game, poultry, and other luxuries of the table, were in brisk circulation in
the villages; the grocers,' butchers,' and fruiterers' shops were thronged with
customers. The house-wives were stirring briskly about, putting their
dwellings in order; and the glossy branches of holly, with their bright red
berries, began to appear at the windows."
- - - - - - -
Page 332
"In the evening we reached a village where I had determined to pass the
night. As we drove into the great gateway of the inn, I saw on one side the
light of a rousing kitchen fire beaming through a window. I entered, and
admired, for the hundredth time, that picture of convenience, neatness, and
broad, honest enjoyment, the kitchen of an English inn. It was of spacious
dimensions, hung round with copper and tin vessels highly polished, and
decorated here and there with a Christmas green.... The scene completely
realised poor Robin's [1684] humble idea of the comforts of mid-winter:
'Now trees their leafy hats do bare
To reverence winter's silver hair;
A handsome hostess, merry host,
A pot of ale now and a toast,
Tobacco and a good coal fire,
Are things this season doth require.'"
Mr. Irving afterwards depicts, in his own graphic style, the Christmas
festivities observed at an old-fashioned English hall, and tells how the
generous squire pointed with pleasure to the indications of good cheer
reeking from the chimneys of the comfortable farmhouses, and low
thatched cottages. "I love," said he, "to see this day well kept by rich and
poor; it is a great thing to have one day in the year, at least, when you are
sure of being welcome wherever you go, and of having, as it were, the
world all thrown open to you; and I am almost disposed to join with poor
Robin, in his malediction on every churlish enemy to this honest festival:
"'Those who at Christmas do repine,
And would fain hence despatch him,
May they with old Duke Humphry dine,
Or else may Squire Ketch catch 'em.'
"The squire went on to lament the deplorable decay of the games and
amusements which were once prevalent at this season among the lower
orders, and countenanced by the higher; when the old halls of castles and
manor-houses were thrown open at daylight; when the tables were covered
with brawn, and beef, and humming ale; when the harp and the carol
resounded all day long, and when rich and poor were alike welcome to
enter and make merry. 'Our old games and local customs,' said he, 'had a
great effect in making the peasant fond of his home, and the promotion of
them by the gentry made him fond of his lord. They made the times merrier,
and kinder and better; and I can truly say with one of our old poets:
night. As we drove into the great gateway of the inn, I saw on one side the
light of a rousing kitchen fire beaming through a window. I entered, and
admired, for the hundredth time, that picture of convenience, neatness, and
broad, honest enjoyment, the kitchen of an English inn. It was of spacious
dimensions, hung round with copper and tin vessels highly polished, and
decorated here and there with a Christmas green.... The scene completely
realised poor Robin's [1684] humble idea of the comforts of mid-winter:
'Now trees their leafy hats do bare
To reverence winter's silver hair;
A handsome hostess, merry host,
A pot of ale now and a toast,
Tobacco and a good coal fire,
Are things this season doth require.'"
Mr. Irving afterwards depicts, in his own graphic style, the Christmas
festivities observed at an old-fashioned English hall, and tells how the
generous squire pointed with pleasure to the indications of good cheer
reeking from the chimneys of the comfortable farmhouses, and low
thatched cottages. "I love," said he, "to see this day well kept by rich and
poor; it is a great thing to have one day in the year, at least, when you are
sure of being welcome wherever you go, and of having, as it were, the
world all thrown open to you; and I am almost disposed to join with poor
Robin, in his malediction on every churlish enemy to this honest festival:
"'Those who at Christmas do repine,
And would fain hence despatch him,
May they with old Duke Humphry dine,
Or else may Squire Ketch catch 'em.'
"The squire went on to lament the deplorable decay of the games and
amusements which were once prevalent at this season among the lower
orders, and countenanced by the higher; when the old halls of castles and
manor-houses were thrown open at daylight; when the tables were covered
with brawn, and beef, and humming ale; when the harp and the carol
resounded all day long, and when rich and poor were alike welcome to
enter and make merry. 'Our old games and local customs,' said he, 'had a
great effect in making the peasant fond of his home, and the promotion of
them by the gentry made him fond of his lord. They made the times merrier,
and kinder and better; and I can truly say with one of our old poets:
Page 333
"'I like them well—the curious preciseness
And all-pretended gravity of those
That seek to banish hence these harmless sports,
Have thrust away much ancient honesty.'"
The Christmases of Queen Victoria
have been kept with much bountifulness, but after the gracious manner of a
Christian Queen who cares more for the welfare of her beloved subjects
than for ostentatious display. Her Majesty's Royal bounties to the poor of
the metropolis and its environs, and also to others in the country districts
surrounding the several Royal Palaces are well known, the ancient
Christmas and New Year's gifts being dispensed with great generosity. The
number of aged and afflicted persons usually relieved by the Lord High
Almoner in sums of 5s. and 13s. exceeds an aggregate of 1,200. Then there
is the distribution of the beef—a most interesting feature of the Royal
Bounty—which takes place in the Riding School at Windsor Castle, under
the superintendence of the several Court officials. The meat, divided into
portions of from three pounds to seven pounds, and decorated with sprigs of
holly, is arranged upon a table placed in the middle of the Riding School,
and covered with white cloths from the Lord Steward's department of the
palace. During the distribution the bells of St. John's Church ring a merry
peal. There are usually many hundreds of recipients and the weight of the
beef allotted amounts to many thousands of pounds. Coals and clothing and
other creature comforts are liberally dispensed, according to the needs of
the poor. In times of war and seasons of distress hospitable entertainments,
Christmas-trees, &c., are also provided for the wives and children of
soldiers and sailors on active service; and in many other ways the Royal
Bounty is extended to the poor and needy at Christmastide.
The Christmas at Windsor Castle, in 1841,
And all-pretended gravity of those
That seek to banish hence these harmless sports,
Have thrust away much ancient honesty.'"
The Christmases of Queen Victoria
have been kept with much bountifulness, but after the gracious manner of a
Christian Queen who cares more for the welfare of her beloved subjects
than for ostentatious display. Her Majesty's Royal bounties to the poor of
the metropolis and its environs, and also to others in the country districts
surrounding the several Royal Palaces are well known, the ancient
Christmas and New Year's gifts being dispensed with great generosity. The
number of aged and afflicted persons usually relieved by the Lord High
Almoner in sums of 5s. and 13s. exceeds an aggregate of 1,200. Then there
is the distribution of the beef—a most interesting feature of the Royal
Bounty—which takes place in the Riding School at Windsor Castle, under
the superintendence of the several Court officials. The meat, divided into
portions of from three pounds to seven pounds, and decorated with sprigs of
holly, is arranged upon a table placed in the middle of the Riding School,
and covered with white cloths from the Lord Steward's department of the
palace. During the distribution the bells of St. John's Church ring a merry
peal. There are usually many hundreds of recipients and the weight of the
beef allotted amounts to many thousands of pounds. Coals and clothing and
other creature comforts are liberally dispensed, according to the needs of
the poor. In times of war and seasons of distress hospitable entertainments,
Christmas-trees, &c., are also provided for the wives and children of
soldiers and sailors on active service; and in many other ways the Royal
Bounty is extended to the poor and needy at Christmastide.
The Christmas at Windsor Castle, in 1841,
Page 334
is thus referred to in the "Life of the Prince Consort" (by Theodore Martin):
—
"When Christmas came round with its pleasant festivities and its shining
Christmas-trees, it had within it a new source of delight for the Royal
parents. 'To think,' says the Queen's 'Journal,' 'that we have two children
now, and one who enjoys the sight already, is like a dream!' And in writing
to his father the Prince expresses the same feeling. 'This,' he says, 'is the
dear Christmas Eve, on which I have so often listened with impatience for
your step, which was to usher us into the present-room. To-day I have two
children of my own to give presents to, who, they know not why, are full of
happy wonder at the German Christmas-tree and its radiant candles.'
"The coming year was danced into in good old English fashion. In the
middle of the dance, as the clock finished striking twelve, a flourish of
trumpets was blown, in accordance with a German custom. This, the
Queen's 'Journal' records, 'had a fine solemn effect, and quite affected dear
Albert, who turned pale, and had tears in his eyes, and pressed my hand
very warmly. It touched me too, for I felt that he must think of his dear
native country, which he has left for me.'"
Christmas at Osborne.
Writing from Cowes, on Christmas Eve, in reference to the Christmas
festivities at Osborne in the last decade of the nineteenth century, a
correspondent says:—
"After transacting business the Queen drove out this afternoon, returning to
Osborne just as the setting sun illumines with its rosy rays the Paladin
Towers of her Majesty's marine residence. The Queen desires to live, as far
as the cares of State permit, the life of a private lady. Her Majesty loves the
seclusion of this lordly estate, and here at Christmas time she enjoys the
society of her children and grandchildren, who meet together as less exalted
families do at this merry season to reciprocate the same homely delights as
those which are experienced throughout the land.
"This afternoon a pleasant little festivity has been celebrated at Osborne
House, where her Majesty, with an ever-kindly interest in her servants and
dependants, has for many years inaugurated Christmas in a similar way, the
—
"When Christmas came round with its pleasant festivities and its shining
Christmas-trees, it had within it a new source of delight for the Royal
parents. 'To think,' says the Queen's 'Journal,' 'that we have two children
now, and one who enjoys the sight already, is like a dream!' And in writing
to his father the Prince expresses the same feeling. 'This,' he says, 'is the
dear Christmas Eve, on which I have so often listened with impatience for
your step, which was to usher us into the present-room. To-day I have two
children of my own to give presents to, who, they know not why, are full of
happy wonder at the German Christmas-tree and its radiant candles.'
"The coming year was danced into in good old English fashion. In the
middle of the dance, as the clock finished striking twelve, a flourish of
trumpets was blown, in accordance with a German custom. This, the
Queen's 'Journal' records, 'had a fine solemn effect, and quite affected dear
Albert, who turned pale, and had tears in his eyes, and pressed my hand
very warmly. It touched me too, for I felt that he must think of his dear
native country, which he has left for me.'"
Christmas at Osborne.
Writing from Cowes, on Christmas Eve, in reference to the Christmas
festivities at Osborne in the last decade of the nineteenth century, a
correspondent says:—
"After transacting business the Queen drove out this afternoon, returning to
Osborne just as the setting sun illumines with its rosy rays the Paladin
Towers of her Majesty's marine residence. The Queen desires to live, as far
as the cares of State permit, the life of a private lady. Her Majesty loves the
seclusion of this lordly estate, and here at Christmas time she enjoys the
society of her children and grandchildren, who meet together as less exalted
families do at this merry season to reciprocate the same homely delights as
those which are experienced throughout the land.
"This afternoon a pleasant little festivity has been celebrated at Osborne
House, where her Majesty, with an ever-kindly interest in her servants and
dependants, has for many years inaugurated Christmas in a similar way, the
Page 335
children of her tenantry and the old and infirm enjoying by the Royal
bounty the first taste of Christmas fare. The Osborne estate now comprises
5,000 acres, and it includes the Prince Consort's model farm. The children
of the labourers—who are housed in excellent cottages—attend the
Whippingham National Schools, a pretty block of buildings, distant one
mile from Osborne. About half the number of scholars live upon the
Queen's estate, and, in accordance with annual custom, the mistresses of the
schools, the Misses Thomas, accompanied by the staff of teachers, have
conducted a little band of boys and girls—fifty-four in all—to the house,
there to take tea and to receive the customary Christmas gifts. Until very
recently the Queen herself presided at the distribution; but the Princess
Beatrice has lately relieved her mother of the fatigue involved; for the
ceremony is no mere formality, it is made the occasion of many a kindly
word the remembrance of which far outlasts the gifts. All sorts of rumours
are current on the estate for weeks before this Christmas Eve gathering as to
the nature of the presents to be bestowed, for no one is supposed to know
beforehand what they will be; but there was a pretty shrewd guess to-day
that the boys would be given gloves, and the girls cloaks. In some cases the
former had had scarves or cloth for suits, and the latter dresses or shawls.
Whatever the Christmas presents may be, here they are, arranged upon
tables in two long lines, in the servants' hall. To this holly-decorated
apartment the expectant youngsters are brought, and their delighted gaze
falls upon a huge Christmas-tree laden with beautiful toys. Everybody
knows that the tree will be there, and moreover that its summit will be
crowned with a splendid doll. Now, the ultimate ownership of this doll is a
matter of much concern; it needs deliberation, as it is awarded to the best
child, and the judges are the children themselves. The trophy is handed to
the keeping of Miss Thomas, and on the next 1st of May the children select
by their votes the most popular girl in the school to be elected May Queen.
To her the gift goes, and no fairer way could be devised. The Princess
Beatrice always makes a point of knowing to whom the prize has been
awarded. Her Royal Highness is so constantly a visitor to the cottagers and
to the school that she has many an inquiry to make of the little ones as they
come forward to receive their gifts.
"The girls are called up first by the mistress, and Mr. Andrew Blake, the
steward, introduces each child to the Princess Beatrice, to whom Mr. Blake
bounty the first taste of Christmas fare. The Osborne estate now comprises
5,000 acres, and it includes the Prince Consort's model farm. The children
of the labourers—who are housed in excellent cottages—attend the
Whippingham National Schools, a pretty block of buildings, distant one
mile from Osborne. About half the number of scholars live upon the
Queen's estate, and, in accordance with annual custom, the mistresses of the
schools, the Misses Thomas, accompanied by the staff of teachers, have
conducted a little band of boys and girls—fifty-four in all—to the house,
there to take tea and to receive the customary Christmas gifts. Until very
recently the Queen herself presided at the distribution; but the Princess
Beatrice has lately relieved her mother of the fatigue involved; for the
ceremony is no mere formality, it is made the occasion of many a kindly
word the remembrance of which far outlasts the gifts. All sorts of rumours
are current on the estate for weeks before this Christmas Eve gathering as to
the nature of the presents to be bestowed, for no one is supposed to know
beforehand what they will be; but there was a pretty shrewd guess to-day
that the boys would be given gloves, and the girls cloaks. In some cases the
former had had scarves or cloth for suits, and the latter dresses or shawls.
Whatever the Christmas presents may be, here they are, arranged upon
tables in two long lines, in the servants' hall. To this holly-decorated
apartment the expectant youngsters are brought, and their delighted gaze
falls upon a huge Christmas-tree laden with beautiful toys. Everybody
knows that the tree will be there, and moreover that its summit will be
crowned with a splendid doll. Now, the ultimate ownership of this doll is a
matter of much concern; it needs deliberation, as it is awarded to the best
child, and the judges are the children themselves. The trophy is handed to
the keeping of Miss Thomas, and on the next 1st of May the children select
by their votes the most popular girl in the school to be elected May Queen.
To her the gift goes, and no fairer way could be devised. The Princess
Beatrice always makes a point of knowing to whom the prize has been
awarded. Her Royal Highness is so constantly a visitor to the cottagers and
to the school that she has many an inquiry to make of the little ones as they
come forward to receive their gifts.
"The girls are called up first by the mistress, and Mr. Andrew Blake, the
steward, introduces each child to the Princess Beatrice, to whom Mr. Blake
Page 336
hands the presents that her Royal Highness may bestow them upon the
recipients with a word of good will, which makes the day memorable. Then
the boys are summoned to participate in the distribution of good things,
which, it should be explained, consist not only of seasonable and sensible
clothing, but toys from the tree, presented by the Queen's grandchildren,
who, with their parents, grace the ceremony with their presence and make
the occasion one of family interest. The Ladies-in-Waiting also attend. Each
boy and girl gets in addition a nicely-bound story-book and a large slice of
plum pudding neatly packed in paper, and if any little one is sick at home its
portion is carefully reserved. But the hospitality of the Queen is not limited
to the children. On alternate years the old men and women resident on the
estate are given, under the same pleasant auspices, presents of blankets or
clothing. To-day it was the turn of the men, and they received tweed for
suits. The aged people have their pudding as well. For the farm labourers
and boys, who are not bidden to this entertainment, there is a distribution of
tickets, each representing a goodly joint of beef for the Christmas dinner.
The festivity this afternoon was brought to a close by the children singing
the National Anthem in the courtyard.
"The Queen is accustomed to spend Christmas Day very quietly, attending
service at the Chapel at Osborne in the morning, and in the evening the
Royal family meeting at dinner. There are Christmas trees for the children,
and for the servants too, but the houshold reserves its principal festivity for
the New Year—a day which is specially set aside for their entertainment."
The Christmas Festivities at Sandringham
are observed with generous hospitality by their Royal Highnesses the Prince
and Princess of Wales, who take special interest in the enjoyment of their
tenants, and also remember the poor. A time-honoured custom on Christmas
Eve is the distribution of prime joints of meat to the labourers employed on
the Royal estate, and to the poor of the five parishes of Sandringham, West
Newton, Babingley, Dersingham, and Wolferton. From twelve to fifteen
hundred pounds of meat are usually distributed, and such other gifts are
made as the inclemency of the season and the necessities of the poor
require. In Sandringham "Past and Present," 1888, Mrs. Herbert Jones says:
—"Sandringham, which is the centre of a generous hospitality, has not only
recipients with a word of good will, which makes the day memorable. Then
the boys are summoned to participate in the distribution of good things,
which, it should be explained, consist not only of seasonable and sensible
clothing, but toys from the tree, presented by the Queen's grandchildren,
who, with their parents, grace the ceremony with their presence and make
the occasion one of family interest. The Ladies-in-Waiting also attend. Each
boy and girl gets in addition a nicely-bound story-book and a large slice of
plum pudding neatly packed in paper, and if any little one is sick at home its
portion is carefully reserved. But the hospitality of the Queen is not limited
to the children. On alternate years the old men and women resident on the
estate are given, under the same pleasant auspices, presents of blankets or
clothing. To-day it was the turn of the men, and they received tweed for
suits. The aged people have their pudding as well. For the farm labourers
and boys, who are not bidden to this entertainment, there is a distribution of
tickets, each representing a goodly joint of beef for the Christmas dinner.
The festivity this afternoon was brought to a close by the children singing
the National Anthem in the courtyard.
"The Queen is accustomed to spend Christmas Day very quietly, attending
service at the Chapel at Osborne in the morning, and in the evening the
Royal family meeting at dinner. There are Christmas trees for the children,
and for the servants too, but the houshold reserves its principal festivity for
the New Year—a day which is specially set aside for their entertainment."
The Christmas Festivities at Sandringham
are observed with generous hospitality by their Royal Highnesses the Prince
and Princess of Wales, who take special interest in the enjoyment of their
tenants, and also remember the poor. A time-honoured custom on Christmas
Eve is the distribution of prime joints of meat to the labourers employed on
the Royal estate, and to the poor of the five parishes of Sandringham, West
Newton, Babingley, Dersingham, and Wolferton. From twelve to fifteen
hundred pounds of meat are usually distributed, and such other gifts are
made as the inclemency of the season and the necessities of the poor
require. In Sandringham "Past and Present," 1888, Mrs. Herbert Jones says:
—"Sandringham, which is the centre of a generous hospitality, has not only
Page 337
been in every way raised, benefited, and enriched since it passed into the
royal hands, which may be said to have created it afresh, but rests under the
happy glow shed over it by the preference of a princess
"'Whose peerless feature joinèd with her birth,
Approve her fit for none but for a king.'
Shakespeare's Henry VI."
The Christmas Generosity of the late Duke of Edinburgh.
In a letter to the press a lieutenant of Marines makes the following reference
to a Christmas entertainment given by H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, in
1886: "Last night a large party, consisting of many officers of the Fleet,
including all the 'old ships' of the Duke, and three or four midshipmen from
every ship in the Fleet, were invited to a Christmas-tree at S. Antonio
Palace. In the course of the evening two lotteries were drawn, all the
numbers being prizes, each guest consequently getting two. I have had an
opportunity of seeing many of these, and they are all most beautiful and
useful objects, ranging in value from five shillings to perhaps three or four
pounds. I should think that at least half the prizes I have seen were worth
over one pound."
Other Seasonable Hospitality and Benevolence.
The good example set by royalty is followed throughout the land. Friendly
hospitalities are general at Christmastide, and in London and other large
centres of population many thousands of poor people are provided with free
breakfasts, dinners, teas, and suppers on Christmas Day, public halls and
school-rooms being utilised for purposes of entertainment; children in
hospitals are plentifully supplied with toys, and Christmas parties are also
given to the poor at the private residences of benevolent people. As an
illustrative instance of generous Christmas hospitality by a landowner we
cite the following:—
Christmas Dinner To Five Thousand Poor.
On Christmas Eve, 1887, Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., the largest
landowner in the Principality of Wales, gave his annual Christmas gifts to
royal hands, which may be said to have created it afresh, but rests under the
happy glow shed over it by the preference of a princess
"'Whose peerless feature joinèd with her birth,
Approve her fit for none but for a king.'
Shakespeare's Henry VI."
The Christmas Generosity of the late Duke of Edinburgh.
In a letter to the press a lieutenant of Marines makes the following reference
to a Christmas entertainment given by H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, in
1886: "Last night a large party, consisting of many officers of the Fleet,
including all the 'old ships' of the Duke, and three or four midshipmen from
every ship in the Fleet, were invited to a Christmas-tree at S. Antonio
Palace. In the course of the evening two lotteries were drawn, all the
numbers being prizes, each guest consequently getting two. I have had an
opportunity of seeing many of these, and they are all most beautiful and
useful objects, ranging in value from five shillings to perhaps three or four
pounds. I should think that at least half the prizes I have seen were worth
over one pound."
Other Seasonable Hospitality and Benevolence.
The good example set by royalty is followed throughout the land. Friendly
hospitalities are general at Christmastide, and in London and other large
centres of population many thousands of poor people are provided with free
breakfasts, dinners, teas, and suppers on Christmas Day, public halls and
school-rooms being utilised for purposes of entertainment; children in
hospitals are plentifully supplied with toys, and Christmas parties are also
given to the poor at the private residences of benevolent people. As an
illustrative instance of generous Christmas hospitality by a landowner we
cite the following:—
Christmas Dinner To Five Thousand Poor.
On Christmas Eve, 1887, Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., the largest
landowner in the Principality of Wales, gave his annual Christmas gifts to
Page 338
the aged and deserving poor throughout the extensive mining districts of
Ruabon, Rhosllanerchrugog, Cern, and Rhosymedre, Denbighshire, where
much distress prevailed in consequence of the depression in trade. Several
fine oxen were slain in Wynnstay Park, and the beef was distributed in
pieces ranging from 4lb. to 7lb., according to the number of members in
each family. A Christmas dinner was thus provided for upwards of 5,000
persons. In addition to this, Lady Williams Wynn provided thousands of
yards of flannel and cloth for clothing, together with a large number of
blankets, the aged men and women also receiving a shilling with the gift.
The hon. baronet had also erected an elaborate spacious hospital to the
memory of his uncle, the late Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, M.P., and
presented it to the parish.
Distributions of Christmas Fare To the Poor
are liberally made from various centres in different parts of London, and
thus many thousands of those who have fallen below the poverty line share
in the festivities of Christmastide.
This illustration of Christian caterers dispensing creature comforts to the
poor children may be taken as representative of many such Christmas
scenes in the metropolis. For over forty years the St. Giles' Christian
Mission, now under the superintendence of Mr. W. M. Wheatley, has been
exercising a beneficial influence among the needy poor, and, it is stated,
that at least 104,000 people have through this Mission been enabled to
make a fresh start in life. Many other Church Missions are doing similar
work. In addition to treats to poor children and aged people at
Christmastide, there are also great distributions of Christmas fare:—Joints
of roasting meat, plum-puddings, cakes, groceries, warm clothing, toys,
&c., &c.
Ruabon, Rhosllanerchrugog, Cern, and Rhosymedre, Denbighshire, where
much distress prevailed in consequence of the depression in trade. Several
fine oxen were slain in Wynnstay Park, and the beef was distributed in
pieces ranging from 4lb. to 7lb., according to the number of members in
each family. A Christmas dinner was thus provided for upwards of 5,000
persons. In addition to this, Lady Williams Wynn provided thousands of
yards of flannel and cloth for clothing, together with a large number of
blankets, the aged men and women also receiving a shilling with the gift.
The hon. baronet had also erected an elaborate spacious hospital to the
memory of his uncle, the late Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, M.P., and
presented it to the parish.
Distributions of Christmas Fare To the Poor
are liberally made from various centres in different parts of London, and
thus many thousands of those who have fallen below the poverty line share
in the festivities of Christmastide.
This illustration of Christian caterers dispensing creature comforts to the
poor children may be taken as representative of many such Christmas
scenes in the metropolis. For over forty years the St. Giles' Christian
Mission, now under the superintendence of Mr. W. M. Wheatley, has been
exercising a beneficial influence among the needy poor, and, it is stated,
that at least 104,000 people have through this Mission been enabled to
make a fresh start in life. Many other Church Missions are doing similar
work. In addition to treats to poor children and aged people at
Christmastide, there are also great distributions of Christmas fare:—Joints
of roasting meat, plum-puddings, cakes, groceries, warm clothing, toys,
&c., &c.
Page 339
poor children's treat in modern times.
At a recent distribution of a Christmas charity at Millbrook, Southampton,
the Rev. A. C. Blunt stated that one of the recipients had nearly reached her
102nd year. She was born in Hampshire, and down to a very recent period
had been able to do needlework.
In many cities and towns Christmas gifts are distributed on St. Thomas's
Day, and as an example we cite the Brighton distribution in 1886, on which
occasion the Brighton Police Court was filled by a congregation of some of
the "oldest inhabitants." And there was a distribution from the magistrates
poor-box of a Christmas gift of half a sovereign to 150 of the aged poor
whose claims to the bounty had been inquired into by the police. Formerly
100 used to be cheered in this way, but the contributions to the box this year
enabled a wider circle to share in the dole. There was a wonderful collection
of old people, for the average age was over 83 years. The oldest was a
venerable widow, who confessed to being 96 years old, the next was
another lady of 94 years, and then came two old fellows who had each
attained 93 years. Many of the recipients were too infirm to appear, but the
At a recent distribution of a Christmas charity at Millbrook, Southampton,
the Rev. A. C. Blunt stated that one of the recipients had nearly reached her
102nd year. She was born in Hampshire, and down to a very recent period
had been able to do needlework.
In many cities and towns Christmas gifts are distributed on St. Thomas's
Day, and as an example we cite the Brighton distribution in 1886, on which
occasion the Brighton Police Court was filled by a congregation of some of
the "oldest inhabitants." And there was a distribution from the magistrates
poor-box of a Christmas gift of half a sovereign to 150 of the aged poor
whose claims to the bounty had been inquired into by the police. Formerly
100 used to be cheered in this way, but the contributions to the box this year
enabled a wider circle to share in the dole. There was a wonderful collection
of old people, for the average age was over 83 years. The oldest was a
venerable widow, who confessed to being 96 years old, the next was
another lady of 94 years, and then came two old fellows who had each
attained 93 years. Many of the recipients were too infirm to appear, but the
Page 340
oldest of them all, the lady of 96 came into court despite the sharpness of
the wind and the frozen roads.
The Christmas at Belvoir Castle,
kept with generous liberality by the Duke of Rutland, in 1883, may be cited
as an example of Christmas customs continued by the head of a noble
house:
"The usual Christmas gifts were given to the poor of Knipton, Woolsthorpe,
and Redmile—nearly two hundred in number—consisting of calico, flannel
dresses, stockings, and handkerchiefs, each person at the same time
receiving a loaf of bread and a pint of ale. Twenty-one bales of goods,
containing counterpanes, blankets, and sheets, were also sent to the clergy
of as many different villages for distribution amongst the poor. The servants
at the Castle and workmen of the establishment had their Christmas dinner,
tea, and supper, the servants' hall having been beautifully decorated. At one
end of the room was a coronet, with the letter 'R'; and at the opposite end
three coronets, with the 'peacock in pride,' being the crest of the Rutland
family. The following mottoes, in large letters, were conspicuous, 'Long live
the Duke of Rutland,' 'Long live Lord and Lady John Manners and family,'
and 'A Merry Christmas to you all.' These were enclosed in a neat border.
From the top of the room were suspended long festoons of linked ribbons of
red, white, blue, and orange. All present thoroughly enjoyed themselves, as
it was the wish of his Grace they should do."
Similar hospitalities are dispensed by other noblemen and gentlemen in
different parts of the country at Christmas.
The lordly hospitality of Lincolnshire is depicted in
"The Baron's Yule Feast:
A Christmas Rhyme; by Thomas Cooper, the Chartist" (1846); which is
inscribed to the Countess of Blessington, and in the advertisement the
author offers "but one apology for the production of a metrical essay,
composed chiefly of imperfect and immature pieces: The ambition to
contribute towards the fund of Christmas entertainment." The scene of the
the wind and the frozen roads.
The Christmas at Belvoir Castle,
kept with generous liberality by the Duke of Rutland, in 1883, may be cited
as an example of Christmas customs continued by the head of a noble
house:
"The usual Christmas gifts were given to the poor of Knipton, Woolsthorpe,
and Redmile—nearly two hundred in number—consisting of calico, flannel
dresses, stockings, and handkerchiefs, each person at the same time
receiving a loaf of bread and a pint of ale. Twenty-one bales of goods,
containing counterpanes, blankets, and sheets, were also sent to the clergy
of as many different villages for distribution amongst the poor. The servants
at the Castle and workmen of the establishment had their Christmas dinner,
tea, and supper, the servants' hall having been beautifully decorated. At one
end of the room was a coronet, with the letter 'R'; and at the opposite end
three coronets, with the 'peacock in pride,' being the crest of the Rutland
family. The following mottoes, in large letters, were conspicuous, 'Long live
the Duke of Rutland,' 'Long live Lord and Lady John Manners and family,'
and 'A Merry Christmas to you all.' These were enclosed in a neat border.
From the top of the room were suspended long festoons of linked ribbons of
red, white, blue, and orange. All present thoroughly enjoyed themselves, as
it was the wish of his Grace they should do."
Similar hospitalities are dispensed by other noblemen and gentlemen in
different parts of the country at Christmas.
The lordly hospitality of Lincolnshire is depicted in
"The Baron's Yule Feast:
A Christmas Rhyme; by Thomas Cooper, the Chartist" (1846); which is
inscribed to the Countess of Blessington, and in the advertisement the
author offers "but one apology for the production of a metrical essay,
composed chiefly of imperfect and immature pieces: The ambition to
contribute towards the fund of Christmas entertainment." The scene of the
Page 341
Baron's Yule Feast is depicted in Torksey's Hall, Torksey being one of the
first towns in Lincolnshire in the Saxon period. After some introductory
verses the writer says:
"It is the season when our sires
Kept jocund holiday;
And, now, around our charier fires,
Old Yule shall have a lay:—
A prison-bard is once more free;
And, ere he yields his voice to thee,
His song a merry-song shall be!
Sir Wilfrid de Thorold freely holds
What his stout sires held before—
Broad lands for plough and fruitful folds,—
Though by gold he sets no store;
And he saith, from fen and woodland wolds
From marish, heath, and moor,—
To feast in his hall
Both free and thrall,
Shall come as they came of yore.
- - - - - - -
Now merrily ring the lady-bells
Of the nunnery by the Fosse:—
Say the hinds their silver music swells
'Like the blessed angels' syllables,
At His birth who bore the cross.'
And solemnly swells Saint Leonard's chime
And the great bell loud and deep:—
Say the gossips, 'Let's talk of the holy time
When the shepherds watched their sheep;
And the Babe was born for all souls' crime
In the weakness of flesh to weep.'—
But, anon, shrills the pipe of the merry mime
And their simple hearts upleap.
'God save your souls, good Christian folk!
God save your souls from sin!—
Blythe Yule is come—let us blythely joke!'—
Cry the mummers ere they begin.
Then, plough-boy Jack, in kirtle gay,—
Though shod with clouted shoon,—
Stands forth the wilful maid to play
Who ever saith to her lover, 'Nay'—
When he sues for a lover's boon.
While Hob the smith with sturdy arm
Circleth the feigned maid;
first towns in Lincolnshire in the Saxon period. After some introductory
verses the writer says:
"It is the season when our sires
Kept jocund holiday;
And, now, around our charier fires,
Old Yule shall have a lay:—
A prison-bard is once more free;
And, ere he yields his voice to thee,
His song a merry-song shall be!
Sir Wilfrid de Thorold freely holds
What his stout sires held before—
Broad lands for plough and fruitful folds,—
Though by gold he sets no store;
And he saith, from fen and woodland wolds
From marish, heath, and moor,—
To feast in his hall
Both free and thrall,
Shall come as they came of yore.
- - - - - - -
Now merrily ring the lady-bells
Of the nunnery by the Fosse:—
Say the hinds their silver music swells
'Like the blessed angels' syllables,
At His birth who bore the cross.'
And solemnly swells Saint Leonard's chime
And the great bell loud and deep:—
Say the gossips, 'Let's talk of the holy time
When the shepherds watched their sheep;
And the Babe was born for all souls' crime
In the weakness of flesh to weep.'—
But, anon, shrills the pipe of the merry mime
And their simple hearts upleap.
'God save your souls, good Christian folk!
God save your souls from sin!—
Blythe Yule is come—let us blythely joke!'—
Cry the mummers ere they begin.
Then, plough-boy Jack, in kirtle gay,—
Though shod with clouted shoon,—
Stands forth the wilful maid to play
Who ever saith to her lover, 'Nay'—
When he sues for a lover's boon.
While Hob the smith with sturdy arm
Circleth the feigned maid;
Page 342
And, spite of Jack's assumed alarm,
Busseth his lips, like a lover warm,
And will not 'Nay' be said
Then loffe the gossips, as if wit
Were mingled with the joke:
Gentles,—they were with folly smit,—
Natheless, their memories acquit
Of crime—these simple folk!
No harmful thoughts their revels blight,—
Devoid of bitter hate and spite,
They hold their merriment;—
And, till the chimes tell noon at night,
Their joy shall be unspent!
Come haste ye to bold Thorold's hall,
And crowd his kitchen wide;
For there, he saith, both free and thrall
Shall sport this good Yule-tide."
In subsequent verses the writer depicts the bringing in of the yule log to the
Baron's Hall,
"Where its brave old heart
A glow shall impart
To the heart of each guest at the festival.
- - - - - -
They pile the Yule-log on the hearth,—
Soak toasted crabs in ale;
And while they sip, their homely mirth
Is joyous as if all the earth
For man were void of bale!
And why should fears for future years,
Mix jolly ale with thoughts of tears
When in the horn 'tis poured?
And why should ghost of sorrow fright
The bold heart of an English knight
When beef is on the board?
De Thorold's guests are wiser than
The men of mopish lore;
For round they push the smiling can
And slice the plattered store.
And round they thrust the ponderous cheese,
And the loaves of wheat and rye;
None stinteth him for lack of ease—
For each a stintless welcome sees
In the Baron's blythesome eye.
Busseth his lips, like a lover warm,
And will not 'Nay' be said
Then loffe the gossips, as if wit
Were mingled with the joke:
Gentles,—they were with folly smit,—
Natheless, their memories acquit
Of crime—these simple folk!
No harmful thoughts their revels blight,—
Devoid of bitter hate and spite,
They hold their merriment;—
And, till the chimes tell noon at night,
Their joy shall be unspent!
Come haste ye to bold Thorold's hall,
And crowd his kitchen wide;
For there, he saith, both free and thrall
Shall sport this good Yule-tide."
In subsequent verses the writer depicts the bringing in of the yule log to the
Baron's Hall,
"Where its brave old heart
A glow shall impart
To the heart of each guest at the festival.
- - - - - -
They pile the Yule-log on the hearth,—
Soak toasted crabs in ale;
And while they sip, their homely mirth
Is joyous as if all the earth
For man were void of bale!
And why should fears for future years,
Mix jolly ale with thoughts of tears
When in the horn 'tis poured?
And why should ghost of sorrow fright
The bold heart of an English knight
When beef is on the board?
De Thorold's guests are wiser than
The men of mopish lore;
For round they push the smiling can
And slice the plattered store.
And round they thrust the ponderous cheese,
And the loaves of wheat and rye;
None stinteth him for lack of ease—
For each a stintless welcome sees
In the Baron's blythesome eye.
Page 343
The Baron joineth the joyous feast—
But not in pomp or pride;
He smileth on the humblest guest
So gladsomely—all feel that rest
Of heart which doth abide
Where deeds of generousness attest
The welcome of the tongue professed
Is not within belied."
In subsequent verses a stranger minstrel appears on the festive scene, and
tells his tale of love in song, acquitting himself
"So rare and gentle, that the hall
Rings with applause which one and all
Render who share the festival."
Some of the poets of this period have dealt playfully with the festivities of
Christmastide, as, for example, Laman Blanchard (1845) in the following
effusion:—
CHRISTMAS CHIT-CHAT.
In a Large Family Circle.
"The day of all days we have seen
Is Christmas," said Sue to Eugene;
"More welcome in village and city
Than Mayday," said Andrew to Kitty.
"Why 'Mistletoe's' twenty times sweeter
Than 'May,'" said Matilda to Peter;
"And so you will find it, if I'm a
True prophet," said James to Jemima.
"I'll stay up to supper, no bed,"
Then lisped little Laura to Ned.
"The girls all good-natured and dressy,
But not in pomp or pride;
He smileth on the humblest guest
So gladsomely—all feel that rest
Of heart which doth abide
Where deeds of generousness attest
The welcome of the tongue professed
Is not within belied."
In subsequent verses a stranger minstrel appears on the festive scene, and
tells his tale of love in song, acquitting himself
"So rare and gentle, that the hall
Rings with applause which one and all
Render who share the festival."
Some of the poets of this period have dealt playfully with the festivities of
Christmastide, as, for example, Laman Blanchard (1845) in the following
effusion:—
CHRISTMAS CHIT-CHAT.
In a Large Family Circle.
"The day of all days we have seen
Is Christmas," said Sue to Eugene;
"More welcome in village and city
Than Mayday," said Andrew to Kitty.
"Why 'Mistletoe's' twenty times sweeter
Than 'May,'" said Matilda to Peter;
"And so you will find it, if I'm a
True prophet," said James to Jemima.
"I'll stay up to supper, no bed,"
Then lisped little Laura to Ned.
"The girls all good-natured and dressy,
Page 344
And bright-cheeked," said Arthur to Jessie;
"Yes, hoping ere next year to marry,
The madcaps!" said Charlotte to Harry.
"So steaming, so savoury, so juicy,
The feast," said fat Charley to Lucy.
"Quadrilles and Charades might come on
Before dinner," said Martha to John.
"You'll find the roast beef when you're dizzy,
A settler," said Walter to Lizzy.
"Oh, horrid! one wing of a wren,
With a pea," said Belinda to Ben.
"Sublime!" said—displaying his leg—
George Frederick Augustus to Peg.
"At Christmas refinement is all fuss
And nonsense," said Fan to Adolphus.
"Would romps—or a tale of a fairy—
Best suit you," said Robert to Mary.
"At stories that work ghost and witch hard,
I tremble," said Rosa to Richard.
"A ghostly hair-standing dilemma
Needs 'bishop,'" said Alfred to Emma;
"What fun when with fear a stout crony
Turns pale," said Maria to Tony;
"And Hector, unable to rally,
Runs screaming," said Jacob to Sally.
"While you and I dance in the dark
The polka," said Ruth unto Mark:
"Each catching, according to fancy,
His neighbour," said wild Tom to Nancy;
"Till candles, to show what we can do,
Are brought in," said Ann to Orlando;
"And then we all laugh what is truly a
Heart's laugh," said William to Julia.
"Then sofas and chairs are put even,
And carpets," said Helen to Stephen;
"And so we all sit down again,
Supping twice," said sly Joseph to Jane.
"Now bring me my clogs and my spaniel,
And light me," said Dinah to Daniel.
"My dearest, you've emptied that chalice
Six times," said fond Edmund to Alice.
"We are going home tealess and coffeeless
Shabby!" said Soph to Theophilus;
"To meet again under the holly,
Et cetera," said Paul to fair Polly.
"Dear Uncle," has ordered his chariot;
All's over," said Matthew to Harriet.
"And pray now be all going to bedward,"
Said kind Aunt Rebecca to Edward!
"Yes, hoping ere next year to marry,
The madcaps!" said Charlotte to Harry.
"So steaming, so savoury, so juicy,
The feast," said fat Charley to Lucy.
"Quadrilles and Charades might come on
Before dinner," said Martha to John.
"You'll find the roast beef when you're dizzy,
A settler," said Walter to Lizzy.
"Oh, horrid! one wing of a wren,
With a pea," said Belinda to Ben.
"Sublime!" said—displaying his leg—
George Frederick Augustus to Peg.
"At Christmas refinement is all fuss
And nonsense," said Fan to Adolphus.
"Would romps—or a tale of a fairy—
Best suit you," said Robert to Mary.
"At stories that work ghost and witch hard,
I tremble," said Rosa to Richard.
"A ghostly hair-standing dilemma
Needs 'bishop,'" said Alfred to Emma;
"What fun when with fear a stout crony
Turns pale," said Maria to Tony;
"And Hector, unable to rally,
Runs screaming," said Jacob to Sally.
"While you and I dance in the dark
The polka," said Ruth unto Mark:
"Each catching, according to fancy,
His neighbour," said wild Tom to Nancy;
"Till candles, to show what we can do,
Are brought in," said Ann to Orlando;
"And then we all laugh what is truly a
Heart's laugh," said William to Julia.
"Then sofas and chairs are put even,
And carpets," said Helen to Stephen;
"And so we all sit down again,
Supping twice," said sly Joseph to Jane.
"Now bring me my clogs and my spaniel,
And light me," said Dinah to Daniel.
"My dearest, you've emptied that chalice
Six times," said fond Edmund to Alice.
"We are going home tealess and coffeeless
Shabby!" said Soph to Theophilus;
"To meet again under the holly,
Et cetera," said Paul to fair Polly.
"Dear Uncle," has ordered his chariot;
All's over," said Matthew to Harriet.
"And pray now be all going to bedward,"
Said kind Aunt Rebecca to Edward!
Page 345
Christmas Eve, 1849,
is the time of Robert Browning's beautiful poem of "Christmas Eve and
Easter Day," in which the poet sings the song of man's immortality,
proclaiming, as Easter Day breaks and Christ rises, that
"Mercy every way is infinite."
And, in his beautiful poem of "In Memoriam," Lord Tennyson associates
some of his finest verses with the ringing of
The Christmas Bells.
"Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
is the time of Robert Browning's beautiful poem of "Christmas Eve and
Easter Day," in which the poet sings the song of man's immortality,
proclaiming, as Easter Day breaks and Christ rises, that
"Mercy every way is infinite."
And, in his beautiful poem of "In Memoriam," Lord Tennyson associates
some of his finest verses with the ringing of
The Christmas Bells.
"Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Page 346
Ring in the Christ that is to be."
Page 347
the christmas bells.
As the poet Longfellow stood on the lofty tower of Bruges Cathedral the
belfry chimes set him musing, and of those chimes he says:
"Then most musical and solemn, bringing back the olden times,
With their strange, unearthly changes, rang the melancholy chimes,
Like the psalms from some old cloister, when the nuns sing in the choir;
And the great bell tolled among them, like the chanting of a friar.
Visions of the days departed, shadowy phantoms filled my brain:
They who live in history only seemed to walk the earth again."
As the poet Longfellow stood on the lofty tower of Bruges Cathedral the
belfry chimes set him musing, and of those chimes he says:
"Then most musical and solemn, bringing back the olden times,
With their strange, unearthly changes, rang the melancholy chimes,
Like the psalms from some old cloister, when the nuns sing in the choir;
And the great bell tolled among them, like the chanting of a friar.
Visions of the days departed, shadowy phantoms filled my brain:
They who live in history only seemed to walk the earth again."
Page 348
Christmas and New Year Cards
were first circulated in England in 1846. That year not more than a thousand
copies were printed, and that was considered a large sale. The numbers
distributed annually soon increased to tens and hundreds of thousands, and
now there are millions of them. Mr. J. C. Horsley, a member of the Royal
Academy, designed this first card which was sent out in 1846. It represents
a family party of three generations—grandfather and grandmother, father
and mother, and little children—and all are supposed to be joining in the
sentiment, "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you." The card
was issued from the office of one of the periodicals of the time, Felix
Summerley's Home Treasury. It was first lithographed, and then it was
coloured by hand.
Christmas and New Year Cards became very popular in the decade 1870-
1880. But then, however, simple cards alone did not suffice. Like many
other things, they felt the influence of the latter-day renaissance of art, and
by a sort of evolutionary process developed cards monochrome and
coloured, "Christmas Bell" cards, palettes, scrolls, circular and oval panels,
stars, fans, crescents, and other shaped novelties; embossed cards, the
iridescent series, the rustic and frosted cards, the folding series, the jewel
cards, the crayons, and private cards on which the sender's name and
sentiments are printed in gold, silver, or colours; hand-painted cards with
landscapes, seascapes, and floral decorations; paintings on porcelain; satin
cards, fringed silk, plush, Broché, and other artistically made-up novelties;
"art-gem" panels; elaborate booklets, and other elegant souvenirs of the
festive season. Many of the Christmas booklets are beautifully illustrated
editions of popular poems and carols.
"Quartette" cards, "Snap" cards, and other cards of games for the diversion
of social gatherings are also extensively used at Christmastide.
were first circulated in England in 1846. That year not more than a thousand
copies were printed, and that was considered a large sale. The numbers
distributed annually soon increased to tens and hundreds of thousands, and
now there are millions of them. Mr. J. C. Horsley, a member of the Royal
Academy, designed this first card which was sent out in 1846. It represents
a family party of three generations—grandfather and grandmother, father
and mother, and little children—and all are supposed to be joining in the
sentiment, "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you." The card
was issued from the office of one of the periodicals of the time, Felix
Summerley's Home Treasury. It was first lithographed, and then it was
coloured by hand.
Christmas and New Year Cards became very popular in the decade 1870-
1880. But then, however, simple cards alone did not suffice. Like many
other things, they felt the influence of the latter-day renaissance of art, and
by a sort of evolutionary process developed cards monochrome and
coloured, "Christmas Bell" cards, palettes, scrolls, circular and oval panels,
stars, fans, crescents, and other shaped novelties; embossed cards, the
iridescent series, the rustic and frosted cards, the folding series, the jewel
cards, the crayons, and private cards on which the sender's name and
sentiments are printed in gold, silver, or colours; hand-painted cards with
landscapes, seascapes, and floral decorations; paintings on porcelain; satin
cards, fringed silk, plush, Broché, and other artistically made-up novelties;
"art-gem" panels; elaborate booklets, and other elegant souvenirs of the
festive season. Many of the Christmas booklets are beautifully illustrated
editions of popular poems and carols.
"Quartette" cards, "Snap" cards, and other cards of games for the diversion
of social gatherings are also extensively used at Christmastide.
Page 349
Rustic Christmas Masque.
In compliance with a wish expressed by the Lady Londesborough, a
Masque, entitled, "Recollections of Old Christmas," was performed at
Grimston at Christmas, 1850, the following prologue being contributed by
Barry Cornwall:—
"When winter nights grow long,
And winds without blow cold,
We sit in a ring round the warm wood-fire,
And listen to stories old!
And we try to look grave (as maids should be),
When the men bring in boughs of the laurel tree.
O the laurel, the evergreen tree!
The poets have laurels—and why not we?
How pleasant when night falls down,
And hides the wintry sun,
To see them come in to the blazing fire,
And know that their work is done;
Whilst many bring in, with a laugh or rhyme,
Green branches of holly for Christmas time!
O the holly, the bright green holly!
It tells (like a tongue) that the times are jolly!
Sometimes—(in our grave house
Observe this happeneth not;)
But at times, the evergreen laurel boughs,
And the holly are all forgot!
And then! what then? Why the men laugh low,
And hang up a branch of—the misletoe!
In compliance with a wish expressed by the Lady Londesborough, a
Masque, entitled, "Recollections of Old Christmas," was performed at
Grimston at Christmas, 1850, the following prologue being contributed by
Barry Cornwall:—
"When winter nights grow long,
And winds without blow cold,
We sit in a ring round the warm wood-fire,
And listen to stories old!
And we try to look grave (as maids should be),
When the men bring in boughs of the laurel tree.
O the laurel, the evergreen tree!
The poets have laurels—and why not we?
How pleasant when night falls down,
And hides the wintry sun,
To see them come in to the blazing fire,
And know that their work is done;
Whilst many bring in, with a laugh or rhyme,
Green branches of holly for Christmas time!
O the holly, the bright green holly!
It tells (like a tongue) that the times are jolly!
Sometimes—(in our grave house
Observe this happeneth not;)
But at times, the evergreen laurel boughs,
And the holly are all forgot!
And then! what then? Why the men laugh low,
And hang up a branch of—the misletoe!
Page 350
Oh, brave is the laurel! and brave is the holly!
But the misletoe banisheth melancholy!
Ah, nobody knows, nor ever shall know,
What is done under the misletoe!"
A printed copy of the Masque, which bears date, "Tuesday, XXIV
December, MDCCCL.," is preserved in the British Museum.
"CHARACTERS
(Which speak)
"Old Father Christmas Hon. Mr. Thelluson
Young Grimston Hon. Mr. Denison
Baron of Beef Hon. Miss Thelluson
Plum-Pudding Hon. Miss Denison
Mince-Pie Hon. Miss Selina Denison
Wassail-Bowl Hon. Miss Isabella Denison
"CHARACTERS
(Which do not speak, or say as little as possible—all that they are requested to do)
Ursa Minor Hon. Miss Ursula Denison
Baby Cake Hon. Henry Charles Denison."
Under the Holly Bough.
Ye who have scorn'd each other
Or injured friend or brother,
In this fast fading year;
Ye who, by word or deed,
Have made a kind heart bleed,
Come gather here.
Let sinn'd against and sinning,
Forget their strife's beginning;
Be links no longer broken,
Be sweet forgiveness spoken,
Under the holly bough.
But the misletoe banisheth melancholy!
Ah, nobody knows, nor ever shall know,
What is done under the misletoe!"
A printed copy of the Masque, which bears date, "Tuesday, XXIV
December, MDCCCL.," is preserved in the British Museum.
"CHARACTERS
(Which speak)
"Old Father Christmas Hon. Mr. Thelluson
Young Grimston Hon. Mr. Denison
Baron of Beef Hon. Miss Thelluson
Plum-Pudding Hon. Miss Denison
Mince-Pie Hon. Miss Selina Denison
Wassail-Bowl Hon. Miss Isabella Denison
"CHARACTERS
(Which do not speak, or say as little as possible—all that they are requested to do)
Ursa Minor Hon. Miss Ursula Denison
Baby Cake Hon. Henry Charles Denison."
Under the Holly Bough.
Ye who have scorn'd each other
Or injured friend or brother,
In this fast fading year;
Ye who, by word or deed,
Have made a kind heart bleed,
Come gather here.
Let sinn'd against and sinning,
Forget their strife's beginning;
Be links no longer broken,
Be sweet forgiveness spoken,
Under the holly bough.
Page 351
Ye who have lov'd each other,
Sister and friend and brother,
In this fast fading year:
Mother, and sire, and child,
Young man and maiden mild,
Come gather here;
As memory shall ponder
Each past unbroken vow.
Old loves and younger wooing,
Are sweet in the renewing,
Under the holly bough.
Ye who have nourished sadness,
Estranged from hope and gladness,
In this fast fading year.
Ye with o'er-burdened mind
Made aliens from your kind,
Come gather here.
Let not the useless sorrow
Pursue you night and morrow,
If e'er you hoped—hope now—
Take heart: uncloud your faces,
And join in our embraces
Under the holly bough.
Charles Mackay, LL.D.
The author of this beautiful poem (Dr. Charles Mackay) was born at Perth
in 1814, and died on Christmas Eve, 1889, at his residence, Longridge
Road, Earl's Court, Brompton.
Ghost Stories.
Everybody knows that Christmas is the time for ghost stories, and that
Charles Dickens and other writers have supplied us with tales of the true
blood-curdling type. Thomas Hood's "Haunted House," S. T. Coleridge's
"Ancient Mariner," and some other weird works of poetry have also been
found serviceable in producing that strange chill of the blood, that creeping
kind of feeling all over you, which is one of the enjoyments of
Christmastide. Coleridge (says the late Mr. George Dawson)[88] "holds the
first place amongst English poets in this objective teaching of the vague, the
mystic, the dreamy, and the imaginative. I defy any man of imagination or
sensibility to have 'The Ancient Mariner' read to him, by the flickering
firelight on Christmas night, by a master mind possessed by the mystic
spirit of the poem, and not find himself taken away from the good regions
Sister and friend and brother,
In this fast fading year:
Mother, and sire, and child,
Young man and maiden mild,
Come gather here;
As memory shall ponder
Each past unbroken vow.
Old loves and younger wooing,
Are sweet in the renewing,
Under the holly bough.
Ye who have nourished sadness,
Estranged from hope and gladness,
In this fast fading year.
Ye with o'er-burdened mind
Made aliens from your kind,
Come gather here.
Let not the useless sorrow
Pursue you night and morrow,
If e'er you hoped—hope now—
Take heart: uncloud your faces,
And join in our embraces
Under the holly bough.
Charles Mackay, LL.D.
The author of this beautiful poem (Dr. Charles Mackay) was born at Perth
in 1814, and died on Christmas Eve, 1889, at his residence, Longridge
Road, Earl's Court, Brompton.
Ghost Stories.
Everybody knows that Christmas is the time for ghost stories, and that
Charles Dickens and other writers have supplied us with tales of the true
blood-curdling type. Thomas Hood's "Haunted House," S. T. Coleridge's
"Ancient Mariner," and some other weird works of poetry have also been
found serviceable in producing that strange chill of the blood, that creeping
kind of feeling all over you, which is one of the enjoyments of
Christmastide. Coleridge (says the late Mr. George Dawson)[88] "holds the
first place amongst English poets in this objective teaching of the vague, the
mystic, the dreamy, and the imaginative. I defy any man of imagination or
sensibility to have 'The Ancient Mariner' read to him, by the flickering
firelight on Christmas night, by a master mind possessed by the mystic
spirit of the poem, and not find himself taken away from the good regions
Page 352
of 'ability to account for,' and taken into some far-off dreamland, and made
even to start at his own footfall, and almost to shudder at his own shadow.
You shall sit round the fire at Christmas time, good men and true every one
of you; you shall come there armed with your patent philosophy; that creak
you have heard, it is only the door—the list is not carefully put round the
door, and it is the wintry wind that whistles through the crevices. Ghosts
and spectres belong to the olden times; science has waved its wand and laid
them all. We have no superstition about us; we walk enlightened nineteenth-
century men; it is quite beneath us to be superstitious. By and bye, one
begins to tell tales of ghosts and spirits; and another begins, and it goes all
round; and there comes over you a curious feeling—a very unphilosophical
feeling, in fact, because the pulsations of air from the tongue of the
storyteller ought not to bring over you that peculiar feeling. You have only
heard words, tales—confessedly by the storyteller himself only tales, such
as may figure in the next monthly magazine for pure entertainment and
amusement. But why do you feel so, then? If you say that these things are
mere hallucinations, vague air-beating or tale-telling, why, good
philosopher, do you feel so curious, so all-overish, as it were? Again, you
are a man without the least terror in you, as brave and bold a man as ever
stepped: living man cannot frighten you, and verily the dead rise not with
you. But you are brought, towards midnight, to the stile over which is
gained a view of the village churchyard, where sleep the dead in quietness.
Your manhood begins just to ooze away a little; you are caught occasionally
whistling to keep your courage up; you do not expect to see a ghost, but you
are ready to see one, or to make one." At such a moment, think of the scene
depicted by Coleridge:—
"'Twas night, calm night, the moon was high;
The dead men stood together.
All stood together on the deck,
For a charnel-dungeon fitter:
All fixed on me their stony eyes,
That in the moon did glitter.
The pang, the curse, with which they died,
Had never passed away:
I could not draw my eyes from theirs,
Nor turn them up to pray."
even to start at his own footfall, and almost to shudder at his own shadow.
You shall sit round the fire at Christmas time, good men and true every one
of you; you shall come there armed with your patent philosophy; that creak
you have heard, it is only the door—the list is not carefully put round the
door, and it is the wintry wind that whistles through the crevices. Ghosts
and spectres belong to the olden times; science has waved its wand and laid
them all. We have no superstition about us; we walk enlightened nineteenth-
century men; it is quite beneath us to be superstitious. By and bye, one
begins to tell tales of ghosts and spirits; and another begins, and it goes all
round; and there comes over you a curious feeling—a very unphilosophical
feeling, in fact, because the pulsations of air from the tongue of the
storyteller ought not to bring over you that peculiar feeling. You have only
heard words, tales—confessedly by the storyteller himself only tales, such
as may figure in the next monthly magazine for pure entertainment and
amusement. But why do you feel so, then? If you say that these things are
mere hallucinations, vague air-beating or tale-telling, why, good
philosopher, do you feel so curious, so all-overish, as it were? Again, you
are a man without the least terror in you, as brave and bold a man as ever
stepped: living man cannot frighten you, and verily the dead rise not with
you. But you are brought, towards midnight, to the stile over which is
gained a view of the village churchyard, where sleep the dead in quietness.
Your manhood begins just to ooze away a little; you are caught occasionally
whistling to keep your courage up; you do not expect to see a ghost, but you
are ready to see one, or to make one." At such a moment, think of the scene
depicted by Coleridge:—
"'Twas night, calm night, the moon was high;
The dead men stood together.
All stood together on the deck,
For a charnel-dungeon fitter:
All fixed on me their stony eyes,
That in the moon did glitter.
The pang, the curse, with which they died,
Had never passed away:
I could not draw my eyes from theirs,
Nor turn them up to pray."
Page 353
With this weird tale in his mind in the mystic stillness of midnight would an
imaginative man be likely to deny the reality of the spirit world? The
chances are that he would be spellbound; or, if he had breath enough, would
cry out—
"Angels and ministers of grace, defend us!"
"In the year 1421, the widow of Ralph Cranbourne, of Dipmore End, in the
parish of Sandhurst, Berks, was one midnight alarmed by a noise in her
bedchamber, and, looking up, she saw at her bedfoot the appearance of a
skeleton (which she verily believed was her husband) nodding and talking
to her upon its fingers, or finger bones, after the manner of a dumb person.
Whereupon she was so terrified, that after striving to scream aloud, which
she could not, for her tongue clave to her mouth, she fell backward as in a
swoon; yet not so insensible withal but she could see that at this the figure
became greatly agitated and distressed, and would have clasped her, but
upon her appearance of loathing it desisted, only moving its jaw upward
and downward, as if it would cry for help but could not for want of its parts
of speech. At length, she growing more and more faint, and likely to die of
fear, the spectre suddenly, as if at a thought, began to swing round its hand,
which was loose at the wrist, with a brisk motion, and the finger bones
being long and hard, and striking sharply against each other, made a loud
noise like to the springing of a watchman's rattle. At which alarm, the
neighbours running in, stoutly armed, as against thieves or murderers, the
spectre suddenly departed."[89]
"His shoes they were coffins, his dim eye reveal'd
The gleam of a grave-lamp with vapours oppress'd;
And a dark crimson necklace of blood-drops congeal'd
Reflected each bone that jagg'd out of his breast."[90]
imaginative man be likely to deny the reality of the spirit world? The
chances are that he would be spellbound; or, if he had breath enough, would
cry out—
"Angels and ministers of grace, defend us!"
"In the year 1421, the widow of Ralph Cranbourne, of Dipmore End, in the
parish of Sandhurst, Berks, was one midnight alarmed by a noise in her
bedchamber, and, looking up, she saw at her bedfoot the appearance of a
skeleton (which she verily believed was her husband) nodding and talking
to her upon its fingers, or finger bones, after the manner of a dumb person.
Whereupon she was so terrified, that after striving to scream aloud, which
she could not, for her tongue clave to her mouth, she fell backward as in a
swoon; yet not so insensible withal but she could see that at this the figure
became greatly agitated and distressed, and would have clasped her, but
upon her appearance of loathing it desisted, only moving its jaw upward
and downward, as if it would cry for help but could not for want of its parts
of speech. At length, she growing more and more faint, and likely to die of
fear, the spectre suddenly, as if at a thought, began to swing round its hand,
which was loose at the wrist, with a brisk motion, and the finger bones
being long and hard, and striking sharply against each other, made a loud
noise like to the springing of a watchman's rattle. At which alarm, the
neighbours running in, stoutly armed, as against thieves or murderers, the
spectre suddenly departed."[89]
"His shoes they were coffins, his dim eye reveal'd
The gleam of a grave-lamp with vapours oppress'd;
And a dark crimson necklace of blood-drops congeal'd
Reflected each bone that jagg'd out of his breast."[90]
Page 354
Welcome to Christmas.
By Mary Howitt.
He comes—the brave old Christmas!
His sturdy steps I hear;
We will give him a hearty welcome,
For he comes but once a year!
And of all our old acquaintance
'Tis he we like the best;
There's a jolly old way about him—
There's a warm heart in his breast.
He is not too proud to enter
Your house though it be mean;
Yet is company fit for a courtier,
And is welcomed by the Queen!
He can tell you a hundred stories
Of the Old World's whims and ways,
And how they merrily wish'd him joy
In our fathers' courting days.
He laughs with the heartiest laughter
That does one good to hear;
'Tis a pity so brave an old fellow
Should come but once a year!
But once, then, let us be ready,
With all that he can desire—
With plenty of holly and ivy,
And a huge log for the fire;
With plenty of noble actions,
And plenty of warm good-will;
With our hearts as full of kindness
As the board we mean to fill.
With plenty of store in the larder,
And plenty of wine in the bin;
And plenty of mirth for the kitchen;
Then open and let him in!
Oh, he is a fine old fellow—
His heart's in the truest place;
You may know that at once by the children,
By Mary Howitt.
He comes—the brave old Christmas!
His sturdy steps I hear;
We will give him a hearty welcome,
For he comes but once a year!
And of all our old acquaintance
'Tis he we like the best;
There's a jolly old way about him—
There's a warm heart in his breast.
He is not too proud to enter
Your house though it be mean;
Yet is company fit for a courtier,
And is welcomed by the Queen!
He can tell you a hundred stories
Of the Old World's whims and ways,
And how they merrily wish'd him joy
In our fathers' courting days.
He laughs with the heartiest laughter
That does one good to hear;
'Tis a pity so brave an old fellow
Should come but once a year!
But once, then, let us be ready,
With all that he can desire—
With plenty of holly and ivy,
And a huge log for the fire;
With plenty of noble actions,
And plenty of warm good-will;
With our hearts as full of kindness
As the board we mean to fill.
With plenty of store in the larder,
And plenty of wine in the bin;
And plenty of mirth for the kitchen;
Then open and let him in!
Oh, he is a fine old fellow—
His heart's in the truest place;
You may know that at once by the children,
Page 355
Who glory to see his face.
For he never forgets the children,
They all are dear to him;
You'll see that with wonderful presents
His pockets are cramm'd to the brim.
Nor will he forget the servants,
Whether you've many or one;
Nor the poor old man at the corner;
Nor the widow who lives alone.
He is rich as a Jew, is Old Christmas,
I wish he would make me his heir;
But he has plenty to do with his money,
And he is not given to spare.
Not he—bless the good old fellow!
He hates to hoard his pelf;
He wishes to make all people
As gay as he is himself.
So he goes to the parish unions—
North, south, and west and east—
And there he gives the paupers,
At his own expense a feast.
He gives the old men tobacco,
And the women a cup of tea;
And he takes the pauper children,
And dances them on his knee.
I wish you could see those paupers
Sit down to his noble cheer,
You would wish, like them, and no wonder,
That he stay'd the livelong year.
Yes, he is the best old fellow
That ever on earth you met;
And he gave us a boon when first he came
Which we can never forget.
So we will give him a welcome
Shall gladden his old heart's core!
And let us in good and gracious deeds
Resemble him more and more!
December 21, 1850.
Wassailing the Apple-trees.
For he never forgets the children,
They all are dear to him;
You'll see that with wonderful presents
His pockets are cramm'd to the brim.
Nor will he forget the servants,
Whether you've many or one;
Nor the poor old man at the corner;
Nor the widow who lives alone.
He is rich as a Jew, is Old Christmas,
I wish he would make me his heir;
But he has plenty to do with his money,
And he is not given to spare.
Not he—bless the good old fellow!
He hates to hoard his pelf;
He wishes to make all people
As gay as he is himself.
So he goes to the parish unions—
North, south, and west and east—
And there he gives the paupers,
At his own expense a feast.
He gives the old men tobacco,
And the women a cup of tea;
And he takes the pauper children,
And dances them on his knee.
I wish you could see those paupers
Sit down to his noble cheer,
You would wish, like them, and no wonder,
That he stay'd the livelong year.
Yes, he is the best old fellow
That ever on earth you met;
And he gave us a boon when first he came
Which we can never forget.
So we will give him a welcome
Shall gladden his old heart's core!
And let us in good and gracious deeds
Resemble him more and more!
December 21, 1850.
Wassailing the Apple-trees.
Page 356
Writing on this subject, in the Antiquary, March, 1895, Mr. Harry Hems, of
Exeter, introduces the reduced copy of an illustration which appears on the
following page, and which he states was published in the Illustrated London
News, January 11, 1851.
The picture (says Mr. Hems) "presents, as will be seen, a frosty, moonlight
night, with a brilliantly-lit old farmhouse in the background. In the fore are
leafless fruit-trees, and three men firing guns at them, whilst the jovial
farmer and another man drink success to the year's crop from glasses
evidently filled from a jug of cider, which the latter also holds a-high. A
crowd of peasants—men, women and children—are gathered around, and
the following description is appended:—
"'Amongst the scenes of jocund hospitality in this holiday season, that are
handed down to us, is one which not only presents an enlivening picture,
but offers proof of the superstition that still prevails in the Western counties.
On Twelfth-even, in Devonshire, it is customary for the farmer to leave his
warm fireside, accompanied by a band of rustics, with guns, blunderbusses,
&c., presenting an appearance which at other times would be somewhat
alarming. Thus armed, the band proceeds to an adjoining orchard, where is
selected one of the most fruitful and aged of the apple-trees, grouping round
which they stand and offer up their invocations in the following quaint
doggerel rhyme:—
"'Here's to thee,
Old apple-tree!
Whence thou mayst bud,
And whence thou mayst blow,
And whence thou mayst blow,
And whence thou mayst bear
Apples enow:
Hats full,
Caps full,
Bushels, bushels, sacks full,
And my pockets full too!
Huzza! huzza!'
Exeter, introduces the reduced copy of an illustration which appears on the
following page, and which he states was published in the Illustrated London
News, January 11, 1851.
The picture (says Mr. Hems) "presents, as will be seen, a frosty, moonlight
night, with a brilliantly-lit old farmhouse in the background. In the fore are
leafless fruit-trees, and three men firing guns at them, whilst the jovial
farmer and another man drink success to the year's crop from glasses
evidently filled from a jug of cider, which the latter also holds a-high. A
crowd of peasants—men, women and children—are gathered around, and
the following description is appended:—
"'Amongst the scenes of jocund hospitality in this holiday season, that are
handed down to us, is one which not only presents an enlivening picture,
but offers proof of the superstition that still prevails in the Western counties.
On Twelfth-even, in Devonshire, it is customary for the farmer to leave his
warm fireside, accompanied by a band of rustics, with guns, blunderbusses,
&c., presenting an appearance which at other times would be somewhat
alarming. Thus armed, the band proceeds to an adjoining orchard, where is
selected one of the most fruitful and aged of the apple-trees, grouping round
which they stand and offer up their invocations in the following quaint
doggerel rhyme:—
"'Here's to thee,
Old apple-tree!
Whence thou mayst bud,
And whence thou mayst blow,
And whence thou mayst blow,
And whence thou mayst bear
Apples enow:
Hats full,
Caps full,
Bushels, bushels, sacks full,
And my pockets full too!
Huzza! huzza!'
Page 357
wassailing the apple-trees in devonshire.
The cider-jug is then passed round, and, with many a hearty shout, the party
fire off their guns, charged with powder only, amidst the branches,
sometimes frightening the owl from its midnight haunt. With confident
hopes they return to the farmhouse, and are refused admittance, in spite of
all weather, till some lucky wight guesses aright the peculiar roast the
maidens are preparing for their comfort. This done, all enter, and soon right
merrily the jovial glass goes round, that man who gained admittance
receiving the honour of King for the evening, and till a late hour he reigns,
amidst laughter, fun, and jollity. The origin of this custom is not known, but
it is supposed to be one of great antiquity.
"'The illustration is from a sketch by Mr. Colebrooke, Stockdale.'"
The cider-jug is then passed round, and, with many a hearty shout, the party
fire off their guns, charged with powder only, amidst the branches,
sometimes frightening the owl from its midnight haunt. With confident
hopes they return to the farmhouse, and are refused admittance, in spite of
all weather, till some lucky wight guesses aright the peculiar roast the
maidens are preparing for their comfort. This done, all enter, and soon right
merrily the jovial glass goes round, that man who gained admittance
receiving the honour of King for the evening, and till a late hour he reigns,
amidst laughter, fun, and jollity. The origin of this custom is not known, but
it is supposed to be one of great antiquity.
"'The illustration is from a sketch by Mr. Colebrooke, Stockdale.'"
Page 358
We may add that, in the seventeenth century, a similar custom seems to
have been observed in some places on Christmas Eve, for in Herrick's
Hesperides the wassailing of fruit trees is among the Christmas Eve
ceremonies:—
"Wassail the trees, that they may beare
You many a plum, and many a peare;
For more or less fruits they will bring,
As you do give them wassailing."
Christmas Morning in Exeter Cathedral.
Writing from Exeter, in 1852, a correspondent says "the custom of
welcoming this season of holy joy with 'psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs' lingers in the cathedral city of Exeter; where, during Christmas Eve,
the parish choirs perambulate the streets singing anthems, with instrumental
accompaniments. The singing is protracted through the night, when the
celebration often assumes a more secular character than is strictly in
accordance with the festival. A more sacred commemoration is, however, at
hand.
"At a quarter-past seven o'clock on Christmas morning the assemblage of
persons in the nave of Exeter Cathedral is usually very numerous: there are
the remnants of the previous vigil, with unwashed faces and sleepy eyes;
but a large number are early risers, who have left their beds for better
purposes than a revel. There is a great muster of the choir, and the fine Old
Hundredth Psalm is sung from the gallery to a full organ, whose billows of
sound roll through the vaulted edifice. The scene is strikingly picturesque:
all is dim and shadowy; the red light from the flaring candles falling upon
upturned faces, and here and there falling upon a piece of grave sculpture,
whilst the grey light of day begins to stream through the antique windows,
adding to the solemnity of the scene. As the last verse of the psalm peals
forth, the crowd begins to move, and the spacious cathedral is soon left to
the more devout few who remain to attend the morning service in the Lady-
chapel."
A Welsh Christmas.
have been observed in some places on Christmas Eve, for in Herrick's
Hesperides the wassailing of fruit trees is among the Christmas Eve
ceremonies:—
"Wassail the trees, that they may beare
You many a plum, and many a peare;
For more or less fruits they will bring,
As you do give them wassailing."
Christmas Morning in Exeter Cathedral.
Writing from Exeter, in 1852, a correspondent says "the custom of
welcoming this season of holy joy with 'psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs' lingers in the cathedral city of Exeter; where, during Christmas Eve,
the parish choirs perambulate the streets singing anthems, with instrumental
accompaniments. The singing is protracted through the night, when the
celebration often assumes a more secular character than is strictly in
accordance with the festival. A more sacred commemoration is, however, at
hand.
"At a quarter-past seven o'clock on Christmas morning the assemblage of
persons in the nave of Exeter Cathedral is usually very numerous: there are
the remnants of the previous vigil, with unwashed faces and sleepy eyes;
but a large number are early risers, who have left their beds for better
purposes than a revel. There is a great muster of the choir, and the fine Old
Hundredth Psalm is sung from the gallery to a full organ, whose billows of
sound roll through the vaulted edifice. The scene is strikingly picturesque:
all is dim and shadowy; the red light from the flaring candles falling upon
upturned faces, and here and there falling upon a piece of grave sculpture,
whilst the grey light of day begins to stream through the antique windows,
adding to the solemnity of the scene. As the last verse of the psalm peals
forth, the crowd begins to move, and the spacious cathedral is soon left to
the more devout few who remain to attend the morning service in the Lady-
chapel."
A Welsh Christmas.
Page 359
From the "Christmas Chronicles of Llanfairpwllycrochon," by R. P.
Hampton Roberts, in Notes and Queries, December 21, 1878, we quote the
following:
"Now Thomas Thomas, and Mary Jones, and all their neighbours, had great
veneration for Christmas, and enjoyed much pleasure in looking forward to
the annual recurrence of the feast. Not that they looked upon it as a feast in
any ecclesiastical sense, for Llanfairpwllycrochon was decidedly
Calvinistically Methodist, and rejected all such things as mere popish
superstition.
"The Christmas goose was a great institution at Llanfairpwllycrochon. The
annual goose club had no existence there, it is true, but the annual goose
had nevertheless. Thomas Thomas, after his memorable visit to London,
came home imbued with one English idea which startled the villagers more
than anything had done since the famous bonfire on the outlying hill when
the heir came of age, and it was a long time before they recovered from
their surprise. It was nothing less than a proposition to substitute beef for
the Christmas dinner instead of a goose. Here was a sad falling off from the
ways of Llanfairpwllycrochon! And Thomas Thomas was a man who
persisted in an idea once it entered his mind—an event of rare occurrence, it
is true, and consequently all the more stubborn whenever it did occur.
Thomas Thomas had, however, sufficient respect for the opinion of his
neighbours to make him compromise matters by providing for himself
alone a small beefsteak as an adjunct to the time-honoured goose.
"Another Christmas institution at Llanfairpwllycrochon was the universal
pudding, mixed as is wont by every member of the family. Then there was
the bun-loaf, or barabrith, one of the grand institutions of
Llanfairpwllycrochon. Many were the pains taken over this huge loaf—
made large enough to last a week or fortnight, according to the appetites of
the juvenile partakers—and the combined "Christmas-boxes" of the grocer
and baker went to make up the appetising whole, with much more in
addition.
"Christmas Eve was a day of exceeding joy at Llanfairpwllycrochon. The
manufacture of paper ornaments and 'kissing bushes,' radiant with oranges,
apples, paper roses, and such like fanciful additions as might suit the taste
Hampton Roberts, in Notes and Queries, December 21, 1878, we quote the
following:
"Now Thomas Thomas, and Mary Jones, and all their neighbours, had great
veneration for Christmas, and enjoyed much pleasure in looking forward to
the annual recurrence of the feast. Not that they looked upon it as a feast in
any ecclesiastical sense, for Llanfairpwllycrochon was decidedly
Calvinistically Methodist, and rejected all such things as mere popish
superstition.
"The Christmas goose was a great institution at Llanfairpwllycrochon. The
annual goose club had no existence there, it is true, but the annual goose
had nevertheless. Thomas Thomas, after his memorable visit to London,
came home imbued with one English idea which startled the villagers more
than anything had done since the famous bonfire on the outlying hill when
the heir came of age, and it was a long time before they recovered from
their surprise. It was nothing less than a proposition to substitute beef for
the Christmas dinner instead of a goose. Here was a sad falling off from the
ways of Llanfairpwllycrochon! And Thomas Thomas was a man who
persisted in an idea once it entered his mind—an event of rare occurrence, it
is true, and consequently all the more stubborn whenever it did occur.
Thomas Thomas had, however, sufficient respect for the opinion of his
neighbours to make him compromise matters by providing for himself
alone a small beefsteak as an adjunct to the time-honoured goose.
"Another Christmas institution at Llanfairpwllycrochon was the universal
pudding, mixed as is wont by every member of the family. Then there was
the bun-loaf, or barabrith, one of the grand institutions of
Llanfairpwllycrochon. Many were the pains taken over this huge loaf—
made large enough to last a week or fortnight, according to the appetites of
the juvenile partakers—and the combined "Christmas-boxes" of the grocer
and baker went to make up the appetising whole, with much more in
addition.
"Christmas Eve was a day of exceeding joy at Llanfairpwllycrochon. The
manufacture of paper ornaments and 'kissing bushes,' radiant with oranges,
apples, paper roses, and such like fanciful additions as might suit the taste
Page 360
or means of the house-holder, occupied most of the day. And then they had
to be put up, and the house in its Christmas decorations looked more
resplendent than the imagination of the most advanced villager—at present
at school, and of the mature age of five and a half years, the rising hope of
the schoolmaster, and a Lord Chancellor in embryo in fine—could have
pictured. As a reward for the day's toil came the night's sweet task of
making cyflath, i.e., toffee. Thomas Thomas, and those who spoke the
Saxon tongue among the villagers, called it 'taffy.' Once had Thomas
Thomas been corrected in his pronunciation, but the hardy Saxon who
ventured on the bold proceeding was silenced when he heard that he was
not to think he was going to persuade a reasonable man into mutilating the
English tongue. 'Taffy it iss, and taffy I says,' and there was an end of the
matter. Without taffy the inhabitants of Llanfairpwllycrochon, it was firmly
believed by the vicar, would not have known the difference between
Christmas and another time, and it is not therefore matter for surprise that
they should so tenaciously cling to its annual making. At midnight, when
the syrupy stuff was sufficiently boiled, it would be poured into a pan and
put into the open air to cool. Here was an opportunity for the beaux of the
village which could not be missed. They would steal, if possible, the whole,
pan and all, and entail a second making on the unfortunate victims of their
practical joke.
"Sometimes the Christmas Eve proceedings would be varied by holding a
large evening party, continued all night, the principal amusement of which
would be the boiling of toffee, one arm taking, when another was tired, the
large wooden spoon, and turning the boiling mass of sugar and treacle, this
process being continued for many hours, until nothing would be left to
partake of but a black, burnt sort of crisp, sugary cinder. Sometimes the
long boiling would only result in a soft mass, disagreeable to the taste and
awkward to the hand, the combined efforts of each member of the party
failing to secure consistency or strength in the mixed ingredients.
"And then there were the carols at midnight, and many more were the
Christmas customs at Llanfairpwllycrochon."
EFFECTS OF THE SEASON.
"These Christmas decorations are so jolly!"
to be put up, and the house in its Christmas decorations looked more
resplendent than the imagination of the most advanced villager—at present
at school, and of the mature age of five and a half years, the rising hope of
the schoolmaster, and a Lord Chancellor in embryo in fine—could have
pictured. As a reward for the day's toil came the night's sweet task of
making cyflath, i.e., toffee. Thomas Thomas, and those who spoke the
Saxon tongue among the villagers, called it 'taffy.' Once had Thomas
Thomas been corrected in his pronunciation, but the hardy Saxon who
ventured on the bold proceeding was silenced when he heard that he was
not to think he was going to persuade a reasonable man into mutilating the
English tongue. 'Taffy it iss, and taffy I says,' and there was an end of the
matter. Without taffy the inhabitants of Llanfairpwllycrochon, it was firmly
believed by the vicar, would not have known the difference between
Christmas and another time, and it is not therefore matter for surprise that
they should so tenaciously cling to its annual making. At midnight, when
the syrupy stuff was sufficiently boiled, it would be poured into a pan and
put into the open air to cool. Here was an opportunity for the beaux of the
village which could not be missed. They would steal, if possible, the whole,
pan and all, and entail a second making on the unfortunate victims of their
practical joke.
"Sometimes the Christmas Eve proceedings would be varied by holding a
large evening party, continued all night, the principal amusement of which
would be the boiling of toffee, one arm taking, when another was tired, the
large wooden spoon, and turning the boiling mass of sugar and treacle, this
process being continued for many hours, until nothing would be left to
partake of but a black, burnt sort of crisp, sugary cinder. Sometimes the
long boiling would only result in a soft mass, disagreeable to the taste and
awkward to the hand, the combined efforts of each member of the party
failing to secure consistency or strength in the mixed ingredients.
"And then there were the carols at midnight, and many more were the
Christmas customs at Llanfairpwllycrochon."
EFFECTS OF THE SEASON.
"These Christmas decorations are so jolly!"
Page 361
She cried, zeal shining in her orbs of blue.
"Don't you like laurel gleaming under holly?"
He answered, "I love mistletoe over yew!"—Punch.
"st. george" in combat with "st. peter."
Yorkshire Sword-actors.
Under this title, Mr. T. M. Fallow, M.A., F.S.A., writing in the Antiquary,
May, 1895, gives an account of rustic performances which were witnessed
at Christmastide in the neighbourhood of Leeds about fifteen years earlier,
and he illustrates the subject with a series of pictures from photographs
taken at the time, which are here reproduced. The play depicted is that of
the "Seven Champions of Christendom," and in the picture on the preceding
page "St. George" is shown engaged in combat with "St. Peter," while "St.
"Don't you like laurel gleaming under holly?"
He answered, "I love mistletoe over yew!"—Punch.
"st. george" in combat with "st. peter."
Yorkshire Sword-actors.
Under this title, Mr. T. M. Fallow, M.A., F.S.A., writing in the Antiquary,
May, 1895, gives an account of rustic performances which were witnessed
at Christmastide in the neighbourhood of Leeds about fifteen years earlier,
and he illustrates the subject with a series of pictures from photographs
taken at the time, which are here reproduced. The play depicted is that of
the "Seven Champions of Christendom," and in the picture on the preceding
page "St. George" is shown engaged in combat with "St. Peter," while "St.
Page 362
Andrew" and "St. Denys" are each kneeling on one knee, a sign of their
having been vanquished.
"It may be well to point out," says Mr. Fallow, "that in the West Riding, or
at any rate in the neighbourhood of Leeds, the sword-actors were quite
distinct from the 'mummers.' They generally numbered nine or ten lads,
who, disguised by false beards as men, were dressed in costume as
appropriate to the occasion as their knowledge and finances would permit,
and who acted, with more or less skill, a short play, which, as a rule, was
either the 'Peace Egg' or the 'Seven Champions of Christendom.' The
following illustration shows two of the 'champions,' as photographed at the
time stated:—
"st. peter." "st. denys."
having been vanquished.
"It may be well to point out," says Mr. Fallow, "that in the West Riding, or
at any rate in the neighbourhood of Leeds, the sword-actors were quite
distinct from the 'mummers.' They generally numbered nine or ten lads,
who, disguised by false beards as men, were dressed in costume as
appropriate to the occasion as their knowledge and finances would permit,
and who acted, with more or less skill, a short play, which, as a rule, was
either the 'Peace Egg' or the 'Seven Champions of Christendom.' The
following illustration shows two of the 'champions,' as photographed at the
time stated:—
"st. peter." "st. denys."
Page 363
"There was a little indefiniteness," says Mr. Fallow, "as to the characters
represented in the play, but usually they were the King of Egypt, his
daughter, a fool or jester, St. George, St. Andrew, St. Patrick, St. David, St.
Denys, St. James, and a St. Thewhs, who represented a Northern nation—
Russia, or sometimes Denmark—and whose exact identity seems obscure.
The seven champions occasionally included St. Peter of Rome, as in the
group whose photograph is given. St. George engaged in mortal combat
with each champion in succession, fighting for the hand of the King of
Egypt's daughter. When at length each of the six was slain, St. George,
having vanquished them all, won the fair lady, amid the applause of the
bystanders. Then, at the conclusion, after a general clashing and crossing of
swords, the fool or jester stepped forward, and wound up the performance
with an appeal for pecuniary recognition."
Other Christmas Performances.
In a Christmas article, published in 1869, Dr. Rimbault mentions the
performance of "St. George and the Dragon" in the extreme western and
northern parts of the country. The following five characters are given:
Father Christmas, Turkish Knight, King of Egypt, St. George, Doctor. Other
writers mention similar plays, with variations of characters, as seen in the
rural parts of Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, and Staffordshire, and the
present writer has himself seen such plays at Madeley, in Shropshire.
S. Arnott, of Turnham Green, writing in Notes and Queries, December 21,
1878, says: "When I was living at Hollington, near Hastings, in the year
1869, the village boys were in the habit of visiting the houses of the gentry
at Christmas time to perform a play, which had been handed down by
tradition." The description of the play which then followed shows that it
was another variation of the well-known Christmas play, and included the
"Turkish Knight," the "Bold Slasher," and other familiar characters.
A Scotch First Footing.
Writing on "Mid-winter Customs in the North," Mr. Edward Garrett says "it
is not easy to write of 'Christmas customs in the North,' because many of
them, even though connected with the Christmas festival, do not take place
till January 6th, that being Christmas Day, Old Style, while most of them
represented in the play, but usually they were the King of Egypt, his
daughter, a fool or jester, St. George, St. Andrew, St. Patrick, St. David, St.
Denys, St. James, and a St. Thewhs, who represented a Northern nation—
Russia, or sometimes Denmark—and whose exact identity seems obscure.
The seven champions occasionally included St. Peter of Rome, as in the
group whose photograph is given. St. George engaged in mortal combat
with each champion in succession, fighting for the hand of the King of
Egypt's daughter. When at length each of the six was slain, St. George,
having vanquished them all, won the fair lady, amid the applause of the
bystanders. Then, at the conclusion, after a general clashing and crossing of
swords, the fool or jester stepped forward, and wound up the performance
with an appeal for pecuniary recognition."
Other Christmas Performances.
In a Christmas article, published in 1869, Dr. Rimbault mentions the
performance of "St. George and the Dragon" in the extreme western and
northern parts of the country. The following five characters are given:
Father Christmas, Turkish Knight, King of Egypt, St. George, Doctor. Other
writers mention similar plays, with variations of characters, as seen in the
rural parts of Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, and Staffordshire, and the
present writer has himself seen such plays at Madeley, in Shropshire.
S. Arnott, of Turnham Green, writing in Notes and Queries, December 21,
1878, says: "When I was living at Hollington, near Hastings, in the year
1869, the village boys were in the habit of visiting the houses of the gentry
at Christmas time to perform a play, which had been handed down by
tradition." The description of the play which then followed shows that it
was another variation of the well-known Christmas play, and included the
"Turkish Knight," the "Bold Slasher," and other familiar characters.
A Scotch First Footing.
Writing on "Mid-winter Customs in the North," Mr. Edward Garrett says "it
is not easy to write of 'Christmas customs in the North,' because many of
them, even though connected with the Christmas festival, do not take place
till January 6th, that being Christmas Day, Old Style, while most of them
Page 364
are associated with the New Year, either Old or New Style, one of the most
striking celebrations coming off on January 11th, regarded as 'New Year's
Eve.'
"Christmas itself has never been a national Scottish festival since the
Reformation. On its purely festive side, it has become somewhat of a
'fashion' of late years, but its ancient customs have only lingered on in those
districts where Episcopacy has taken deep root. Such a district is 'Buchan'—
a track of country in the north-east of Aberdeenshire—a place which cannot
be better described than in the words of one of its own gifted sons, Dr.
Walter Smith:—
"'A treeless land, where beeves are good,
And men have quaint, old-fashioned ways,
And every burn has ballad lore,
And every hamlet has its song,
And on its surf-beat, rocky shore
The eerie legend lingers long.
Old customs live there, unaware
That they are garments cast away,
And what of light is lingering there
Is lingering light of yesterday.'"
striking celebrations coming off on January 11th, regarded as 'New Year's
Eve.'
"Christmas itself has never been a national Scottish festival since the
Reformation. On its purely festive side, it has become somewhat of a
'fashion' of late years, but its ancient customs have only lingered on in those
districts where Episcopacy has taken deep root. Such a district is 'Buchan'—
a track of country in the north-east of Aberdeenshire—a place which cannot
be better described than in the words of one of its own gifted sons, Dr.
Walter Smith:—
"'A treeless land, where beeves are good,
And men have quaint, old-fashioned ways,
And every burn has ballad lore,
And every hamlet has its song,
And on its surf-beat, rocky shore
The eerie legend lingers long.
Old customs live there, unaware
That they are garments cast away,
And what of light is lingering there
Is lingering light of yesterday.'"
Page 365
a scotch first footing.
Yuletide Customs in Shetland.
The inherent Scandinavianism of the Shetlander, which leads him to
repudiate the appellation of Scotchman, and to cherish in secret the old
customs and superstitions of his ancestors, asserts itself yearly in the high
jinks with which he continues to honour the old holy days of Yule. Until
within the last two or three years, he pertinaciously adhered to the old style
in his observance of these festivities. On Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve,
and Uphelya—the twenty-fourth day after Yule, and that on which the holy
Yuletide Customs in Shetland.
The inherent Scandinavianism of the Shetlander, which leads him to
repudiate the appellation of Scotchman, and to cherish in secret the old
customs and superstitions of his ancestors, asserts itself yearly in the high
jinks with which he continues to honour the old holy days of Yule. Until
within the last two or three years, he pertinaciously adhered to the old style
in his observance of these festivities. On Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve,
and Uphelya—the twenty-fourth day after Yule, and that on which the holy
Page 366
or holidays are supposed to be "up"—the youths of Lerwick, attired in
fantastic dresses, go "guising" about the town in bands, visiting their friends
and acquaintances and reproducing in miniature the carnival of more
southern climes. On one or other of these occasions a torchlight procession
forms part of the revelry. Formerly blazing tar barrels were dragged about
the town, and afterwards, with the first break of morning, dashed over the
Knab into the sea. But this ancient and dangerous custom has very properly
been discontinued. The dresses of the guisers are often of the most
expensive and fanciful description. Highlanders, Spanish cavaliers, negro
minstrels, soldiers in the peaked caps, kerseymere breeches, and scarlet
coats turned up with buff, of the reign of George II., Robin Hoods, and
Maid Marians were found in the motley throng. Some, with a boldness
worthy of Aristophanes himself, caricature the dress, the walk, or some
other eccentricity of leading personages in the town; others—for the spirit
of "the Happy Land" has reached these hyperborean regions—make
pleasant game of well-known political characters. Each band of guisers has
its fiddler, who walks before it, playing "Scalloway Lasses," or "The Foula
Reel," or "The Nippin' Grund," or some other archaic tune. Thus conducted,
and blowing a horn to give notice of their approach, the maskers enter the
doors of all houses which they find open, dance a measure with the inmates,
partake of and offer refreshment, and then depart to repeat the same
courtesies elsewhere. At daylight the horn of the Most Worthy Grand
Guiser, a mysterious personage, whose personality and functions are
enveloped in the deepest concealment, is heard summoning all the bands to
end their revels, and when, in the cold grey dawn of the winter morning, the
worthy citizens of Lerwick awake to pursue their wonted avocations, not a
trace remains of the saturnalia of the night before.—Sheriff Rampini, in
Good Words.
Now, passing from the islands to the sea itself, it is pleasant to note that in
recent years Christian hearts have carried
Christmas Cheer to the North Sea Fishermen.
Through the "Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen" twelve thousand brave and
hardy fishermen have been cheered at Christmastide, for to their fleets the
Mission's vessels now take medical and surgical aid, books and magazines,
fantastic dresses, go "guising" about the town in bands, visiting their friends
and acquaintances and reproducing in miniature the carnival of more
southern climes. On one or other of these occasions a torchlight procession
forms part of the revelry. Formerly blazing tar barrels were dragged about
the town, and afterwards, with the first break of morning, dashed over the
Knab into the sea. But this ancient and dangerous custom has very properly
been discontinued. The dresses of the guisers are often of the most
expensive and fanciful description. Highlanders, Spanish cavaliers, negro
minstrels, soldiers in the peaked caps, kerseymere breeches, and scarlet
coats turned up with buff, of the reign of George II., Robin Hoods, and
Maid Marians were found in the motley throng. Some, with a boldness
worthy of Aristophanes himself, caricature the dress, the walk, or some
other eccentricity of leading personages in the town; others—for the spirit
of "the Happy Land" has reached these hyperborean regions—make
pleasant game of well-known political characters. Each band of guisers has
its fiddler, who walks before it, playing "Scalloway Lasses," or "The Foula
Reel," or "The Nippin' Grund," or some other archaic tune. Thus conducted,
and blowing a horn to give notice of their approach, the maskers enter the
doors of all houses which they find open, dance a measure with the inmates,
partake of and offer refreshment, and then depart to repeat the same
courtesies elsewhere. At daylight the horn of the Most Worthy Grand
Guiser, a mysterious personage, whose personality and functions are
enveloped in the deepest concealment, is heard summoning all the bands to
end their revels, and when, in the cold grey dawn of the winter morning, the
worthy citizens of Lerwick awake to pursue their wonted avocations, not a
trace remains of the saturnalia of the night before.—Sheriff Rampini, in
Good Words.
Now, passing from the islands to the sea itself, it is pleasant to note that in
recent years Christian hearts have carried
Christmas Cheer to the North Sea Fishermen.
Through the "Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen" twelve thousand brave and
hardy fishermen have been cheered at Christmastide, for to their fleets the
Mission's vessels now take medical and surgical aid, books and magazines,
Page 367
woollen garments and tobacco, which, as adjuncts to higher religious aid,
are turning the once wild and desperate ocean roughs into clean-living
sailors and good husbands and fathers—therefore are these days on the
North Sea better far than those that are gone. Thousands of these brave men
turn at Christmas to the M.D.S.F. flag as to the one bright link which binds
them to friendly hearts ashore, assuring them that in England's Christmas
festivities they and their like have a real part, and are no longer forgotten.
Some facts recorded by the Rev. John Sinclair[91] illustrate the dangers of
the wild winter sea, and also set forth some
Christmas Experiences in the Orkney Isles.
They were related to Mr. Sinclair by Mr. Traill, chief of the clan, with
whom he stayed on the occasion of his visit to the island of Pappa Westra.
The first of the two incidents was as follows:—"One Christmas Day," says
Mr. Traill, "during a heavy gale, I wrapped my cloak about me, and started
off with my telescope to walk upon the cliffs. Coming to the other side of
the island, on which the surf was beating violently, I observed a vessel a
few miles off fire a signal of distress. I hastened to the nearest point, and
with the help of my glass perceived that she was Dutch built, and that,
having lost her rudder, she was quite unmanageable. She fired several guns
at short intervals, and my people came in large numbers to give assistance.
But the surf was so fearful that nothing could be done. No boat could have
lived a moment in such a sea. We were all utterly helpless. As the vessel
drifted towards us, I could see the whole tragedy as distinctly as if it had
been acted on the stage. Immediately below me were a number of my
fellow-creatures, now alive and in health, and in a few moments they would
all be mangled corpses. I could make out the expression of their features,
and see in what manner each was preparing for inevitable death. But
whether they climbed up into the shrouds, or held by ropes on deck while
the sea was washing over the bulwarks, their fate was the same. The first
wave lifted the vessel so high that I almost thought it would have placed her
upon the land. She fell back, keel upwards. The next wave struck her with
such terrific force against the cliffs that she was shivered at once into a
thousand pieces; hardly two planks held together. It seemed as if she had
been made of glass. Not a soul escaped. One or two bodies, with a few
are turning the once wild and desperate ocean roughs into clean-living
sailors and good husbands and fathers—therefore are these days on the
North Sea better far than those that are gone. Thousands of these brave men
turn at Christmas to the M.D.S.F. flag as to the one bright link which binds
them to friendly hearts ashore, assuring them that in England's Christmas
festivities they and their like have a real part, and are no longer forgotten.
Some facts recorded by the Rev. John Sinclair[91] illustrate the dangers of
the wild winter sea, and also set forth some
Christmas Experiences in the Orkney Isles.
They were related to Mr. Sinclair by Mr. Traill, chief of the clan, with
whom he stayed on the occasion of his visit to the island of Pappa Westra.
The first of the two incidents was as follows:—"One Christmas Day," says
Mr. Traill, "during a heavy gale, I wrapped my cloak about me, and started
off with my telescope to walk upon the cliffs. Coming to the other side of
the island, on which the surf was beating violently, I observed a vessel a
few miles off fire a signal of distress. I hastened to the nearest point, and
with the help of my glass perceived that she was Dutch built, and that,
having lost her rudder, she was quite unmanageable. She fired several guns
at short intervals, and my people came in large numbers to give assistance.
But the surf was so fearful that nothing could be done. No boat could have
lived a moment in such a sea. We were all utterly helpless. As the vessel
drifted towards us, I could see the whole tragedy as distinctly as if it had
been acted on the stage. Immediately below me were a number of my
fellow-creatures, now alive and in health, and in a few moments they would
all be mangled corpses. I could make out the expression of their features,
and see in what manner each was preparing for inevitable death. But
whether they climbed up into the shrouds, or held by ropes on deck while
the sea was washing over the bulwarks, their fate was the same. The first
wave lifted the vessel so high that I almost thought it would have placed her
upon the land. She fell back, keel upwards. The next wave struck her with
such terrific force against the cliffs that she was shivered at once into a
thousand pieces; hardly two planks held together. It seemed as if she had
been made of glass. Not a soul escaped. One or two bodies, with a few
Page 368
planks and casks, were all that ever reached the shore." Well might Mr.
Traill add, "I was haunted for months by the remembrance of that
heartrending sight."
The other story related by Mr. Traill shows that a Christmas party may be
detained indefinitely in one of these remote islands, should the weather
prove unfavourable. At Christmastide, a former Laird of Westra "collected a
numerous party from all the neighbouring islands to celebrate the
christening of his eldest son." His hospitalities cost him dear. A storm arose;
his guests could not get away; instead of enjoying their society for a few
days, he was obliged to entertain them at a ruinous expense for many
weeks. His larder, his cellar, and his barns, were by degrees exhausted. His
farm stock had all been slaughtered, except the old bull, which he was
reserving as a last resource, when at length the wind abated, and a calm
delivered him from this ruinous situation.
Thus it appears that in these remote islands of Scotland Christmas is not
forgotten. But a writer in a well-known Scotch journal says the surest sign
of the general joy is "Christmas in the Workhouse":—
"Christmas was gay in the old squire's hall,
Gay at the village inn,
Cheery and loud by the farmer's fire,
Happy the manse within;
But the surest signs of the general joy,
And that all the world was happy—very,
Were the sounds that proved at the workhouse door
That even 'the paupers' were merry."
A Remarkable Christmas Gathering.
The Greenwich Hospital for Sick Seamen of all Nations presented on
Christmas Day, 1880, a remarkable gathering of national representatives.
There were 179 sailors, representing 31 nationalities, belonging to ships of
19 distinct nations. They were summed up thus:—England, 77; Wales, 3;
Scotland, 9; Ireland, 11; Norway, 10; Sweden, 9; Finland, 6; United States,
5; Denmark, 5; British India, 4; France, 3; Germany, 3; Nova Scotia, 3;
Russia, 2; Austria, 2; Italy, 2; Cape de Verd Islands, 2; Chili, 2; Jamaica, 2;
Barbadoes, 2; St. Thomas, 2; Spain, 1; Portugal, 1; Canada, 1; New
Brunswick, 1; Transvaal, 1; Gold Coast, 1; Brazil, 1; St. Kitts, 1; Mauritius,
Traill add, "I was haunted for months by the remembrance of that
heartrending sight."
The other story related by Mr. Traill shows that a Christmas party may be
detained indefinitely in one of these remote islands, should the weather
prove unfavourable. At Christmastide, a former Laird of Westra "collected a
numerous party from all the neighbouring islands to celebrate the
christening of his eldest son." His hospitalities cost him dear. A storm arose;
his guests could not get away; instead of enjoying their society for a few
days, he was obliged to entertain them at a ruinous expense for many
weeks. His larder, his cellar, and his barns, were by degrees exhausted. His
farm stock had all been slaughtered, except the old bull, which he was
reserving as a last resource, when at length the wind abated, and a calm
delivered him from this ruinous situation.
Thus it appears that in these remote islands of Scotland Christmas is not
forgotten. But a writer in a well-known Scotch journal says the surest sign
of the general joy is "Christmas in the Workhouse":—
"Christmas was gay in the old squire's hall,
Gay at the village inn,
Cheery and loud by the farmer's fire,
Happy the manse within;
But the surest signs of the general joy,
And that all the world was happy—very,
Were the sounds that proved at the workhouse door
That even 'the paupers' were merry."
A Remarkable Christmas Gathering.
The Greenwich Hospital for Sick Seamen of all Nations presented on
Christmas Day, 1880, a remarkable gathering of national representatives.
There were 179 sailors, representing 31 nationalities, belonging to ships of
19 distinct nations. They were summed up thus:—England, 77; Wales, 3;
Scotland, 9; Ireland, 11; Norway, 10; Sweden, 9; Finland, 6; United States,
5; Denmark, 5; British India, 4; France, 3; Germany, 3; Nova Scotia, 3;
Russia, 2; Austria, 2; Italy, 2; Cape de Verd Islands, 2; Chili, 2; Jamaica, 2;
Barbadoes, 2; St. Thomas, 2; Spain, 1; Portugal, 1; Canada, 1; New
Brunswick, 1; Transvaal, 1; Gold Coast, 1; Brazil, 1; St. Kitts, 1; Mauritius,
Page 369
1; Society Islands, 1. The mercantile marines represented were no bad index
to the proportion of the carrying trade of the world each nation undertakes:
—England, 96 vessels; Ireland, 3; Scotland, 16; Wales, 4; Norway, 7;
Sweden, 5; United States, 6; Denmark, 2; France, 2; Germany, 3; Nova
Scotia, 7; Russia, 2; Netherlands, 4; Channel Islands, 2; New Brunswick, 2;
Italy, 1; Zanzibar, 1; Spain, 1.
The early morning brought warm Christmas wishes to the patients. Each
found by his bedside a packet addressed to him by name. Some good lady
had taken the enormous pains to work a pretty, and, at the same time, stout
and serviceable wallet, with the inscription, "My letters," embroidered
thereupon, and to accompany this little gift, in every case, with a short and
seasonable letter of Christmas wishes, using other languages than English,
to suit the convenience of every recipient. The initials under which these
offerings came were "N. C. H." Other gifts, Christmas cards and Christmas
reading, in the shape of magazines and illustrated papers were gladly
welcomed.
The decorations of the corridors and rooms had given occupation to the sick
sailors for several days, and sentiments of loyalty to the Queen and the
Royal Family were abundantly displayed, together with portraits of
members of the Royal Family which had been drawn from fancy.
The officers and nurses had dedicated to them some specimens of real sailor
poetry, combining the names of the staff. With grim humour, the "operation
room" bore above it "Nil desperandum"; and the decorated walls of the
hospital told the onlookers that "small vessels should keep in shore," that
"windmills are not turned by a pair of bellows," that "good things are not
found in heaps," that "hasty people fish in empty ponds," that "plenty, like
want, ruins many," &c.
The dinner at one o'clock was a great success. All who could get out of bed
made it a point of honour to be present. But for adverse winds keeping ships
from entering the Thames, the guests would have been more numerous. But,
as it was, the patients under the roof numbered 179. There were, of course,
difficulties of language; but no "Jack" ever ploughed the sea who does not
understand a Christmas dinner; and, besides, the hospital in its nurses and
staff possesses the means of conversing in seventeen different languages.
to the proportion of the carrying trade of the world each nation undertakes:
—England, 96 vessels; Ireland, 3; Scotland, 16; Wales, 4; Norway, 7;
Sweden, 5; United States, 6; Denmark, 2; France, 2; Germany, 3; Nova
Scotia, 7; Russia, 2; Netherlands, 4; Channel Islands, 2; New Brunswick, 2;
Italy, 1; Zanzibar, 1; Spain, 1.
The early morning brought warm Christmas wishes to the patients. Each
found by his bedside a packet addressed to him by name. Some good lady
had taken the enormous pains to work a pretty, and, at the same time, stout
and serviceable wallet, with the inscription, "My letters," embroidered
thereupon, and to accompany this little gift, in every case, with a short and
seasonable letter of Christmas wishes, using other languages than English,
to suit the convenience of every recipient. The initials under which these
offerings came were "N. C. H." Other gifts, Christmas cards and Christmas
reading, in the shape of magazines and illustrated papers were gladly
welcomed.
The decorations of the corridors and rooms had given occupation to the sick
sailors for several days, and sentiments of loyalty to the Queen and the
Royal Family were abundantly displayed, together with portraits of
members of the Royal Family which had been drawn from fancy.
The officers and nurses had dedicated to them some specimens of real sailor
poetry, combining the names of the staff. With grim humour, the "operation
room" bore above it "Nil desperandum"; and the decorated walls of the
hospital told the onlookers that "small vessels should keep in shore," that
"windmills are not turned by a pair of bellows," that "good things are not
found in heaps," that "hasty people fish in empty ponds," that "plenty, like
want, ruins many," &c.
The dinner at one o'clock was a great success. All who could get out of bed
made it a point of honour to be present. But for adverse winds keeping ships
from entering the Thames, the guests would have been more numerous. But,
as it was, the patients under the roof numbered 179. There were, of course,
difficulties of language; but no "Jack" ever ploughed the sea who does not
understand a Christmas dinner; and, besides, the hospital in its nurses and
staff possesses the means of conversing in seventeen different languages.
Page 370
The scene was a thoroughly Christmas one; and many other festive scenes,
almost as interesting, were seen in all parts of England. Whether recorded
or unrecorded, who does not rejoice in such efforts to promote "goodwill
amongst men," and long for the time—
"When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendours fling,
And the whole world send back the song,
Which now the angels sing."
Which now the angels sing."
Christmas Crackers.
One of the popular institutions inseparable from the festivities of
Christmastide has long been the "cracker." The satisfaction which young
people especially experience in pulling the opposite ends of a gelatine and
paper cylinder is of the keenest, accompanied as the operation is by a mixed
anticipation—half fearful as to the explosion that is to follow, and wholly
delightful with regard to the bonbon or motto which will thus be brought to
light. Much amusement is afforded to the lads and lassies by the fortune-
telling verses which some of the crackers contain. But the cracker of our
early days was something far different from what it is now. The sharp
"crack" with which the article exploded, and from which it took its name,
was then its principal, and, in some cases, its only feature; and the
exclamation, "I know I shall scream," which John Leech, in one of his
sketches, puts into the mouth of two pretty girls engaged in cracker-pulling,
indicated about the all of delight which that occupation afforded. Since
then, however, the cracker has undergone a gradual development.
Becoming by degrees a receptacle for bon-bons, rhymed mottoes, little
paper caps and aprons, and similar toys, it has passed on to another and
higher stage, and is even made a vehicle for high art illustrations.
Considerable artistic talent has been introduced in the adornment of these
novelties. For instance, the "Silhouette" crackers are illustrated with black
figures, comprising portraits of well-known characters in the political,
military, and social world, exquisitely executed, while appropriate designs
have been adapted to other varieties, respectively designated "Cameos,"
"Bric-a-brac," "Musical Toys," &c.; and it is quite evident that the
almost as interesting, were seen in all parts of England. Whether recorded
or unrecorded, who does not rejoice in such efforts to promote "goodwill
amongst men," and long for the time—
"When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendours fling,
And the whole world send back the song,
Which now the angels sing."
Which now the angels sing."
Christmas Crackers.
One of the popular institutions inseparable from the festivities of
Christmastide has long been the "cracker." The satisfaction which young
people especially experience in pulling the opposite ends of a gelatine and
paper cylinder is of the keenest, accompanied as the operation is by a mixed
anticipation—half fearful as to the explosion that is to follow, and wholly
delightful with regard to the bonbon or motto which will thus be brought to
light. Much amusement is afforded to the lads and lassies by the fortune-
telling verses which some of the crackers contain. But the cracker of our
early days was something far different from what it is now. The sharp
"crack" with which the article exploded, and from which it took its name,
was then its principal, and, in some cases, its only feature; and the
exclamation, "I know I shall scream," which John Leech, in one of his
sketches, puts into the mouth of two pretty girls engaged in cracker-pulling,
indicated about the all of delight which that occupation afforded. Since
then, however, the cracker has undergone a gradual development.
Becoming by degrees a receptacle for bon-bons, rhymed mottoes, little
paper caps and aprons, and similar toys, it has passed on to another and
higher stage, and is even made a vehicle for high art illustrations.
Considerable artistic talent has been introduced in the adornment of these
novelties. For instance, the "Silhouette" crackers are illustrated with black
figures, comprising portraits of well-known characters in the political,
military, and social world, exquisitely executed, while appropriate designs
have been adapted to other varieties, respectively designated "Cameos,"
"Bric-a-brac," "Musical Toys," &c.; and it is quite evident that the
Page 371
education of the young in matters of good taste is not overlooked in the
provision of opportunities for merriment.
SANTA CLAUS AND THE STOCKING.
Hang up the baby's stocking! Be
sure you don't forget! The dear
little dimpled darling, she never
saw Christmas yet! But I've
told her all about it, and she opened
her big blue eyes; and I'm sure
she understood it—she looked so
funny and wise. * * * Dear, what
a tiny stocking! It doesn't take
much to hold such little pink toes
as baby's away from the frost and
cold. But then, for the baby's
Christmas, it will never do at all.
Why! Santa wouldn't be looking
for anything half so
small. * * * I know what
will do for the baby. I've
thought of the very best
plan. I'll borrow a
stocking of Grandma's,
the longest that ever
I can. And you'll
hang it by mine,
dear mother, right
here in the corner,
so! And leave a
letter to Santa, and
fasten it on to the
toe. * * * Write—this
is the baby's stocking,
that hangs in the corner
here. You never have
seen her, Santa, for
she only came this
year. But she's
just the blessed'st
baby. And now
before you go,
just cram her
stocking with
goodies, from
the top clean
provision of opportunities for merriment.
SANTA CLAUS AND THE STOCKING.
Hang up the baby's stocking! Be
sure you don't forget! The dear
little dimpled darling, she never
saw Christmas yet! But I've
told her all about it, and she opened
her big blue eyes; and I'm sure
she understood it—she looked so
funny and wise. * * * Dear, what
a tiny stocking! It doesn't take
much to hold such little pink toes
as baby's away from the frost and
cold. But then, for the baby's
Christmas, it will never do at all.
Why! Santa wouldn't be looking
for anything half so
small. * * * I know what
will do for the baby. I've
thought of the very best
plan. I'll borrow a
stocking of Grandma's,
the longest that ever
I can. And you'll
hang it by mine,
dear mother, right
here in the corner,
so! And leave a
letter to Santa, and
fasten it on to the
toe. * * * Write—this
is the baby's stocking,
that hangs in the corner
here. You never have
seen her, Santa, for
she only came this
year. But she's
just the blessed'st
baby. And now
before you go,
just cram her
stocking with
goodies, from
the top clean
Page 372
down to
the
toe!
Original page of SANTA CLAUS AND THE STOCKING.
Fatally Burnt in Christmas Costumes.
The Christmastide of 1885-6 was marred by two fatal accidents which again
illustrate the danger of dressing for entertainments in highly-inflammable
materials. In the first case a London lady, on Boxing Night, was
entertaining some friends, and appeared herself in the costume of Winter.
She was dressed in a white robe of thin fabric, and stood under a canopy
from which fell pieces of cotton wool to represent snowflakes, and in their
descent one of them caught light at the candelabra, and fell at deceased's
feet. In trying to put it out with her foot her dress caught fire, and she was
immediately enveloped in flames. So inflammable was the material that,
although prompt assistance was rendered, she was so severely burnt as to
become unconscious. A medical man was sent for, and everything possible
was done for her; but she sank gradually, and died from exhaustion. The
second of these tragical incidents plunged a Paris family in deep sorrow.
The parents, who lived in a beautiful detached house in the Rue de la
Bienfaisance, had arranged that their children and some youthful cousins
were to play before a party of friends on New Year's Night on the stage of a
little theatre which had just been added to their house. The play was to
represent the decrepit old year going out and the new one coming in. The
eldest daughter, a charming girl of fourteen, was to be the good genius of
1886, and to be dressed in a loose transparent robe. On the appointed
evening, after the company had assembled, she donned her stage costume
and ran into her mother's bedroom to see how it became her. While looking
at herself in a mirror on the toilette table her loose sleeve came in contact
with the flame of a candle and blazed up. She screamed for help and tried to
roll herself in the bed clothes; but the bed, being covered with a lace
coverlet and curtained with muslin was also set on fire, and soon the whole
room was ablaze. By the time help arrived the girl's clothes were all burning
into the flesh; but such was her vitality that, in spite of the dreadful state in
which every inch of her body was, she survived the accident many hours.
the
toe!
Original page of SANTA CLAUS AND THE STOCKING.
Fatally Burnt in Christmas Costumes.
The Christmastide of 1885-6 was marred by two fatal accidents which again
illustrate the danger of dressing for entertainments in highly-inflammable
materials. In the first case a London lady, on Boxing Night, was
entertaining some friends, and appeared herself in the costume of Winter.
She was dressed in a white robe of thin fabric, and stood under a canopy
from which fell pieces of cotton wool to represent snowflakes, and in their
descent one of them caught light at the candelabra, and fell at deceased's
feet. In trying to put it out with her foot her dress caught fire, and she was
immediately enveloped in flames. So inflammable was the material that,
although prompt assistance was rendered, she was so severely burnt as to
become unconscious. A medical man was sent for, and everything possible
was done for her; but she sank gradually, and died from exhaustion. The
second of these tragical incidents plunged a Paris family in deep sorrow.
The parents, who lived in a beautiful detached house in the Rue de la
Bienfaisance, had arranged that their children and some youthful cousins
were to play before a party of friends on New Year's Night on the stage of a
little theatre which had just been added to their house. The play was to
represent the decrepit old year going out and the new one coming in. The
eldest daughter, a charming girl of fourteen, was to be the good genius of
1886, and to be dressed in a loose transparent robe. On the appointed
evening, after the company had assembled, she donned her stage costume
and ran into her mother's bedroom to see how it became her. While looking
at herself in a mirror on the toilette table her loose sleeve came in contact
with the flame of a candle and blazed up. She screamed for help and tried to
roll herself in the bed clothes; but the bed, being covered with a lace
coverlet and curtained with muslin was also set on fire, and soon the whole
room was ablaze. By the time help arrived the girl's clothes were all burning
into the flesh; but such was her vitality that, in spite of the dreadful state in
which every inch of her body was, she survived the accident many hours.
Page 373
Similar disasters occurred at Christmas festivities in 1889, at Detroit, and in
1891, at Wortley, Leeds. In the former several little children were fatally
burnt, and in the latter fifteen children were set on fire, eleven of them
fatally.
1891, at Wortley, Leeds. In the former several little children were fatally
burnt, and in the latter fifteen children were set on fire, eleven of them
fatally.
Page 374
Christmas Literature
is too large a subject to enter upon at length, for a bulky volume would
scarcely suffice to describe the numerous Christmas annuals, illustrated
Christmas numbers, newspaper supplements and variety papers which have
become popular at Christmastide since the first appearance of Dickens's
"Christmas Stories." The development of the Christmas trade in this light
literature has been marvellous, and it is increasing year by year. And the
same may be said of the charming gift-books which are published annually
just before Christmas.
Christmas Letter Missions.
Through the various letter missions that have been established thousands of
Christmas letters and illustrated missives, bright with anecdote, are
despatched annually to the inmates of convalescent homes and hospitals,
and are heartily welcomed by the recipients, for every one likes to be
remembered on Christmas Day.
The Post-Office Officials and Postmen
have, however, been very heavily weighted with these new Christmas
customs. They have inflicted upon postmen and letter-sorters an amount of
extra labour that is almost incredible. The postal-parcel work is also very
heavy at the festive season.
The Railways at Christmas.
"Home for the holidays, here we go;
Bless me, the train is exceedingly slow!
Pray, Mr. Engineer, get up your steam,
And let us be off, with a puff and a scream!
We have two long hours to travel, you say;
Come, Mr. Engineer, gallop away!"[92]
is too large a subject to enter upon at length, for a bulky volume would
scarcely suffice to describe the numerous Christmas annuals, illustrated
Christmas numbers, newspaper supplements and variety papers which have
become popular at Christmastide since the first appearance of Dickens's
"Christmas Stories." The development of the Christmas trade in this light
literature has been marvellous, and it is increasing year by year. And the
same may be said of the charming gift-books which are published annually
just before Christmas.
Christmas Letter Missions.
Through the various letter missions that have been established thousands of
Christmas letters and illustrated missives, bright with anecdote, are
despatched annually to the inmates of convalescent homes and hospitals,
and are heartily welcomed by the recipients, for every one likes to be
remembered on Christmas Day.
The Post-Office Officials and Postmen
have, however, been very heavily weighted with these new Christmas
customs. They have inflicted upon postmen and letter-sorters an amount of
extra labour that is almost incredible. The postal-parcel work is also very
heavy at the festive season.
The Railways at Christmas.
"Home for the holidays, here we go;
Bless me, the train is exceedingly slow!
Pray, Mr. Engineer, get up your steam,
And let us be off, with a puff and a scream!
We have two long hours to travel, you say;
Come, Mr. Engineer, gallop away!"[92]
Page 375
This familiar verse recalls the eagerness of the schoolboy to be home for the
Christmas holidays. And adults are no less eager to join their friends at the
festive season; many travel long journeys in order to do so. Hence the great
pressure of work on railway employés, and the congested state of the traffic
at Christmastide. Two or three days before Christmas Day the newspapers
publish what are called "railway arrangements," detailing the privileges
granted by this and that company, and presenting the holiday traveller with
a sort of appetising programme; and any one who will spend an hour at any
of the great termini of the metropolis at this period can see the remarkable
extent to which the public avail themselves of the facilities offered. The
growth of railway travelling at Christmastide has, indeed, been marvellous
in recent years, and it becomes greater every year. The crowded state of the
railway stations, and the trains that roll out of them heavily laden with men,
women, and children, wedged together by parcels bursting with good cheer,
show most unmistakably that we have not forgotten the traditions of
Christmas as a time of happy gatherings in the family circles of Old
England.
[79] Huish's "Life of George the Third."
[80] Gentleman's Magazine, 1790.
[81] Copied from an undated leaflet inserted in the British Museum copy of
Brand's "Antiquities," by the late Mr Joseph Hazlewood.
[82] Hone's "Every-day Book," 1826.
[83] Herbert H. Adams.
[84] "A black Christmas makes a fat kirk-yard." A windy Christmas and a calm
Candlemas are signs of a good year.
[85] The "savoury haggis" (from hag to chop) is a dish commonly made in a
sheep's maw, of its lungs, heart, and liver, mixed with suet, onions, salt, and
pepper; or of oatmeal mixed with the latter, without any animal food.
[86] F. Lawrence.
[87] "Old English Customs and Charities," 1842.
[88] "Biographical Lectures."
[89] "History of Berks," vol. xxv.
[90] "Grim, King of the Ghosts."
[91] "Old Times and Distant Places," 1875.
[92] Eliza Cook.
Christmas holidays. And adults are no less eager to join their friends at the
festive season; many travel long journeys in order to do so. Hence the great
pressure of work on railway employés, and the congested state of the traffic
at Christmastide. Two or three days before Christmas Day the newspapers
publish what are called "railway arrangements," detailing the privileges
granted by this and that company, and presenting the holiday traveller with
a sort of appetising programme; and any one who will spend an hour at any
of the great termini of the metropolis at this period can see the remarkable
extent to which the public avail themselves of the facilities offered. The
growth of railway travelling at Christmastide has, indeed, been marvellous
in recent years, and it becomes greater every year. The crowded state of the
railway stations, and the trains that roll out of them heavily laden with men,
women, and children, wedged together by parcels bursting with good cheer,
show most unmistakably that we have not forgotten the traditions of
Christmas as a time of happy gatherings in the family circles of Old
England.
[79] Huish's "Life of George the Third."
[80] Gentleman's Magazine, 1790.
[81] Copied from an undated leaflet inserted in the British Museum copy of
Brand's "Antiquities," by the late Mr Joseph Hazlewood.
[82] Hone's "Every-day Book," 1826.
[83] Herbert H. Adams.
[84] "A black Christmas makes a fat kirk-yard." A windy Christmas and a calm
Candlemas are signs of a good year.
[85] The "savoury haggis" (from hag to chop) is a dish commonly made in a
sheep's maw, of its lungs, heart, and liver, mixed with suet, onions, salt, and
pepper; or of oatmeal mixed with the latter, without any animal food.
[86] F. Lawrence.
[87] "Old English Customs and Charities," 1842.
[88] "Biographical Lectures."
[89] "History of Berks," vol. xxv.
[90] "Grim, King of the Ghosts."
[91] "Old Times and Distant Places," 1875.
[92] Eliza Cook.
Page 376
But, as there is also much Christmas-keeping in other parts of the world, we
pass now to—
CHAPTER XII.
MODERN CHRISTMASES ABROAD.
Christmas-Keeping in the Arctic Regions, 1850-1.
"The bluejackets are generally better hands than the red-coats at
improvising a jollification—Jack, at any rate, does not take his pleasures
sadly. The gallant bands that have from time to time gone forth to a
bloodless campaign in the icy north, have always managed to keep their
Christmas right joyously. Certainly they could not complain of uncongenial
skies or unseasonable temperatures; while, so far as snow and ice are
necessary to thorough enjoyment, the supply in the Arctic regions is on a
scale sufficient to satisfy the most ardent admirer of an old-fashioned
Christmas. The frozen-in Investigators under McClure kept their first Arctic
Christmas soberly, cheerfully, and in good fellowship, round tables
groaning with good cheer, in the shape of Sandwich Island beef, musk veal
from the Prince of Wales's Strait, mince-meat from England, splendid
preserves from the Green Isle, and dainty dishes from Scotland. Every one
talked of home, and speculated respecting the doings of dear ones there; and
healths were drunk, not omitting those of their fellow-labourers sauntering
somewhere in the regions about, but how near or how far away none could
tell. When the festival came round again, the Investigator and Enterprise
were alone in their glory, and they were separated by miles of frozen sea;
pass now to—
CHAPTER XII.
MODERN CHRISTMASES ABROAD.
Christmas-Keeping in the Arctic Regions, 1850-1.
"The bluejackets are generally better hands than the red-coats at
improvising a jollification—Jack, at any rate, does not take his pleasures
sadly. The gallant bands that have from time to time gone forth to a
bloodless campaign in the icy north, have always managed to keep their
Christmas right joyously. Certainly they could not complain of uncongenial
skies or unseasonable temperatures; while, so far as snow and ice are
necessary to thorough enjoyment, the supply in the Arctic regions is on a
scale sufficient to satisfy the most ardent admirer of an old-fashioned
Christmas. The frozen-in Investigators under McClure kept their first Arctic
Christmas soberly, cheerfully, and in good fellowship, round tables
groaning with good cheer, in the shape of Sandwich Island beef, musk veal
from the Prince of Wales's Strait, mince-meat from England, splendid
preserves from the Green Isle, and dainty dishes from Scotland. Every one
talked of home, and speculated respecting the doings of dear ones there; and
healths were drunk, not omitting those of their fellow-labourers sauntering
somewhere in the regions about, but how near or how far away none could
tell. When the festival came round again, the Investigator and Enterprise
were alone in their glory, and they were separated by miles of frozen sea;
Page 377
but they had solved the great problem.[93] On board the Investigator, frost-
bound in the Bay of Mercy, things went as merry as the proverbial
marriage-bell. After divine service, everybody took a constitutional on the
ice until dinner-time; then the officers sat down to a meal of which the pièce
de résistance was a haunch of Banks' Island reindeer, weighing twenty
pounds, with fat two inches thick, and a most delicious flavour; while the
crew were regaling upon venison and other good things, double allowance
of grog included; and dinner discussed, dancing, singing, and skylarking
filled up the holiday hours till bedtime; the fun being kept up with
unflagging humour, and with such propriety withal as to make their leader
wish the anxious folks at home could have witnessed the scene created
amidst so many gloomy influences, by the crew of a ship after two years'
sojourn in those ice-bound regions upon their own resources. Another
Christmas found the brave fellows still confined in their snowy prison; but
their table boasted plum-pudding rich enough for Arctic appetites, Banks'
Land venison, Mercy Bay hare-soup, ptarmigan pasties, and musk-ox beef
—hung-beef, surely, seeing it had been dangling in the rigging above two
years. The poets among the men wrote songs making light of the hardships
they had endured; the painters exhibited pictures of past perils; comic actors
were not wanting; and the whole company, casting all anxiety to the winds,
enjoyed themselves to the utmost."[94]
In the spring of 1870, before the breaking out of the Franco-German war,
Germany sent out two ships, the Germania and the Hansa, with the hope of
reaching the North Pole. As is usually the case in Arctic expeditions, little
could be done during the first season, and the ships were obliged to take up
their winter-quarters off the east coast of Greenland. They had already been
separated, so that the crew of one vessel, had no idea of the condition of the
other. An officer upon the Germania gives the following interesting account
of their Christmas festivities in the Arctic regions:—
"To the men who have already lived many weary months among the
icebergs, Christmas signifies, in addition to its other associations, that the
half of their long night—with its fearful storms, its enforced cessation of all
energy, its discomfort and sadness—has passed, and that the sun will soon
again shed its life and warmth-giving beams on the long-deserted North.
From this time the grim twilight, during which noon has been hardly
distinguishable from the other hours, grows daily lighter, until at length all
bound in the Bay of Mercy, things went as merry as the proverbial
marriage-bell. After divine service, everybody took a constitutional on the
ice until dinner-time; then the officers sat down to a meal of which the pièce
de résistance was a haunch of Banks' Island reindeer, weighing twenty
pounds, with fat two inches thick, and a most delicious flavour; while the
crew were regaling upon venison and other good things, double allowance
of grog included; and dinner discussed, dancing, singing, and skylarking
filled up the holiday hours till bedtime; the fun being kept up with
unflagging humour, and with such propriety withal as to make their leader
wish the anxious folks at home could have witnessed the scene created
amidst so many gloomy influences, by the crew of a ship after two years'
sojourn in those ice-bound regions upon their own resources. Another
Christmas found the brave fellows still confined in their snowy prison; but
their table boasted plum-pudding rich enough for Arctic appetites, Banks'
Land venison, Mercy Bay hare-soup, ptarmigan pasties, and musk-ox beef
—hung-beef, surely, seeing it had been dangling in the rigging above two
years. The poets among the men wrote songs making light of the hardships
they had endured; the painters exhibited pictures of past perils; comic actors
were not wanting; and the whole company, casting all anxiety to the winds,
enjoyed themselves to the utmost."[94]
In the spring of 1870, before the breaking out of the Franco-German war,
Germany sent out two ships, the Germania and the Hansa, with the hope of
reaching the North Pole. As is usually the case in Arctic expeditions, little
could be done during the first season, and the ships were obliged to take up
their winter-quarters off the east coast of Greenland. They had already been
separated, so that the crew of one vessel, had no idea of the condition of the
other. An officer upon the Germania gives the following interesting account
of their Christmas festivities in the Arctic regions:—
"To the men who have already lived many weary months among the
icebergs, Christmas signifies, in addition to its other associations, that the
half of their long night—with its fearful storms, its enforced cessation of all
energy, its discomfort and sadness—has passed, and that the sun will soon
again shed its life and warmth-giving beams on the long-deserted North.
From this time the grim twilight, during which noon has been hardly
distinguishable from the other hours, grows daily lighter, until at length all
Page 378
hearts are gladdened, and a cheerful activity is once again called forth by
the first glimpse of the sun. Christmas, the midnight of the Arctic explorer,
thus marks a period in his life which he has good cause to consider a joyful
one.
"For days before the festival, an unusual activity was observable all over
the ship; and as soon as the severe storm which raged from December 16th
to the 21st had abated, parties were organised, under our botanist, Dr.
Pansch, to certain points of Sabine Island, near to which we were anchored,
where, in a strangely sheltered nook, several varieties of a native Greenland
evergreen plant, Andromeda tetragona, were to be found. A great quantity
of this plant was conveyed on board, to be converted into a Christmas-tree.
Under the orders of Dr. Pansch, the Andromeda was wound round small
pieces of wood, several of which were attached, like fir-twigs, to a large
bough; and when these boughs were fastened to a pole, they formed a very
respectable fir-tree.
"After dinner on Christmas Day, the cabin was cleared for the completion of
the preparations; and on our recall at six o'clock, we found that all had
assumed an unwontedly festive appearance. The walls were decorated with
the signal-flags and our national eagle; and the large cabin table, somewhat
enlarged to make room to seat seventeen men, was covered with a clean
white cloth, which had been reserved for the occasion. On the table stood
the 'fir' tree, shining in the splendour of many little wax-lights, and
ornaments with all sorts of little treasures, some of which, such as the
gilded walnuts, had already seen a Christmas in Germany; below the tree
was a small present for each of us, provided long beforehand, in readiness
for the day, by loving friends and relatives at home. There was a packet too
for each of the crew, containing some little joking gift, prepared by the
mirth-loving Dr. Pansch, and a useful present also; while the officers were
each and all remembered.
"When the lights burned down, and the resinous Andromeda was beginning
to take fire, the tree was put aside, and a feast began, at which full justice
was done to the costly Sicilian wine with which a friend had generously
supplied us before we left home. We had a dish of roast seal! Some cakes
were made by the cook, and the steward produced his best stores. For the
evening, the division between the fore and aft cabins was removed, and
the first glimpse of the sun. Christmas, the midnight of the Arctic explorer,
thus marks a period in his life which he has good cause to consider a joyful
one.
"For days before the festival, an unusual activity was observable all over
the ship; and as soon as the severe storm which raged from December 16th
to the 21st had abated, parties were organised, under our botanist, Dr.
Pansch, to certain points of Sabine Island, near to which we were anchored,
where, in a strangely sheltered nook, several varieties of a native Greenland
evergreen plant, Andromeda tetragona, were to be found. A great quantity
of this plant was conveyed on board, to be converted into a Christmas-tree.
Under the orders of Dr. Pansch, the Andromeda was wound round small
pieces of wood, several of which were attached, like fir-twigs, to a large
bough; and when these boughs were fastened to a pole, they formed a very
respectable fir-tree.
"After dinner on Christmas Day, the cabin was cleared for the completion of
the preparations; and on our recall at six o'clock, we found that all had
assumed an unwontedly festive appearance. The walls were decorated with
the signal-flags and our national eagle; and the large cabin table, somewhat
enlarged to make room to seat seventeen men, was covered with a clean
white cloth, which had been reserved for the occasion. On the table stood
the 'fir' tree, shining in the splendour of many little wax-lights, and
ornaments with all sorts of little treasures, some of which, such as the
gilded walnuts, had already seen a Christmas in Germany; below the tree
was a small present for each of us, provided long beforehand, in readiness
for the day, by loving friends and relatives at home. There was a packet too
for each of the crew, containing some little joking gift, prepared by the
mirth-loving Dr. Pansch, and a useful present also; while the officers were
each and all remembered.
"When the lights burned down, and the resinous Andromeda was beginning
to take fire, the tree was put aside, and a feast began, at which full justice
was done to the costly Sicilian wine with which a friend had generously
supplied us before we left home. We had a dish of roast seal! Some cakes
were made by the cook, and the steward produced his best stores. For the
evening, the division between the fore and aft cabins was removed, and
Page 379
there was free intercourse between officers and men; many a toast was
drunk to the memory of friends at home, and at midnight a polar ball was
improvised by a dance on the ice. The boatswain, the best musician of the
party, seated himself with his hand-organ between the antlers of a reindeer
which lay near the ship, and the men danced two and two on their novel
flooring of hard ice!
"Such was our experience of a Christmas in the north polar circle; but the
uncertainties of Arctic voyaging are great, and the two ships of our
expedition made trial of the widely different fates which await the travellers
in those frozen regions: and while we on the Germania were singularly
fortunate in escaping accidents and in keeping our crew, in spite of some
hardships, in sound health and good spirits, the Hansa was crushed by the
ice, and her crew, after facing unheard-of dangers, and passing two hundred
days on a block of ice, were barely rescued to return home."
Yet even to the crew of the ill-fated Hansa Christmas brought some
festivities. The tremendous gale which had raged for many days ceased just
before the day, and the heavy fall of snow with which it terminated, and
which had almost buried the black huts that the shipwrecked men had
constructed for themselves upon the drifting icebergs from the débris of the
wreck, had produced a considerable rise in the temperature, and there was
every indication that a season of calm might now be anticipated.
The log-book of the Hansa thus describes the celebration of the festival:
—"The tree was erected in the afternoon, while the greater part of the crew
took a walk; and the lonely hut shone with wonderful brightness amid the
snow. Christmas upon a Greenland iceberg! The tree was artistically put
together of firwood and mat-weed, and Dr. Laube had saved a twist of wax-
taper for the illumination. Chains of coloured paper and newly-baked cakes
were not wanting, and the men had made a knapsack and a revolver case as
a present for the captain. We opened the leaden chests of presents from
Professor Hochstetter and the Geological Society, and were much amused
by their contents. Each man had a glass of port wine; and we then turned
over the old newspapers which we found in the chests, and drew lots for the
presents, which consisted of small musical instruments such as fifes, jew's-
harps, trumpets, &c., with draughts and other games, puppets, crackers, &c.
In the evening we feasted on chocolate and gingerbread."
drunk to the memory of friends at home, and at midnight a polar ball was
improvised by a dance on the ice. The boatswain, the best musician of the
party, seated himself with his hand-organ between the antlers of a reindeer
which lay near the ship, and the men danced two and two on their novel
flooring of hard ice!
"Such was our experience of a Christmas in the north polar circle; but the
uncertainties of Arctic voyaging are great, and the two ships of our
expedition made trial of the widely different fates which await the travellers
in those frozen regions: and while we on the Germania were singularly
fortunate in escaping accidents and in keeping our crew, in spite of some
hardships, in sound health and good spirits, the Hansa was crushed by the
ice, and her crew, after facing unheard-of dangers, and passing two hundred
days on a block of ice, were barely rescued to return home."
Yet even to the crew of the ill-fated Hansa Christmas brought some
festivities. The tremendous gale which had raged for many days ceased just
before the day, and the heavy fall of snow with which it terminated, and
which had almost buried the black huts that the shipwrecked men had
constructed for themselves upon the drifting icebergs from the débris of the
wreck, had produced a considerable rise in the temperature, and there was
every indication that a season of calm might now be anticipated.
The log-book of the Hansa thus describes the celebration of the festival:
—"The tree was erected in the afternoon, while the greater part of the crew
took a walk; and the lonely hut shone with wonderful brightness amid the
snow. Christmas upon a Greenland iceberg! The tree was artistically put
together of firwood and mat-weed, and Dr. Laube had saved a twist of wax-
taper for the illumination. Chains of coloured paper and newly-baked cakes
were not wanting, and the men had made a knapsack and a revolver case as
a present for the captain. We opened the leaden chests of presents from
Professor Hochstetter and the Geological Society, and were much amused
by their contents. Each man had a glass of port wine; and we then turned
over the old newspapers which we found in the chests, and drew lots for the
presents, which consisted of small musical instruments such as fifes, jew's-
harps, trumpets, &c., with draughts and other games, puppets, crackers, &c.
In the evening we feasted on chocolate and gingerbread."
Page 380
"We observed the day very quietly," writes Dr. Laube in his diary. "If this
Christmas be the last we are to see, it was at least a cheerful one; but should
a happy return home be decreed for us, the next will, we trust, be far
brighter. May God so grant!"
Christmas in the Crimea.
The Christmas of 1854 was a dismal one for the soldiers in the Crimea,
witnessing and enduring what Lord John Russell spoke of as "the horrible
and heartrending scenes of that Crimean winter."
"Thanks to General Muddle," says a journal of the period, "the Crimean
Christmas of 1854 was anything but what it ought to and might have been;
and the knowledge that plenty of good things had been provided by
thoughtful hearts at home, but which were anywhere but where they were
wanted, did not add to the merriment of our poor overworked, underfed
army; and although some desperate efforts were made to be jolly on dreary
outpost and in uncomfortable trenches, they only resulted in miserable
failure. The following Christmas was doubly enjoyable by comparison. The
stubborn fortress (Sebastopol) had fallen at last to its more stubborn
assailants; habit had deprived frost and snow of their terrors, and every hut
ran over with hams, preserves, vegetables, and mysterious tins, till it
resembled a grocer's store. The valleys of Miscomia, too, were rich in
mistletoe, to be had for the trouble of gathering; but few cared to undergo
that trouble for the sake of what only reminded them of unattainable sweets,
and made them sigh for the girls they had left behind them."
In 1855, Messrs. Macmillan & Co. published a poem by H. R. F., entitled
"Christmas Dawn, 1854," in which the writer pictures the festivities marred
by war:—
"A happy Christmas!
Happy! to whom? Perchance to infancy,
And innocent childhood, while the germ of sin,
Yet undeveloped, leaves a virgin soil
For joy, and Death and Sorrow are but names.
But who, that bears a mind matured to thought,
A heart to feel, shall look abroad this day
And speak of happiness? The church is deckt
With festive garlands, and the sunbeams glance
From glossy evergreens; the mistletoe
Christmas be the last we are to see, it was at least a cheerful one; but should
a happy return home be decreed for us, the next will, we trust, be far
brighter. May God so grant!"
Christmas in the Crimea.
The Christmas of 1854 was a dismal one for the soldiers in the Crimea,
witnessing and enduring what Lord John Russell spoke of as "the horrible
and heartrending scenes of that Crimean winter."
"Thanks to General Muddle," says a journal of the period, "the Crimean
Christmas of 1854 was anything but what it ought to and might have been;
and the knowledge that plenty of good things had been provided by
thoughtful hearts at home, but which were anywhere but where they were
wanted, did not add to the merriment of our poor overworked, underfed
army; and although some desperate efforts were made to be jolly on dreary
outpost and in uncomfortable trenches, they only resulted in miserable
failure. The following Christmas was doubly enjoyable by comparison. The
stubborn fortress (Sebastopol) had fallen at last to its more stubborn
assailants; habit had deprived frost and snow of their terrors, and every hut
ran over with hams, preserves, vegetables, and mysterious tins, till it
resembled a grocer's store. The valleys of Miscomia, too, were rich in
mistletoe, to be had for the trouble of gathering; but few cared to undergo
that trouble for the sake of what only reminded them of unattainable sweets,
and made them sigh for the girls they had left behind them."
In 1855, Messrs. Macmillan & Co. published a poem by H. R. F., entitled
"Christmas Dawn, 1854," in which the writer pictures the festivities marred
by war:—
"A happy Christmas!
Happy! to whom? Perchance to infancy,
And innocent childhood, while the germ of sin,
Yet undeveloped, leaves a virgin soil
For joy, and Death and Sorrow are but names.
But who, that bears a mind matured to thought,
A heart to feel, shall look abroad this day
And speak of happiness? The church is deckt
With festive garlands, and the sunbeams glance
From glossy evergreens; the mistletoe
Page 381
Pearl-studded, and the holly's lustrous bough
Gleaming with coral fruitage; but we muse
Of laurel blent with cypress. Gaze we down
Yon crowded aisle? the mourner's dusky weeds
Sadden the eye; and they who wear them not
Have mourning in their hearts, or lavish tears
Of sympathy on griefs too deeply lodged
For man's weak ministry.
A happy Christmas!
Ah me! how many hearths are desolate!
How many a vacant seat awaits in vain
The loved one who returns not! Shall we drain
The cheerful cup—a health to absent friends?
Whom do we pledge? the living or the dead?"
Thus did the poet, "sick at heart," explore "the realm of sorrow"; and then
again he mused:
"In humbler mood to hail the auspicious day,
Shine forth rejoicing in thy strength, O sun,
Shine through the dubious mists and tearful show'rs
That darken Hope's clear azure! Christ is born,
The life of those who wake, and those who sleep—
The Day-spring from on high hath looked on us;
And we, who linger militant on earth,
Are one in Him, with those, the loved and lost,
Whose early graves keep the red field they won
Upon a stranger shore. Ah! not in vain
Went up from many a wild Crimean ridge
The soldier's pray'r, responsive to the vows
Breathed far away in many an English home.
Not vain the awakened charities, that gush
Through countless channels—Christian brotherhoods
Of mercy; and that glorious sister-band
Who sow by Death's chill waters!—Not in vain,
My country! ever loved, but dearest now
In this thine hour of sorrow, hast thou learnt
To bow to Him who chastens. We must weep—
We may rejoice in weeping"
Christmas in Abyssinia.
Wherever Englishmen are on the 25th of December, there is Christmas.
Whether it be in the icy regions of the Arctic zone, or in the sweltering heat
of tropical sunshine, the coming round of the great feast brings with it to
every Englishman a hearty desire to celebrate it duly. And if this cannot be
Gleaming with coral fruitage; but we muse
Of laurel blent with cypress. Gaze we down
Yon crowded aisle? the mourner's dusky weeds
Sadden the eye; and they who wear them not
Have mourning in their hearts, or lavish tears
Of sympathy on griefs too deeply lodged
For man's weak ministry.
A happy Christmas!
Ah me! how many hearths are desolate!
How many a vacant seat awaits in vain
The loved one who returns not! Shall we drain
The cheerful cup—a health to absent friends?
Whom do we pledge? the living or the dead?"
Thus did the poet, "sick at heart," explore "the realm of sorrow"; and then
again he mused:
"In humbler mood to hail the auspicious day,
Shine forth rejoicing in thy strength, O sun,
Shine through the dubious mists and tearful show'rs
That darken Hope's clear azure! Christ is born,
The life of those who wake, and those who sleep—
The Day-spring from on high hath looked on us;
And we, who linger militant on earth,
Are one in Him, with those, the loved and lost,
Whose early graves keep the red field they won
Upon a stranger shore. Ah! not in vain
Went up from many a wild Crimean ridge
The soldier's pray'r, responsive to the vows
Breathed far away in many an English home.
Not vain the awakened charities, that gush
Through countless channels—Christian brotherhoods
Of mercy; and that glorious sister-band
Who sow by Death's chill waters!—Not in vain,
My country! ever loved, but dearest now
In this thine hour of sorrow, hast thou learnt
To bow to Him who chastens. We must weep—
We may rejoice in weeping"
Christmas in Abyssinia.
Wherever Englishmen are on the 25th of December, there is Christmas.
Whether it be in the icy regions of the Arctic zone, or in the sweltering heat
of tropical sunshine, the coming round of the great feast brings with it to
every Englishman a hearty desire to celebrate it duly. And if this cannot be
Page 382
done in exactly home-fashion, the festival is kept as happily as
circumstances will allow. In this spirit did our soldiers keep Christmas in
Abyssinia, in 1867, with the thermometer at seventy-five in the shade, and
even here the edibles included at least one traditional dish—a joint of roast
beef. There was also an abundance of spur-fowls, guinea-fowls, venison,
mutton, &c., and the place in which the festive board was spread was
decorated with branches of fir and such other substitutes for holly and
mistletoe as could be found.
Christmas-keeping in India
at different periods shows the same determination of our British soldiers to
honour the Christmas festival.
In 1857, the saviours of our Indian Empire very nearly lost their Christmas.
The army was encamped at Intha, within sight of Nepaul, waiting for the
rain to clear off and the tents to dry, ere it moved on to drive the Sepoys into
the Raptee. The skies cleared on Christmas morning, and Lord Clyde was
for marching at once, but relented in time to save the men's puddings from
being spoiled—not only relented, but himself gave a Christmas banquet, at
which the favoured guests sat down to well-served tables laden with barons
of beef, turkeys, mutton, game, fish, fowls, plum-puddings, mince-pies, &c.
To allay the thirst such substantial fare created, appeared beakers of pale ale
from Burton and Glasgow; porter from London and Dublin; champagne,
moselle, sherry, and old port, 'rather bothered by travelling twenty miles a
day on a camel back.' Following the chief's example, each regiment had a
glorious spread, and throughout the wide expanse of tents sounds of
rejoicing were heard, for the soldiers kept Christmas right merrily.
Similarly,
The British Soldiers and Sailors in South Africa
did their best to observe the Christmas festival in good old English style,
even during the sieges of Ladysmith, Kimberley, and Mafeking, when
provisions were to be had only at famine prices. The ingenious Tommy
Atkins, in distant lands, has often found sylvan substitutes for mistletoe and
holly, and native viands to take the place of plum-puddings and mince-pies,
circumstances will allow. In this spirit did our soldiers keep Christmas in
Abyssinia, in 1867, with the thermometer at seventy-five in the shade, and
even here the edibles included at least one traditional dish—a joint of roast
beef. There was also an abundance of spur-fowls, guinea-fowls, venison,
mutton, &c., and the place in which the festive board was spread was
decorated with branches of fir and such other substitutes for holly and
mistletoe as could be found.
Christmas-keeping in India
at different periods shows the same determination of our British soldiers to
honour the Christmas festival.
In 1857, the saviours of our Indian Empire very nearly lost their Christmas.
The army was encamped at Intha, within sight of Nepaul, waiting for the
rain to clear off and the tents to dry, ere it moved on to drive the Sepoys into
the Raptee. The skies cleared on Christmas morning, and Lord Clyde was
for marching at once, but relented in time to save the men's puddings from
being spoiled—not only relented, but himself gave a Christmas banquet, at
which the favoured guests sat down to well-served tables laden with barons
of beef, turkeys, mutton, game, fish, fowls, plum-puddings, mince-pies, &c.
To allay the thirst such substantial fare created, appeared beakers of pale ale
from Burton and Glasgow; porter from London and Dublin; champagne,
moselle, sherry, and old port, 'rather bothered by travelling twenty miles a
day on a camel back.' Following the chief's example, each regiment had a
glorious spread, and throughout the wide expanse of tents sounds of
rejoicing were heard, for the soldiers kept Christmas right merrily.
Similarly,
The British Soldiers and Sailors in South Africa
did their best to observe the Christmas festival in good old English style,
even during the sieges of Ladysmith, Kimberley, and Mafeking, when
provisions were to be had only at famine prices. The ingenious Tommy
Atkins, in distant lands, has often found sylvan substitutes for mistletoe and
holly, and native viands to take the place of plum-puddings and mince-pies,
Page 383
but it is not so easy to find substitutes for the social circles in old England,
and when the time comes round for the Christmas dance Tommy's thoughts
"Return again to the girl I've left behind me."
Moreover, it sometimes falls to the lot of soldiers and war correspondents to
spend their Christmas in most outlandish places. Mr. Archibald Forbes has
left on record (in the English Illustrated Magazine, 1885) an interesting
account of his own
Christmastide in the Khyber Pass.
In his graphic style the intrepid war correspondent describes the "ride long
and hard" which Kinloch and he had through the Khyber to Jelalabad plain
to fulfil "the tryst they had made to spend Christmas Day with the cheery
comrades of Sir Sam Browne's headquarter staff." They had an adventurous
journey together from the Dakka camp to Jumrood, where Forbes left
Kinloch with Maude's division.
Further on, Mr. Forbes says: "I am not prepared to be definite, after five
years, as to the number of plum-puddings forming that little hillock on the
top of my dâk-gharry between Jhelum and Peshawur, on the apex of which
sat the faithful John amidst a whirl of dust. At Peshawur the heap of
Christmas gifts were loaded into the panniers of a camel, and the ship of the
desert started on its measured solemn tramp up through the defiles of the
Khyber." Then Mr. Forbes tells us how he joined Kinloch again at General
Maude's headquarters at Jumrood. Kinloch "had not forgotten his tryst, but
meanwhile there were military duties to be done." After the discharge of
these "military duties," which included a night march to surprise a
barbarous clan called Zukkur-Kehls, Forbes and Kinloch joined General
Tytler's column on its return march to Dakka, because at Dakka they would
be nearer to their friends of Sir Sam Browne's headquarters. "Tytler
determined to make his exit from the Zukkur-Kahl Valley by a previously
unexplored pass, toward which the force moved for its night's bivouac.
About the entrance to the glen there was a fine forest of ilex and holly,
large, sturdy, spreading trees, whence dangled long sprays of mistletoe; the
mistletoe bough was here indeed, and Christmas was close, but where the
fair ones whom, under other circumstances, the amorous youth of our
column would have so enthusiastically led under that spray which accords
and when the time comes round for the Christmas dance Tommy's thoughts
"Return again to the girl I've left behind me."
Moreover, it sometimes falls to the lot of soldiers and war correspondents to
spend their Christmas in most outlandish places. Mr. Archibald Forbes has
left on record (in the English Illustrated Magazine, 1885) an interesting
account of his own
Christmastide in the Khyber Pass.
In his graphic style the intrepid war correspondent describes the "ride long
and hard" which Kinloch and he had through the Khyber to Jelalabad plain
to fulfil "the tryst they had made to spend Christmas Day with the cheery
comrades of Sir Sam Browne's headquarter staff." They had an adventurous
journey together from the Dakka camp to Jumrood, where Forbes left
Kinloch with Maude's division.
Further on, Mr. Forbes says: "I am not prepared to be definite, after five
years, as to the number of plum-puddings forming that little hillock on the
top of my dâk-gharry between Jhelum and Peshawur, on the apex of which
sat the faithful John amidst a whirl of dust. At Peshawur the heap of
Christmas gifts were loaded into the panniers of a camel, and the ship of the
desert started on its measured solemn tramp up through the defiles of the
Khyber." Then Mr. Forbes tells us how he joined Kinloch again at General
Maude's headquarters at Jumrood. Kinloch "had not forgotten his tryst, but
meanwhile there were military duties to be done." After the discharge of
these "military duties," which included a night march to surprise a
barbarous clan called Zukkur-Kehls, Forbes and Kinloch joined General
Tytler's column on its return march to Dakka, because at Dakka they would
be nearer to their friends of Sir Sam Browne's headquarters. "Tytler
determined to make his exit from the Zukkur-Kahl Valley by a previously
unexplored pass, toward which the force moved for its night's bivouac.
About the entrance to the glen there was a fine forest of ilex and holly,
large, sturdy, spreading trees, whence dangled long sprays of mistletoe; the
mistletoe bough was here indeed, and Christmas was close, but where the
fair ones whom, under other circumstances, the amorous youth of our
column would have so enthusiastically led under that spray which accords
Page 384
so sweet a license? The young ones prattled of those impossible joys; but
the seniors, less frivolous, were concerned by the increasing narrowness of
the gorge, and by the dropping fire that hung on our skirts as we entered it.
However, there was but one casualty—a poor fellow of the 17th Regiment
had his thigh smashed by a bullet—and we spent the night under the ilex
trees without further molestation.... It was Christmas Eve when we sat
chatting with young Beatson in his lonely post by the Chardai streamlet; but
a few hours of morning riding would carry us to Jellalabad whither Sir Sam
Browne's camp had been advanced, and we were easy on the score of being
true to tryst. As in the cold grey dawn we resumed our journey, leaving the
young officer who had been our host to concern himself with the
watchfulness of his picquets and the vigilance of his patrols, there was a
sound of unintentional mockery in the conventional wish of a 'Merry
Christmas' to the gallant lad, and there was a wistfulness in his answering
smile.... The road to the encampment, the white canvas of whose tents
showed through the intervening hills, was traversed at a hand gallop; and
presently Kinloch and myself found ourselves in the street of the
headquarter camp, shaking hands with friends and comrades, and trying to
reply to a medley of disjointed questions. The bugles were sounding for the
Christmas Day Church Parade as we finished a hurried breakfast. Out there
on the plain the British troops of the division were standing in hollow
square, the officers grouped in the centre.... The headquarter street we found
swept and garnished, the flagstaff bedecked with holly, and a regimental
band playing 'Home, Sweet Home.' Dear old Sir Sam Browne did not
believe in luxury when on campaign, but now for the first time I saw him at
least comfortable.... The mess anteroom was the camp street outside the
dining tent; and at the fashionable late hour of eight we 'went in' to dinner,
to the strains of the Roast Beef of Old England. It was a right jovial feast,
and the most cordial good-fellowship prevailed. He would have been a
cynical epicurean who would have criticised the appointments; the banquet
itself was above all cavil. Rummaging among some old papers the other
day, I found the menu, which deserves to be quoted: 'Soup—Julienne. Fish
—Whitebait (from the Cabul River). Entrées—Cotelettes aux
Champignons, Poulets à la Mayonaise. Joints—Ham and fowls, roast beef,
roast saddle of mutton, boiled brisket of beef, boiled leg of mutton and
caper sauce. Curry—chicken. Sweets—Lemon jelly, blancmange, apricot
tart, plum-pudding. Grilled sardines, cheese fritters, cheese, dessert.' Truth
the seniors, less frivolous, were concerned by the increasing narrowness of
the gorge, and by the dropping fire that hung on our skirts as we entered it.
However, there was but one casualty—a poor fellow of the 17th Regiment
had his thigh smashed by a bullet—and we spent the night under the ilex
trees without further molestation.... It was Christmas Eve when we sat
chatting with young Beatson in his lonely post by the Chardai streamlet; but
a few hours of morning riding would carry us to Jellalabad whither Sir Sam
Browne's camp had been advanced, and we were easy on the score of being
true to tryst. As in the cold grey dawn we resumed our journey, leaving the
young officer who had been our host to concern himself with the
watchfulness of his picquets and the vigilance of his patrols, there was a
sound of unintentional mockery in the conventional wish of a 'Merry
Christmas' to the gallant lad, and there was a wistfulness in his answering
smile.... The road to the encampment, the white canvas of whose tents
showed through the intervening hills, was traversed at a hand gallop; and
presently Kinloch and myself found ourselves in the street of the
headquarter camp, shaking hands with friends and comrades, and trying to
reply to a medley of disjointed questions. The bugles were sounding for the
Christmas Day Church Parade as we finished a hurried breakfast. Out there
on the plain the British troops of the division were standing in hollow
square, the officers grouped in the centre.... The headquarter street we found
swept and garnished, the flagstaff bedecked with holly, and a regimental
band playing 'Home, Sweet Home.' Dear old Sir Sam Browne did not
believe in luxury when on campaign, but now for the first time I saw him at
least comfortable.... The mess anteroom was the camp street outside the
dining tent; and at the fashionable late hour of eight we 'went in' to dinner,
to the strains of the Roast Beef of Old England. It was a right jovial feast,
and the most cordial good-fellowship prevailed. He would have been a
cynical epicurean who would have criticised the appointments; the banquet
itself was above all cavil. Rummaging among some old papers the other
day, I found the menu, which deserves to be quoted: 'Soup—Julienne. Fish
—Whitebait (from the Cabul River). Entrées—Cotelettes aux
Champignons, Poulets à la Mayonaise. Joints—Ham and fowls, roast beef,
roast saddle of mutton, boiled brisket of beef, boiled leg of mutton and
caper sauce. Curry—chicken. Sweets—Lemon jelly, blancmange, apricot
tart, plum-pudding. Grilled sardines, cheese fritters, cheese, dessert.' Truth
Page 385
compels the avowal that there was no table-linen, nor was the board
resplendent with plate or gay with flowers. Table crockery was deficient, or
to be more accurate, there was none. All the dishes were of metal, and the
soup was eaten, or rather drunk, out of mugs and iron teacups. But it tasted
none the worse on this account, and let it be recorded that there were
champagne glasses, while between every two guests a portly magnum
reared its golden head. Except 'The Queen,' of course, there were but two
toasts after the feast—one was 'Absent Friends,' drunk in a wistful silence,
and the other, the caterer's health, greeted with vociferous enthusiasm. A
few fields off the wood had been collecting all day for the Christmas camp-
fire of the 10th Hussars, and by ten o'clock the blaze of it was mounting
high into the murky gloom. A right merry and social gathering it was round
the bright glow of this Yule log in a far-off land. The flames danced on the
wide circle of bearded faces, on the tangled fleeces of the postheens, on the
gold braid of the forage caps, on the sombre hoods of beshliks.... The songs
ranged from gay to grave; the former mood in the ascendency. But
occasionally there was sung a ditty, the associations with which brought it
about that there came something strangely like a tear into the voice of the
singer, and that a yearning wistfulness fell upon the faces of the listeners.
The bronzed troopers in the background shaded with their hands the fire-
flash from their eyes; and as the familiar homely strain ceased that recalled
home and love and trailed at the heart strings till the breast felt to heave and
the tears to rise, there would be a little pause of eloquent silence which told
how thoughts had gone astraying half across the globe to the loved ones in
dear old England, and were loath to come back again to the rum and the
camp fire in Jellalabad plain. Ah, how many stood or sat around that camp
fire that were never to see old England more? The snow had not melted on
the Sufed Koh when half a squadron of the troopers were drowned in the
treacherous Cabul river. No brighter soul or sweeter singer round that fire
than Monty Slade; but the life went out of Monty Slade with his face to the
foe and his wet sword grasped in a soldier-grip; and he lies under the palm
trees by the wells of El Teb."
Christmas in Canada.
In Canada the severe and long-continued frosts convert a good deal of land
and water into fields of ice, and skating is a very popular amusement of
resplendent with plate or gay with flowers. Table crockery was deficient, or
to be more accurate, there was none. All the dishes were of metal, and the
soup was eaten, or rather drunk, out of mugs and iron teacups. But it tasted
none the worse on this account, and let it be recorded that there were
champagne glasses, while between every two guests a portly magnum
reared its golden head. Except 'The Queen,' of course, there were but two
toasts after the feast—one was 'Absent Friends,' drunk in a wistful silence,
and the other, the caterer's health, greeted with vociferous enthusiasm. A
few fields off the wood had been collecting all day for the Christmas camp-
fire of the 10th Hussars, and by ten o'clock the blaze of it was mounting
high into the murky gloom. A right merry and social gathering it was round
the bright glow of this Yule log in a far-off land. The flames danced on the
wide circle of bearded faces, on the tangled fleeces of the postheens, on the
gold braid of the forage caps, on the sombre hoods of beshliks.... The songs
ranged from gay to grave; the former mood in the ascendency. But
occasionally there was sung a ditty, the associations with which brought it
about that there came something strangely like a tear into the voice of the
singer, and that a yearning wistfulness fell upon the faces of the listeners.
The bronzed troopers in the background shaded with their hands the fire-
flash from their eyes; and as the familiar homely strain ceased that recalled
home and love and trailed at the heart strings till the breast felt to heave and
the tears to rise, there would be a little pause of eloquent silence which told
how thoughts had gone astraying half across the globe to the loved ones in
dear old England, and were loath to come back again to the rum and the
camp fire in Jellalabad plain. Ah, how many stood or sat around that camp
fire that were never to see old England more? The snow had not melted on
the Sufed Koh when half a squadron of the troopers were drowned in the
treacherous Cabul river. No brighter soul or sweeter singer round that fire
than Monty Slade; but the life went out of Monty Slade with his face to the
foe and his wet sword grasped in a soldier-grip; and he lies under the palm
trees by the wells of El Teb."
Christmas in Canada.
In Canada the severe and long-continued frosts convert a good deal of land
and water into fields of ice, and skating is a very popular amusement of
Page 386
Christmastide. Sleighing is also very fashionable, and the large tracts of
country covered with snow afford ample scope for the pastime. The jingle
of the sleigh bells is heard in all the principal thoroughfares which at the
season of the great winter festival present quite an animated appearance.
The ears of the sleigh drivers are usually covered either by the cap or with a
comforter, which in very cold weather is also wrapped over the mouth and
nose.
"Christmas Day," says an English Colonist, "is spent quietly in our own
houses. New Year's Day is the day of general rejoicing, when every one
either visits or receives their friends: and so, thinking of the merry times we
have had in Old England, and comparing them with the quietness of to-day,
we feel more like strangers in a strange land than ever before.
"As a special treat, we are to have a real English Christmas dinner to-day,
and our housekeeper has made a wonderful plum-pudding. The turkey is
already steaming upon the table, and we soon fall to work upon him. He is
well cooked, but there seems to be something wrong with his legs, which
are so tough and sinewy that we come to the conclusion that he must have
been training for a walking match. The rest of the dinner passes off very
well, with the exception of the plum-pudding, which has to be brought to
the table in a basin, as it firmly refuses to bind.
"After dinner we retire to the sitting-room, and sit round the stove talking,
while those of us addicted to the fragrant weed have a quiet smoke. Thus
passes Christmas afternoon.
"Tea-time soon comes round, and after we have refreshed ourselves, we
resolve to end the day by paying a visit to a neighbour who possesses an
American organ, and Christmas evening closes in to the music of those
sweet old carols which that evening are heard over the whole world
wherever an English colony is to be found."
Christmas in Australia.
Christmas festivities in Australia are carried on in what we should call
"summer weather." There is no lack of good cheer and good living, but cold
and snow are at this season unknown, and skating and snowballing, as a
consequence, are sports unheard of at Christmastide by the youth in the
country covered with snow afford ample scope for the pastime. The jingle
of the sleigh bells is heard in all the principal thoroughfares which at the
season of the great winter festival present quite an animated appearance.
The ears of the sleigh drivers are usually covered either by the cap or with a
comforter, which in very cold weather is also wrapped over the mouth and
nose.
"Christmas Day," says an English Colonist, "is spent quietly in our own
houses. New Year's Day is the day of general rejoicing, when every one
either visits or receives their friends: and so, thinking of the merry times we
have had in Old England, and comparing them with the quietness of to-day,
we feel more like strangers in a strange land than ever before.
"As a special treat, we are to have a real English Christmas dinner to-day,
and our housekeeper has made a wonderful plum-pudding. The turkey is
already steaming upon the table, and we soon fall to work upon him. He is
well cooked, but there seems to be something wrong with his legs, which
are so tough and sinewy that we come to the conclusion that he must have
been training for a walking match. The rest of the dinner passes off very
well, with the exception of the plum-pudding, which has to be brought to
the table in a basin, as it firmly refuses to bind.
"After dinner we retire to the sitting-room, and sit round the stove talking,
while those of us addicted to the fragrant weed have a quiet smoke. Thus
passes Christmas afternoon.
"Tea-time soon comes round, and after we have refreshed ourselves, we
resolve to end the day by paying a visit to a neighbour who possesses an
American organ, and Christmas evening closes in to the music of those
sweet old carols which that evening are heard over the whole world
wherever an English colony is to be found."
Christmas in Australia.
Christmas festivities in Australia are carried on in what we should call
"summer weather." There is no lack of good cheer and good living, but cold
and snow are at this season unknown, and skating and snowballing, as a
consequence, are sports unheard of at Christmastide by the youth in the
Page 387
Antipodes. Large parties and excursions are often arranged for spending a
short time in the parks and fields, and Christmas picnics partake much of
the character of English "gipsy-parties." The inhabitants being chiefly
English, many of the ceremonies customary in English homes are observed,
and the changes that are made are enforced for the most part by the
difference in climate, and by the altered circumstances under which the
various festivities are arranged.
In "A Summer Christmas," Douglas B. W. Sladen thus describes the
Australian festivities:—
"The Christmas dinner was at two,
And all that wealth or pains could do
Was done to make it a success;
And marks of female tastefulness,
And traces of a lady's care,
Were noticeable everywhere.
The port was old, the champagne dry,
And every kind of luxury
Which Melbourne could supply was there.
They had the staple Christmas fare,
Roast beef and turkey (this was wild),
Mince-pies, plum-pudding, rich and mild,
One for the ladies, one designed
For Mr. Forte's severer mind,
Were on the board, yet in a way
It did not seem like Christmas day
With no gigantic beech yule-logs
Blazing between the brass fire-dogs,
And with 100° in the shade
On the thermometer displayed.
Nor were there Christmas offerings
Of tasteful inexpensive things,
Like those which one in England sends
At Christmas to his kin and friends,
Though the Professor with him took
A present of a recent book
For Lil and Madge and Mrs. Forte,
And though a card of some new sort
Had been arranged by Lil to face
At breakfast everybody's place.
When dinner ended nearly all
Stole off to lounges in the hall.
...
All save the two old folks and Lil,
Who made their hearts expand and thrill
By playing snatches, slow and clear,
short time in the parks and fields, and Christmas picnics partake much of
the character of English "gipsy-parties." The inhabitants being chiefly
English, many of the ceremonies customary in English homes are observed,
and the changes that are made are enforced for the most part by the
difference in climate, and by the altered circumstances under which the
various festivities are arranged.
In "A Summer Christmas," Douglas B. W. Sladen thus describes the
Australian festivities:—
"The Christmas dinner was at two,
And all that wealth or pains could do
Was done to make it a success;
And marks of female tastefulness,
And traces of a lady's care,
Were noticeable everywhere.
The port was old, the champagne dry,
And every kind of luxury
Which Melbourne could supply was there.
They had the staple Christmas fare,
Roast beef and turkey (this was wild),
Mince-pies, plum-pudding, rich and mild,
One for the ladies, one designed
For Mr. Forte's severer mind,
Were on the board, yet in a way
It did not seem like Christmas day
With no gigantic beech yule-logs
Blazing between the brass fire-dogs,
And with 100° in the shade
On the thermometer displayed.
Nor were there Christmas offerings
Of tasteful inexpensive things,
Like those which one in England sends
At Christmas to his kin and friends,
Though the Professor with him took
A present of a recent book
For Lil and Madge and Mrs. Forte,
And though a card of some new sort
Had been arranged by Lil to face
At breakfast everybody's place.
When dinner ended nearly all
Stole off to lounges in the hall.
...
All save the two old folks and Lil,
Who made their hearts expand and thrill
By playing snatches, slow and clear,
Page 388
Of carols they'd been used to hear
Of carols they'd been used to hear
Some half a century ago
At High Wick Manor, when the two
Were bashful maidens: they talked on,
Of England and what they had done
On byegone Christmas nights at home,
Of friends beyond the Northern foam,
And friends beyond that other sea,
Yet further—whither ceaselessly
Travellers follow the old track,
But whence no messenger comes back."
Christmas in New Zealand.
In 1887, we received a letter from Mr. W. M. Stanton, of Nelson, New
Zealand, giving the following interesting account of the colonists'
observance of Christmas:—
"And now, as to Christmas, I wish I could express all I feel on this
peculiarly English season of 'peace and goodwill.' I remember the
picturesque snow (seen here only on the distant blue mountain tops), the icy
stalactites pendant from the leafless branches, the twitter of the robin
redbreast, the holly, and the mistletoe, decorated homes, redolent with the
effects of the festive cooking, and the warm blazing firelight, the meeting of
families and of friends, the waits, the grand old peals from the belfries; but,
alas, here these childhood associations are dispelled, half broken, and we
acclimatised denizens adapt our festivities to other modes—not that we
forget the Christmas season, but enjoy it differently, as I will briefly tell
you, as you ask, 'how we spend Christmas in New Zealand.' First, our ladies
decorate the churches for the Christmas services, not with the evergreens of
old exclusively; they do indeed affect the holly, ivy, and (New Zealand)
mistletoe, but they make up with umbrageous and rich ferns, lachipoden,
lauristinas, Portugal laurels, and our own beautiful evergreen, Ngaio, and
with all the midsummer flowers at command; then the clerk, the storeman,
the merchant, and the mechanic indulge in 'trips,' or day excursions, in
small steamboats, to the neighbouring bays surrounding small townships,
and villages on the coast. Others again, take the train for a day's outing and
play quoits, rounders, lawn tennis, and the like; the sportsman, perhaps,
preferring his gun and his dog; families, again, are picnic-mad, for your
Of carols they'd been used to hear
Some half a century ago
At High Wick Manor, when the two
Were bashful maidens: they talked on,
Of England and what they had done
On byegone Christmas nights at home,
Of friends beyond the Northern foam,
And friends beyond that other sea,
Yet further—whither ceaselessly
Travellers follow the old track,
But whence no messenger comes back."
Christmas in New Zealand.
In 1887, we received a letter from Mr. W. M. Stanton, of Nelson, New
Zealand, giving the following interesting account of the colonists'
observance of Christmas:—
"And now, as to Christmas, I wish I could express all I feel on this
peculiarly English season of 'peace and goodwill.' I remember the
picturesque snow (seen here only on the distant blue mountain tops), the icy
stalactites pendant from the leafless branches, the twitter of the robin
redbreast, the holly, and the mistletoe, decorated homes, redolent with the
effects of the festive cooking, and the warm blazing firelight, the meeting of
families and of friends, the waits, the grand old peals from the belfries; but,
alas, here these childhood associations are dispelled, half broken, and we
acclimatised denizens adapt our festivities to other modes—not that we
forget the Christmas season, but enjoy it differently, as I will briefly tell
you, as you ask, 'how we spend Christmas in New Zealand.' First, our ladies
decorate the churches for the Christmas services, not with the evergreens of
old exclusively; they do indeed affect the holly, ivy, and (New Zealand)
mistletoe, but they make up with umbrageous and rich ferns, lachipoden,
lauristinas, Portugal laurels, and our own beautiful evergreen, Ngaio, and
with all the midsummer flowers at command; then the clerk, the storeman,
the merchant, and the mechanic indulge in 'trips,' or day excursions, in
small steamboats, to the neighbouring bays surrounding small townships,
and villages on the coast. Others again, take the train for a day's outing and
play quoits, rounders, lawn tennis, and the like; the sportsman, perhaps,
preferring his gun and his dog; families, again, are picnic-mad, for your
Page 389
colonist can rival the Cockney any day for making his holiday in the
country. It may be to 'the rocks' he goes to watch his youngsters paddling in
the rolling tide, or to the toil of clambering up the 'dim mountain,' which
seems to suit their hardy lungs better than the shade of the 'fern glen,' and a
journey of eighteen miles to the Maori Pa is as nothing. The Union
Company's fine coasting steamships run passengers at half fares at this
season, and the result is an interchange of visits between the dwellers in
Nelson, Wellington, Marlboro', and Wanjani, amongst whom there is much
rivalry and more friendship. Then there is the Christmas regatta, the
performance of the 'Messiah' by the musical societies, and the inevitable
evening dances, and thus the New Zealand Christmas is spent.
"I am reminded, by my young clerk, that the mail is about closing, and that
this letter must also close, if it is to go to-day, and thus I must omit the
mention of the new year's festivities, which properly belong to our
numerous Scottish fellow settlers who in their own country ignore
Christmas as a popish superstition; they are, however, now becoming
anglicised ('Englified' they call it) in their habits, and similarly the Midland
county men of England enter into their Caledonian custom, from the
harmless orgies of 'Hagmenae' to the frantic capers of 'Gillie Cullum,' to the
skirl of the panting piper."
Christmas at the Sandwich Islands.
In "A Voyage in the Sunbeam," Lady Brassey gives an interesting account
of the keeping of Christmas, 1876, on the Sandwich Islands. We quote the
following extracts:—
"Twenty minutes' hard riding brought us to the door of the 'Volcano House,'
from which issued the comforting light of a large wood fire, reaching half
way up the chimney.
"Everything at this inn is most comfortable, though the style is rough and
ready. The interior is just now decorated for Christmas, with wreaths, and
evergreens, and ferns, and branches of white plumes, not unlike reva-reva,
made from the path of the silver grass.
"The grandeur of the view in the direction of the volcano increased as the
evening wore on. The fiery cloud above the present crater grew in size and
country. It may be to 'the rocks' he goes to watch his youngsters paddling in
the rolling tide, or to the toil of clambering up the 'dim mountain,' which
seems to suit their hardy lungs better than the shade of the 'fern glen,' and a
journey of eighteen miles to the Maori Pa is as nothing. The Union
Company's fine coasting steamships run passengers at half fares at this
season, and the result is an interchange of visits between the dwellers in
Nelson, Wellington, Marlboro', and Wanjani, amongst whom there is much
rivalry and more friendship. Then there is the Christmas regatta, the
performance of the 'Messiah' by the musical societies, and the inevitable
evening dances, and thus the New Zealand Christmas is spent.
"I am reminded, by my young clerk, that the mail is about closing, and that
this letter must also close, if it is to go to-day, and thus I must omit the
mention of the new year's festivities, which properly belong to our
numerous Scottish fellow settlers who in their own country ignore
Christmas as a popish superstition; they are, however, now becoming
anglicised ('Englified' they call it) in their habits, and similarly the Midland
county men of England enter into their Caledonian custom, from the
harmless orgies of 'Hagmenae' to the frantic capers of 'Gillie Cullum,' to the
skirl of the panting piper."
Christmas at the Sandwich Islands.
In "A Voyage in the Sunbeam," Lady Brassey gives an interesting account
of the keeping of Christmas, 1876, on the Sandwich Islands. We quote the
following extracts:—
"Twenty minutes' hard riding brought us to the door of the 'Volcano House,'
from which issued the comforting light of a large wood fire, reaching half
way up the chimney.
"Everything at this inn is most comfortable, though the style is rough and
ready. The interior is just now decorated for Christmas, with wreaths, and
evergreens, and ferns, and branches of white plumes, not unlike reva-reva,
made from the path of the silver grass.
"The grandeur of the view in the direction of the volcano increased as the
evening wore on. The fiery cloud above the present crater grew in size and
Page 390
depth of colour; the extinct crater glowed red in thirty or forty different
places; and clouds of white vapour issued from every crack and crevice in
the ground, adding to the sulphurous smell with which the atmosphere was
laden. Our room faced the volcano: there were no blinds, and I drew back
the curtains and lay watching the splendid scene until I fell asleep.
"Sunday, December 24th (Christmas Eve)—I was up at four o'clock to gaze
once more on the wondrous spectacle that lay before me. The molten lava
still glowed in many places, the red cloud over the fiery lake was bright as
ever, and steam was slowly ascending in every direction over hill and
valley, till, as the sun rose, it became difficult to distinguish clearly the
sulphurous vapours from the morning mists. We walked down to the
Sulphur Banks, about a quarter of a mile from the 'Volcano House,' and
burnt our gloves and boots in our endeavours to procure crystals, the beauty
of which generally disappeared after a very short exposure to the air. We
succeeded, however, in finding a few good specimens, and, by wrapping
them at once in paper and cotton-wool and putting them into a bottle, hope
to bring them home uninjured.
"Monday, December 25th (Christmas Day)—Turning in last night was the
work of a very few minutes, and this morning I awoke perfectly refreshed
and ready to appreciate anew the wonders of the prospect that met my eyes.
The pillar of fire was still distinctly visible, when I looked out from my
window, though it was not so bright as when I had last seen it, but even as I
looked it began to fade and gradually disappeared. At the same moment a
river of glowing lava issued from the side of the bank we had climbed with
so much difficulty yesterday, and slowly but surely overflowed the ground
we had walked over. You may imagine the feelings with which we gazed
upon this startling phenomenon, which had it occurred a few hours earlier,
might have caused the destruction of the whole party.
- - - - - - -
"It would, I think, be difficult to imagine a more interesting and exciting
mode of spending Christmas Eve than yesterday has taught us, or a stranger
situation in which to exchange our Christmas greetings than beneath the
grass roof of an inn on the edge of a volcano in the remote Sandwich
Islands.
places; and clouds of white vapour issued from every crack and crevice in
the ground, adding to the sulphurous smell with which the atmosphere was
laden. Our room faced the volcano: there were no blinds, and I drew back
the curtains and lay watching the splendid scene until I fell asleep.
"Sunday, December 24th (Christmas Eve)—I was up at four o'clock to gaze
once more on the wondrous spectacle that lay before me. The molten lava
still glowed in many places, the red cloud over the fiery lake was bright as
ever, and steam was slowly ascending in every direction over hill and
valley, till, as the sun rose, it became difficult to distinguish clearly the
sulphurous vapours from the morning mists. We walked down to the
Sulphur Banks, about a quarter of a mile from the 'Volcano House,' and
burnt our gloves and boots in our endeavours to procure crystals, the beauty
of which generally disappeared after a very short exposure to the air. We
succeeded, however, in finding a few good specimens, and, by wrapping
them at once in paper and cotton-wool and putting them into a bottle, hope
to bring them home uninjured.
"Monday, December 25th (Christmas Day)—Turning in last night was the
work of a very few minutes, and this morning I awoke perfectly refreshed
and ready to appreciate anew the wonders of the prospect that met my eyes.
The pillar of fire was still distinctly visible, when I looked out from my
window, though it was not so bright as when I had last seen it, but even as I
looked it began to fade and gradually disappeared. At the same moment a
river of glowing lava issued from the side of the bank we had climbed with
so much difficulty yesterday, and slowly but surely overflowed the ground
we had walked over. You may imagine the feelings with which we gazed
upon this startling phenomenon, which had it occurred a few hours earlier,
might have caused the destruction of the whole party.
- - - - - - -
"It would, I think, be difficult to imagine a more interesting and exciting
mode of spending Christmas Eve than yesterday has taught us, or a stranger
situation in which to exchange our Christmas greetings than beneath the
grass roof of an inn on the edge of a volcano in the remote Sandwich
Islands.
Page 391
- - - - - - -
"The ride down to Hilo was as dull and monotonous as our upward journey
had been. At last we reached the pier, where we found the usual little crowd
waiting to see us off. The girls who had followed us when we first landed
came forward shyly when they thought they were unobserved, and again
encircled me with leis of gay and fragrant flowers. The custom of
decorating themselves with wreaths on every possible occasion is in my
eyes a charming one, and I like the inhabitants of Polynesia for their love of
flowers.
"The whole town was en fête to-day. Natives were riding about in pairs, in
the cleanest of bright cotton dresses and the freshest of leis and garlands.
Our own men from the yacht contributed not a little to the gaiety of the
scene. They were all on shore, and the greater part of them were galloping
about on horseback, tumbling off, scrambling on again, laughing, flirting,
joking, and enjoying themselves generally after a fashion peculiar to
English sailors. As far as we know the only evil result of all this merriment
was that the doctor received a good many applications for diachylon plaster
in the course of the evening, to repair various 'abrasions of the cuticle,' as he
expressed it.
"I think at least half the population of Hilo had been on board the yacht in
the course of the day, as a Christmas treat. At last we took a boat and went
off too, accompanied by Mr. Lyman. The appearance of the 'Sunbeam' from
the shore was very gay, and as we approached it became more festive still.
All her masts were tipped with sugar-canes in bloom. Her stern was
adorned with flowers, and in the arms of the figurehead was a large
bouquet. She was surrounded with boats, the occupants of which cheered us
heartily as we rode alongside. The whole deck was festooned with tropical
plants and flowers, and the decorations of the cabins were even more
beautiful and elaborate. I believe all hands had been hard at work ever since
we left to produce this wonderful effect, and every garden in Hilo had
furnished a contribution to please and surprise us on our return.
"The choir from Hilo came out in boats in the evening, sang all sorts of
songs, sacred and secular, and cheered everybody till they were hoarse.
After this, having had a cold dinner, in order to save trouble, and having
"The ride down to Hilo was as dull and monotonous as our upward journey
had been. At last we reached the pier, where we found the usual little crowd
waiting to see us off. The girls who had followed us when we first landed
came forward shyly when they thought they were unobserved, and again
encircled me with leis of gay and fragrant flowers. The custom of
decorating themselves with wreaths on every possible occasion is in my
eyes a charming one, and I like the inhabitants of Polynesia for their love of
flowers.
"The whole town was en fête to-day. Natives were riding about in pairs, in
the cleanest of bright cotton dresses and the freshest of leis and garlands.
Our own men from the yacht contributed not a little to the gaiety of the
scene. They were all on shore, and the greater part of them were galloping
about on horseback, tumbling off, scrambling on again, laughing, flirting,
joking, and enjoying themselves generally after a fashion peculiar to
English sailors. As far as we know the only evil result of all this merriment
was that the doctor received a good many applications for diachylon plaster
in the course of the evening, to repair various 'abrasions of the cuticle,' as he
expressed it.
"I think at least half the population of Hilo had been on board the yacht in
the course of the day, as a Christmas treat. At last we took a boat and went
off too, accompanied by Mr. Lyman. The appearance of the 'Sunbeam' from
the shore was very gay, and as we approached it became more festive still.
All her masts were tipped with sugar-canes in bloom. Her stern was
adorned with flowers, and in the arms of the figurehead was a large
bouquet. She was surrounded with boats, the occupants of which cheered us
heartily as we rode alongside. The whole deck was festooned with tropical
plants and flowers, and the decorations of the cabins were even more
beautiful and elaborate. I believe all hands had been hard at work ever since
we left to produce this wonderful effect, and every garden in Hilo had
furnished a contribution to please and surprise us on our return.
"The choir from Hilo came out in boats in the evening, sang all sorts of
songs, sacred and secular, and cheered everybody till they were hoarse.
After this, having had a cold dinner, in order to save trouble, and having
Page 392
duly drunk the health of our friends at home, we all adjourned to the saloon,
to assist in the distribution of some Christmas presents—a ceremony which
afforded great delight to the children, and which was equally pleasing to the
elder people and to the crew, if one may judge from their behaviour on the
occasion.
"Then we sat on deck, gazing at the cloud of fire over Kilauea, and
wondering if the appearance of the crater could ever be grander than it was
last night, when we were standing on its brim.
"So ended Christmas Day, 1876, at Hilo, in Hawaii. God grant that there
may be many more as pleasant for us in the future!"
Christmas on Board the "Sunbeam," 1879.
"The wind is chill,
But let it whistle as it will
We'll keep our Christmas merry still."
In "Sunshine and Storm in the East, or Cruises to Cyprus and
Constantinople," Lady Brassey gives an interesting account of the
celebration of Christmas on board the Sunbeam, between Malta and
Marseilles, December 25, 1879:—"We had service early and then spent a
long busy morning in arranging all the presents for the children, servants,
and crew, and in decorating the cabin. We could not manage any holly, but
we had carefully preserved one bough of mistletoe from Artaki Bay, and
had brought on board at Malta baskets full of flowers, so that all the
pictures, lamps, and even walls, were wreathed with festoons of
bougainvillæa, ivy, and other creeping plants; while in every available
corner were placed, vases, bowls, and soup-plates, containing flowers. If
not exactly 'gay with holly-berries,' so dear to English hearts from their
association with yule-tide at home, the general appearance of the cabins
was highly satisfactory. In the meantime they had been busy in the kitchen
and pantry departments, preparing all sorts of good things for dinner, and
pretty things for dessert, in order that the crew and servants might enjoy a
more sumptuous repast than usual. A Christmas tree, a snow man, or an ice
cave, for the distribution of presents, was not within the limit of our
to assist in the distribution of some Christmas presents—a ceremony which
afforded great delight to the children, and which was equally pleasing to the
elder people and to the crew, if one may judge from their behaviour on the
occasion.
"Then we sat on deck, gazing at the cloud of fire over Kilauea, and
wondering if the appearance of the crater could ever be grander than it was
last night, when we were standing on its brim.
"So ended Christmas Day, 1876, at Hilo, in Hawaii. God grant that there
may be many more as pleasant for us in the future!"
Christmas on Board the "Sunbeam," 1879.
"The wind is chill,
But let it whistle as it will
We'll keep our Christmas merry still."
In "Sunshine and Storm in the East, or Cruises to Cyprus and
Constantinople," Lady Brassey gives an interesting account of the
celebration of Christmas on board the Sunbeam, between Malta and
Marseilles, December 25, 1879:—"We had service early and then spent a
long busy morning in arranging all the presents for the children, servants,
and crew, and in decorating the cabin. We could not manage any holly, but
we had carefully preserved one bough of mistletoe from Artaki Bay, and
had brought on board at Malta baskets full of flowers, so that all the
pictures, lamps, and even walls, were wreathed with festoons of
bougainvillæa, ivy, and other creeping plants; while in every available
corner were placed, vases, bowls, and soup-plates, containing flowers. If
not exactly 'gay with holly-berries,' so dear to English hearts from their
association with yule-tide at home, the general appearance of the cabins
was highly satisfactory. In the meantime they had been busy in the kitchen
and pantry departments, preparing all sorts of good things for dinner, and
pretty things for dessert, in order that the crew and servants might enjoy a
more sumptuous repast than usual. A Christmas tree, a snow man, or an ice
cave, for the distribution of presents, was not within the limit of our
Page 393
resources; but we decorated our tables and sideboards with bright shawls
and scarves, and wreathed and divided the surface of each with garlands of
flowers, placing in every division a pretty Christmas card, bearing the name
of the recipient of the present, which was hidden away among the flowers
beneath.... For the men there was plenty of tobacco, besides books and
useful things; for the children toys; and for ourselves, slippers and little
remembrances of various kinds, some sent from home to meet us, others
recent purchases. The distribution over, one or two speeches were made,
and mutual congratulations and good wishes were exchanged. Then the
crew and servants retired to enjoy the, to them, all-important event of the
day—dinner and dessert. After our own late dinner, we thought of those
near and dear to us at home, and drank to the health of 'absent friends.'"
A Missionary's Christmas in China.
In a letter from Tsing Cheu Fu Chefoo, December 24, 1887, the Rev. A. G.
Jones, Baptist missionary, says:—
"Mr. Dawson asks how Englishmen spend Christmas in China. Well, it
depends. Some spend it at the ports dog-racing and eating pudding—having
a night of it. The missionaries generally take no notice of it. In our mission
we hold one of the semi-annual dedication-of-children services on
Christmas. We think it a very appropriate day for the recognition of the
sacredness of the gift of trust of children. The idea is a Chinese one,
originating with one of our Christians, and we adopted it as the day for the
custom. Tomorrow will be Christmas Day, and I have come out twenty
miles this evening to hold a service of that kind with the semi-annual
communion as it happens. It will be a cold, cheerless room in a clay-built
cabin down in the corner of a bare valley in a trap and basalt district with
sparse vegetation and a bare aspect. A cold spot with a handful of
Christians, bearing their testimony alone out on the margin of our field of
work. I hope to see 40 or 50 patients up to sundown, and then have worship
with them at night. That will be my Christmas. This evening—in the city—
all the children and our wives are having a Christmas tree in the theological
lecture-room, and on Tuesday next I guess we'll have our dinner. John Bull,
Paddy, Sandy, and Taffy all seem to agree in that feature. My Sunday will
and scarves, and wreathed and divided the surface of each with garlands of
flowers, placing in every division a pretty Christmas card, bearing the name
of the recipient of the present, which was hidden away among the flowers
beneath.... For the men there was plenty of tobacco, besides books and
useful things; for the children toys; and for ourselves, slippers and little
remembrances of various kinds, some sent from home to meet us, others
recent purchases. The distribution over, one or two speeches were made,
and mutual congratulations and good wishes were exchanged. Then the
crew and servants retired to enjoy the, to them, all-important event of the
day—dinner and dessert. After our own late dinner, we thought of those
near and dear to us at home, and drank to the health of 'absent friends.'"
A Missionary's Christmas in China.
In a letter from Tsing Cheu Fu Chefoo, December 24, 1887, the Rev. A. G.
Jones, Baptist missionary, says:—
"Mr. Dawson asks how Englishmen spend Christmas in China. Well, it
depends. Some spend it at the ports dog-racing and eating pudding—having
a night of it. The missionaries generally take no notice of it. In our mission
we hold one of the semi-annual dedication-of-children services on
Christmas. We think it a very appropriate day for the recognition of the
sacredness of the gift of trust of children. The idea is a Chinese one,
originating with one of our Christians, and we adopted it as the day for the
custom. Tomorrow will be Christmas Day, and I have come out twenty
miles this evening to hold a service of that kind with the semi-annual
communion as it happens. It will be a cold, cheerless room in a clay-built
cabin down in the corner of a bare valley in a trap and basalt district with
sparse vegetation and a bare aspect. A cold spot with a handful of
Christians, bearing their testimony alone out on the margin of our field of
work. I hope to see 40 or 50 patients up to sundown, and then have worship
with them at night. That will be my Christmas. This evening—in the city—
all the children and our wives are having a Christmas tree in the theological
lecture-room, and on Tuesday next I guess we'll have our dinner. John Bull,
Paddy, Sandy, and Taffy all seem to agree in that feature. My Sunday will
Page 394
only be a sample of others. So it goes—working away. Now I must say
goodbye. Many thanks and many good wishes."
A Visit to Christmas Island.
Letters were received in December, 1887, from H.M.S. Egeria, Commander
Pelham Aldrich, containing particulars of a visit she had recently made to
Christmas Island, which she was ordered to explore for scientific purposes.
Christmas Island is situated in the Indian Ocean, in latitude 11° south,
longitude 105° 30' east; it is 1,100 feet above the sea, is twelve miles long
and eight miles broad. The officers and men told off for exploring purposes
found that the whole place was composed of coral and rock;
notwithstanding this, however, it is covered almost completely with trees
and shrubs, the trees, which are of large dimensions, seeming to grow
literally out of the rock itself, earth surfaces being conspicuous by their
absence. It is uninhabited by human beings, nor could any traces of animals
be discovered, but seabirds swarm over every part of the island, and about
four hundred wood pigeons were shot by the explorers while they remained
there. No fruits or vegetable matter fit for consumption could, however, be
found, nor the existence of any supply of fresh water, and the belief is that
the vegetation of the island is dependent for nourishment on the dews and
the heavy rains that fall.
Christmas in America.
Writing just before the Christmas festival of 1855, Mr. Howard Paul says
the general manner of celebrating Christmas Day is much the same
wherever professors of the Christian faith are found; and the United States,
as the great Transatlantic offshoot of Saxon principles, would be the first to
conserve the traditional ceremonies handed down from time immemorial by
our canonical progenitors of the East. But every nation has its idiocratic
notions, minute and otherwise, and it is not strange that the Americans, as a
creative people, have peculiar and varied ways of their own in keeping this,
the most remarkable day in the calendar. Now and then they add a
supplemental form to the accepted code—characteristic of the mutable and
progressive spirit of the people—though there still exists the Church
service, the conventional carol, the evergreen decorations, the plum-
goodbye. Many thanks and many good wishes."
A Visit to Christmas Island.
Letters were received in December, 1887, from H.M.S. Egeria, Commander
Pelham Aldrich, containing particulars of a visit she had recently made to
Christmas Island, which she was ordered to explore for scientific purposes.
Christmas Island is situated in the Indian Ocean, in latitude 11° south,
longitude 105° 30' east; it is 1,100 feet above the sea, is twelve miles long
and eight miles broad. The officers and men told off for exploring purposes
found that the whole place was composed of coral and rock;
notwithstanding this, however, it is covered almost completely with trees
and shrubs, the trees, which are of large dimensions, seeming to grow
literally out of the rock itself, earth surfaces being conspicuous by their
absence. It is uninhabited by human beings, nor could any traces of animals
be discovered, but seabirds swarm over every part of the island, and about
four hundred wood pigeons were shot by the explorers while they remained
there. No fruits or vegetable matter fit for consumption could, however, be
found, nor the existence of any supply of fresh water, and the belief is that
the vegetation of the island is dependent for nourishment on the dews and
the heavy rains that fall.
Christmas in America.
Writing just before the Christmas festival of 1855, Mr. Howard Paul says
the general manner of celebrating Christmas Day is much the same
wherever professors of the Christian faith are found; and the United States,
as the great Transatlantic offshoot of Saxon principles, would be the first to
conserve the traditional ceremonies handed down from time immemorial by
our canonical progenitors of the East. But every nation has its idiocratic
notions, minute and otherwise, and it is not strange that the Americans, as a
creative people, have peculiar and varied ways of their own in keeping this,
the most remarkable day in the calendar. Now and then they add a
supplemental form to the accepted code—characteristic of the mutable and
progressive spirit of the people—though there still exists the Church
service, the conventional carol, the evergreen decorations, the plum-
Page 395
puddings, the pantomime, and a score of other "demonstrations" that never
can legitimately be forgotten.
Society generally seems to apportion the day thus: Church in the morning,
dinner in the afternoon, and amusements in the evening. The Christmas
dinners concentrate the scattered members of families, who meet together to
break bread in social harmony, and exchange those home sentiments that
cement the happiness of kindred. To-day the prodigal once more returns to
the paternal roof; the spendthrift forsakes his boon companions; the
convivialist deserts the wine-cup. The beautiful genius of domestic love has
triumphed, and who can foresee the blessed results?
Parties, balls, and fêtes, with their endless routine of gaieties, are looked
forward to, as pleasures are, the wide world over; and all classes, from
highest to lowest, have their modes of enjoyment marked out. Preparation
follows preparation in festal succession. Sorrow hides her Gorgon head,
care may betake itself to any dreary recesses, for Christmas must be a gala!
There is generally snow on the ground at this time; if Nature is amiable,
there is sure to be; and a Christmas sleigh-ride is one of those American
delights that defy rivalry. There is no withstanding the merry chime of the
bells and a fleet passage over the snow-skirted roads. Town and country
look as if they had arisen in the morning in robes of unsullied white. Every
housetop is spangled with the bright element; soft flakes are coquetting in
the atmosphere, and a pure mantle has been spread on all sides, that fairly
invites one to disport upon its gleaming surface.
We abide quietly within our pleasant home on either the eve or night of
Christmas. How the sleighs glide by in rapid glee, the music of the bells and
the songs of the excursionists falling on our ears in very wildness. We strive
in vain to content ourselves. We glance at the cheerful fire, and hearken to
the genial voices around us. We philosophise, and struggle against the
tokens of merriment without; but the restraint is torture. We, too, must join
the revellers, and have a sleigh-ride. Girls, get on your fur; wrap yourselves
up warmly in the old bear-skin; hunt up the old guitar; the sleigh is at the
door, the moon is beaming. The bells tinkle and away we go!
An old English legend was transplanted many years ago on the shores of
America, that took root and flourished with wonderful luxuriance,
can legitimately be forgotten.
Society generally seems to apportion the day thus: Church in the morning,
dinner in the afternoon, and amusements in the evening. The Christmas
dinners concentrate the scattered members of families, who meet together to
break bread in social harmony, and exchange those home sentiments that
cement the happiness of kindred. To-day the prodigal once more returns to
the paternal roof; the spendthrift forsakes his boon companions; the
convivialist deserts the wine-cup. The beautiful genius of domestic love has
triumphed, and who can foresee the blessed results?
Parties, balls, and fêtes, with their endless routine of gaieties, are looked
forward to, as pleasures are, the wide world over; and all classes, from
highest to lowest, have their modes of enjoyment marked out. Preparation
follows preparation in festal succession. Sorrow hides her Gorgon head,
care may betake itself to any dreary recesses, for Christmas must be a gala!
There is generally snow on the ground at this time; if Nature is amiable,
there is sure to be; and a Christmas sleigh-ride is one of those American
delights that defy rivalry. There is no withstanding the merry chime of the
bells and a fleet passage over the snow-skirted roads. Town and country
look as if they had arisen in the morning in robes of unsullied white. Every
housetop is spangled with the bright element; soft flakes are coquetting in
the atmosphere, and a pure mantle has been spread on all sides, that fairly
invites one to disport upon its gleaming surface.
We abide quietly within our pleasant home on either the eve or night of
Christmas. How the sleighs glide by in rapid glee, the music of the bells and
the songs of the excursionists falling on our ears in very wildness. We strive
in vain to content ourselves. We glance at the cheerful fire, and hearken to
the genial voices around us. We philosophise, and struggle against the
tokens of merriment without; but the restraint is torture. We, too, must join
the revellers, and have a sleigh-ride. Girls, get on your fur; wrap yourselves
up warmly in the old bear-skin; hunt up the old guitar; the sleigh is at the
door, the moon is beaming. The bells tinkle and away we go!
An old English legend was transplanted many years ago on the shores of
America, that took root and flourished with wonderful luxuriance,
Page 396
considering it was not indigenous to the country. Probably it was taken over
to New York by one of the primitive Knickerbockers, or it might have clung
to some of the drowsy burgomasters who had forsaken the pictorial tiles of
dear old Amsterdam about the time of Peter de Laar, or Il Bombaccia, as the
Italians call him, got into disgrace in Rome. However this may be, certain it
is that Santa Claus, or St. Nicholas, the kind Patron-saint of the Juveniles,
makes his annual appearance on Christmas Eve, for the purpose of
dispensing gifts to all good children. This festive elf is supposed to be a
queer little creature that descends the chimney, viewlessly, in the deep hours
of night, laden with gifts and presents, which he bestows with no sparing
hand, reserving to himself a supernatural discrimination that he seems to
exercise with every satisfaction. Before going to bed the children hang their
newest stockings near the chimney, or pin them to the curtains of the bed.
Midnight finds a world of hosiery waiting for favours; and the only wonder
is that a single Santa Claus can get around among them all. The story goes
that he never misses one, provided it belongs to a deserving youngster, and
morning is sure to bring no reproach that the Christmas Wizard has not
nobly performed his wondrous duties. We need scarcely enlighten the
reader as to who the real Santa Claus is. Every indulgent parent contributes
to the pleasing deception, though the juveniles are strong in their faith of
their generous holiday patron. The following favourite lines graphically
describe a visit of St. Nicholas, and, being in great vogue with the young
people of America, are fondly reproduced from year to year:—
"'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In the hope that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danced through their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
The way to the window, I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash;
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer;
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
to New York by one of the primitive Knickerbockers, or it might have clung
to some of the drowsy burgomasters who had forsaken the pictorial tiles of
dear old Amsterdam about the time of Peter de Laar, or Il Bombaccia, as the
Italians call him, got into disgrace in Rome. However this may be, certain it
is that Santa Claus, or St. Nicholas, the kind Patron-saint of the Juveniles,
makes his annual appearance on Christmas Eve, for the purpose of
dispensing gifts to all good children. This festive elf is supposed to be a
queer little creature that descends the chimney, viewlessly, in the deep hours
of night, laden with gifts and presents, which he bestows with no sparing
hand, reserving to himself a supernatural discrimination that he seems to
exercise with every satisfaction. Before going to bed the children hang their
newest stockings near the chimney, or pin them to the curtains of the bed.
Midnight finds a world of hosiery waiting for favours; and the only wonder
is that a single Santa Claus can get around among them all. The story goes
that he never misses one, provided it belongs to a deserving youngster, and
morning is sure to bring no reproach that the Christmas Wizard has not
nobly performed his wondrous duties. We need scarcely enlighten the
reader as to who the real Santa Claus is. Every indulgent parent contributes
to the pleasing deception, though the juveniles are strong in their faith of
their generous holiday patron. The following favourite lines graphically
describe a visit of St. Nicholas, and, being in great vogue with the young
people of America, are fondly reproduced from year to year:—
"'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In the hope that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danced through their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
The way to the window, I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash;
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer;
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
Page 397
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name—
Now Dasher! now Dancer! Now Prancer! now Vixen!
On Comet! on Cupid! on Donder and Blixen!
To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!'
As the leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof,
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof;
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in furs from his head to his foot
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedlar just opening his pack.
His eyes, how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry;
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump—a right jolly old elf;
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings—then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
'Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!'"
A curious feature of an American Christmas is the egg-nogg and free lunch,
distributed at all the hotels and cafés. A week at least before the 25th
fanciful signs are suspended over the fountains of the bars (the hotel-
keepers are quite classic in their ideas) announcing superb lunch and egg-
noggs on Christmas Day. This invitation is sure to meet with a large
response from the amateur epicures about town, who, ever on the qui vive
for a banquet gratis, flock to the festive standard, since it has never been
found a difficult matter to give things away, from the time old Heliogabalus
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name—
Now Dasher! now Dancer! Now Prancer! now Vixen!
On Comet! on Cupid! on Donder and Blixen!
To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!'
As the leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof,
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof;
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in furs from his head to his foot
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedlar just opening his pack.
His eyes, how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry;
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump—a right jolly old elf;
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings—then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
'Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!'"
A curious feature of an American Christmas is the egg-nogg and free lunch,
distributed at all the hotels and cafés. A week at least before the 25th
fanciful signs are suspended over the fountains of the bars (the hotel-
keepers are quite classic in their ideas) announcing superb lunch and egg-
noggs on Christmas Day. This invitation is sure to meet with a large
response from the amateur epicures about town, who, ever on the qui vive
for a banquet gratis, flock to the festive standard, since it has never been
found a difficult matter to give things away, from the time old Heliogabalus
Page 398
gastronomed in Phœnicia up to the present hour. A splendid hall in one of
the principal hotels, at this moment, occurs to us. A table, the length of the
apartment, is spread and furnished with twenty made dishes peculiar to the
Christmas cuisine. There are chorodens and fricassees, ragoûts and calipee,
of rapturous delicacy. Each dish is labelled, and attended by a black servant,
who serves its contents on very small white gilt-edged plates. At the head of
the table a vast bowl, ornamented with indescribable Chinese figures,
contains the egg-nogg—a palatable compound of milk, eggs, brandy, and
spices, nankeenish in colour, with froth enough on its surface to generate
any number of Venuses, if the old Peloponnesian anecdote is worth
remembering at all. Over the egg-nogg mine host usually officiates, all
smiles and benignity, pouring the rich draught with miraculous dexterity
into cut-glass goblets, and passing it to the surrounding guests with profuse
hand. On this occasion the long range of fancy drinks are forgotten. Sherry-
cobblers, mint-juleps, gin-slings, and punches, are set aside in order that the
sway of the Christmas draught may be supreme. Free lunches are extremely
common in the United States, what are called "eleven o'clock snacks"
especially; but the accompaniment of egg-nogg belongs unequivocally to
the death of the year.
The presentation of "boxes" and souvenirs is the same in America as in
England, the token of remembrance having an inseparable alliance with the
same period. Everybody expects to give and receive. A month before the
event the fancy stores are crowded all day long with old and young in
search of suitable souvenirs, and every object is purchased, from costliest
gems to the tawdriest babiole that may get into the market. If the weather
should be fine, the principal streets are thronged with ladies shopping in
sleighs; and hither and thither sleds shoot by, laden with parcels of painted
toys, instruments of mock music and septuagenarian dread, from a penny
trumpet to a sheepskin drum.
Christmas seems to be a popular period among the young folk for being
mated, and a surprising number approach the altar this morning. Whether it
is that orange-flowers and bridal gifts are admirably adapted to the time, or
that a longer lease of happiness is ensured from the joyous character of the
occasion, we are not sufficiently learned in hymeneal lore to announce. The
Christmas week, however, is a merry one for the honeymoon, as little is
the principal hotels, at this moment, occurs to us. A table, the length of the
apartment, is spread and furnished with twenty made dishes peculiar to the
Christmas cuisine. There are chorodens and fricassees, ragoûts and calipee,
of rapturous delicacy. Each dish is labelled, and attended by a black servant,
who serves its contents on very small white gilt-edged plates. At the head of
the table a vast bowl, ornamented with indescribable Chinese figures,
contains the egg-nogg—a palatable compound of milk, eggs, brandy, and
spices, nankeenish in colour, with froth enough on its surface to generate
any number of Venuses, if the old Peloponnesian anecdote is worth
remembering at all. Over the egg-nogg mine host usually officiates, all
smiles and benignity, pouring the rich draught with miraculous dexterity
into cut-glass goblets, and passing it to the surrounding guests with profuse
hand. On this occasion the long range of fancy drinks are forgotten. Sherry-
cobblers, mint-juleps, gin-slings, and punches, are set aside in order that the
sway of the Christmas draught may be supreme. Free lunches are extremely
common in the United States, what are called "eleven o'clock snacks"
especially; but the accompaniment of egg-nogg belongs unequivocally to
the death of the year.
The presentation of "boxes" and souvenirs is the same in America as in
England, the token of remembrance having an inseparable alliance with the
same period. Everybody expects to give and receive. A month before the
event the fancy stores are crowded all day long with old and young in
search of suitable souvenirs, and every object is purchased, from costliest
gems to the tawdriest babiole that may get into the market. If the weather
should be fine, the principal streets are thronged with ladies shopping in
sleighs; and hither and thither sleds shoot by, laden with parcels of painted
toys, instruments of mock music and septuagenarian dread, from a penny
trumpet to a sheepskin drum.
Christmas seems to be a popular period among the young folk for being
mated, and a surprising number approach the altar this morning. Whether it
is that orange-flowers and bridal gifts are admirably adapted to the time, or
that a longer lease of happiness is ensured from the joyous character of the
occasion, we are not sufficiently learned in hymeneal lore to announce. The
Christmas week, however, is a merry one for the honeymoon, as little is
Page 399
thought of but mirth and gaiety until the dawning New Year soberly
suggests that we should put aside our masquerade manners.
In drawing-room amusements society has a wealth of pleasing indoor
pastimes. We remember the sententious Question réunions, the hilarious
Surprise parties, Fairy-bowl, and Hunt-the-slipper. We can never forget the
vagabond Calathumpians, who employ in their bands everything
inharmonious, from a fire-shovel to a stewpan, causing more din than the
demons down under the sea ever dreamed of.
What, then, between the sleigh-rides, the bell-melodies, old Santa Claus and
his fictions, the egg-nogg and lunches, the weddings and the willingness to
be entertained, the Americans find no difficulty in enjoying Christmas Day.
Old forms and new notions come in for a share of observances; and the
young country, in a glow of good humour, with one voice exclaims, "Le bon
temps vienara!"
President Harrison as "Santa Claus."
Writing from New York on December 22, 1891, a correspondent says:
"President Harrison was seen by your correspondent at the White House
yesterday, and was asked what he thought about Christmas and its religious
and social influences. The President expressed himself willing to offer his
opinions, and said: 'Christmas is the most sacred religious festival of the
year, and should be an occasion of general rejoicing throughout the land,
from the humblest citizen to the highest official, who, for the time being,
should forget or put behind him his cares and annoyances, and participate in
the spirit of seasonable festivity. We intend to make it a happy day at the
White House—all the members of my family, representing four generations,
will gather around the big table in the State dining-room to have an old-
fashioned Christmas dinner. Besides Mrs. Harrison, there will be her father,
Dr. Scott, Mr. and Mrs. M'Kee and their children, Mrs. Dimmick and
Lieutenant and Mrs. Parker. I am an ardent believer in the duty we owe to
ourselves as Christians to make merry for children at Christmas time, and
we shall have an old-fashioned Christmas tree for the grandchildren
upstairs; and I shall be their Santa Claus myself. If my influence goes for
aught in this busy world let me hope that my example may be followed in
every family in the land.'
suggests that we should put aside our masquerade manners.
In drawing-room amusements society has a wealth of pleasing indoor
pastimes. We remember the sententious Question réunions, the hilarious
Surprise parties, Fairy-bowl, and Hunt-the-slipper. We can never forget the
vagabond Calathumpians, who employ in their bands everything
inharmonious, from a fire-shovel to a stewpan, causing more din than the
demons down under the sea ever dreamed of.
What, then, between the sleigh-rides, the bell-melodies, old Santa Claus and
his fictions, the egg-nogg and lunches, the weddings and the willingness to
be entertained, the Americans find no difficulty in enjoying Christmas Day.
Old forms and new notions come in for a share of observances; and the
young country, in a glow of good humour, with one voice exclaims, "Le bon
temps vienara!"
President Harrison as "Santa Claus."
Writing from New York on December 22, 1891, a correspondent says:
"President Harrison was seen by your correspondent at the White House
yesterday, and was asked what he thought about Christmas and its religious
and social influences. The President expressed himself willing to offer his
opinions, and said: 'Christmas is the most sacred religious festival of the
year, and should be an occasion of general rejoicing throughout the land,
from the humblest citizen to the highest official, who, for the time being,
should forget or put behind him his cares and annoyances, and participate in
the spirit of seasonable festivity. We intend to make it a happy day at the
White House—all the members of my family, representing four generations,
will gather around the big table in the State dining-room to have an old-
fashioned Christmas dinner. Besides Mrs. Harrison, there will be her father,
Dr. Scott, Mr. and Mrs. M'Kee and their children, Mrs. Dimmick and
Lieutenant and Mrs. Parker. I am an ardent believer in the duty we owe to
ourselves as Christians to make merry for children at Christmas time, and
we shall have an old-fashioned Christmas tree for the grandchildren
upstairs; and I shall be their Santa Claus myself. If my influence goes for
aught in this busy world let me hope that my example may be followed in
every family in the land.'
Page 400
"Christmas is made as much of in this country as it is in England, if not
more. The plum-pudding is not universal, but the Christmas tree is in almost
every home. Even in the tenement districts of the East side, inhabited by the
labouring and poorer classes, these vernal emblems of the anniversary are
quite as much in demand as in other quarters, and if they and the gifts hung
upon them are less elaborate than their West side congeners, the household
enthusiasm which welcomes them is quite as marked. As in London, the
streets are flooded with Christmas numbers of the periodicals, which, it may
be remarked, are this year more elaborate in design and execution than ever.
The use of Christmas cards has also obtained surprising proportions. A
marked feature of this year's Christmas is the variety and elegance of
offerings after the Paris fashion, which are of a purely ornamental and but
slight utilitarian character. There are bonbonnières in a variety of forms,
some of them very magnificent and expensive; while the Christmas cards
range in prices from a cent to ten dollars each. These bonbonnières, decked
with expensive ribbon or hand-painted with designs of the season, attain
prices as high as forty dollars each, and are in great favour among the
wealthy classes. Flowers are also much used, and, just now, are exceedingly
costly.
"While the usual religious ceremonies of the day are generally observed
here, the mass of the community are inclined to treat the occasion as a
festive rather than a solemn occasion, and upon festivity the whole
population at the present time seems bent."
"Merry Christmas" with the Negroes.
A journalist who has been amongst the negroes in the Southern States of
America thus describes their Christmas festivities:—
"Christmas in the South of the United States is a time-honoured holiday
season, as ancient as the settlement of the Cavalier colonies themselves. We
may imagine it to have been imported from 'merrie England' by the large-
hearted Papist, Lord Baltimore, into Maryland, and by that chivalric group
of Virginian colonists, of whom the central historical figure is the famous
Captain John Smith, of Pocahontas memory. Perhaps Christmas was even
the more heartily celebrated among these true Papist and Church of England
settlers from the disgust which they felt at the stern contempt in which the
more. The plum-pudding is not universal, but the Christmas tree is in almost
every home. Even in the tenement districts of the East side, inhabited by the
labouring and poorer classes, these vernal emblems of the anniversary are
quite as much in demand as in other quarters, and if they and the gifts hung
upon them are less elaborate than their West side congeners, the household
enthusiasm which welcomes them is quite as marked. As in London, the
streets are flooded with Christmas numbers of the periodicals, which, it may
be remarked, are this year more elaborate in design and execution than ever.
The use of Christmas cards has also obtained surprising proportions. A
marked feature of this year's Christmas is the variety and elegance of
offerings after the Paris fashion, which are of a purely ornamental and but
slight utilitarian character. There are bonbonnières in a variety of forms,
some of them very magnificent and expensive; while the Christmas cards
range in prices from a cent to ten dollars each. These bonbonnières, decked
with expensive ribbon or hand-painted with designs of the season, attain
prices as high as forty dollars each, and are in great favour among the
wealthy classes. Flowers are also much used, and, just now, are exceedingly
costly.
"While the usual religious ceremonies of the day are generally observed
here, the mass of the community are inclined to treat the occasion as a
festive rather than a solemn occasion, and upon festivity the whole
population at the present time seems bent."
"Merry Christmas" with the Negroes.
A journalist who has been amongst the negroes in the Southern States of
America thus describes their Christmas festivities:—
"Christmas in the South of the United States is a time-honoured holiday
season, as ancient as the settlement of the Cavalier colonies themselves. We
may imagine it to have been imported from 'merrie England' by the large-
hearted Papist, Lord Baltimore, into Maryland, and by that chivalric group
of Virginian colonists, of whom the central historical figure is the famous
Captain John Smith, of Pocahontas memory. Perhaps Christmas was even
the more heartily celebrated among these true Papist and Church of England
settlers from the disgust which they felt at the stern contempt in which the
Page 401
Natal Day was held by 'stiff-necked Puritans' of New England. At least,
while in New England the pilgrims were wont to work with exceptional
might on Christmas Day, to show their detestation of it, traditions are still
extant of the jovial Southern merrymaking of the festival. Christmas, with
many of the Old England customs imported to the new soil, derived new
spirit and enjoyment from customs which had their origin in the Colonies
themselves. Above all was it the gala season—the period to be looked
forward to and revelled in—of the negroes. Slavery, with all its horrors and
wickedness, had at least some genial features; and the latitude which the
masters gave to the slaves at Christmas time, the freedom with which the
blacks were wont to concentrate a year's enjoyment into the Christmas
week, was one of these. In Washington, where until the war slavery existed
in a mild and more civilised form, the negro celebrations of Christmas were
the peculiar and amusing feature of the season. And many of these customs,
which grew up amid slavery, have survived that institution. The Washington
negroes, free, have pretty much the same zest for their time-honoured
amusements which they had when under the dominion of the oligarchy.
Christmas is still their great gala and occasion for merry-making, and the
sable creatures thoroughly understand the art of having a good time, being
superior, at least in this respect, to many a blasé Prince and Court noble
distracted with ennui. Those who have seen the 'Minstrels' may derive some
idea, though but a slight one, of the negro pastimes and peculiarities. They
are, above all, a social, enthusiastic, whole-souled race; they have their own
ideas of rank and social caste, and they have a humour which is homely, but
thoroughly genial, and quite the monopoly of their race. They insist on the
whole of Christmas week for a holiday. 'Missus' must manage how she can.
To insist on chaining them down in the kitchen during that halcyon time
would stir up blank rebellion. Dancing and music are their favourite
Christmas recreations; they manage both with a will. In the city suburbs
there are many modest little frame-houses inhabited by the blacks; now and
then a homely inn kept by a dusky landlord. Here in Christmas time you
will witness many jolly and infectiously pleasant scenes. There is a 'sound
of revelry by night.' You are free to enter, and observe near by the countless
gyrations of the negro cotillon, the intricate and deftly executed jig, the rude
melody of banjos and 'cornstalk fiddles.' They are always proud to have 'de
white folks ' for spectators and applauders, and will give you the best seat,
and will outdo themselves in their anxiety to show off at their best before
while in New England the pilgrims were wont to work with exceptional
might on Christmas Day, to show their detestation of it, traditions are still
extant of the jovial Southern merrymaking of the festival. Christmas, with
many of the Old England customs imported to the new soil, derived new
spirit and enjoyment from customs which had their origin in the Colonies
themselves. Above all was it the gala season—the period to be looked
forward to and revelled in—of the negroes. Slavery, with all its horrors and
wickedness, had at least some genial features; and the latitude which the
masters gave to the slaves at Christmas time, the freedom with which the
blacks were wont to concentrate a year's enjoyment into the Christmas
week, was one of these. In Washington, where until the war slavery existed
in a mild and more civilised form, the negro celebrations of Christmas were
the peculiar and amusing feature of the season. And many of these customs,
which grew up amid slavery, have survived that institution. The Washington
negroes, free, have pretty much the same zest for their time-honoured
amusements which they had when under the dominion of the oligarchy.
Christmas is still their great gala and occasion for merry-making, and the
sable creatures thoroughly understand the art of having a good time, being
superior, at least in this respect, to many a blasé Prince and Court noble
distracted with ennui. Those who have seen the 'Minstrels' may derive some
idea, though but a slight one, of the negro pastimes and peculiarities. They
are, above all, a social, enthusiastic, whole-souled race; they have their own
ideas of rank and social caste, and they have a humour which is homely, but
thoroughly genial, and quite the monopoly of their race. They insist on the
whole of Christmas week for a holiday. 'Missus' must manage how she can.
To insist on chaining them down in the kitchen during that halcyon time
would stir up blank rebellion. Dancing and music are their favourite
Christmas recreations; they manage both with a will. In the city suburbs
there are many modest little frame-houses inhabited by the blacks; now and
then a homely inn kept by a dusky landlord. Here in Christmas time you
will witness many jolly and infectiously pleasant scenes. There is a 'sound
of revelry by night.' You are free to enter, and observe near by the countless
gyrations of the negro cotillon, the intricate and deftly executed jig, the rude
melody of banjos and 'cornstalk fiddles.' They are always proud to have 'de
white folks ' for spectators and applauders, and will give you the best seat,
and will outdo themselves in their anxiety to show off at their best before
Page 402
you. You will be astonished to observe the scrupulous neatness of the men,
the gaudy and ostentatious habiliments of 'de ladies.' The negroes have an
intense ambition to imitate the upper classes of white society. They will
study the apparel of a well-dressed gentleman, and squander their money on
'swallow-tail' coats, high dickeys, white neckties, and the most elaborate
arts of their dusky barbers. The women are even more imitative of their
mistresses. Ribbons, laces, and silks adorn them, on festive occasions, of
the most painfully vivid colours, and fashioned in all the extravagance of
negro taste. Not less anxious are they to imitate the manners of aristocracy.
The excessive chivalry and overwhelming politeness of the men towards
the women is amazing. They make gallant speeches in which they insert as
many of the longest and most learned words as they can master, picked up
at random, and not always peculiarly adapted to the use made of them.
Their excitement in the dance, and at the sound of music, grows as intense
as does their furor in a Methodist revival meeting. They have, too, dances
and music peculiar to themselves—jigs and country dances which seem to
have no method, yet which are perfectly adapted to and rhythmic with the
inspiring abrupt thud of the banjo and the bones. As they dance, they shout
and sing, slap their hands and knees, and lose themselves in the enthusiasm
of the moment. The negroes look forward to Christmas not less as the
season for present-giving than that of frolicking and jollity. Early in the
morning they hasten upstairs, and catch 'massa' and 'missus' and 'de chillun'
with a respectful but eager 'Merry Christmas,' and are sure to get in return a
new coat or pair of boots, a gingham dress, or ear-rings more showy than
expensive. They have saved up, too, a pittance from their wages, to expend
in a souvenir for 'Dinah' or 'Pompey,' the never-to-be-forgotten belle or
sweetheart."
Christmas in France.
The following account of Christmas in France, in 1823, is given by an
English writer of the period:—
"The habits and customs of Parisians vary much from those of our own
metropolis at all times, but at no time more than at this festive season. An
Englishman in Paris, who had been for some time without referring to his
almanac, would not know Christmas Day from another day by the
the gaudy and ostentatious habiliments of 'de ladies.' The negroes have an
intense ambition to imitate the upper classes of white society. They will
study the apparel of a well-dressed gentleman, and squander their money on
'swallow-tail' coats, high dickeys, white neckties, and the most elaborate
arts of their dusky barbers. The women are even more imitative of their
mistresses. Ribbons, laces, and silks adorn them, on festive occasions, of
the most painfully vivid colours, and fashioned in all the extravagance of
negro taste. Not less anxious are they to imitate the manners of aristocracy.
The excessive chivalry and overwhelming politeness of the men towards
the women is amazing. They make gallant speeches in which they insert as
many of the longest and most learned words as they can master, picked up
at random, and not always peculiarly adapted to the use made of them.
Their excitement in the dance, and at the sound of music, grows as intense
as does their furor in a Methodist revival meeting. They have, too, dances
and music peculiar to themselves—jigs and country dances which seem to
have no method, yet which are perfectly adapted to and rhythmic with the
inspiring abrupt thud of the banjo and the bones. As they dance, they shout
and sing, slap their hands and knees, and lose themselves in the enthusiasm
of the moment. The negroes look forward to Christmas not less as the
season for present-giving than that of frolicking and jollity. Early in the
morning they hasten upstairs, and catch 'massa' and 'missus' and 'de chillun'
with a respectful but eager 'Merry Christmas,' and are sure to get in return a
new coat or pair of boots, a gingham dress, or ear-rings more showy than
expensive. They have saved up, too, a pittance from their wages, to expend
in a souvenir for 'Dinah' or 'Pompey,' the never-to-be-forgotten belle or
sweetheart."
Christmas in France.
The following account of Christmas in France, in 1823, is given by an
English writer of the period:—
"The habits and customs of Parisians vary much from those of our own
metropolis at all times, but at no time more than at this festive season. An
Englishman in Paris, who had been for some time without referring to his
almanac, would not know Christmas Day from another day by the
Page 403
appearance of the capital. It is indeed set down as a jour de fête in the
calendar, but all the ordinary business life is transacted; the streets are as
usual, crowded with waggons and coaches; the shops, with few exceptions,
are open, although on other fête days the order for closing them is
rigorously enforced, and if not attended to, a fine levied; and at the churches
nothing extraordinary is going forward. All this is surprising in a Catholic
country, which professes to pay much attention to the outward rites of
religion.
"On Christmas Eve, indeed, there is some bustle for a midnight mass, to
which immense numbers flock, as the priests, on this occasion, get up a
showy spectacle which rivals the theatres. The altars are dressed with
flowers, and the churches decorated profusely; but there is little in all this to
please men who have been accustomed to the John Bull mode of spending
the evening. The good English habit of meeting together to forgive offences
and injuries, and to cement reconciliations, is here unknown. The French
listen to the Church music, and to the singing of their choirs, which is
generally excellent, but they know nothing of the origin of the day and of
the duties which it imposes. The English residents in Paris, however, do not
forget our mode of celebrating this day. Acts of charity from the rich to the
needy, religious attendance at church, and a full observance of hospitable
rites, are there witnessed. Paris furnishes all the requisites for a good
pudding, and the turkeys are excellent, though the beef is not to be
displayed as a prize production.
"On Christmas Day all the English cooks in Paris are in full business. The
queen of cooks, however, is Harriet Dunn, of the Boulevard. As Sir Astley
Cooper among the cutters of limbs, and d'Egville among the cutters of
capers, so is Harriet Dunn among the professors of one of the most
necessary, and in its results most gratifying professions in existence; her
services are secured beforehand by special retainers; and happy is the peer
who can point to his pudding, and declare that it is of the true Dunn
composition. Her fame has even extended to the provinces. For some time
previous to Christmas Day, she forwards puddings in cases to all parts of
the country, ready cooked and fit for the table, after the necessary warming.
All this is, of course, for the English. No prejudice can be stronger than that
of the French against plum-pudding—a Frenchman will dress like an
Englishman, swear like an Englishman, and get drunk like an Englishman;
calendar, but all the ordinary business life is transacted; the streets are as
usual, crowded with waggons and coaches; the shops, with few exceptions,
are open, although on other fête days the order for closing them is
rigorously enforced, and if not attended to, a fine levied; and at the churches
nothing extraordinary is going forward. All this is surprising in a Catholic
country, which professes to pay much attention to the outward rites of
religion.
"On Christmas Eve, indeed, there is some bustle for a midnight mass, to
which immense numbers flock, as the priests, on this occasion, get up a
showy spectacle which rivals the theatres. The altars are dressed with
flowers, and the churches decorated profusely; but there is little in all this to
please men who have been accustomed to the John Bull mode of spending
the evening. The good English habit of meeting together to forgive offences
and injuries, and to cement reconciliations, is here unknown. The French
listen to the Church music, and to the singing of their choirs, which is
generally excellent, but they know nothing of the origin of the day and of
the duties which it imposes. The English residents in Paris, however, do not
forget our mode of celebrating this day. Acts of charity from the rich to the
needy, religious attendance at church, and a full observance of hospitable
rites, are there witnessed. Paris furnishes all the requisites for a good
pudding, and the turkeys are excellent, though the beef is not to be
displayed as a prize production.
"On Christmas Day all the English cooks in Paris are in full business. The
queen of cooks, however, is Harriet Dunn, of the Boulevard. As Sir Astley
Cooper among the cutters of limbs, and d'Egville among the cutters of
capers, so is Harriet Dunn among the professors of one of the most
necessary, and in its results most gratifying professions in existence; her
services are secured beforehand by special retainers; and happy is the peer
who can point to his pudding, and declare that it is of the true Dunn
composition. Her fame has even extended to the provinces. For some time
previous to Christmas Day, she forwards puddings in cases to all parts of
the country, ready cooked and fit for the table, after the necessary warming.
All this is, of course, for the English. No prejudice can be stronger than that
of the French against plum-pudding—a Frenchman will dress like an
Englishman, swear like an Englishman, and get drunk like an Englishman;
Page 404
but if you would offend him for ever compel him to eat plum-pudding. A
few of the leading restaurateurs, wishing to appear extraordinary, have
plomb-pooding upon their cartes, but in no instance is it ever ordered by a
Frenchman. Everybody has heard the story of St. Louis—Henri Qautre, or
whoever else it might be—who, wishing to regale the English ambassador
on Christmas Day with a plum-pudding, procured an excellent recipe for
making one, which he gave to his cook, with strict injunctions that it should
be prepared with due attention to all particulars. The weight of the
ingredients, the size of the copper, the quantity of water, the duration of
time, everything was attended to except one trifle—the king forgot the
cloth, and the pudding was served up, like so much soup in immense
tureens, to the surprise of the ambassador, who was, however, too well bred
to express his astonishment. Louis XVIII., either to show his contempt of
the prejudices of his countrymen, or to keep up a custom which suits his
palate, has always an enormous pudding on Christmas Day, the remains of
which, when it leaves the table, he requires to be eaten by the servants, bon
gré, mauvais gré; but in this instance even the commands of sovereignty are
disregarded, except by the numerous English in his service, consisting of
several valets, grooms, coachmen, &c., besides a great number of ladies'
maids in the service of the duchesses of Angouleme and Berri, who very
frequently partake of the dainties of the king's table."
In his "Year Book, 1832," Hone says that at Rouen, after the Te Deum, in
the nocturnal office or vigil of Christmas, the ecclesiastics celebrated the
"office of the shepherds" in the following manner:—
"The image of the Virgin Mary was placed in a stable prepared behind the
altar. A boy from above, before the choir, in the likeness of an angel,
announced the nativity to certain canons or vicars, who entered as
shepherds through the great door of the choir, clothed in tunicks and
amesses. Many boys in the vaults of the church, like angels, then began the
'gloria in excelsis.' The shepherds, hearing this, advanced to the stable,
singing 'peace, goodwill,' &c. As soon as they entered it, two priests in
dalmaticks, as if women (quasi obstetrices) who were stationed at the
stable, said, 'Whom seek ye?' The shepherds answered, according to the
angelic annunciation, 'Our Saviour Christ.' The women then opening the
curtain exhibited the boy, saying, 'The little one is here as the Prophet Isaiah
said.' They then showed the mother, saying, 'Behold the Virgin,' &c. Upon
few of the leading restaurateurs, wishing to appear extraordinary, have
plomb-pooding upon their cartes, but in no instance is it ever ordered by a
Frenchman. Everybody has heard the story of St. Louis—Henri Qautre, or
whoever else it might be—who, wishing to regale the English ambassador
on Christmas Day with a plum-pudding, procured an excellent recipe for
making one, which he gave to his cook, with strict injunctions that it should
be prepared with due attention to all particulars. The weight of the
ingredients, the size of the copper, the quantity of water, the duration of
time, everything was attended to except one trifle—the king forgot the
cloth, and the pudding was served up, like so much soup in immense
tureens, to the surprise of the ambassador, who was, however, too well bred
to express his astonishment. Louis XVIII., either to show his contempt of
the prejudices of his countrymen, or to keep up a custom which suits his
palate, has always an enormous pudding on Christmas Day, the remains of
which, when it leaves the table, he requires to be eaten by the servants, bon
gré, mauvais gré; but in this instance even the commands of sovereignty are
disregarded, except by the numerous English in his service, consisting of
several valets, grooms, coachmen, &c., besides a great number of ladies'
maids in the service of the duchesses of Angouleme and Berri, who very
frequently partake of the dainties of the king's table."
In his "Year Book, 1832," Hone says that at Rouen, after the Te Deum, in
the nocturnal office or vigil of Christmas, the ecclesiastics celebrated the
"office of the shepherds" in the following manner:—
"The image of the Virgin Mary was placed in a stable prepared behind the
altar. A boy from above, before the choir, in the likeness of an angel,
announced the nativity to certain canons or vicars, who entered as
shepherds through the great door of the choir, clothed in tunicks and
amesses. Many boys in the vaults of the church, like angels, then began the
'gloria in excelsis.' The shepherds, hearing this, advanced to the stable,
singing 'peace, goodwill,' &c. As soon as they entered it, two priests in
dalmaticks, as if women (quasi obstetrices) who were stationed at the
stable, said, 'Whom seek ye?' The shepherds answered, according to the
angelic annunciation, 'Our Saviour Christ.' The women then opening the
curtain exhibited the boy, saying, 'The little one is here as the Prophet Isaiah
said.' They then showed the mother, saying, 'Behold the Virgin,' &c. Upon
Page 405
these exhibitions they bowed and worshipped the boy, and saluted his
mother. The office ended by their returning to the choir, and singing,
Alleluia, &c."[95]
Christmas Day in Besieged Paris.
Christmas, Paris,
Sunday, Dec. 25, 1870, 98th day of the Siege.
"Never has a sadder Christmas dawned on any city. Cold, hunger, agony,
grief, and despair sit enthroned at every habitation in Paris. It is the coldest
day of the season and the fuel is very short; and the government has had to
take hold of the fuel question, and the magnificent shade-trees that have for
ages adorned the avenues of this city are all likely to go in the vain struggle
to save France. So says the Official Journal of this morning. The sufferings
of the past week exceed by far anything we have seen. There is scarcely any
meat but horse-meat, and the government is now rationing. It carries out its
work with impartiality. The omnibus-horse, the cab-horse, the work-horse,
and the fancy-horse, all go alike in the mournful procession to the butchery
shops—the magnificent blooded steed of the Rothschilds by the side of the
old plug of the cabman. Fresh beef, mutton, pork are now out of the
question. A little poultry yet remains at fabulous prices. In walking through
the Rue St. Lazare I saw a middling-sized goose and chicken for sale in a
shop-window, and I had the curiosity to step in and inquire the price (rash
man that I was). The price of the goose was $25, and the chicken $7."[96]
Christmas in Paris in 1886.
The Paris correspondent of the Daily Telegraph writes:—"Although New
Year's Day is the great French festival, the fashion of celebrating Christmas
something after the English custom is gaining ground in Paris every year.
Thus a good deal of mistletoe now makes its appearance on the boulevards
and in the shop windows, and it is evident that the famous Druidical plant,
which is shipped in such large quantities every year to England from
Normandy and Brittany, is fast becoming popular among Parisians. Another
custom, that of decorating Christmas trees in the English and German style,
mother. The office ended by their returning to the choir, and singing,
Alleluia, &c."[95]
Christmas Day in Besieged Paris.
Christmas, Paris,
Sunday, Dec. 25, 1870, 98th day of the Siege.
"Never has a sadder Christmas dawned on any city. Cold, hunger, agony,
grief, and despair sit enthroned at every habitation in Paris. It is the coldest
day of the season and the fuel is very short; and the government has had to
take hold of the fuel question, and the magnificent shade-trees that have for
ages adorned the avenues of this city are all likely to go in the vain struggle
to save France. So says the Official Journal of this morning. The sufferings
of the past week exceed by far anything we have seen. There is scarcely any
meat but horse-meat, and the government is now rationing. It carries out its
work with impartiality. The omnibus-horse, the cab-horse, the work-horse,
and the fancy-horse, all go alike in the mournful procession to the butchery
shops—the magnificent blooded steed of the Rothschilds by the side of the
old plug of the cabman. Fresh beef, mutton, pork are now out of the
question. A little poultry yet remains at fabulous prices. In walking through
the Rue St. Lazare I saw a middling-sized goose and chicken for sale in a
shop-window, and I had the curiosity to step in and inquire the price (rash
man that I was). The price of the goose was $25, and the chicken $7."[96]
Christmas in Paris in 1886.
The Paris correspondent of the Daily Telegraph writes:—"Although New
Year's Day is the great French festival, the fashion of celebrating Christmas
something after the English custom is gaining ground in Paris every year.
Thus a good deal of mistletoe now makes its appearance on the boulevards
and in the shop windows, and it is evident that the famous Druidical plant,
which is shipped in such large quantities every year to England from
Normandy and Brittany, is fast becoming popular among Parisians. Another
custom, that of decorating Christmas trees in the English and German style,
Page 406
has become quite an annual solemnity here since the influx of Alsatians and
Lorrainers, while it is considered chic, in many quarters, to eat approximate
plum-pudding on the 25th of December. Unfortunately, the Parisian 'blom
budding,' unless prepared by British hands, is generally a concoction of
culinary atrocities, tasting, let us say, like saveloy soup and ginger-bread
porridge. In a few instances the 'Angleesh blom budding' has been served at
French tables in a soup tureen; and guests have been known to direct fearful
and furtive glances towards it, just as an Englishman might regard with
mingled feelings of surprise and suspicion a fricassee of frogs. But
independently of foreign innovations, Parisians have their own way of
celebrating Noël. To-night (Christmas Eve) for instance, there will be
midnight masses in the principal churches, when appropriate canticles and
Adam's popular 'Noël' will be sung. In many private houses the boudin will
also be eaten after the midnight mass, the rich baptising it in champagne,
and the petit bourgeois, who has not a wine cellar, in a cheap concoction of
bottled stuff with a Bordeaux label but a strong Paris flavour. The feast of
Noël is, however, more archaically, and at the same time more earnestly,
celebrated in provincial France. In the south the head of the family kindles
the yule-log, or bûche-de-Noël, which is supposed to continue burning until
the arrival of spring. Paterfamilias also lights the calen, or Christmas lamp,
which represents the Star of Bethlehem, and then all repair to the midnight
mass in those picturesque groups which painters have delighted to commit
to canvas. The inevitable baraques, or booths, which are allowed to remain
on the great boulevards from Christmas Eve until the Feast of the Kings, on
January 6, have made their appearance. They extend from the Place de la
Madeleine to the Place de la République, and are also visible on some of the
other boulevards of the metropolis. Their glittering contents are the same as
usual, and, despite their want of novelty, crowds of people lounged along
the boulevards this afternoon and inspected them with as much curiosity as
if they formed part of a Russian fair which had been temporarily
transported from Nijni Novgorod to Paris. What was more attractive,
however, was the show of holly, mistletoe, fir-trees, camellias, tea-roses,
and tulips in the famous flower-market outside the Madeleine. A large tent
has been erected, which protects the sellers of winter flowers from the rain,
and this gives the market a gayer and more brilliant appearance than usual.
What strikes one more than anything else, however, is the number of French
people whom one sees purchasing holly bushes and mistletoe, which they
Lorrainers, while it is considered chic, in many quarters, to eat approximate
plum-pudding on the 25th of December. Unfortunately, the Parisian 'blom
budding,' unless prepared by British hands, is generally a concoction of
culinary atrocities, tasting, let us say, like saveloy soup and ginger-bread
porridge. In a few instances the 'Angleesh blom budding' has been served at
French tables in a soup tureen; and guests have been known to direct fearful
and furtive glances towards it, just as an Englishman might regard with
mingled feelings of surprise and suspicion a fricassee of frogs. But
independently of foreign innovations, Parisians have their own way of
celebrating Noël. To-night (Christmas Eve) for instance, there will be
midnight masses in the principal churches, when appropriate canticles and
Adam's popular 'Noël' will be sung. In many private houses the boudin will
also be eaten after the midnight mass, the rich baptising it in champagne,
and the petit bourgeois, who has not a wine cellar, in a cheap concoction of
bottled stuff with a Bordeaux label but a strong Paris flavour. The feast of
Noël is, however, more archaically, and at the same time more earnestly,
celebrated in provincial France. In the south the head of the family kindles
the yule-log, or bûche-de-Noël, which is supposed to continue burning until
the arrival of spring. Paterfamilias also lights the calen, or Christmas lamp,
which represents the Star of Bethlehem, and then all repair to the midnight
mass in those picturesque groups which painters have delighted to commit
to canvas. The inevitable baraques, or booths, which are allowed to remain
on the great boulevards from Christmas Eve until the Feast of the Kings, on
January 6, have made their appearance. They extend from the Place de la
Madeleine to the Place de la République, and are also visible on some of the
other boulevards of the metropolis. Their glittering contents are the same as
usual, and, despite their want of novelty, crowds of people lounged along
the boulevards this afternoon and inspected them with as much curiosity as
if they formed part of a Russian fair which had been temporarily
transported from Nijni Novgorod to Paris. What was more attractive,
however, was the show of holly, mistletoe, fir-trees, camellias, tea-roses,
and tulips in the famous flower-market outside the Madeleine. A large tent
has been erected, which protects the sellers of winter flowers from the rain,
and this gives the market a gayer and more brilliant appearance than usual.
What strikes one more than anything else, however, is the number of French
people whom one sees purchasing holly bushes and mistletoe, which they
Page 407
carry home in huge bundles, after the good old English fashion.
Notwithstanding the dampness and gloom of the weather, which hovers
between frost and rain, the general aspect of Paris to-day is one of cheerful
and picturesque animation, and the laughing crowds with whom one jostles
in the streets are thoroughly imbued with the festive character of the season.
Christmas in Normandy.
In describing the old-custom-loving people of Lower Normandy, a writer on
"Calvados," in 1884-5, thus refers to the season of Christmas and Twelfth-
tide: "Now Christmas arrives, and young and old go up to greet the little
child Jesus, lying on his bed of straw at the Virgin Mother's feet and smiling
to all the world. Overhead the old cracked bell clangs exultant, answering to
other bells faint and far on the midnight air; a hundred candles are burning
and every church window shines through the darkness like the gates of that
holy New Jerusalem 'whose light was as a stone most precious—a jasper-
stone clear as crystal.' With Twelfth-tide this fair vision suffers a
metamorphosis, blazoning out into the paganish saturnalia of bonfires,
which in Calvados is transferred from St. John's Eve le jour des Rois. Red
flames leap skyward, fed by dry pine fagots, and our erstwhile devout
peasants, throwing moderation to the winds, join hands, dance, and leap for
good luck through blinding smoke and embers, shouting their rude
doggerel:
"'Adieu les Rois
Jusqu'a douze mois,
Douze mois passes
Les bougelées.'"
Christmas in Provence.
Notwithstanding the dampness and gloom of the weather, which hovers
between frost and rain, the general aspect of Paris to-day is one of cheerful
and picturesque animation, and the laughing crowds with whom one jostles
in the streets are thoroughly imbued with the festive character of the season.
Christmas in Normandy.
In describing the old-custom-loving people of Lower Normandy, a writer on
"Calvados," in 1884-5, thus refers to the season of Christmas and Twelfth-
tide: "Now Christmas arrives, and young and old go up to greet the little
child Jesus, lying on his bed of straw at the Virgin Mother's feet and smiling
to all the world. Overhead the old cracked bell clangs exultant, answering to
other bells faint and far on the midnight air; a hundred candles are burning
and every church window shines through the darkness like the gates of that
holy New Jerusalem 'whose light was as a stone most precious—a jasper-
stone clear as crystal.' With Twelfth-tide this fair vision suffers a
metamorphosis, blazoning out into the paganish saturnalia of bonfires,
which in Calvados is transferred from St. John's Eve le jour des Rois. Red
flames leap skyward, fed by dry pine fagots, and our erstwhile devout
peasants, throwing moderation to the winds, join hands, dance, and leap for
good luck through blinding smoke and embers, shouting their rude
doggerel:
"'Adieu les Rois
Jusqu'a douze mois,
Douze mois passes
Les bougelées.'"
Christmas in Provence.
Page 408
provençal plays at christmastide.
Heinrich Heine delighted in the infantile childishness of a Provençal
Christmas. He never saw anything prettier in his life, he said, than a Noël
procession on the coast of the Mediterranean. A beautiful young woman and
an equally lovely child sat on a donkey, which an old fisherman in a
flowing brown gown was supposed to be leading into Egypt. Young girls
robed in white muslin were supposed to be angels, and hovered near the
child and its mother to supply to him sweetmeats and other refreshments. At
a respectful distance there was a procession of nuns and village children,
and then a band of vocalists and instrumentalists. Flowers and streaming
banners were unsparingly used. Bright sunshine played upon them, and the
deep blue sea formed a background. The seafaring people who looked on,
not knowing whether to venerate or laugh, did both. Falling upon their
knees they went through a short devotional exercise, and then rose to join
the procession and give themselves up to unrestricted mirth. In the chateaux
of the South of France crèches are still exhibited, and crèche suppers given
Heinrich Heine delighted in the infantile childishness of a Provençal
Christmas. He never saw anything prettier in his life, he said, than a Noël
procession on the coast of the Mediterranean. A beautiful young woman and
an equally lovely child sat on a donkey, which an old fisherman in a
flowing brown gown was supposed to be leading into Egypt. Young girls
robed in white muslin were supposed to be angels, and hovered near the
child and its mother to supply to him sweetmeats and other refreshments. At
a respectful distance there was a procession of nuns and village children,
and then a band of vocalists and instrumentalists. Flowers and streaming
banners were unsparingly used. Bright sunshine played upon them, and the
deep blue sea formed a background. The seafaring people who looked on,
not knowing whether to venerate or laugh, did both. Falling upon their
knees they went through a short devotional exercise, and then rose to join
the procession and give themselves up to unrestricted mirth. In the chateaux
of the South of France crèches are still exhibited, and crèche suppers given
Page 409
to the poorer neighbours, and to some of the rich, who are placed at a table
"above the salt." There are also "Bethlehem Stable" puppet-shows, at which
the Holy Family, their visitors, and four-footed associates are brought
forward as dramatis personæ. St. Joseph, the wise men, and the shepherds
are made to speak in patois. But the Virgin says what she has to say in
classical French. In the refinement of her diction, her elevation above those
with her is expressed. At Marseilles an annual fair of statuettes is held, the
profits of which are spent in setting up Bethlehem crèches in the churches
and other places. Each statuette represents a contemporaneous celebrity, and
is contained in the hollow part of the wax bust of some saint. Gambetta,
Thiers, Cavour, Queen Victoria, Grévy, the Pope, Paul Bert, Rouvier (who
is a Marseillais), the late Czar and other celebrities have appeared among
the figurines hidden within the saintly busts.
Christmas in Corsica.
"A Winter in Corsica," by "Two Ladies," published in 1868, contains an
interesting account of the celebration of Christmas in that picturesque island
of the Mediterranean which is known as the birthplace of Napoleon
Bonaparte—"One day shortly before Christmas our hostess, or landlady,
was very busy with an old body in the kitchen, who had come to make
sundry cakes in preparation for that festive season. We were all called down
to see what was going on, and our attention was particularly directed to the
great oven which was heated on purpose to bake them. One kind of cake
was made of chesnut flour, another of eggs and broche (a kind of curds
made from goats' milk), but the principal sort was composed chiefly of
almonds, extremely good and not unlike macaroons, but thicker and more
substantial. For several days previously, everybody in the house had been
busy blanching and pounding almonds; not only the two servants, but Rose
and Clara, the young work-women who were so often staying in the house,
and who, indeed, at one time seemed to form part of the establishment. The
old cook herself, a stout and dumpy person, was worth looking at, as she
stood surrounded by these young women, who did very little but watch her
operations; and the whole formed quite an animated picture of a foreign
ménage, which one rarely has the opportunity of seeing.
- - - - - - -
"above the salt." There are also "Bethlehem Stable" puppet-shows, at which
the Holy Family, their visitors, and four-footed associates are brought
forward as dramatis personæ. St. Joseph, the wise men, and the shepherds
are made to speak in patois. But the Virgin says what she has to say in
classical French. In the refinement of her diction, her elevation above those
with her is expressed. At Marseilles an annual fair of statuettes is held, the
profits of which are spent in setting up Bethlehem crèches in the churches
and other places. Each statuette represents a contemporaneous celebrity, and
is contained in the hollow part of the wax bust of some saint. Gambetta,
Thiers, Cavour, Queen Victoria, Grévy, the Pope, Paul Bert, Rouvier (who
is a Marseillais), the late Czar and other celebrities have appeared among
the figurines hidden within the saintly busts.
Christmas in Corsica.
"A Winter in Corsica," by "Two Ladies," published in 1868, contains an
interesting account of the celebration of Christmas in that picturesque island
of the Mediterranean which is known as the birthplace of Napoleon
Bonaparte—"One day shortly before Christmas our hostess, or landlady,
was very busy with an old body in the kitchen, who had come to make
sundry cakes in preparation for that festive season. We were all called down
to see what was going on, and our attention was particularly directed to the
great oven which was heated on purpose to bake them. One kind of cake
was made of chesnut flour, another of eggs and broche (a kind of curds
made from goats' milk), but the principal sort was composed chiefly of
almonds, extremely good and not unlike macaroons, but thicker and more
substantial. For several days previously, everybody in the house had been
busy blanching and pounding almonds; not only the two servants, but Rose
and Clara, the young work-women who were so often staying in the house,
and who, indeed, at one time seemed to form part of the establishment. The
old cook herself, a stout and dumpy person, was worth looking at, as she
stood surrounded by these young women, who did very little but watch her
operations; and the whole formed quite an animated picture of a foreign
ménage, which one rarely has the opportunity of seeing.
- - - - - - -
Page 410
"Towards Christmas, considerable preparations began to be made in the
shops for the coming season, but chiefly, perhaps, for New Year's Day,
which is kept throughout France as a grand fête day. Sweetmeats in great
variety filled the windows, and especially what were called pralines—an
almond comfit covered with rough sugar, and of a peculiar flavour. They
are very good, and cost three francs per pound.
- - - - - - -
"It seemed strange writing to friends at home wishing them 'a happy
Christmas,' when we seemed scarcely to have done with summer.
"There was certainly a good deal of novelty in our mode of passing
Christmas-time in Ajaccio.
"We had expressed the wish to be present at midnight mass, in the
cathedral, on Christmas Eve, and our kind hostess readily promised to take
us, and also said we should have a petit souper with her on our return. She
told us afterwards that she had spoken to the organist, and obtained
permission for us to go into the organ-loft, where we should have a good
view over the church, and not be inconvenienced by the crowd.
Accordingly, a little before eleven o'clock, we all went downstairs, and,
accompanied by madame, as well as by a gentleman and his daughter,
friends of hers, proceeded to the cathedral.
"As there is no gas in Ajaccio, the church of course is lighted only with
candles, and very dim and gloomy it looked, especially at first, and during a
dull monotonous kind of chanting, which we were told were the offices to
the Virgin.
"By and by, as midnight drew near, and the mass was about to commence, a
great number of candles were lighted on the high altar and in the side
chapels, and the scene became more brilliant and animated. We looked
down upon a perfect sea of heads, the women all wearing the national
handkerchiefs, many of these of bright colours, and making them
conspicuous among the men, of whom there were also a very large number.
"At length the organ struck up, the higher priests entered, wearing their
richest robes, followed by numerous attendants. Each bowed and knelt as he
shops for the coming season, but chiefly, perhaps, for New Year's Day,
which is kept throughout France as a grand fête day. Sweetmeats in great
variety filled the windows, and especially what were called pralines—an
almond comfit covered with rough sugar, and of a peculiar flavour. They
are very good, and cost three francs per pound.
- - - - - - -
"It seemed strange writing to friends at home wishing them 'a happy
Christmas,' when we seemed scarcely to have done with summer.
"There was certainly a good deal of novelty in our mode of passing
Christmas-time in Ajaccio.
"We had expressed the wish to be present at midnight mass, in the
cathedral, on Christmas Eve, and our kind hostess readily promised to take
us, and also said we should have a petit souper with her on our return. She
told us afterwards that she had spoken to the organist, and obtained
permission for us to go into the organ-loft, where we should have a good
view over the church, and not be inconvenienced by the crowd.
Accordingly, a little before eleven o'clock, we all went downstairs, and,
accompanied by madame, as well as by a gentleman and his daughter,
friends of hers, proceeded to the cathedral.
"As there is no gas in Ajaccio, the church of course is lighted only with
candles, and very dim and gloomy it looked, especially at first, and during a
dull monotonous kind of chanting, which we were told were the offices to
the Virgin.
"By and by, as midnight drew near, and the mass was about to commence, a
great number of candles were lighted on the high altar and in the side
chapels, and the scene became more brilliant and animated. We looked
down upon a perfect sea of heads, the women all wearing the national
handkerchiefs, many of these of bright colours, and making them
conspicuous among the men, of whom there were also a very large number.
"At length the organ struck up, the higher priests entered, wearing their
richest robes, followed by numerous attendants. Each bowed and knelt as he
Page 411
passed the altar, and took his allotted place, and then the service began. At
one point, supposed to be the moment of our Saviour's birth, there was quite
an uproar. The people clapped their hands, and stamped, and shouted,
trumpets sounded, and the organ pealed forth its loudest tones.
"Then there was a very sweet hymn-tune played, and some beautiful voices
sang Adeste Fideles, which was by far the most pleasing part of the service
to our minds. Next came the reading of the Gospel, with much formality of
kissing and bowing, and incensing; the book was moved from side to side
and from place to place; then one priest on his knees held it up above his
head, while another, sitting, read a short passage, and a third came forward
to the front of the enclosed space near the altar, flinging the censer round
and about. Then the little bell tinkled, and all that mass of heads bowed
down lower, the Host was raised, the communion taken by the priests, and
at one o'clock all was over.
"We gladly regained the fresh air, which, though rather cold, was much
needed after the close atmosphere of the crowded cathedral. The moon was
very bright, and we hastened home with appetites sharpened by our walk,
for what proved to be a handsome dinner, rather than a petit souper.
- - - - - - -
"For ourselves, we did not forget the old home custom of Christmas
decorations, and took some pains to dress our salon with evergreens, which
we brought down from the hills the previous day. Although we had neither
holly nor mistletoe, we found good substitutes for them in the elegant-
leaved lentiscus, the tree heath and sweetly perfumed myrtle; while round
the mirror and a picture of the Virgin on the opposite wall we twined
garlands of the graceful sarsaparilla. The whole looked extremely pretty,
and gave quite a festive appearance to the room.
"On Christmas Day we joined some English friends for a walk, about
eleven o'clock. It was a charming morning, bright and hot, as we strolled
along the shore to the orange-garden of Barbacaja, where we gathered
oranges fresh from the trees.
"On returning home to dinner no plum-pudding or mince-pies awaited us
certainly, but we had tolerably good beef, for a wonder, and lamb, merles,
one point, supposed to be the moment of our Saviour's birth, there was quite
an uproar. The people clapped their hands, and stamped, and shouted,
trumpets sounded, and the organ pealed forth its loudest tones.
"Then there was a very sweet hymn-tune played, and some beautiful voices
sang Adeste Fideles, which was by far the most pleasing part of the service
to our minds. Next came the reading of the Gospel, with much formality of
kissing and bowing, and incensing; the book was moved from side to side
and from place to place; then one priest on his knees held it up above his
head, while another, sitting, read a short passage, and a third came forward
to the front of the enclosed space near the altar, flinging the censer round
and about. Then the little bell tinkled, and all that mass of heads bowed
down lower, the Host was raised, the communion taken by the priests, and
at one o'clock all was over.
"We gladly regained the fresh air, which, though rather cold, was much
needed after the close atmosphere of the crowded cathedral. The moon was
very bright, and we hastened home with appetites sharpened by our walk,
for what proved to be a handsome dinner, rather than a petit souper.
- - - - - - -
"For ourselves, we did not forget the old home custom of Christmas
decorations, and took some pains to dress our salon with evergreens, which
we brought down from the hills the previous day. Although we had neither
holly nor mistletoe, we found good substitutes for them in the elegant-
leaved lentiscus, the tree heath and sweetly perfumed myrtle; while round
the mirror and a picture of the Virgin on the opposite wall we twined
garlands of the graceful sarsaparilla. The whole looked extremely pretty,
and gave quite a festive appearance to the room.
"On Christmas Day we joined some English friends for a walk, about
eleven o'clock. It was a charming morning, bright and hot, as we strolled
along the shore to the orange-garden of Barbacaja, where we gathered
oranges fresh from the trees.
"On returning home to dinner no plum-pudding or mince-pies awaited us
certainly, but we had tolerably good beef, for a wonder, and lamb, merles,
Page 412
and new potatoes.
- - - - - - -
"Christmas Day in Corsica is observed by the people as a religious festival,
but not as a social one; and there are no family gatherings as in England and
Germany. This arises, no doubt, from that non-existence of true domestic
life which must strike all English taking up a temporary residence in
France.
"There was a succession of fête days throughout Christmas week, when the
shops were shut and the people dressed in holiday attire. But the great day
to which every one seems to look forward is the first of the year, le Jour de
l'An. Presents are then made by everybody to everybody, and visits of
congratulation, or merely of ceremony, received and expected. The gifts are
sometimes costly and handsome, but generally they are trifling, merely
valuable as works of remembrance, consisting chiefly of bonbons, boxes of
crystallised fruits, and other confectionery."
Christmas in Chios.
- - - - - - -
"Christmas Day in Corsica is observed by the people as a religious festival,
but not as a social one; and there are no family gatherings as in England and
Germany. This arises, no doubt, from that non-existence of true domestic
life which must strike all English taking up a temporary residence in
France.
"There was a succession of fête days throughout Christmas week, when the
shops were shut and the people dressed in holiday attire. But the great day
to which every one seems to look forward is the first of the year, le Jour de
l'An. Presents are then made by everybody to everybody, and visits of
congratulation, or merely of ceremony, received and expected. The gifts are
sometimes costly and handsome, but generally they are trifling, merely
valuable as works of remembrance, consisting chiefly of bonbons, boxes of
crystallised fruits, and other confectionery."
Christmas in Chios.
Page 413
From an Ivory, Byzantine. British Museum
The preceding illustration of Eastern art belongs to the same period as many
of the Christmas customs which have survived in Chios, and it carries our
thoughts back to the time when Byzantium was the capital of the Greek
Empire in the east. From an interesting account by an English writer in the
Cornhill Magazine, for December, 1886, who spent a Christmas amongst
The preceding illustration of Eastern art belongs to the same period as many
of the Christmas customs which have survived in Chios, and it carries our
thoughts back to the time when Byzantium was the capital of the Greek
Empire in the east. From an interesting account by an English writer in the
Cornhill Magazine, for December, 1886, who spent a Christmas amongst
Page 414
the Greeks of this once prosperous isle of Chios, it appears that, two days
before Christmas, he took up his quarters at "the village of St. George, a
good day's journey from the town, on the slopes of a backbone of
mountains, which divides Chios from north to south." On the morning
following the arrival at St. George, "echoes of home" were heard which
caused the writer to exclaim: "Surely they don't have Christmas waits here."
Outside the house stood a crowd of children singing songs and carrying
baskets. From the window, the mistress of the house was seen standing
amongst the children "talking hard, and putting handfuls of something into
each basket out of a bag." "On descending," says the writer, "I inquired the
cause of this early invasion, and learnt that it is customary on the day before
Christmas for children to go round to the houses of the village early, before
the celebration of the liturgy, and collect what is called 'the luck of Christ'—
that is to say, walnuts, almonds, figs, raisins, and the like. Every housewife
is careful to have a large stock of these things ready overnight, and if
children come after her stock is exhausted she says, 'Christ has taken them
and passed by.' The urchins, who are not always willing to accept this
excuse, revile her with uncomplimentary remarks, and wish her cloven feet,
and other disagreeable things."
The writer visited the chief inhabitants of St. George, and was regaled with
"spoonfuls of jam, cups of coffee, and glasses of mastic liquer"; and, in a
farmyard, "saw oxen with scarlet horns," it being the custom, on the day
before Christmas, for "every man to kill his pig, and if he has cattle to
anoint their horns with blood, thereby securing their health for the coming
year.
"It is very interesting to see the birthplace of our own Christmas customs
here in Greece, for it is an undoubted fact that all we see now in Greek
islands has survived since Byzantine days. Turkish rule has in no way
interfered with religious observances, and during four or five centuries of
isolation from the civilised world the conservative spirit of the East has
preserved intact for us customs as they were in the early days of
Christianity; inasmuch as the Eastern Church was the first Christian
Church, it was the parent of all Christian customs. Many of these customs
were mere adaptations of the pagan to the Christian ceremonial—a
necessary measure, doubtless, at a time when a new religion was forced on
a deeply superstitious population. The saints of the Christian took the place
before Christmas, he took up his quarters at "the village of St. George, a
good day's journey from the town, on the slopes of a backbone of
mountains, which divides Chios from north to south." On the morning
following the arrival at St. George, "echoes of home" were heard which
caused the writer to exclaim: "Surely they don't have Christmas waits here."
Outside the house stood a crowd of children singing songs and carrying
baskets. From the window, the mistress of the house was seen standing
amongst the children "talking hard, and putting handfuls of something into
each basket out of a bag." "On descending," says the writer, "I inquired the
cause of this early invasion, and learnt that it is customary on the day before
Christmas for children to go round to the houses of the village early, before
the celebration of the liturgy, and collect what is called 'the luck of Christ'—
that is to say, walnuts, almonds, figs, raisins, and the like. Every housewife
is careful to have a large stock of these things ready overnight, and if
children come after her stock is exhausted she says, 'Christ has taken them
and passed by.' The urchins, who are not always willing to accept this
excuse, revile her with uncomplimentary remarks, and wish her cloven feet,
and other disagreeable things."
The writer visited the chief inhabitants of St. George, and was regaled with
"spoonfuls of jam, cups of coffee, and glasses of mastic liquer"; and, in a
farmyard, "saw oxen with scarlet horns," it being the custom, on the day
before Christmas, for "every man to kill his pig, and if he has cattle to
anoint their horns with blood, thereby securing their health for the coming
year.
"It is very interesting to see the birthplace of our own Christmas customs
here in Greece, for it is an undoubted fact that all we see now in Greek
islands has survived since Byzantine days. Turkish rule has in no way
interfered with religious observances, and during four or five centuries of
isolation from the civilised world the conservative spirit of the East has
preserved intact for us customs as they were in the early days of
Christianity; inasmuch as the Eastern Church was the first Christian
Church, it was the parent of all Christian customs. Many of these customs
were mere adaptations of the pagan to the Christian ceremonial—a
necessary measure, doubtless, at a time when a new religion was forced on
a deeply superstitious population. The saints of the Christian took the place
Page 415
of the gods of the "Iliad." Old customs attending religious observances have
been peculiarly tenacious in these islands, and here it is that we must look
for the pedigree of our own quaint Christian habits. We have seen the
children of St. George collecting their Christmas-boxes, we have spoken of
pig-killing, and we will now introduce ourselves to Chiote Christmas-trees,
the rhamnæ, as they are called here, which take the form of an offering of
fruits of the earth and flowers by tenants to their landlords.
"The form of these offerings is varied: one tenant we saw chose to make his
in the shape of a tripod; others merely adorn poles, but all of them effect
this decoration in a similar fashion, more gaudily than artistically. The pole
is over a yard in height, and around it are bound wreaths of myrtle, olive,
and orange leaves; to these are fixed any flowers that may be found,
geraniums, anemones, and the like, and, by way of further decoration,
oranges, lemons, and strips of gold and coloured paper are added.
"On Christmas morning the tenants of the numerous gardens of Chios
proceed to the houses of their landlords, riding on mules and carrying a
rhamna in front of them and a pair of fowls behind. As many as three
hundred of these may be seen entering the capital of Chios on this day, and
I was told the sight is very imposing. At St. George we had not so many of
them, but sufficient for our purpose. On reaching his landlord's house the
peasant sets up the trophy in the outer room, to be admired by all who
come; the fowls he hands over to the housewife; and then he takes the large
family jars or amphoræ, as they still call them, to the well, and draws the
drinking water for his landlord's Christmas necessities.
"In the afternoon each landlord gives 'a table' to his tenants, a good
substantial meal, at which many healths are drunk, compliments exchanged,
and songs sung, and before returning home each man receives a present of
money in return for his offerings. A Greek never gives a present without
expecting an equivalent in return."
Another Christmas custom in Chios which reminded the writer of the
English custom of carol-singing is thus described: "There are five parishes
in the village of St. George, each supplied with a church, priests, acolytes,
and candle-lighters, who answer to our vergers, and who are responsible for
the lighting of the many lamps and candles which adorn an Eastern church.
been peculiarly tenacious in these islands, and here it is that we must look
for the pedigree of our own quaint Christian habits. We have seen the
children of St. George collecting their Christmas-boxes, we have spoken of
pig-killing, and we will now introduce ourselves to Chiote Christmas-trees,
the rhamnæ, as they are called here, which take the form of an offering of
fruits of the earth and flowers by tenants to their landlords.
"The form of these offerings is varied: one tenant we saw chose to make his
in the shape of a tripod; others merely adorn poles, but all of them effect
this decoration in a similar fashion, more gaudily than artistically. The pole
is over a yard in height, and around it are bound wreaths of myrtle, olive,
and orange leaves; to these are fixed any flowers that may be found,
geraniums, anemones, and the like, and, by way of further decoration,
oranges, lemons, and strips of gold and coloured paper are added.
"On Christmas morning the tenants of the numerous gardens of Chios
proceed to the houses of their landlords, riding on mules and carrying a
rhamna in front of them and a pair of fowls behind. As many as three
hundred of these may be seen entering the capital of Chios on this day, and
I was told the sight is very imposing. At St. George we had not so many of
them, but sufficient for our purpose. On reaching his landlord's house the
peasant sets up the trophy in the outer room, to be admired by all who
come; the fowls he hands over to the housewife; and then he takes the large
family jars or amphoræ, as they still call them, to the well, and draws the
drinking water for his landlord's Christmas necessities.
"In the afternoon each landlord gives 'a table' to his tenants, a good
substantial meal, at which many healths are drunk, compliments exchanged,
and songs sung, and before returning home each man receives a present of
money in return for his offerings. A Greek never gives a present without
expecting an equivalent in return."
Another Christmas custom in Chios which reminded the writer of the
English custom of carol-singing is thus described: "There are five parishes
in the village of St. George, each supplied with a church, priests, acolytes,
and candle-lighters, who answer to our vergers, and who are responsible for
the lighting of the many lamps and candles which adorn an Eastern church.
Page 416
These good people assemble together on Christmas Day, after the liturgy is
over, and form what is called 'a musical company'; one man is secured to
play the lyre, another the harp, another the cymbals, and another leads the
singing—if the monotonous chanting in which they indulge can be
dignified by the title of singing. The candle-lighter, armed with a brass tray,
is the recognised leader of this musical company, and all day long he
conducts them from one house to another in the parish to play, sing, and
collect alms. These musicians of St. George have far more consideration for
the feelings of their fellow-creatures than English carol-singers, for the
candle-lighter is always sent on ahead to inquire of the household they
propose to visit if there is mourning in the house, or any other valid reason
why the musicians should not play, in which case the candle-lighter merely
presents his tray, receives his offering, and passes on. Never, if they can
help it, will a family refuse admission to the musicians. They have not
many amusements, poor things, and their Christmas entertainment pleases
them vastly.
"The carols of these islands are exceedingly old-world and quaint. When
permission is given the troupe advance towards the door, singing a sort of
greeting as follows: 'Come now and open your gates to our party; we have
one or two sweet words to sing to you.' The door is then opened by the
master of the house; he greets them and begs them to come in, whilst the
other members of the family place chairs at one end of the room, on which
the musicians seat themselves. The first carol is a genuine Christmas one, a
sort of religious recognition of the occasion, according to our notions
fraught with a frivolity almost bordering on blasphemy; but then it must be
remembered that these peasants have formed their own simple ideas of the
life of Christ, the Virgin, and the saints, to which they have given utterance
in their songs. A priest of St. George kindly supplied me with the words of
some of their carols, and this is a translation of one of the prefatory songs
with which the musical company commence:—
"'Christmas, Christmas! Christ is born;
Saints rejoice and devils mourn.
Christmas, Christmas! Christ was fed
On sweet honey, milk, and bread,
Just as now our rulers eat
Bread and milk, and honey sweet.'
over, and form what is called 'a musical company'; one man is secured to
play the lyre, another the harp, another the cymbals, and another leads the
singing—if the monotonous chanting in which they indulge can be
dignified by the title of singing. The candle-lighter, armed with a brass tray,
is the recognised leader of this musical company, and all day long he
conducts them from one house to another in the parish to play, sing, and
collect alms. These musicians of St. George have far more consideration for
the feelings of their fellow-creatures than English carol-singers, for the
candle-lighter is always sent on ahead to inquire of the household they
propose to visit if there is mourning in the house, or any other valid reason
why the musicians should not play, in which case the candle-lighter merely
presents his tray, receives his offering, and passes on. Never, if they can
help it, will a family refuse admission to the musicians. They have not
many amusements, poor things, and their Christmas entertainment pleases
them vastly.
"The carols of these islands are exceedingly old-world and quaint. When
permission is given the troupe advance towards the door, singing a sort of
greeting as follows: 'Come now and open your gates to our party; we have
one or two sweet words to sing to you.' The door is then opened by the
master of the house; he greets them and begs them to come in, whilst the
other members of the family place chairs at one end of the room, on which
the musicians seat themselves. The first carol is a genuine Christmas one, a
sort of religious recognition of the occasion, according to our notions
fraught with a frivolity almost bordering on blasphemy; but then it must be
remembered that these peasants have formed their own simple ideas of the
life of Christ, the Virgin, and the saints, to which they have given utterance
in their songs. A priest of St. George kindly supplied me with the words of
some of their carols, and this is a translation of one of the prefatory songs
with which the musical company commence:—
"'Christmas, Christmas! Christ is born;
Saints rejoice and devils mourn.
Christmas, Christmas! Christ was fed
On sweet honey, milk, and bread,
Just as now our rulers eat
Bread and milk, and honey sweet.'
Page 417
After this the company sing a series of songs addressed to the various
members of the family, to the father, to the mother, to the daughters, to the
sons; if there chances to be a betrothed couple there, they are sure to be
greeted with a special song; the little children, too, are exhorted in song to
be good and diligent at school. Of these songs there are an infinite number,
and many of them give us curious glimpses into the life, not of to-day, but
of ages which have long since passed away.
"The following song is addressed to the master of the house, and has
doubtless been sung for centuries of Christmases since the old Byzantine
days when such things as are mentioned in the song really existed in the
houses. This is a word-for-word translation:—
"'We have come to our venerable master;
To his lofty house with marble halls.
His walls are decorated with mosaic;
With the lathe his doors are turned.
Angels and archangels are around his windows,
And in the midst of his house is spread a golden carpet
And from the ceiling the golden chandelier sheds light.
It lights the guests as they come and go.
It lights our venerable master.'
On the conclusion of their carols the musicians pause for rest, the cymbal-
player throws his cymbal on the floor, and the candle-lighter does the same
thing with his tray, and into these the master of the house deposits his gifts
to his parish church, and if they are a newly-married couple they tie up
presents of food for the musicians in a handkerchief—figs, almonds, &c.,
which the cymbal-player fastens round his neck or ties to his girdle.
"Before the musicians take their departure the housewife hurries off to her
cupboard and produces a tray with the inevitable jam thereon. Coffee and
mastic are served, and the compliments of the season are exchanged. Whilst
the candle-lighter is absent looking for another house at which to sing, the
musicians sing their farewell, 'We wish health to your family, and health to
yourself. We go to join the pallicari.'
"In villages where the singing of carols has fallen into disuse the inhabitants
are content with the priestly blessing only. To distribute this the priest of
each parish starts off on Christmas morning with the candle-lighter and his
tray, and an acolyte to wave the censer; he blesses the shops, he sprinkles
members of the family, to the father, to the mother, to the daughters, to the
sons; if there chances to be a betrothed couple there, they are sure to be
greeted with a special song; the little children, too, are exhorted in song to
be good and diligent at school. Of these songs there are an infinite number,
and many of them give us curious glimpses into the life, not of to-day, but
of ages which have long since passed away.
"The following song is addressed to the master of the house, and has
doubtless been sung for centuries of Christmases since the old Byzantine
days when such things as are mentioned in the song really existed in the
houses. This is a word-for-word translation:—
"'We have come to our venerable master;
To his lofty house with marble halls.
His walls are decorated with mosaic;
With the lathe his doors are turned.
Angels and archangels are around his windows,
And in the midst of his house is spread a golden carpet
And from the ceiling the golden chandelier sheds light.
It lights the guests as they come and go.
It lights our venerable master.'
On the conclusion of their carols the musicians pause for rest, the cymbal-
player throws his cymbal on the floor, and the candle-lighter does the same
thing with his tray, and into these the master of the house deposits his gifts
to his parish church, and if they are a newly-married couple they tie up
presents of food for the musicians in a handkerchief—figs, almonds, &c.,
which the cymbal-player fastens round his neck or ties to his girdle.
"Before the musicians take their departure the housewife hurries off to her
cupboard and produces a tray with the inevitable jam thereon. Coffee and
mastic are served, and the compliments of the season are exchanged. Whilst
the candle-lighter is absent looking for another house at which to sing, the
musicians sing their farewell, 'We wish health to your family, and health to
yourself. We go to join the pallicari.'
"In villages where the singing of carols has fallen into disuse the inhabitants
are content with the priestly blessing only. To distribute this the priest of
each parish starts off on Christmas morning with the candle-lighter and his
tray, and an acolyte to wave the censer; he blesses the shops, he sprinkles
Page 418
holy water over the commodities, and then he does the same by the houses;
the smell of incense perfumes the air, and the candle-lighter rattles his tray
ostentatiously to show what a lot of coppers he has got."
Christmas in a Greek Church.
"Swan's Journal of a Voyage up the Mediterranean, 1826," gives the
following account of Christmas in a Greek Church:—
"Thursday, January 6th, this being Christmas Day with the Greek Catholics,
their 'churches are adorned in the gayest manner. I entered one, in which a
sort of raree-show had been set up, illumed with a multitude of candles: the
subject of it was the birth of Christ, who was represented in the background
by a little waxen figure wrapped up in embroidery, and reclining upon an
embroidered cushion, which rested upon another of pink satin. This was
supposed to be the manger where he was born. Behind the image two paper
bulls' heads looked unutterable things. On the right was the Virgin Mary,
and on the left one of the eastern Magi. Paper clouds, in which the paper
heads of numberless cherubs appeared, enveloped the whole; while from a
pasteboard cottage stalked a wooden monk, with dogs, and sheep, and
camels, goats, lions, and lambs; here walked a maiden upon a stratum of
sods and dried earth, and there a shepherd flourishing aloft his pastoral
staff. The construction of these august figures was chiefly Dutch: they were
intermixed with china images and miserable daubs on paper. In the centre a
real fountain, in miniature, squirted forth water to the ineffable delight of
crowds of prostrate worshippers."
Christmas in Rome.
Hone[97] states that after Christmas Day, during the remainder of December,
there is a Presepio, or representation of the manger, in which our Saviour
was laid, to be seen in many of the churches at Rome. That of the Ara Cœli
is the best worth seeing, which church occupies the site of the temple of
Jupiter, and is adorned with some of its beautiful pillars. On entering, we
found daylight completely excluded from the church; and until we
advanced, we did not perceive the artificial light, which
the smell of incense perfumes the air, and the candle-lighter rattles his tray
ostentatiously to show what a lot of coppers he has got."
Christmas in a Greek Church.
"Swan's Journal of a Voyage up the Mediterranean, 1826," gives the
following account of Christmas in a Greek Church:—
"Thursday, January 6th, this being Christmas Day with the Greek Catholics,
their 'churches are adorned in the gayest manner. I entered one, in which a
sort of raree-show had been set up, illumed with a multitude of candles: the
subject of it was the birth of Christ, who was represented in the background
by a little waxen figure wrapped up in embroidery, and reclining upon an
embroidered cushion, which rested upon another of pink satin. This was
supposed to be the manger where he was born. Behind the image two paper
bulls' heads looked unutterable things. On the right was the Virgin Mary,
and on the left one of the eastern Magi. Paper clouds, in which the paper
heads of numberless cherubs appeared, enveloped the whole; while from a
pasteboard cottage stalked a wooden monk, with dogs, and sheep, and
camels, goats, lions, and lambs; here walked a maiden upon a stratum of
sods and dried earth, and there a shepherd flourishing aloft his pastoral
staff. The construction of these august figures was chiefly Dutch: they were
intermixed with china images and miserable daubs on paper. In the centre a
real fountain, in miniature, squirted forth water to the ineffable delight of
crowds of prostrate worshippers."
Christmas in Rome.
Hone[97] states that after Christmas Day, during the remainder of December,
there is a Presepio, or representation of the manger, in which our Saviour
was laid, to be seen in many of the churches at Rome. That of the Ara Cœli
is the best worth seeing, which church occupies the site of the temple of
Jupiter, and is adorned with some of its beautiful pillars. On entering, we
found daylight completely excluded from the church; and until we
advanced, we did not perceive the artificial light, which
Page 419
calabrian shepherds playing in rome at christmas.
(From Hone's "Every-day Book," 1826)
(From Hone's "Every-day Book," 1826)
Page 420
was so managed as to stream in fluctuating rays, from intervening silvery
clouds, and shed a radiance over the lovely babe and bending mother, who,
in the most graceful attitude, lightly holds up the drapery which half
conceals her sleeping infant from the bystanders. He lies in richly
embroidered swaddling clothes, and his person, as well as that of his virgin
mother, is ornamented with diamonds and other precious stones; for which
purpose, we are informed, the princesses and ladies of high rank lend their
jewels. Groups of cattle grazing, peasantry engaged in different
occupations, and other objects, enliven the picturesque scenery; every living
creature in the group, with eyes directed towards the Presepio, falls
prostrate in adoration. In the front of this theatrical representation a little
girl, about six or eight years old, stood on a bench, preaching extempore, as
it appeared, to the persons who filled the church, with all the gesticulation
of a little actress, probably in commemoration of those words of the
psalmist, quoted by our blessed Lord—"Out of the mouths of babes and
sucklings Thou hast perfected praise." In this manner the Scriptures are
acted; not "read, marked, and inwardly digested." The whole scene had,
however, a striking effect, well calculated to work upon the minds of a
people whose religion consists so largely in outward show. [From "A
Narrative of Three Years in Italy."]
As at the beginning, so in the latter part of the nineteenth century, the
church celebrations of Christmas continue to be great Christmas attractions
in the Eternal City.
From the description of one who was present at the Christmas celebration
of 1883, we quote the following extracts:—
"On Christmas morning, at ten o'clock, when all the world was not only
awake, but up and doing, mass was being said and sung in the principal
churches, but the great string of visitors to the Imperial City bent their steps
towards St. Peter's to witness the celebration of this the greatest feast in the
greatest Christian Church.
"As the heavy leather curtain which hangs before the door fell behind one,
this sacred building seemed indeed the world's cathedral; for here were
various crowds from various nations, and men and women followers of all
forms of faiths, and men and women of no faith at all. The great church was
clouds, and shed a radiance over the lovely babe and bending mother, who,
in the most graceful attitude, lightly holds up the drapery which half
conceals her sleeping infant from the bystanders. He lies in richly
embroidered swaddling clothes, and his person, as well as that of his virgin
mother, is ornamented with diamonds and other precious stones; for which
purpose, we are informed, the princesses and ladies of high rank lend their
jewels. Groups of cattle grazing, peasantry engaged in different
occupations, and other objects, enliven the picturesque scenery; every living
creature in the group, with eyes directed towards the Presepio, falls
prostrate in adoration. In the front of this theatrical representation a little
girl, about six or eight years old, stood on a bench, preaching extempore, as
it appeared, to the persons who filled the church, with all the gesticulation
of a little actress, probably in commemoration of those words of the
psalmist, quoted by our blessed Lord—"Out of the mouths of babes and
sucklings Thou hast perfected praise." In this manner the Scriptures are
acted; not "read, marked, and inwardly digested." The whole scene had,
however, a striking effect, well calculated to work upon the minds of a
people whose religion consists so largely in outward show. [From "A
Narrative of Three Years in Italy."]
As at the beginning, so in the latter part of the nineteenth century, the
church celebrations of Christmas continue to be great Christmas attractions
in the Eternal City.
From the description of one who was present at the Christmas celebration
of 1883, we quote the following extracts:—
"On Christmas morning, at ten o'clock, when all the world was not only
awake, but up and doing, mass was being said and sung in the principal
churches, but the great string of visitors to the Imperial City bent their steps
towards St. Peter's to witness the celebration of this the greatest feast in the
greatest Christian Church.
"As the heavy leather curtain which hangs before the door fell behind one,
this sacred building seemed indeed the world's cathedral; for here were
various crowds from various nations, and men and women followers of all
forms of faiths, and men and women of no faith at all. The great church was
Page 421
full of light and colour—of light that came in broad yellow beams through
the great dome and the high eastern windows, making the candles on the
side altars and the hundred ever-burning lamps around the St. Peter's shrine
look dim and yellow in the fulness of its radiance; and of colour combined
of friezes of burnished gold, and brilliant frescoes, and rich altar pieces, and
bronze statues, and slabs of oriental alabaster, and blocks of red porphyry
and lapis lazuli, and guilded vaulted ceiling, and walls of inlaid marbles.
"In the large choir chapel, containing the tomb of Clement IX., three
successive High Masses were celebrated, the full choir of St. Peter's
attending. In the handsomely carved old oak stalls sat bishops in purple and
rich lace, canons in white, and minor canons in grey fur capes, priests and
deacons, and a hundred acolytes wearing silver-buckled shoes and
surplices. This chapel, with its life-size marble figures resting on the
cornices, has two organs, and here the choicest music is frequently heard.
"Of course the choir chapel was much too small to hold the great crowd,
which, therefore, overflowed into the aisles and nave of the vast church,
where the music could be heard likewise. This crowd broke up into groups,
each worthy of a study, and all combining to afford an effect at once strange
and picturesque. There are groups of Americans, English, French, Germans,
and Italians promenading round the church, talking in their respective
native tongues, gesticulating, and now and then pausing to admire a picture
or examine a statue. Acquaintances meet and greet; friends introduce
mutual friends; compliments are exchanged, and appointments made.
Meanwhile masses are being said at all the side altars, which are surrounded
by knots of people who fall on their knees at the sound of a little bell, and
say their prayers quite undisturbed by the general murmur going on around
them.
"Presently there is a stir in the crowd surrounding the choir chapel; the
organ is at its loudest, and then comes a long procession of vergers in
purple and scarlet facings, and cross and torch bearers, and censer bearers,
and acolytes and deacons and priests and canons and bishops, and a red-
robed cardinal in vestments of cloth of gold wrought and figured with many
a sacred sign, and, moreover, adorned with precious stones; and High Mass
at St. Peter's, on Christmas Day, is at an end.
the great dome and the high eastern windows, making the candles on the
side altars and the hundred ever-burning lamps around the St. Peter's shrine
look dim and yellow in the fulness of its radiance; and of colour combined
of friezes of burnished gold, and brilliant frescoes, and rich altar pieces, and
bronze statues, and slabs of oriental alabaster, and blocks of red porphyry
and lapis lazuli, and guilded vaulted ceiling, and walls of inlaid marbles.
"In the large choir chapel, containing the tomb of Clement IX., three
successive High Masses were celebrated, the full choir of St. Peter's
attending. In the handsomely carved old oak stalls sat bishops in purple and
rich lace, canons in white, and minor canons in grey fur capes, priests and
deacons, and a hundred acolytes wearing silver-buckled shoes and
surplices. This chapel, with its life-size marble figures resting on the
cornices, has two organs, and here the choicest music is frequently heard.
"Of course the choir chapel was much too small to hold the great crowd,
which, therefore, overflowed into the aisles and nave of the vast church,
where the music could be heard likewise. This crowd broke up into groups,
each worthy of a study, and all combining to afford an effect at once strange
and picturesque. There are groups of Americans, English, French, Germans,
and Italians promenading round the church, talking in their respective
native tongues, gesticulating, and now and then pausing to admire a picture
or examine a statue. Acquaintances meet and greet; friends introduce
mutual friends; compliments are exchanged, and appointments made.
Meanwhile masses are being said at all the side altars, which are surrounded
by knots of people who fall on their knees at the sound of a little bell, and
say their prayers quite undisturbed by the general murmur going on around
them.
"Presently there is a stir in the crowd surrounding the choir chapel; the
organ is at its loudest, and then comes a long procession of vergers in
purple and scarlet facings, and cross and torch bearers, and censer bearers,
and acolytes and deacons and priests and canons and bishops, and a red-
robed cardinal in vestments of cloth of gold wrought and figured with many
a sacred sign, and, moreover, adorned with precious stones; and High Mass
at St. Peter's, on Christmas Day, is at an end.
Page 422
"During the day most of the shops and all the Government offices were
open. Soldiers were drilled all day long in the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele,
and were formally marched to their various barracks, headed by bands
discoursing martial music; whilst the postmen delivered their freight of
letters as on ordinary days of the week. In the afternoon most of those who
were at St. Peter's in the morning assembled to hear Grand Vespers at the
handsome and famous church of San Maria Maggiore, one of the oldest in
Christendom, the Mosaics on the chancel arch dating from the fifth century.
The church was illuminated with hundreds of candles and hung with scarlet
drapery, the effect being very fine; the music such as can alone be heard in
Rome. On the high altar was exhibited in a massive case of gold and crystal
two staves said to have been taken from the manger in which Christ was
laid, this being carried round the church at the conclusion of Vespers.
Almost every English visitor in Rome was present."
Christmas at Monte Carlo.
"Every one has heard of the tiny principality of Monaco, with its six square
miles of territory facing the Mediterranean, and lying below the wonderful
Corniche-road, which has been for ages the great highway south of the
Alps, connecting the South of France with Northern Italy. Of course many
visitors come here to gamble, but an increasing number are attracted by the
beauty of the scenery and the charm of the climate; and here some hundreds
of Englishmen and Englishwomen spent their Christmas Day and ate the
conventional plum-pudding. Christmas had been ushered in by a salvo of
artillery and a High Mass at the cathedral at eleven on Christmas Eve, and
holly and mistletoe (which seemed strangely out of place amongst the
yellow roses and hedges of geraniums) were in many hands. As illustrating
the mildness of the climate and the natural beauty of the district, the
following flowers were in full bloom in the open air on Christmas Day:
roses of every variety, geraniums, primulas, heliotropes, carnations,
anemones, narcissus, sweetwilliams, stocks, cactus, and pinks; and to these
may be added lemon trees and orange trees laden with their golden fruit. As
evening wore on a strong gale burst upon the shore, and Christmas Day
closed amongst waving foliage and clanging doors and clouds of dust, and
the fierce thud of angry surf upon the sea-shore below.
open. Soldiers were drilled all day long in the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele,
and were formally marched to their various barracks, headed by bands
discoursing martial music; whilst the postmen delivered their freight of
letters as on ordinary days of the week. In the afternoon most of those who
were at St. Peter's in the morning assembled to hear Grand Vespers at the
handsome and famous church of San Maria Maggiore, one of the oldest in
Christendom, the Mosaics on the chancel arch dating from the fifth century.
The church was illuminated with hundreds of candles and hung with scarlet
drapery, the effect being very fine; the music such as can alone be heard in
Rome. On the high altar was exhibited in a massive case of gold and crystal
two staves said to have been taken from the manger in which Christ was
laid, this being carried round the church at the conclusion of Vespers.
Almost every English visitor in Rome was present."
Christmas at Monte Carlo.
"Every one has heard of the tiny principality of Monaco, with its six square
miles of territory facing the Mediterranean, and lying below the wonderful
Corniche-road, which has been for ages the great highway south of the
Alps, connecting the South of France with Northern Italy. Of course many
visitors come here to gamble, but an increasing number are attracted by the
beauty of the scenery and the charm of the climate; and here some hundreds
of Englishmen and Englishwomen spent their Christmas Day and ate the
conventional plum-pudding. Christmas had been ushered in by a salvo of
artillery and a High Mass at the cathedral at eleven on Christmas Eve, and
holly and mistletoe (which seemed strangely out of place amongst the
yellow roses and hedges of geraniums) were in many hands. As illustrating
the mildness of the climate and the natural beauty of the district, the
following flowers were in full bloom in the open air on Christmas Day:
roses of every variety, geraniums, primulas, heliotropes, carnations,
anemones, narcissus, sweetwilliams, stocks, cactus, and pinks; and to these
may be added lemon trees and orange trees laden with their golden fruit. As
evening wore on a strong gale burst upon the shore, and Christmas Day
closed amongst waving foliage and clanging doors and clouds of dust, and
the fierce thud of angry surf upon the sea-shore below.
Page 423
"January 2, 1890. J. S. B."
Christmas Eve Festivities in Germany.
In "The German Christmas Eve," 1846, Madame Apolline Flohr recalls her
"childish recollections" of the Christmas festivities in the "happy family" of
which she was a member. They met amid the glare of a hundred lights, and
according to an old-established custom, they soon joined in chaunting the
simple hymn which begins:—
"Now let us thank our God;
Uplift our hands and hearts:
Eternal be His praise,
Who all good things imparts!"
After the singing (says the writer), I ventured for the first time, to approach
the pile of Christmas gifts intended for my sisters, my brothers, and myself.
The Christmas tree, always the common property of the children of the
house, bore gilded fruits of every species; and as we gazed with childish
delight on these sparkling treasures our dear parents wiped away the tears
they had plentifully shed, while our young voices were ringing out the
sweet hymn, led by our friend, Herr Von Clappart, with such deep and
solemn emotion.
Now, as the dear mother led each child to his or her own little table—for the
gifts for each were laid out separately, and thus apportioned beforehand—
all was joy and merriment.
A large table stood in the midst, surrounded by smaller ones, literally laden
with pretty and ingenious toys, the gifts of friends and kindred. We liked the
toys very much indeed. We were, however, too happy to endure quiet
pleasure very long, and all prepared to assemble around the Christmas tree.
After a delightful dance around the tree, and around our dear parents, our
presents were again examined; for the variety of offerings made on these
occasions would much exceed the belief of a stranger to our customs. Every
article for children's clothing was here to be found, both for ornament and
use; nor were books forgotten. It was then I received my first Bible and
Prayer-book; and at the moment the precious gift was placed in my hand, I
Christmas Eve Festivities in Germany.
In "The German Christmas Eve," 1846, Madame Apolline Flohr recalls her
"childish recollections" of the Christmas festivities in the "happy family" of
which she was a member. They met amid the glare of a hundred lights, and
according to an old-established custom, they soon joined in chaunting the
simple hymn which begins:—
"Now let us thank our God;
Uplift our hands and hearts:
Eternal be His praise,
Who all good things imparts!"
After the singing (says the writer), I ventured for the first time, to approach
the pile of Christmas gifts intended for my sisters, my brothers, and myself.
The Christmas tree, always the common property of the children of the
house, bore gilded fruits of every species; and as we gazed with childish
delight on these sparkling treasures our dear parents wiped away the tears
they had plentifully shed, while our young voices were ringing out the
sweet hymn, led by our friend, Herr Von Clappart, with such deep and
solemn emotion.
Now, as the dear mother led each child to his or her own little table—for the
gifts for each were laid out separately, and thus apportioned beforehand—
all was joy and merriment.
A large table stood in the midst, surrounded by smaller ones, literally laden
with pretty and ingenious toys, the gifts of friends and kindred. We liked the
toys very much indeed. We were, however, too happy to endure quiet
pleasure very long, and all prepared to assemble around the Christmas tree.
After a delightful dance around the tree, and around our dear parents, our
presents were again examined; for the variety of offerings made on these
occasions would much exceed the belief of a stranger to our customs. Every
article for children's clothing was here to be found, both for ornament and
use; nor were books forgotten. It was then I received my first Bible and
Prayer-book; and at the moment the precious gift was placed in my hand, I
Page 424
resolved to accompany my parents to church the following morning at five
o'clock. (This early attendance at public worship on Christmas morning is a
custom observed in Central Germany, and is called Christ-Kirche.)
The ceremony of withdrawing, in order to attire ourselves in some of our
new dresses, having been performed, we re-entered the apartment, upon
which the great folding-doors being thrown open, a second Christmas tree
appeared, laden with hundreds of lights. This effect was produced by the
tree being placed opposite some large looking-glasses, which reflected the
lights and redoubled their brilliancy.
Here hung the gifts prepared by the hands of the children for their beloved
parents.
My eldest sister, Charlotte, had knitted for her mother a beautiful evening
cap, and a long purse for her father.
Emily presented each one of the family with a pair of mittens; and the little
Adolphine made similar offerings of open-worked stockings, her first
attempt.
Our parents were also surprised and delighted to receive some drawings,
exceedingly well executed, by my brothers, accompanied by a letter of
thanks from those dear boys, for the kind permission to take lessons which
had been granted to them during the last half-year.
The great bell had called us together at five o'clock in the afternoon, to
receive our Christmas gifts; and though at eleven our eyes and hearts were
still wide awake, yet were we obliged to retire, and leave all these objects of
delight behind us. All remembered that, at least, the elder branches of the
family must rise betimes the next morning to attend the Christ-Kirche, and
to hear a sermon on the birth of the Saviour of Mankind.
The great excitement of the previous evening, and the vision of delight that
still hovered around my fancy, prevented my sleeping soundly; so that when
the others were attempting to steal away the next morning to go to church, I
was fully roused, and implored so earnestly to be taken with the rest of the
family, that at length my prayer was granted; but on condition that I should
keep perfectly still during the service.
o'clock. (This early attendance at public worship on Christmas morning is a
custom observed in Central Germany, and is called Christ-Kirche.)
The ceremony of withdrawing, in order to attire ourselves in some of our
new dresses, having been performed, we re-entered the apartment, upon
which the great folding-doors being thrown open, a second Christmas tree
appeared, laden with hundreds of lights. This effect was produced by the
tree being placed opposite some large looking-glasses, which reflected the
lights and redoubled their brilliancy.
Here hung the gifts prepared by the hands of the children for their beloved
parents.
My eldest sister, Charlotte, had knitted for her mother a beautiful evening
cap, and a long purse for her father.
Emily presented each one of the family with a pair of mittens; and the little
Adolphine made similar offerings of open-worked stockings, her first
attempt.
Our parents were also surprised and delighted to receive some drawings,
exceedingly well executed, by my brothers, accompanied by a letter of
thanks from those dear boys, for the kind permission to take lessons which
had been granted to them during the last half-year.
The great bell had called us together at five o'clock in the afternoon, to
receive our Christmas gifts; and though at eleven our eyes and hearts were
still wide awake, yet were we obliged to retire, and leave all these objects of
delight behind us. All remembered that, at least, the elder branches of the
family must rise betimes the next morning to attend the Christ-Kirche, and
to hear a sermon on the birth of the Saviour of Mankind.
The great excitement of the previous evening, and the vision of delight that
still hovered around my fancy, prevented my sleeping soundly; so that when
the others were attempting to steal away the next morning to go to church, I
was fully roused, and implored so earnestly to be taken with the rest of the
family, that at length my prayer was granted; but on condition that I should
keep perfectly still during the service.
Page 425
Arrived at the church we found it brilliantly illuminated, and decorated with
the boughs of the holly and other evergreens.
It is quite certain that a child of five years old could not understand the
importance, beauty, and extreme fitness of the sublime service she so often
witnessed in after life; yet I can recollect a peculiarly sweet, sacred, and
mysterious feeling taking possession of me, as my infant mind received the
one simple impression that this was the birthday of the Saviour I had been
taught to love and pray to, since my infant lips could lisp a word.
Since early impressions are likely to be permanent, it is considered most
important in my fatherland to surround, Christmas with all joyous and holy
associations. A day of days, indeed, it is with us—a day never to be
forgotten.
So far is this feeling carried, that it is no uncommon pastime, even at the
beginning of the new year, to project plans and presents, happy surprises,
and unlooked-for offerings, to be presented at the far-off time of Christmas
festivity.
Another writer, at the latter end of the nineteenth century, gives the
following account of the Christmas festivities at the German Court, from
which it appears that the long-cherished Christmas customs are well
preserved in the highest circle in Germany:—
Christmas at the German Court.
In accordance with an old custom the Royal Family of Prussia celebrate
Christmas in a private manner at the Emperor William's palace, where the
"blue dining-hall" on the first floor is arranged as the Christmas room. Two
long rows of tables are placed in this hall, and two smaller tables stand in
the corners on either side of the pillared door leading to the ballroom. On
these tables stand twelve of the finest and tallest fir-trees, reaching nearly to
the ceiling, and covered with innumerable white wax candles placed in
wire-holders, but without any other decoration.
In the afternoon of the 24th great packages are brought into this room
containing the presents for the members of the Imperial household, and in
the presence of the Emperor his Chamberlain distributes them on the tables
the boughs of the holly and other evergreens.
It is quite certain that a child of five years old could not understand the
importance, beauty, and extreme fitness of the sublime service she so often
witnessed in after life; yet I can recollect a peculiarly sweet, sacred, and
mysterious feeling taking possession of me, as my infant mind received the
one simple impression that this was the birthday of the Saviour I had been
taught to love and pray to, since my infant lips could lisp a word.
Since early impressions are likely to be permanent, it is considered most
important in my fatherland to surround, Christmas with all joyous and holy
associations. A day of days, indeed, it is with us—a day never to be
forgotten.
So far is this feeling carried, that it is no uncommon pastime, even at the
beginning of the new year, to project plans and presents, happy surprises,
and unlooked-for offerings, to be presented at the far-off time of Christmas
festivity.
Another writer, at the latter end of the nineteenth century, gives the
following account of the Christmas festivities at the German Court, from
which it appears that the long-cherished Christmas customs are well
preserved in the highest circle in Germany:—
Christmas at the German Court.
In accordance with an old custom the Royal Family of Prussia celebrate
Christmas in a private manner at the Emperor William's palace, where the
"blue dining-hall" on the first floor is arranged as the Christmas room. Two
long rows of tables are placed in this hall, and two smaller tables stand in
the corners on either side of the pillared door leading to the ballroom. On
these tables stand twelve of the finest and tallest fir-trees, reaching nearly to
the ceiling, and covered with innumerable white wax candles placed in
wire-holders, but without any other decoration.
In the afternoon of the 24th great packages are brought into this room
containing the presents for the members of the Imperial household, and in
the presence of the Emperor his Chamberlain distributes them on the tables
Page 426
under the trees. The monarch always takes an active part in this work, and,
walking about briskly from one table to the other, helps to place the objects
in the most advantageous positions, and fastens on them slips of white
paper on which he himself has written the names of the recipients. The
Empress is also present, occupied with arranging the presents for the ladies
of her own household. The two separate tables still remain empty, until the
Emperor and the Empress have left the room, as they are destined to hold
the presents for their Majesties.
At four o'clock the entire Royal Family assemble in the large dining-hall of
the Palace for their Christmas dinner. Besides all the Princes and Princesses
without exception, the members of the Imperial household, the chiefs of the
Emperor's military and civil Cabinets, and a number of adjutants are also
present.
Shortly after the termination of the dinner the double doors leading to the
blue hall are thrown wide open at a sign from the Emperor, and the brilliant
sight of the twelve great fir-trees bearing thousands of lighted tapers is
disclosed to view. This is the great moment of the German Christmas Eve
celebration. The Imperial couples then form in procession, and all proceed
to the Christmas room. The Emperor and the Empress then personally lead
the members of their households to the presents which are grouped in long
rows on the tables, and which comprise hundreds of articles, both valuable
and useful, objects of art, pictures, statuary, &c. Meanwhile, the two
separate tables still remain hidden under white draperies. In other rooms all
the officials and servants of the palace, down to the youngest stable-boy, are
presented with their Christmas-boxes. At about nine o'clock the Imperial
Family and their guests again return to the dining-room, where a plain
supper is then served. According to old tradition, the menu always includes
the following dishes: "Carp cooked in beer" (a Polish custom), and
"Mohnpielen," an East Prussian dish, composed of poppy-seed, white
bread, almonds and raisins, stewed in milk. After the supper all return once
more to the Christmas room, where the second part of the celebration—the
exchange of presents among the Royal Family—then comes off.
The Emperor's table stands on the right side of the ballroom door, and every
object placed on it bears a paper with an inscription intimating by whom the
present is given. The presents for the Empress on the other table are
walking about briskly from one table to the other, helps to place the objects
in the most advantageous positions, and fastens on them slips of white
paper on which he himself has written the names of the recipients. The
Empress is also present, occupied with arranging the presents for the ladies
of her own household. The two separate tables still remain empty, until the
Emperor and the Empress have left the room, as they are destined to hold
the presents for their Majesties.
At four o'clock the entire Royal Family assemble in the large dining-hall of
the Palace for their Christmas dinner. Besides all the Princes and Princesses
without exception, the members of the Imperial household, the chiefs of the
Emperor's military and civil Cabinets, and a number of adjutants are also
present.
Shortly after the termination of the dinner the double doors leading to the
blue hall are thrown wide open at a sign from the Emperor, and the brilliant
sight of the twelve great fir-trees bearing thousands of lighted tapers is
disclosed to view. This is the great moment of the German Christmas Eve
celebration. The Imperial couples then form in procession, and all proceed
to the Christmas room. The Emperor and the Empress then personally lead
the members of their households to the presents which are grouped in long
rows on the tables, and which comprise hundreds of articles, both valuable
and useful, objects of art, pictures, statuary, &c. Meanwhile, the two
separate tables still remain hidden under white draperies. In other rooms all
the officials and servants of the palace, down to the youngest stable-boy, are
presented with their Christmas-boxes. At about nine o'clock the Imperial
Family and their guests again return to the dining-room, where a plain
supper is then served. According to old tradition, the menu always includes
the following dishes: "Carp cooked in beer" (a Polish custom), and
"Mohnpielen," an East Prussian dish, composed of poppy-seed, white
bread, almonds and raisins, stewed in milk. After the supper all return once
more to the Christmas room, where the second part of the celebration—the
exchange of presents among the Royal Family—then comes off.
The Emperor's table stands on the right side of the ballroom door, and every
object placed on it bears a paper with an inscription intimating by whom the
present is given. The presents for the Empress on the other table are
Page 427
arranged in the same manner. Among the objects never missing at the
Emperor's Christmas are some large Nuremberg ginger cakes, with the
inscription "Weihnachten" and the year. About half-an-hour later tea is
taken, and this terminates the Christmas Eve of the first family of the
German Empire.
Christmas throughout Germany,
it may be added, is similarly observed in the year 1900. From the Imperial
palace to the poor man's cottage there is not a family in Germany that has
not its Christmas tree and "Weihnachts Bescheerung"—Christmas
distribution of presents. For the very poor districts of Berlin provision is
made by the municipal authorities or charitable societies to give the
children this form of amusement, which they look forward to throughout
the year.
The Christmas Festivities in Austria
are similar to those in Germany, the prominent feature being the
beautifully-adorned and splendidly-lighted Christmas-tree. At one of these
celebrations, a few years ago, the numerous presents received by the young
Princess Elizabeth included a speaking doll, fitted with a phonograph
cylinder, which created no small astonishment. Among other things, the doll
was able to recite a poem composed by the Archduchess Marie Valerie in
honour of Christmas Eve.
The poor and destitute of Vienna are not forgotten, for, in addition to the
Christmas-tree which is set up at the palace for them, a large number of
charitable associations in the various districts of Vienna have also
Christmas-trees laden with presents for the poor.
Christmas Eve in St. Mark's, Venice.
You go into the Duomo late on Christmas Eve, and find the time-stained
alabasters and dark aisles lit up with five hundreds of wax candles over
seven feet high. The massive silver lamps suspended across the choir have
the inner lamps all ablaze, as is also the graceful Byzantine chandelier in
the centre of the nave that glitters like a cluster of stars from dozens of tiny
Emperor's Christmas are some large Nuremberg ginger cakes, with the
inscription "Weihnachten" and the year. About half-an-hour later tea is
taken, and this terminates the Christmas Eve of the first family of the
German Empire.
Christmas throughout Germany,
it may be added, is similarly observed in the year 1900. From the Imperial
palace to the poor man's cottage there is not a family in Germany that has
not its Christmas tree and "Weihnachts Bescheerung"—Christmas
distribution of presents. For the very poor districts of Berlin provision is
made by the municipal authorities or charitable societies to give the
children this form of amusement, which they look forward to throughout
the year.
The Christmas Festivities in Austria
are similar to those in Germany, the prominent feature being the
beautifully-adorned and splendidly-lighted Christmas-tree. At one of these
celebrations, a few years ago, the numerous presents received by the young
Princess Elizabeth included a speaking doll, fitted with a phonograph
cylinder, which created no small astonishment. Among other things, the doll
was able to recite a poem composed by the Archduchess Marie Valerie in
honour of Christmas Eve.
The poor and destitute of Vienna are not forgotten, for, in addition to the
Christmas-tree which is set up at the palace for them, a large number of
charitable associations in the various districts of Vienna have also
Christmas-trees laden with presents for the poor.
Christmas Eve in St. Mark's, Venice.
You go into the Duomo late on Christmas Eve, and find the time-stained
alabasters and dark aisles lit up with five hundreds of wax candles over
seven feet high. The massive silver lamps suspended across the choir have
the inner lamps all ablaze, as is also the graceful Byzantine chandelier in
the centre of the nave that glitters like a cluster of stars from dozens of tiny
Page 428
glass cups with wick and oil within. In the solemn and mysterious gloom
you pass figures of men and women kneeling in devotion before the many
shrines. Some are accompanied by well-behaved and discreet dogs, who sit
patiently waiting till their owners' prayer shall be over; whilst others less
well trained, run about from group to group to smell out their friends or
growl at foes. You slowly work your way through the throng to the high
altar. That unique reredos, brought from Constantinople in early times—the
magnificent "Pala d'Ora," an enamelled work wrought on plates of gold and
silver, and studded with precious stones—is unveiled, and the front of the
altar has a rich frontispiece of the thirteenth century, which is of silver
washed with gold, and embossed figures. Numbers of ponderous candles
throw a glimmer over the treasures with which St. Mark's is so richly
endowed, that are profusely displayed on the altar. Bishops, canons and
priests in full dress are standing and kneeling, and the handsome and much-
beloved Patriarch of Venice officiates, in dress of gorgeous scarlet and
cream-coloured old lace, and heavy-brocaded cope, that is afterwards
exchanged for one of ermine, and flashing rings and jewelled cross. There is
no music, but a deep quiet pervades the dim golden domes overhead and the
faintly-lighted transepts. Stray rays of light catch the smooth surface of the
mosaics, which throw off sparkles of brightness and cast deeper shadows
beyond the uncertain radiance. After the midnight mass is celebrated you
pass out with the stream of people into the cold, frosty night, with only the
bright stars to guide you through the silent alleys to your rooms, where you
wish each other "A Merry Christmas!" and retire to sleep, and to dream of
the old home in England.—Queen.
you pass figures of men and women kneeling in devotion before the many
shrines. Some are accompanied by well-behaved and discreet dogs, who sit
patiently waiting till their owners' prayer shall be over; whilst others less
well trained, run about from group to group to smell out their friends or
growl at foes. You slowly work your way through the throng to the high
altar. That unique reredos, brought from Constantinople in early times—the
magnificent "Pala d'Ora," an enamelled work wrought on plates of gold and
silver, and studded with precious stones—is unveiled, and the front of the
altar has a rich frontispiece of the thirteenth century, which is of silver
washed with gold, and embossed figures. Numbers of ponderous candles
throw a glimmer over the treasures with which St. Mark's is so richly
endowed, that are profusely displayed on the altar. Bishops, canons and
priests in full dress are standing and kneeling, and the handsome and much-
beloved Patriarch of Venice officiates, in dress of gorgeous scarlet and
cream-coloured old lace, and heavy-brocaded cope, that is afterwards
exchanged for one of ermine, and flashing rings and jewelled cross. There is
no music, but a deep quiet pervades the dim golden domes overhead and the
faintly-lighted transepts. Stray rays of light catch the smooth surface of the
mosaics, which throw off sparkles of brightness and cast deeper shadows
beyond the uncertain radiance. After the midnight mass is celebrated you
pass out with the stream of people into the cold, frosty night, with only the
bright stars to guide you through the silent alleys to your rooms, where you
wish each other "A Merry Christmas!" and retire to sleep, and to dream of
the old home in England.—Queen.
Page 429
sassoferrato (giovanni battista salvi) 1605˗85
museum naples
museum naples
Page 430
Christmas in Naples.
An English writer who spent a Christmas in Naples a few years ago, says:
—
In the south Christmas is bright and gay, and in truth noisy. The festa
natalizie, as it is called in Naples, is celebrated by fairs and bonfires and
fireworks. In the Toledo, that famous street known to all the world, booths
are erected beside the shops, flaming in colour, and filled with all sorts of
tempting wares. Throughout Christmas Eve an immense crowd of men,
women, and children throng this street, nearly a mile in length. The vendors
shriek at the top of their voice, praising themselves and their goods, and
then, with merry peals of laughter, exhibit with Neapolitan drollery all the
arts of their trade. The crowd catch the contagious spirit of fun, and toss
witticisms to and fro, until the welkin rings with shouts and laughter. A
revolution in Paris could not create greater excitement, or greater noise,
than the Christmas fair at Naples, the largest, and certainly the merriest, in
the world. As night draws on the mirth grows uproarious; improvisations
abound. Pulcinello attracts laughing crowds. The bagpipes strike with their
ear-piercing sounds, and arise shrill above universal din. Fireworks are let
off at every street corner, flaming torches carried in procession parade the
streets; rockets rise in the air, coloured lamps are hung over doorways, and
in the midst of the blaze of light the church bells announce the midnight
Mass, and the crowd leave the fair and the streets, and on bended knee are
worshipping.
An English writer who spent a Christmas in Naples a few years ago, says:
—
In the south Christmas is bright and gay, and in truth noisy. The festa
natalizie, as it is called in Naples, is celebrated by fairs and bonfires and
fireworks. In the Toledo, that famous street known to all the world, booths
are erected beside the shops, flaming in colour, and filled with all sorts of
tempting wares. Throughout Christmas Eve an immense crowd of men,
women, and children throng this street, nearly a mile in length. The vendors
shriek at the top of their voice, praising themselves and their goods, and
then, with merry peals of laughter, exhibit with Neapolitan drollery all the
arts of their trade. The crowd catch the contagious spirit of fun, and toss
witticisms to and fro, until the welkin rings with shouts and laughter. A
revolution in Paris could not create greater excitement, or greater noise,
than the Christmas fair at Naples, the largest, and certainly the merriest, in
the world. As night draws on the mirth grows uproarious; improvisations
abound. Pulcinello attracts laughing crowds. The bagpipes strike with their
ear-piercing sounds, and arise shrill above universal din. Fireworks are let
off at every street corner, flaming torches carried in procession parade the
streets; rockets rise in the air, coloured lamps are hung over doorways, and
in the midst of the blaze of light the church bells announce the midnight
Mass, and the crowd leave the fair and the streets, and on bended knee are
worshipping.
Page 431
Page 432
Luis de Vargas 1502-1568 Seville Cathedral
Christmas in Spain.
Spain in winter must be divided into Spain the frigid and Spain the semi-
tropic; for while snow lies a foot deep at Christmas in the north, in the south
the sun is shining brightly, and flowers of spring are peeping out, and a
nosegay of heliotrope and open-air geraniums is the Christmas-holly and
mistletoe of Andalusia. There is no chill in the air, there is no frost on the
window-pane.
When Christmas Eve comes the two days' holiday commences. At twelve
the labourers leave their work, repair home, and dress in their best. Then the
shops are all ablaze with lights, ribbons and streamers, with tempting fare
of sweets and sausages, with red and yellow serge to make warm petticoats;
with cymbals, drums, and zambombas. The chief sweetmeats, peculiar to
Christmas, and bought alike by rich and poor, are the various kinds of
preserved fruits, incrusted with sugar, and the famous turrni. This last,
which is of four kinds, and may be called in English phraseology, "almond
rock," is brought to your door, and buy it you must. A coarse kind is sold to
the poor at a cheap rate. Other comestibles, peculiar to Christmas, are
almond soup, truffled turkey, roasted chestnuts, and nuts of every sort.
Before the Noche-buena, or Christmas Eve, however, one or two good
deeds have been done by the civil and military authorities. On the twenty-
third or twenty-fourth the custom is for the military governor to visit all the
soldier prisoners, in company with their respective defensores, or
advocates; and, de officio, there and then, he liberates all who are in gaol for
light offences. This plan is also pursued in the civil prisons; and thus a
beautiful custom is kept up in classic, romantic, Old-world Spain, and a ray
of hope enters into and illuminates even the bitter darkness of a Spanish
prisoners' den.
It is Christmas Eve. The poor man has his relations round him, over his
humble puchero (stew): the rich man likewise. Friends have not come, "for
it is not the custom." In Spain only blood relations eat and drink in the
house as invited guests. Families meet as in England. Two per cent. of the
soldiers get a fortnight's leave of absence and a free pass; and there is joy in
Christmas in Spain.
Spain in winter must be divided into Spain the frigid and Spain the semi-
tropic; for while snow lies a foot deep at Christmas in the north, in the south
the sun is shining brightly, and flowers of spring are peeping out, and a
nosegay of heliotrope and open-air geraniums is the Christmas-holly and
mistletoe of Andalusia. There is no chill in the air, there is no frost on the
window-pane.
When Christmas Eve comes the two days' holiday commences. At twelve
the labourers leave their work, repair home, and dress in their best. Then the
shops are all ablaze with lights, ribbons and streamers, with tempting fare
of sweets and sausages, with red and yellow serge to make warm petticoats;
with cymbals, drums, and zambombas. The chief sweetmeats, peculiar to
Christmas, and bought alike by rich and poor, are the various kinds of
preserved fruits, incrusted with sugar, and the famous turrni. This last,
which is of four kinds, and may be called in English phraseology, "almond
rock," is brought to your door, and buy it you must. A coarse kind is sold to
the poor at a cheap rate. Other comestibles, peculiar to Christmas, are
almond soup, truffled turkey, roasted chestnuts, and nuts of every sort.
Before the Noche-buena, or Christmas Eve, however, one or two good
deeds have been done by the civil and military authorities. On the twenty-
third or twenty-fourth the custom is for the military governor to visit all the
soldier prisoners, in company with their respective defensores, or
advocates; and, de officio, there and then, he liberates all who are in gaol for
light offences. This plan is also pursued in the civil prisons; and thus a
beautiful custom is kept up in classic, romantic, Old-world Spain, and a ray
of hope enters into and illuminates even the bitter darkness of a Spanish
prisoners' den.
It is Christmas Eve. The poor man has his relations round him, over his
humble puchero (stew): the rich man likewise. Friends have not come, "for
it is not the custom." In Spain only blood relations eat and drink in the
house as invited guests. Families meet as in England. Two per cent. of the
soldiers get a fortnight's leave of absence and a free pass; and there is joy in
Page 433
peasant homes over peasant charcoal pans. The dusky shades of evening are
stealing over olive grove and withering vineyard, and every house lights up
its tiny oil lamp, and every image of the Virgin is illuminated with a taper.
In Eija, near Cordova, an image or portrait of the Virgin and the Babe new-
born, hangs in well-nigh every room in every house. And why? Because the
beautiful belief is rooted in those simple minds, that, on Christmas Eve, ere
the clock strikes twelve, the Virgin, bringing blessings in her train, visits
every house where she can find an image or portrait of her Son. And many a
girl kneels down in robes of white before her humble portrait of the Babe
and prays; and hears a rustle in the room, and thinks, "the Virgin comes: she
brings me my Christmas Eve blessing;" and turns, and lo! it is her mother,
and the Virgin's blessing is the mother's kiss!
In Northern Andalusia you have the zambomba, a flower-pot perforated by
a hollow reed, which, wetted and rubbed with the finger, gives out a hollow,
scraping, monotonous sound. In Southern Andalusia the panderita, or
tambourine, is the chief instrument. It is wreathed with gaudy ribbons, and
decked with bells, and beaten, shaken, and tossed in the air with graceful
abandon to the strains of the Christmas hymn:
"This night is the good night,
And therefore is no night of rest!"
Or, perhaps, the Church chant is sung, called "The child of God was born."
Then also men click the castanet in wine-shop and cottage; and in such old-
world towns as Eija, where no railway has penetrated, a breast-plate of
eccentrically strung bones—slung round the neck and played with sticks—
is still seen and heard.
The turkeys have been slaughtered and are smoking on the fire. The night is
drawing on and now the meal is over. Twelve o'clock strikes, and in one
moment every bell from every belfrey clangs out its summons. Poltroon
were he who had gone to bed before twelve on Noche-buena. From every
house the inmates hurry to the gaily-lit church and throng its aisles, a dark-
robed crowd of worshippers. The organ peals out, the priests and choir
chant at this midnight hour the Christmas hymn, and at last (in some out-of-
the-way towns) the priests, in gaudiest robes, bring out from under the altar
and expose aloft to the crowds, in swaddling-clothes of gold and white, the
stealing over olive grove and withering vineyard, and every house lights up
its tiny oil lamp, and every image of the Virgin is illuminated with a taper.
In Eija, near Cordova, an image or portrait of the Virgin and the Babe new-
born, hangs in well-nigh every room in every house. And why? Because the
beautiful belief is rooted in those simple minds, that, on Christmas Eve, ere
the clock strikes twelve, the Virgin, bringing blessings in her train, visits
every house where she can find an image or portrait of her Son. And many a
girl kneels down in robes of white before her humble portrait of the Babe
and prays; and hears a rustle in the room, and thinks, "the Virgin comes: she
brings me my Christmas Eve blessing;" and turns, and lo! it is her mother,
and the Virgin's blessing is the mother's kiss!
In Northern Andalusia you have the zambomba, a flower-pot perforated by
a hollow reed, which, wetted and rubbed with the finger, gives out a hollow,
scraping, monotonous sound. In Southern Andalusia the panderita, or
tambourine, is the chief instrument. It is wreathed with gaudy ribbons, and
decked with bells, and beaten, shaken, and tossed in the air with graceful
abandon to the strains of the Christmas hymn:
"This night is the good night,
And therefore is no night of rest!"
Or, perhaps, the Church chant is sung, called "The child of God was born."
Then also men click the castanet in wine-shop and cottage; and in such old-
world towns as Eija, where no railway has penetrated, a breast-plate of
eccentrically strung bones—slung round the neck and played with sticks—
is still seen and heard.
The turkeys have been slaughtered and are smoking on the fire. The night is
drawing on and now the meal is over. Twelve o'clock strikes, and in one
moment every bell from every belfrey clangs out its summons. Poltroon
were he who had gone to bed before twelve on Noche-buena. From every
house the inmates hurry to the gaily-lit church and throng its aisles, a dark-
robed crowd of worshippers. The organ peals out, the priests and choir
chant at this midnight hour the Christmas hymn, and at last (in some out-of-
the-way towns) the priests, in gaudiest robes, bring out from under the altar
and expose aloft to the crowds, in swaddling-clothes of gold and white, the
Page 434
Babe new-born, and all fall down and cross themselves in mute adoration.
This service is universal, and is called the "Misa del Gallo," or Cock-crow
Mass, and even in Madrid it is customary to attend it. There are three
masses also on Christmas Day, and the Church rule, strictly observed, is
that if a man fail to attend this Midnight Mass he must, to save his religious
character, attend all three on Christmas Day. In antique towns, like Eija,
there are two days' early mass (called "Misa di Luz") anterior to the "Misa
del Gallo," at 4 a.m., and in the raw morning the churches are thronged with
rich and poor. In that strange, old-world town, also, the chief dame goes to
the Midnight Mass, all her men-servants in procession before her, each
playing a different instrument.
Christmas Eve is over. It is 1.30 a.m. on Christmas morning, and the
crowds, orderly, devout, cheerful, are wending their way home. Then all is
hushed; all have sought repose; there are no drunken riots; the dark streets
are lit by the tiny oil lamps; the watchman's monotonous cry alone is heard,
"Ave Maria purissima; las dos; y sereno."
The three masses at the churches on Christmas Day are all chanted to
joyous music. Then the poor come in to pay their rent of turkeys, pigs,
olives, or what not, to their landlord, and he gives them a Christmas-box:
such as a piece of salt fish, or money, or what may be. Then, when you
enter your house, you will find on your table, with the heading, "A Happy
Christmas," a book of little leaflets, printed with verses. These are the
petitions of the postman, scavenger, telegraph man, newsboy, &c., asking
you for a Christmas-box. Poor fellows! they get little enough, and a couple
of francs is well bestowed on them once a year. After mid-day breakfast or
luncheon is over, rich and poor walk out and take the air, and a gaudy,
pompous crowd they form as a rule. As regards presents at Christmas, the
rule is, in primitive Spain, to send a present to the Cura (parish priest) and
the doctor. Many Spaniards pay a fixed annual sum to their medical man,
and he attends all the family, including servants. His salary is sent to him at
Christmas, with the addition of a turkey, or a cake, or some fine
sweetmeats.
On Christmas Eve the provincial hospitals present one of their most striking
aspects to the visitor. It is a feast-day, and instead of the usual stew, the soup
called caldo—and very weak stuff it is—or the stir-about and fried bread,
This service is universal, and is called the "Misa del Gallo," or Cock-crow
Mass, and even in Madrid it is customary to attend it. There are three
masses also on Christmas Day, and the Church rule, strictly observed, is
that if a man fail to attend this Midnight Mass he must, to save his religious
character, attend all three on Christmas Day. In antique towns, like Eija,
there are two days' early mass (called "Misa di Luz") anterior to the "Misa
del Gallo," at 4 a.m., and in the raw morning the churches are thronged with
rich and poor. In that strange, old-world town, also, the chief dame goes to
the Midnight Mass, all her men-servants in procession before her, each
playing a different instrument.
Christmas Eve is over. It is 1.30 a.m. on Christmas morning, and the
crowds, orderly, devout, cheerful, are wending their way home. Then all is
hushed; all have sought repose; there are no drunken riots; the dark streets
are lit by the tiny oil lamps; the watchman's monotonous cry alone is heard,
"Ave Maria purissima; las dos; y sereno."
The three masses at the churches on Christmas Day are all chanted to
joyous music. Then the poor come in to pay their rent of turkeys, pigs,
olives, or what not, to their landlord, and he gives them a Christmas-box:
such as a piece of salt fish, or money, or what may be. Then, when you
enter your house, you will find on your table, with the heading, "A Happy
Christmas," a book of little leaflets, printed with verses. These are the
petitions of the postman, scavenger, telegraph man, newsboy, &c., asking
you for a Christmas-box. Poor fellows! they get little enough, and a couple
of francs is well bestowed on them once a year. After mid-day breakfast or
luncheon is over, rich and poor walk out and take the air, and a gaudy,
pompous crowd they form as a rule. As regards presents at Christmas, the
rule is, in primitive Spain, to send a present to the Cura (parish priest) and
the doctor. Many Spaniards pay a fixed annual sum to their medical man,
and he attends all the family, including servants. His salary is sent to him at
Christmas, with the addition of a turkey, or a cake, or some fine
sweetmeats.
On Christmas Eve the provincial hospitals present one of their most striking
aspects to the visitor. It is a feast-day, and instead of the usual stew, the soup
called caldo—and very weak stuff it is—or the stir-about and fried bread,
Page 435
the sick have their good sound meats, cooked in savoury and most approved
fashion, their tumbler of wine, their extra cigar. Visitors, kindly Spanish
ladies, come in, their hands laden with sweets and tobacco, &c., and the
sight of the black silk dresses trailing over the lowly hospital couches is
most human and pathetic. At last night—the veritable Christmas Eve
comes. The chapels in these hospitals are generally on the ground floor, and
frequently sunk some feet below it, but open to the hospital; so that the poor
inmates who can leave their beds can hobble to the railing and look down
into the chapel—one mass of dazzling lights, glitter, colour, and music: and
thus, without the fatigue of descending the stairs, can join in the service. At
half-past eleven at night the chapel is gaily lit up; carriage after carriage,
mule-cart after mule-cart rattles up to the hospital door, discharging crowds
of ladies and gentlemen in evening dress; thus the common people, chiefly
the young, with their tambourines and zambombas, pour into the chapel
from Campo, and alley, and street, and soon the chapel is filled; while
above, sitting, hobbling, lying all round the rails, and gazing down upon the
motley and noisy throng below, are the inmates of the hospital. The priest
begins the Midnight Mass, and the organs take up the service, the whole of
which, for one hour, is chanted. Meanwhile, the tambourines and other
musical instruments are busy, and join in the strains of the organ; and the
din, glitter, and excitement are most exhilarating. And thus the occupants of
the Spanish provincial hospitals join in the festivities of Christmastide, as
seen by one who has dwelt "Among the Spanish People."
fashion, their tumbler of wine, their extra cigar. Visitors, kindly Spanish
ladies, come in, their hands laden with sweets and tobacco, &c., and the
sight of the black silk dresses trailing over the lowly hospital couches is
most human and pathetic. At last night—the veritable Christmas Eve
comes. The chapels in these hospitals are generally on the ground floor, and
frequently sunk some feet below it, but open to the hospital; so that the poor
inmates who can leave their beds can hobble to the railing and look down
into the chapel—one mass of dazzling lights, glitter, colour, and music: and
thus, without the fatigue of descending the stairs, can join in the service. At
half-past eleven at night the chapel is gaily lit up; carriage after carriage,
mule-cart after mule-cart rattles up to the hospital door, discharging crowds
of ladies and gentlemen in evening dress; thus the common people, chiefly
the young, with their tambourines and zambombas, pour into the chapel
from Campo, and alley, and street, and soon the chapel is filled; while
above, sitting, hobbling, lying all round the rails, and gazing down upon the
motley and noisy throng below, are the inmates of the hospital. The priest
begins the Midnight Mass, and the organs take up the service, the whole of
which, for one hour, is chanted. Meanwhile, the tambourines and other
musical instruments are busy, and join in the strains of the organ; and the
din, glitter, and excitement are most exhilarating. And thus the occupants of
the Spanish provincial hospitals join in the festivities of Christmastide, as
seen by one who has dwelt "Among the Spanish People."
Page 436
Christmas Customs in Norway.
A writer who knows the manners and habits of the people of Norway, and
their customs at Christmastide, says:—
At Christiania, and other Norwegian towns, there is, or used to be, a
delicate Christmas custom of offering to a lady a brooch or a pair of earings
in a truss of hay. The house-door of the person to be complimented is
pushed open, and there is thrown into the house a truss of hay or straw, a
sheaf of corn, or a bag of chaff. In some part of this "bottle of hay"
envelope, there is a "needle" as a present to be hunted for. A friend of mine
once received from her betrothed, according to the Christmas custom, an
exceedingly large brown paper parcel, which, on being opened, revealed a
second parcel with a loving motto on the cover. And so on, parcel within
parcel, motto within motto, till the kernel of this paper husk—which was at
length discovered to be a delicate piece of minute jewellery—was arrived
at.
One of the prettiest of Christmas customs is the Norwegian practice of
giving, on Christmas Day, a dinner to the birds. On Christmas morning
every gable, gateway, or barn-door, is decorated with a sheaf of corn fixed
on the top of a tall pole, wherefrom it is intended that the birds should make
their Christmas dinner. Even the peasants contrive to have a handful set by
for this purpose, and what the birds do not eat on Christmas Day, remains
for them to finish at their leisure during the winter.
On New Year's Day in Norway, friends and acquaintances exchange calls
and good wishes. In the corner of each reception-room is placed a little
table, furnished all through the day with wine and cakes for the refreshment
of the visitors; who talk, and compliment, and flirt, and sip wine, and nibble
cake from house to house, with great perseverance.
Between Christmas and Twelfth Day mummers are in season. They are
called "Julebukker," or Christmas goblins. They invariably appear after
dark, and in masks and fancy dresses. A host may therefore have to
entertain in the course of the season, a Punch, Mephistopheles,
Charlemagne, Number, Nip, Gustavus, Oberon, and whole companies of
A writer who knows the manners and habits of the people of Norway, and
their customs at Christmastide, says:—
At Christiania, and other Norwegian towns, there is, or used to be, a
delicate Christmas custom of offering to a lady a brooch or a pair of earings
in a truss of hay. The house-door of the person to be complimented is
pushed open, and there is thrown into the house a truss of hay or straw, a
sheaf of corn, or a bag of chaff. In some part of this "bottle of hay"
envelope, there is a "needle" as a present to be hunted for. A friend of mine
once received from her betrothed, according to the Christmas custom, an
exceedingly large brown paper parcel, which, on being opened, revealed a
second parcel with a loving motto on the cover. And so on, parcel within
parcel, motto within motto, till the kernel of this paper husk—which was at
length discovered to be a delicate piece of minute jewellery—was arrived
at.
One of the prettiest of Christmas customs is the Norwegian practice of
giving, on Christmas Day, a dinner to the birds. On Christmas morning
every gable, gateway, or barn-door, is decorated with a sheaf of corn fixed
on the top of a tall pole, wherefrom it is intended that the birds should make
their Christmas dinner. Even the peasants contrive to have a handful set by
for this purpose, and what the birds do not eat on Christmas Day, remains
for them to finish at their leisure during the winter.
On New Year's Day in Norway, friends and acquaintances exchange calls
and good wishes. In the corner of each reception-room is placed a little
table, furnished all through the day with wine and cakes for the refreshment
of the visitors; who talk, and compliment, and flirt, and sip wine, and nibble
cake from house to house, with great perseverance.
Between Christmas and Twelfth Day mummers are in season. They are
called "Julebukker," or Christmas goblins. They invariably appear after
dark, and in masks and fancy dresses. A host may therefore have to
entertain in the course of the season, a Punch, Mephistopheles,
Charlemagne, Number, Nip, Gustavus, Oberon, and whole companies of
Page 437
other fanciful and historic characters; but, as their antics are performed in
silence, they are not particularly cheerful company.
Christmas in Russia.
With Christmas Eve begins the festive season known in Russia as Svyatki or
Svyatuie Vechera (Holy Evenings), which lasts till the Epiphany. The
numerous sportive ceremonies which are associated with it resemble, in
many respects, those with which we are familiar, but they are rendered
specially interesting and valuable by the relics of the past which they have
been the means of preserving—the fragments of ritual song which refer to
the ancient paganism of the land, the time-honoured customs which
originally belonged to the feasts with which the heathen Slavs greeted each
year the return of the sun. On Christmas Eve commences the singing of the
songs called Kolyadki, a word, generally supposed to be akin to Kalendæ,
though reference is made in some of them to a mysterious being, apparently
a solar goddess, named Kolyada. "Kolyada, Kolyada! Kolyada has come.
We wandered about, we sought holy Kolyada in all the courtyards,"
commences one of these old songs, for many a year, no doubt, solemnly
sung by the young people who used in olden times to escort from
homestead to homestead a sledge in which sat a girl dressed in white, who
represented the benignant goddess. Nowadays these songs have in many
places fallen into disuse, or are kept up only by the children who go from
house to house, to congratulate the inhabitants on the arrival of Christmas,
and to wish them a prosperous New Year. In every home, says one of these
archaic poems, are three inner chambers. In one is the bright moon, in
another the red sun, in a third many stars. The bright moon—that is the
master of the house; the red sun—that is the housewife; the many stars—
they are the little children.
The Russian Church sternly sets its face against the old customs with which
the Christmas season was associated, denouncing the "fiendish songs," and
"devilish games," the "graceless talk," the "nocturnal gambols," and the
various kinds of divination in which the faithful persisted in indulging. But,
although repressed, they were not to be destroyed, and at various seasons of
the year, but especially those of the summer and winter solstice, the
"orthodox," in spite of their pastors, made merry with old heathenish sports,
silence, they are not particularly cheerful company.
Christmas in Russia.
With Christmas Eve begins the festive season known in Russia as Svyatki or
Svyatuie Vechera (Holy Evenings), which lasts till the Epiphany. The
numerous sportive ceremonies which are associated with it resemble, in
many respects, those with which we are familiar, but they are rendered
specially interesting and valuable by the relics of the past which they have
been the means of preserving—the fragments of ritual song which refer to
the ancient paganism of the land, the time-honoured customs which
originally belonged to the feasts with which the heathen Slavs greeted each
year the return of the sun. On Christmas Eve commences the singing of the
songs called Kolyadki, a word, generally supposed to be akin to Kalendæ,
though reference is made in some of them to a mysterious being, apparently
a solar goddess, named Kolyada. "Kolyada, Kolyada! Kolyada has come.
We wandered about, we sought holy Kolyada in all the courtyards,"
commences one of these old songs, for many a year, no doubt, solemnly
sung by the young people who used in olden times to escort from
homestead to homestead a sledge in which sat a girl dressed in white, who
represented the benignant goddess. Nowadays these songs have in many
places fallen into disuse, or are kept up only by the children who go from
house to house, to congratulate the inhabitants on the arrival of Christmas,
and to wish them a prosperous New Year. In every home, says one of these
archaic poems, are three inner chambers. In one is the bright moon, in
another the red sun, in a third many stars. The bright moon—that is the
master of the house; the red sun—that is the housewife; the many stars—
they are the little children.
The Russian Church sternly sets its face against the old customs with which
the Christmas season was associated, denouncing the "fiendish songs," and
"devilish games," the "graceless talk," the "nocturnal gambols," and the
various kinds of divination in which the faithful persisted in indulging. But,
although repressed, they were not to be destroyed, and at various seasons of
the year, but especially those of the summer and winter solstice, the
"orthodox," in spite of their pastors, made merry with old heathenish sports,
Page 438
and, after listening to Christian psalms in church, went home and sang
songs framed by their ancestors in honour of heathen divinities. Thus
century after century went by, and the fortunes of Russia underwent great
changes. But still in the villages were the old customs kept up, and when
Christmas Day came round it was greeted by survivals of the ceremonies
with which the ancient Slavs hailed the returning sun god, who caused the
days to lengthen, and filled the minds of men with hopes of a new year rich
in fruits and grain. One of the customs to which the Church most strongly
objected was that of mumming. As in other lands, so in Russia it was
customary for mummers to go about at Christmastide, visiting various
homes in which the festivities of the season were being kept up, and there
dancing, and performing all kinds of antics. Prominent parts were always
played by human representatives of a goat and a bear. Some of the party
would be disguised as "Lazaruses," that is, as the blind beggars who bear
that name, and whose plaintive strains have resounded all over Russia from
the earliest times to the present day. The rest disguised themselves as they
best could, a certain number of them being generally supposed to play the
part of thieves desirous to break in and steal. When, after a time, they were
admitted into the room where the Christmas guests were assembled, the
goat and the bear would dance a merry round together, the Lazaruses would
sing their "dumps so dull and heavy," and the rest of the performers would
exert themselves to produce exhilaration. Even among the upper classes it
was long the custom at this time of year for the young people to dress up
and visit their neighbours in disguise. Thus in Count Tolstoy's "Peace and
War," a novel which aims at giving a true account of the Russia of the early
part of the present century, there is a charming description of a visit of this
kind paid by the younger members of one family to another. On a bright
frosty night the sledges are suddenly ordered, and the young people dress
up, and away they drive across the crackling snow to a country house six
miles off, all the actors creating a great sensation, but especially the fair
maiden Sonya, who proves irresistible when clad in her cousin's hussar
uniform and adorned with an elegant moustache. Such mummers as these
would lay aside their disguises with a light conscience, but the peasant was
apt to feel a depressing qualm when the sports were over; and it is said that,
even at the present day, there are rustics who do not venture to go to church,
after having taken part in a mumming, until they have washed off their guilt
by immersing themselves in the benumbing waters of an ice-hole.
songs framed by their ancestors in honour of heathen divinities. Thus
century after century went by, and the fortunes of Russia underwent great
changes. But still in the villages were the old customs kept up, and when
Christmas Day came round it was greeted by survivals of the ceremonies
with which the ancient Slavs hailed the returning sun god, who caused the
days to lengthen, and filled the minds of men with hopes of a new year rich
in fruits and grain. One of the customs to which the Church most strongly
objected was that of mumming. As in other lands, so in Russia it was
customary for mummers to go about at Christmastide, visiting various
homes in which the festivities of the season were being kept up, and there
dancing, and performing all kinds of antics. Prominent parts were always
played by human representatives of a goat and a bear. Some of the party
would be disguised as "Lazaruses," that is, as the blind beggars who bear
that name, and whose plaintive strains have resounded all over Russia from
the earliest times to the present day. The rest disguised themselves as they
best could, a certain number of them being generally supposed to play the
part of thieves desirous to break in and steal. When, after a time, they were
admitted into the room where the Christmas guests were assembled, the
goat and the bear would dance a merry round together, the Lazaruses would
sing their "dumps so dull and heavy," and the rest of the performers would
exert themselves to produce exhilaration. Even among the upper classes it
was long the custom at this time of year for the young people to dress up
and visit their neighbours in disguise. Thus in Count Tolstoy's "Peace and
War," a novel which aims at giving a true account of the Russia of the early
part of the present century, there is a charming description of a visit of this
kind paid by the younger members of one family to another. On a bright
frosty night the sledges are suddenly ordered, and the young people dress
up, and away they drive across the crackling snow to a country house six
miles off, all the actors creating a great sensation, but especially the fair
maiden Sonya, who proves irresistible when clad in her cousin's hussar
uniform and adorned with an elegant moustache. Such mummers as these
would lay aside their disguises with a light conscience, but the peasant was
apt to feel a depressing qualm when the sports were over; and it is said that,
even at the present day, there are rustics who do not venture to go to church,
after having taken part in a mumming, until they have washed off their guilt
by immersing themselves in the benumbing waters of an ice-hole.
Page 439
Next to the mumming, what the Church most objected to was the divination
always practised at Christmas festivals. With one of its forms a number of
songs have been associated, termed podblyudnuiya, as connected with a
blyudo, a dish or bowl. Into some vessel of this kind the young people drop
tokens. A cloth is then thrown over it, and the various objects are drawn out,
one after another, to the sound of songs, from the tenor of which the owners
deduce omens relative to their future happiness. As bread and salt are also
thrown into the bowl, the ceremony may be supposed to have originally
partaken of the nature of a sacrifice. After these songs are over ought to
come the game known as the "burial of the gold." The last ring remaining in
the prophetic bowl is taken out by one of the girls, who keeps it concealed
in her hand. The others sit in a circle, resting their hands on their knees. She
walks slowly round, while the first four lines are sung in chorus of the song
beginning, "See here, gold I bury, I bury." Then she slips the ring into one
of their hands, from which it is rapidly passed on to another, the song being
continued the while. When it comes to an end the "gold burier" must try to
guess in whose hand the ring is concealed. This game is a poetical form of
our "hunt the slipper." Like many other Slavonic customs it is by some
archæologists traced home to Greece. By certain mythologists the "gold" is
supposed to be an emblem of the sun, long hidden by envious wintry
clouds, but at this time of year beginning to prolong the hours of daylight.
To the sun really refer, in all probability, the bonfires with which
Christmastide, as well as the New Year and Midsummer is greeted in
Russia. In the Ukraine the sweepings from a cottage are carefully preserved
from Christmas Day to New Year's Day, and are then burnt in a garden at
sunrise. Among some of the Slavs, such as the Servians, Croatians, and
Dalmatians, a badnyak, or piece of wood answering to the northern Yule-
log, is solemnly burnt on Christmas Eve. But the significance originally
attached to these practices has long been forgotten. Thus the grave attempts
of olden times to search the secrets of futurity have degenerated into the
sportive guesses of young people, who half believe that they may learn
from omens at Christmas time what manner of marriages are in store for
them. Divinings of this kind are known to all lands, and bear a strong
family likeness; but it is, of course, only in a cold country that a spinster can
find an opportunity of sitting beside a hole cut in the surface of a frozen
river, listening to prophetic sounds proceeding from beneath the ice, and
possibly seeing the image of the husband who she is to marry within the
always practised at Christmas festivals. With one of its forms a number of
songs have been associated, termed podblyudnuiya, as connected with a
blyudo, a dish or bowl. Into some vessel of this kind the young people drop
tokens. A cloth is then thrown over it, and the various objects are drawn out,
one after another, to the sound of songs, from the tenor of which the owners
deduce omens relative to their future happiness. As bread and salt are also
thrown into the bowl, the ceremony may be supposed to have originally
partaken of the nature of a sacrifice. After these songs are over ought to
come the game known as the "burial of the gold." The last ring remaining in
the prophetic bowl is taken out by one of the girls, who keeps it concealed
in her hand. The others sit in a circle, resting their hands on their knees. She
walks slowly round, while the first four lines are sung in chorus of the song
beginning, "See here, gold I bury, I bury." Then she slips the ring into one
of their hands, from which it is rapidly passed on to another, the song being
continued the while. When it comes to an end the "gold burier" must try to
guess in whose hand the ring is concealed. This game is a poetical form of
our "hunt the slipper." Like many other Slavonic customs it is by some
archæologists traced home to Greece. By certain mythologists the "gold" is
supposed to be an emblem of the sun, long hidden by envious wintry
clouds, but at this time of year beginning to prolong the hours of daylight.
To the sun really refer, in all probability, the bonfires with which
Christmastide, as well as the New Year and Midsummer is greeted in
Russia. In the Ukraine the sweepings from a cottage are carefully preserved
from Christmas Day to New Year's Day, and are then burnt in a garden at
sunrise. Among some of the Slavs, such as the Servians, Croatians, and
Dalmatians, a badnyak, or piece of wood answering to the northern Yule-
log, is solemnly burnt on Christmas Eve. But the significance originally
attached to these practices has long been forgotten. Thus the grave attempts
of olden times to search the secrets of futurity have degenerated into the
sportive guesses of young people, who half believe that they may learn
from omens at Christmas time what manner of marriages are in store for
them. Divinings of this kind are known to all lands, and bear a strong
family likeness; but it is, of course, only in a cold country that a spinster can
find an opportunity of sitting beside a hole cut in the surface of a frozen
river, listening to prophetic sounds proceeding from beneath the ice, and
possibly seeing the image of the husband who she is to marry within the
Page 440
year trembling in the freezing water. Throughout the whole period of the
Svyatki, the idea of marriage probably keeps possession of the minds of
many Russian maidens, and on the eve of the Epiphany, the feast with
which those Christmas holidays come to an end, it is still said to be the
custom for the village girls to go out into the open air and to beseech the
"stars, stars, dear little stars," to be so benignant as to
"Send forth through the christened world
Arrangers of weddings."
W. R. S. Ralston, in Notes and Queries, Dec. 21, 1878.
Christmas-keeping in Africa.
"A certain young man about town" (says Chambers's Journal, December
25, 1869), "once forsook the sweet shady side of Pall Mall for the sake of
smoking his cigar in savage Africa; but when Christmas came, he was
seized with a desire to spend it in Christian company, and this is how he did
spend it: 'We English once possessed the Senegal; and there, every
Christmas Eve, the Feast of Lanterns used to be held. The native women
picked up the words and airs of the carols; the custom had descended to the
Gambia, and even to the Casemanche, where it is still preserved. A few
minutes after I had ridden up, sounds of music were heard, and a crowd of
blacks came to the door, carrying the model of a ship made of paper, and
illuminated within; and hollowed pumpkins also lighted up for the occasion.
Then they sang some of our dear old Christmas carols, and among others,
one which I had heard years ago on Christmas Eve at Oxford:
Nowel, Nowel, the angels did say,
To certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay—
In fields as they lay keeping their sheep,
One cold winter's night, which was so deep.
Nowel, Nowel, Nowel, Nowel,
Born is the King of Israel.
You can imagine with what feelings I listened to those simple words, sung
by negresses who knew not a phrase of English besides. You can imagine
what recollections they called up, as I sat under an African sky, the palm-
trees rustling above my head, and the crocodiles moaning in the river
beyond. I thought of the snow lying thick upon the ground; of the keen,
Svyatki, the idea of marriage probably keeps possession of the minds of
many Russian maidens, and on the eve of the Epiphany, the feast with
which those Christmas holidays come to an end, it is still said to be the
custom for the village girls to go out into the open air and to beseech the
"stars, stars, dear little stars," to be so benignant as to
"Send forth through the christened world
Arrangers of weddings."
W. R. S. Ralston, in Notes and Queries, Dec. 21, 1878.
Christmas-keeping in Africa.
"A certain young man about town" (says Chambers's Journal, December
25, 1869), "once forsook the sweet shady side of Pall Mall for the sake of
smoking his cigar in savage Africa; but when Christmas came, he was
seized with a desire to spend it in Christian company, and this is how he did
spend it: 'We English once possessed the Senegal; and there, every
Christmas Eve, the Feast of Lanterns used to be held. The native women
picked up the words and airs of the carols; the custom had descended to the
Gambia, and even to the Casemanche, where it is still preserved. A few
minutes after I had ridden up, sounds of music were heard, and a crowd of
blacks came to the door, carrying the model of a ship made of paper, and
illuminated within; and hollowed pumpkins also lighted up for the occasion.
Then they sang some of our dear old Christmas carols, and among others,
one which I had heard years ago on Christmas Eve at Oxford:
Nowel, Nowel, the angels did say,
To certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay—
In fields as they lay keeping their sheep,
One cold winter's night, which was so deep.
Nowel, Nowel, Nowel, Nowel,
Born is the King of Israel.
You can imagine with what feelings I listened to those simple words, sung
by negresses who knew not a phrase of English besides. You can imagine
what recollections they called up, as I sat under an African sky, the palm-
trees rustling above my head, and the crocodiles moaning in the river
beyond. I thought of the snow lying thick upon the ground; of the keen,
Page 441
clear, frosty air. I thought of the ruddy fire which would be blazing in a
room I knew; and of those young faces which would be beaming still more
brightly by its side; I thought of—oh, of a hundred things, which I can
laugh at now, because I am in England, but which, in Africa, made me more
wretched than I can well express.'
"Next day, sadness and sentiment gave way, for a while at least, to more
prosaical feelings. When Mr. Reade sat down to his Christmas dinner, he
must have wished, with Macbeth, 'May good digestion wait on appetite,' as
he contemplated the fare awaiting discussion, and to which a boar's head
grinned a welcome. Snails from France, oysters torn from trees, gazelle
cutlets, stewed iguana, smoked elephant, fried locusts, manati-breasts,
hippopotamus steaks, boiled alligator, roasted crocodile eggs, monkeys on
toast, land crabs and Africa soles, carp, and mullet—detestable in
themselves, but triumphant proof of the skill of the cook—furnished forth
the festival-table, in company with potatoes, plantains, pine-apples,
oranges, papaws, bananas, and various fruits rejoicing in extraordinary
shapes, long native names, and very nasty flavours; and last, but not least,
palm-cabbage stewed in white sauce, 'the ambrosia of the gods,' and a bottle
of good Bordeaux at every's man's elbow. When evening came, Mr. Reade
and a special friend sought the river: 'The rosy wine had rouged our yellow
cheeks, and we lay back on the cushions, and watched the setting sun with
languid, half-closed eyes. Four men, who might have served as models to
Appelles, bent slowly to their stroke, and murmured forth a sweet and
plaintive song. Their oars, obedient to their voice, rippled the still water,
and dropped from their blades pearls, which the sun made rubies with its
rays. Two beautiful girls, who sat before us in the bow, raised their rounded
arms and tinkled their bracelets in the air. Then, gliding into the water, they
brought us flowers from beneath the dark bushes, and kissed the hands
which took them, with wet and laughing lips. Like a dark curtain, the warm
night fell upon us; strange cries roused from the forest; beasts of the waters
plunged around us, and my honest friend's hand pressed mine. And
Christmas Day was over. We might seek long for a stranger contrast to an
Englishman's Christmas at home, although—to adapt some seasonable lines
—
Where'er
An English heart exists to do and dare,
Where, amid Afric's sands, the lion roars,
room I knew; and of those young faces which would be beaming still more
brightly by its side; I thought of—oh, of a hundred things, which I can
laugh at now, because I am in England, but which, in Africa, made me more
wretched than I can well express.'
"Next day, sadness and sentiment gave way, for a while at least, to more
prosaical feelings. When Mr. Reade sat down to his Christmas dinner, he
must have wished, with Macbeth, 'May good digestion wait on appetite,' as
he contemplated the fare awaiting discussion, and to which a boar's head
grinned a welcome. Snails from France, oysters torn from trees, gazelle
cutlets, stewed iguana, smoked elephant, fried locusts, manati-breasts,
hippopotamus steaks, boiled alligator, roasted crocodile eggs, monkeys on
toast, land crabs and Africa soles, carp, and mullet—detestable in
themselves, but triumphant proof of the skill of the cook—furnished forth
the festival-table, in company with potatoes, plantains, pine-apples,
oranges, papaws, bananas, and various fruits rejoicing in extraordinary
shapes, long native names, and very nasty flavours; and last, but not least,
palm-cabbage stewed in white sauce, 'the ambrosia of the gods,' and a bottle
of good Bordeaux at every's man's elbow. When evening came, Mr. Reade
and a special friend sought the river: 'The rosy wine had rouged our yellow
cheeks, and we lay back on the cushions, and watched the setting sun with
languid, half-closed eyes. Four men, who might have served as models to
Appelles, bent slowly to their stroke, and murmured forth a sweet and
plaintive song. Their oars, obedient to their voice, rippled the still water,
and dropped from their blades pearls, which the sun made rubies with its
rays. Two beautiful girls, who sat before us in the bow, raised their rounded
arms and tinkled their bracelets in the air. Then, gliding into the water, they
brought us flowers from beneath the dark bushes, and kissed the hands
which took them, with wet and laughing lips. Like a dark curtain, the warm
night fell upon us; strange cries roused from the forest; beasts of the waters
plunged around us, and my honest friend's hand pressed mine. And
Christmas Day was over. We might seek long for a stranger contrast to an
Englishman's Christmas at home, although—to adapt some seasonable lines
—
Where'er
An English heart exists to do and dare,
Where, amid Afric's sands, the lion roars,
Page 442
Where endless winter chains the silent shores,
Where smiles the sea round coral islets bright,
Where Brahma's temple's sleep in glowing light—
In every spot where England's sons may roam,
Dear Christmas-tide still speaks to them of Home!
[93] The discovery of the North-West Passage for navigation from the Atlantic
Ocean to the Pacific, by the northern coasts of the American continent; first
successfully traversed by Sir R. McClure in 1850-1.
[94] Chambers's Journal, December 25, 1869.
[95] Fosbroke's "British Monachism."
[96] "Reminiscences of the Siege and Commune of Paris," by Ex-Minister E. B.
Washburne.
[97] "Year Book."
Presentation at the Temple by P. W. Moody
Modern Stained Glass in Bishopgate Church
Where smiles the sea round coral islets bright,
Where Brahma's temple's sleep in glowing light—
In every spot where England's sons may roam,
Dear Christmas-tide still speaks to them of Home!
[93] The discovery of the North-West Passage for navigation from the Atlantic
Ocean to the Pacific, by the northern coasts of the American continent; first
successfully traversed by Sir R. McClure in 1850-1.
[94] Chambers's Journal, December 25, 1869.
[95] Fosbroke's "British Monachism."
[96] "Reminiscences of the Siege and Commune of Paris," by Ex-Minister E. B.
Washburne.
[97] "Year Book."
Presentation at the Temple by P. W. Moody
Modern Stained Glass in Bishopgate Church
Page 443
simeon received the child jesus into his arms, and blessed god
Luke 11 25-32
CHAPTER XIII
CONCLUDING CAROL SERVICE OF THE NINETEENTH
CENTURY.
Now, returning from the celebrations of Christmas in distant parts of the
world, we conclude our historic account of the great Christian festival by
recording the pleasure with which we attended the
Concluding Carol Service of the Nineteenth Century
at a fine old English cathedral—the recently restored and beautiful
cathedral at Lichfield, whose triple spires are seen and well known by
travellers on the Trent valley portion of the London and North Western
main line of railway which links London with the North.
Luke 11 25-32
CHAPTER XIII
CONCLUDING CAROL SERVICE OF THE NINETEENTH
CENTURY.
Now, returning from the celebrations of Christmas in distant parts of the
world, we conclude our historic account of the great Christian festival by
recording the pleasure with which we attended the
Concluding Carol Service of the Nineteenth Century
at a fine old English cathedral—the recently restored and beautiful
cathedral at Lichfield, whose triple spires are seen and well known by
travellers on the Trent valley portion of the London and North Western
main line of railway which links London with the North.
Page 444
lichfield cathedral.
(By permission of Mr. A. C. Lomax's Successors Lichfield)
Christmas carols have been sung at Lichfield from long before the time of
"the mighty Offa," King of the Mercians, in whose days and by whose
influence Lichfield became for a time an archiepiscopal see, being elevated
to that dignity by Pope Adrian, in 785. And, in the seventeenth century, the
Deanery of Lichfield was conferred upon the Rev. Griffin Higgs, the writer
of the events connected with the exhibition of "The Christmas Prince" at St.
John's College, Oxford, in 1607, whose authentic account of these
interesting historical events will be found in an earlier chapter of this work.
The Christmas carols at Lichfield Cathedral, sung by the full choir at the
special evening service on St. Stephen's Day (December 26th), have, for
many years, attracted large and appreciative congregations, and the last of
these celebrations in the nineteenth century (on December 26, 1900) was
well sustained by the singers and attended by many hundreds of citizens
and visitors. Eight Christmas Carols and an anthem were sung, the
(By permission of Mr. A. C. Lomax's Successors Lichfield)
Christmas carols have been sung at Lichfield from long before the time of
"the mighty Offa," King of the Mercians, in whose days and by whose
influence Lichfield became for a time an archiepiscopal see, being elevated
to that dignity by Pope Adrian, in 785. And, in the seventeenth century, the
Deanery of Lichfield was conferred upon the Rev. Griffin Higgs, the writer
of the events connected with the exhibition of "The Christmas Prince" at St.
John's College, Oxford, in 1607, whose authentic account of these
interesting historical events will be found in an earlier chapter of this work.
The Christmas carols at Lichfield Cathedral, sung by the full choir at the
special evening service on St. Stephen's Day (December 26th), have, for
many years, attracted large and appreciative congregations, and the last of
these celebrations in the nineteenth century (on December 26, 1900) was
well sustained by the singers and attended by many hundreds of citizens
and visitors. Eight Christmas Carols and an anthem were sung, the
Page 445
concluding Carol being "The First Nowell"; and the organist (Mr. J. B. Lott,
Mus. Bac., Oxon) played the Pastoral Symphony from Sullivan's "Light of
the World," Mendelssohn's March ("Cornelius"), the Pastoral Symphony
from Handel's "Messiah," and other exquisite voluntaries. From the anthem,
E. H. Sears's beautiful verses beginning
"It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,"
set to Stainer's music and well sung, we quote the concluding predictive
stanza:
"For lo, the days are hast'ning on,
By prophet-bards foretold,
When with the ever-circling years
Comes round the age of gold;
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendours fling,
And the whole world give back the song
Which now the angels sing."
Mus. Bac., Oxon) played the Pastoral Symphony from Sullivan's "Light of
the World," Mendelssohn's March ("Cornelius"), the Pastoral Symphony
from Handel's "Messiah," and other exquisite voluntaries. From the anthem,
E. H. Sears's beautiful verses beginning
"It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,"
set to Stainer's music and well sung, we quote the concluding predictive
stanza:
"For lo, the days are hast'ning on,
By prophet-bards foretold,
When with the ever-circling years
Comes round the age of gold;
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendours fling,
And the whole world give back the song
Which now the angels sing."
Page 446
INDEX
A
Abbot of Misrule, 95 (see also Lord of Misrule)
Abbot of Westminster, 80
Abdication of Richard Cromwell, 213
Abingdon, 51, 208
Aboard the Sunbeam, 307
Abolition of Christmas celebration attempted, 206
Abraham, 29
Abyssinia, 298
"Adam Bell," 195
Adam's Noël, 319
Adams, Herbert H., 227, 249
Addison, 227
Adeste Fideles, 323
Adieu les Rois, 320
Adrian, Pope, 350
Advent of Christ, the, 0055;
season of the, 11;
date of the, 14
Advertisement, curious, 232
"Aerra Geola" (December), 28
Africa, 345
Africa, South, 299
Agincourt, 81
Agrippina, wife of Claudius, 24
Aidan, Columbian Monk, 27
Ajaccio, 322
Alban, St., 20
Albert, Prince Consort, 261
Albemarle, Lady, 241
Aldrich, Commander Pelham, 308
Ale, 26, 55, 57, 231, 251, 258, 259
Alexander, King of the Scots, 64
Alexander Severus, 29
Alexandria, 54
Alfred the Great, King, 36
All Hallowtide, 73, 131
Almaine accoutrements, 120
"Almes" at Christmas, 148, 257-8
Almoner, Lord High, 260
Alsatians, 319
Alwyn, Walter, 95
Amadas, Rob, 100
A
Abbot of Misrule, 95 (see also Lord of Misrule)
Abbot of Westminster, 80
Abdication of Richard Cromwell, 213
Abingdon, 51, 208
Aboard the Sunbeam, 307
Abolition of Christmas celebration attempted, 206
Abraham, 29
Abyssinia, 298
"Adam Bell," 195
Adam's Noël, 319
Adams, Herbert H., 227, 249
Addison, 227
Adeste Fideles, 323
Adieu les Rois, 320
Adrian, Pope, 350
Advent of Christ, the, 0055;
season of the, 11;
date of the, 14
Advertisement, curious, 232
"Aerra Geola" (December), 28
Africa, 345
Africa, South, 299
Agincourt, 81
Agrippina, wife of Claudius, 24
Aidan, Columbian Monk, 27
Ajaccio, 322
Alban, St., 20
Albert, Prince Consort, 261
Albemarle, Lady, 241
Aldrich, Commander Pelham, 308
Ale, 26, 55, 57, 231, 251, 258, 259
Alexander, King of the Scots, 64
Alexander Severus, 29
Alexandria, 54
Alfred the Great, King, 36
All Hallowtide, 73, 131
Almaine accoutrements, 120
"Almes" at Christmas, 148, 257-8
Almoner, Lord High, 260
Alsatians, 319
Alwyn, Walter, 95
Amadas, Rob, 100
Page 447
Ambassadors, foreign, 152
Ambleteuse, Brittany, 220
Ambrose, St., 21
America, 309-316
Amours of Henry VIII., 106
Amusements, 33, 153, 195, 246-9
Ancaster Heath, 153
Andalusia, 339
Andrew, St., 283
Andrewes, Bishop, 193
Andromeda tetragona, 295
Angel, the, appears unto Joseph, 5;
unto the shepherds, 7
Angels' Song, 10, 11
Anger, 13
"Angleesh blom-bodding," 319
Angles, King of the, 34
Anglo-Norman language, 57
Anglo-Saxon Kings, 29
Anglo-Saxons, 25, 28
Angouleme, Duchess, 317
Angus, Scotland, 242
Anjou wine, 57
Annan, Dumfriesshire, 71
Anne, daughter of Frederick III., King of Denmark, 197
Anne, Queen, 226
Anne, wife of Richard III., 93
Annunciation, the, 13, 15
Anointing cattle, 325
Anselm, Archbishop, 49
Antioch, 59;
the church at, 11;
Prince of, 52
Antiochus Epiphanes, 17
Antipodes, 303
Ara Cœli, Church of, 328
"Archæologia," 200
Archbishops' Quarrel, 48
Archduchess Marie Valerie, 335
Arctic regions, 294-6
Aristophanes, 286
Armenian Church, the, 11
Armour under robes, 118
Arnot, S., 284
"Arraignment of Christmas," the, 209
Artaki Bay, 307
Arthur, King, and his Knights, 30, 67, 195
Arthur, Prince of Wales, 99
Arundel, Earl of, 190, 193, 194
Astley, Sir John, 201
Ambleteuse, Brittany, 220
Ambrose, St., 21
America, 309-316
Amours of Henry VIII., 106
Amusements, 33, 153, 195, 246-9
Ancaster Heath, 153
Andalusia, 339
Andrew, St., 283
Andrewes, Bishop, 193
Andromeda tetragona, 295
Angel, the, appears unto Joseph, 5;
unto the shepherds, 7
Angels' Song, 10, 11
Anger, 13
"Angleesh blom-bodding," 319
Angles, King of the, 34
Anglo-Norman language, 57
Anglo-Saxon Kings, 29
Anglo-Saxons, 25, 28
Angouleme, Duchess, 317
Angus, Scotland, 242
Anjou wine, 57
Annan, Dumfriesshire, 71
Anne, daughter of Frederick III., King of Denmark, 197
Anne, Queen, 226
Anne, wife of Richard III., 93
Annunciation, the, 13, 15
Anointing cattle, 325
Anselm, Archbishop, 49
Antioch, 59;
the church at, 11;
Prince of, 52
Antiochus Epiphanes, 17
Antipodes, 303
Ara Cœli, Church of, 328
"Archæologia," 200
Archbishops' Quarrel, 48
Archduchess Marie Valerie, 335
Arctic regions, 294-6
Aristophanes, 286
Armenian Church, the, 11
Armour under robes, 118
Arnot, S., 284
"Arraignment of Christmas," the, 209
Artaki Bay, 307
Arthur, King, and his Knights, 30, 67, 195
Arthur, Prince of Wales, 99
Arundel, Earl of, 190, 193, 194
Astley, Sir John, 201
Page 448
Aston, near Birmingham, 243
Athelney, 36
Attainder, 222
Attire, magnificent, 99
Attorney-General, 199
Aubrey, 142, 201, 243
Audley, Lord, 82
Augusta, Princess, 241
Augustine, St., 26, 28
Australia, 303
Austria, 288, 335
Austria, Archduke of, 35;
Duke of, 58
B
"Babe Cake," 273
Babingley, 263
Babylon, 54, 59
Bacchanalia, 13, 15, 19
Bacchus, 19
Bacon, Lord, 93, 94, 152
Baden, Marquis of, 139
Bagpipes, 220
Baker, Chronicler, 105
Balancing, feats of, 229
Balliol, Edward, 71
Balls, 249, 250, 309
Baltimore, Lord, 314
Banks Island reindeer, 294
Banquetings, 31, 88, 126, 146-9, 219, 220, 232
Banqueting-night ceremonies, 135
Barabrith, 281
Barbadoes, 288
Barclay Alexander, 104
Barne, Sir George, 117
"Baron of Beef," 273
"Baron's Yule Feast," 266
Barons, 55, 60
Barriers, at, 189
Barristers singing and dancing, 137
Barrow, Isaac, 204
Barry, Sir Charles, 46
Barthe, Master George, 88
"Batt upon Batt," 221
Bay of Mercy, 294
Beamonde, Lord of, 70
Bear-baiting, 119, 229
Beatrice, Princess, 262
Beaufitz, John, 93
Athelney, 36
Attainder, 222
Attire, magnificent, 99
Attorney-General, 199
Aubrey, 142, 201, 243
Audley, Lord, 82
Augusta, Princess, 241
Augustine, St., 26, 28
Australia, 303
Austria, 288, 335
Austria, Archduke of, 35;
Duke of, 58
B
"Babe Cake," 273
Babingley, 263
Babylon, 54, 59
Bacchanalia, 13, 15, 19
Bacchus, 19
Bacon, Lord, 93, 94, 152
Baden, Marquis of, 139
Bagpipes, 220
Baker, Chronicler, 105
Balancing, feats of, 229
Balliol, Edward, 71
Balls, 249, 250, 309
Baltimore, Lord, 314
Banks Island reindeer, 294
Banquetings, 31, 88, 126, 146-9, 219, 220, 232
Banqueting-night ceremonies, 135
Barabrith, 281
Barbadoes, 288
Barclay Alexander, 104
Barne, Sir George, 117
"Baron of Beef," 273
"Baron's Yule Feast," 266
Barons, 55, 60
Barriers, at, 189
Barristers singing and dancing, 137
Barrow, Isaac, 204
Barry, Sir Charles, 46
Barthe, Master George, 88
"Batt upon Batt," 221
Bay of Mercy, 294
Beamonde, Lord of, 70
Bear-baiting, 119, 229
Beatrice, Princess, 262
Beaufitz, John, 93
Page 449
Beaumont, 152
Beauties, Court, 99
Becket, St. Thomas, 52
Bedchambers, fifteenth century, 88
Bede, the Venerable, 24
Bedford, 64
Bellman, the, 224
Bells, Christmas, 270, 271
Belshazzar, 78
Belton, Mr., 219
Belvoir Castle, 224, 266
Benevolence, 260-6
Bengel, 13
Berkeley, 69, 146;
Lord Henry, 146
Berkshire, 276
Berlin, 335
Bermondsey, 52
Berners, Lord, 69, 88
Berri, Duchess, 317
Bertha, Queen, 27
Berwick, 68
Besieged Paris, 318
Bethlehem, 7, 14
Betterton, 218
Bevis of Southampton, 195
Billiards, 195
Bills of fare, fifteenth century, 82
Bird, 140
Birds' dinner, 342
Birth of Christ, 5;
date of, 14
Blackborough Priory, 85
Blackburn, Mr. Francis, 238
Black Prince, 149
Blake, Mr. Andrew, 262
Blanchard, Laman, 268
Blenheim Mansion, 226
Blessington, Countess of, 266
Blindman's Buff, 236, 248, 249
Blue Jackets, 294
Boar, wild, 32, 33, 45, 110
Boar's Head ceremony, 109-11, 125, 167
Bocking, John, 86
Bohemia, Queen of, 193
"Bold Slasher," 284
Boleyn, Anne, 106
Bolingbroke, Henry of, 80
Bonbonnieres, 314
Bonfires, 320, 336
Beauties, Court, 99
Becket, St. Thomas, 52
Bedchambers, fifteenth century, 88
Bede, the Venerable, 24
Bedford, 64
Bellman, the, 224
Bells, Christmas, 270, 271
Belshazzar, 78
Belton, Mr., 219
Belvoir Castle, 224, 266
Benevolence, 260-6
Bengel, 13
Berkeley, 69, 146;
Lord Henry, 146
Berkshire, 276
Berlin, 335
Bermondsey, 52
Berners, Lord, 69, 88
Berri, Duchess, 317
Bertha, Queen, 27
Berwick, 68
Besieged Paris, 318
Bethlehem, 7, 14
Betterton, 218
Bevis of Southampton, 195
Billiards, 195
Bills of fare, fifteenth century, 82
Bird, 140
Birds' dinner, 342
Birth of Christ, 5;
date of, 14
Blackborough Priory, 85
Blackburn, Mr. Francis, 238
Black Prince, 149
Blake, Mr. Andrew, 262
Blanchard, Laman, 268
Blenheim Mansion, 226
Blessington, Countess of, 266
Blindman's Buff, 236, 248, 249
Blue Jackets, 294
Boar, wild, 32, 33, 45, 110
Boar's Head ceremony, 109-11, 125, 167
Bocking, John, 86
Bohemia, Queen of, 193
"Bold Slasher," 284
Boleyn, Anne, 106
Bolingbroke, Henry of, 80
Bonbonnieres, 314
Bonfires, 320, 336
Page 450
Bonner, Bishop, 122
Boswell, 241
Bosworth Field, 93, 101
Bountifulness, 96, 260
Bounty Royal, 260
Bourchier, Archbishop, 94
Bourchier, John, 69
Bouvines, battle of, 60
Bowyer, Richard, 141
Boy Bishop, 68, 119, 156
Boyhood's Christmas breaking-up, 242
Boy-king taken to Tower, 92
Brabant, States of, 154
Brahmins, 28
Brand, 221, 232, 243, 244
Brandon, Charles, 101
Brandon, Sir William, 101
Brant, Sebastian, 104
Brassey, Lady, 305
Brave, blood of the, 73, 99, 190
Brawn, 96, 232
Brazil, 288
Breda, 214
Breton, Nicholas, 199
Bridgewater, 242
Bridgewater, Earl of, 200
Brill, Vale of Aylesbury, 60
Brilliant episodes, 59, 73, 84, 93, 99
Brinsford, 219
Bristol, 68, 242
British India, 288
British Museum, 114, 145, 210, 211, 232, 241, 244, 324
Brito, Richard, 53
Britons, Ancient, 23, 28
Brittany, 318
Brompton, 274
Brooke, George, 192
Brothers, Royal, at the Tower, 92
Browne, General, 207
Brown, Sir Sam., 300
Browning, Robert, 66, 270
Bruges, 116, 271
Buchan, 285
Buche-de-Noël, 319
Buckeridge, Bishop, 195
Buckhurst, Lord, 154
Buckingham, Duke of, 88
Buckingham, Lord, 191
Buckinghamshire peasants, 238
Bull, Dr., 140
Boswell, 241
Bosworth Field, 93, 101
Bountifulness, 96, 260
Bounty Royal, 260
Bourchier, Archbishop, 94
Bourchier, John, 69
Bouvines, battle of, 60
Bowyer, Richard, 141
Boy Bishop, 68, 119, 156
Boyhood's Christmas breaking-up, 242
Boy-king taken to Tower, 92
Brabant, States of, 154
Brahmins, 28
Brand, 221, 232, 243, 244
Brandon, Charles, 101
Brandon, Sir William, 101
Brant, Sebastian, 104
Brassey, Lady, 305
Brave, blood of the, 73, 99, 190
Brawn, 96, 232
Brazil, 288
Breda, 214
Breton, Nicholas, 199
Bridgewater, 242
Bridgewater, Earl of, 200
Brill, Vale of Aylesbury, 60
Brilliant episodes, 59, 73, 84, 93, 99
Brinsford, 219
Bristol, 68, 242
British India, 288
British Museum, 114, 145, 210, 211, 232, 241, 244, 324
Brito, Richard, 53
Britons, Ancient, 23, 28
Brittany, 318
Brompton, 274
Brooke, George, 192
Brothers, Royal, at the Tower, 92
Browne, General, 207
Brown, Sir Sam., 300
Browning, Robert, 66, 270
Bruges, 116, 271
Buchan, 285
Buche-de-Noël, 319
Buckeridge, Bishop, 195
Buckhurst, Lord, 154
Buckingham, Duke of, 88
Buckingham, Lord, 191
Buckinghamshire peasants, 238
Bull, Dr., 140
Page 451
Bull-baiting, 229
Bunbury, Mrs., 241
Bun-loaf, 281
Burford Downs, 218
Burgundy, Duke of, 88
Burgundy, House of, 154
Burlesque Court, 126
Burney, 140
Burnham, Buckinghamshire, 257
Burton, Robert, 195
Bury, 68, 84
Bushell, Sir Edward, 153
Buttry, William, 100
Bydnyak, or Yule-log, 345
Byzantium, 324
C
Cabul River, 302
Cade, John, 85
Caer Caradoc, 24
Cæsars, the, 35
Cæsarea, the Church at, 11
Cakes, 36, 265, 321
Calais, 72, 81, 109
Calathumpians, the Vagabond, 313
Caledonian custom, 305
"Caliburne," the "gude sword," 58
Caludon, near Coventry, 146
Calvados, 320
Cambridge, 204
Camden Society, 219
Camp fire, 301
Campion, 154
Camulodunum, Bishop of, 25
Canada, 288, 302
Candle illuminations 168, 322, 331
Candlemas, 80, 138, 178
Canning, W., 143
Canons of Christchurch, 177
Canterbury, 63, 86, 210;
monks of, 56
Canterbury Cathedral, 53
Canterbury, Archbishop of, 60, 82, 99, 139
Canute, King, 37
Cape de Verd Islands, 288
Cape Finisterre, 226
Caradoc (called Caractacus), 24
Card-playing, 87, 91, 97, 98, 108, 195, 237, 241, 247, 256, 313
Carew, 152
Bunbury, Mrs., 241
Bun-loaf, 281
Burford Downs, 218
Burgundy, Duke of, 88
Burgundy, House of, 154
Burlesque Court, 126
Burney, 140
Burnham, Buckinghamshire, 257
Burton, Robert, 195
Bury, 68, 84
Bushell, Sir Edward, 153
Buttry, William, 100
Bydnyak, or Yule-log, 345
Byzantium, 324
C
Cabul River, 302
Cade, John, 85
Caer Caradoc, 24
Cæsars, the, 35
Cæsarea, the Church at, 11
Cakes, 36, 265, 321
Calais, 72, 81, 109
Calathumpians, the Vagabond, 313
Caledonian custom, 305
"Caliburne," the "gude sword," 58
Caludon, near Coventry, 146
Calvados, 320
Cambridge, 204
Camden Society, 219
Camp fire, 301
Campion, 154
Camulodunum, Bishop of, 25
Canada, 288, 302
Candle illuminations 168, 322, 331
Candlemas, 80, 138, 178
Canning, W., 143
Canons of Christchurch, 177
Canterbury, 63, 86, 210;
monks of, 56
Canterbury Cathedral, 53
Canterbury, Archbishop of, 60, 82, 99, 139
Canute, King, 37
Cape de Verd Islands, 288
Cape Finisterre, 226
Caradoc (called Caractacus), 24
Card-playing, 87, 91, 97, 98, 108, 195, 237, 241, 247, 256, 313
Carew, 152
Page 452
Carleton, Sir Dudley, 154, 191
Carlisle, 68
Carminow, John, 113
Carnival, 286
Carols, 57, 204, 327
Carol service, 349, 350
Carol-singer Luther, 106
Carol-singing, 326
Caroline, Queen, 241
Car, or Ker, Robert, 155
Carvell, Sir Henry, 194
Cary, Sir Robert, 154
Casemanche, 345
Cassel, Dr., Germany, 16
Castanet, 340
Castellated mansion, 148
Castles, 52, 55, 57, 58
Catacombs of Rome, 19
Catches, 195
Catesby, 93
Cawarden, Sir Thomas, 116, 124
Cecil, Sir William, 143
Celebrations in times of persecution, 18
Central Germany, 333
Ceremonies for Christmas Day, 167
Ceremonies for Grand Christmas, 132
Cern, 264
Chaldeans, 28
Challon, 67
Challoner, Thomas, 154
Chamberlain to the King, 88
Chamberlain to the Queen, 88
Chamberlaine, John, 153, 154, 191
Chambers of Pleasance, 88
Chamber of Presence, 139
Champions of Diana, 102
Channel Islands, 288
Chapel Royal, 138, 140, 241
Chardai, 300
Charibert, King, 28
Charlemagne, Emperor, 34, 342
Charles Augustus, Emperor, 35
Charles I., 152, 195, 197, 212, 213
Charles II., 214
Charles, Prince, hiding in an oak, 215
Charles V. of Spain, 118
Charter, The Great, signed, 61
Chaucer, 9, 33, 73, 99
Cheetle, 142
Cherwell, 109
Carlisle, 68
Carminow, John, 113
Carnival, 286
Carols, 57, 204, 327
Carol service, 349, 350
Carol-singer Luther, 106
Carol-singing, 326
Caroline, Queen, 241
Car, or Ker, Robert, 155
Carvell, Sir Henry, 194
Cary, Sir Robert, 154
Casemanche, 345
Cassel, Dr., Germany, 16
Castanet, 340
Castellated mansion, 148
Castles, 52, 55, 57, 58
Catacombs of Rome, 19
Catches, 195
Catesby, 93
Cawarden, Sir Thomas, 116, 124
Cecil, Sir William, 143
Celebrations in times of persecution, 18
Central Germany, 333
Ceremonies for Christmas Day, 167
Ceremonies for Grand Christmas, 132
Cern, 264
Chaldeans, 28
Challon, 67
Challoner, Thomas, 154
Chamberlain to the King, 88
Chamberlain to the Queen, 88
Chamberlaine, John, 153, 154, 191
Chambers of Pleasance, 88
Chamber of Presence, 139
Champions of Diana, 102
Channel Islands, 288
Chapel Royal, 138, 140, 241
Chardai, 300
Charibert, King, 28
Charlemagne, Emperor, 34, 342
Charles Augustus, Emperor, 35
Charles I., 152, 195, 197, 212, 213
Charles II., 214
Charles, Prince, hiding in an oak, 215
Charles V. of Spain, 118
Charter, The Great, signed, 61
Chaucer, 9, 33, 73, 99
Cheetle, 142
Cherwell, 109
Page 453
Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, 214
Chess, 33, 91, 195
Chester, Earl of, 64
Cheu Fu Chefoo, 308
Chevalier, Rev. W. A. C, 71
Chichester, Bishop of, 64, 193
Childermas Day, 112, 135
Children of the Chapel Royal, 100, 140, 141
Children's Treat, 264, 265
Chili, 288
China, 308
Chios, 324-8
Chippenham, 35
Chit-chat, 268, 269
Chivalric usages, 59, 84, 155, 190
Christiania, 342
Christ-Kirche, 333
Christmas—the origin and associations of, 5;
the word "Christmas," its orthography and meaning, 8;
words in Welsh, Scotch, French, Italian, and Spanish representing Christmas, 9;
an acrostic spelling Christmas, 9;
the earlier celebrations of, 10;
fixing the date of, 11;
Christmas the Festorum omnium metropolis, 11;
its connection with ancient festivals, 14;
Christmas-boxes and presents, 15, 29, 30, 89, 90, 96, 148, 257, 258, 260-6, 300, 312, 325,
334-5, 341;
candles, 168, 322, 331;
cards, 271;
ceremonies, 132, 167;
customs depicted in a carol, 204;
Eve, 125, 131, 250-1, 286, 332-5;
"Grand," 125;
Island, 308;
Lord, 95, 100, 109, 112, 115, 126, 198, 200;
Prince, 155;
at sea, 95, 96, 218, 307;
Tree, 106, 261, 263, 264, 296, 313, 325, 332
(see also other items in the index arranged alphabetically).
Chrysostom, St., 11
Church Parade, 301
Church reforms of Cardinal Wolsey, 106
Church shows, 316
Cicilie, Ladie, 139
Cider, 55
Cinque Ports, Barons of, 64
City and country feasts compared, 112
Civil war, 156
Clappart, Herr Von, 332
Clarence, Duke of, 86, 89
Chess, 33, 91, 195
Chester, Earl of, 64
Cheu Fu Chefoo, 308
Chevalier, Rev. W. A. C, 71
Chichester, Bishop of, 64, 193
Childermas Day, 112, 135
Children of the Chapel Royal, 100, 140, 141
Children's Treat, 264, 265
Chili, 288
China, 308
Chios, 324-8
Chippenham, 35
Chit-chat, 268, 269
Chivalric usages, 59, 84, 155, 190
Christiania, 342
Christ-Kirche, 333
Christmas—the origin and associations of, 5;
the word "Christmas," its orthography and meaning, 8;
words in Welsh, Scotch, French, Italian, and Spanish representing Christmas, 9;
an acrostic spelling Christmas, 9;
the earlier celebrations of, 10;
fixing the date of, 11;
Christmas the Festorum omnium metropolis, 11;
its connection with ancient festivals, 14;
Christmas-boxes and presents, 15, 29, 30, 89, 90, 96, 148, 257, 258, 260-6, 300, 312, 325,
334-5, 341;
candles, 168, 322, 331;
cards, 271;
ceremonies, 132, 167;
customs depicted in a carol, 204;
Eve, 125, 131, 250-1, 286, 332-5;
"Grand," 125;
Island, 308;
Lord, 95, 100, 109, 112, 115, 126, 198, 200;
Prince, 155;
at sea, 95, 96, 218, 307;
Tree, 106, 261, 263, 264, 296, 313, 325, 332
(see also other items in the index arranged alphabetically).
Chrysostom, St., 11
Church Parade, 301
Church reforms of Cardinal Wolsey, 106
Church shows, 316
Cicilie, Ladie, 139
Cider, 55
Cinque Ports, Barons of, 64
City and country feasts compared, 112
Civil war, 156
Clappart, Herr Von, 332
Clarence, Duke of, 86, 89
Page 454
Classical and Christian elements, 19
Claudius, fourth Roman Emperor, 23
Clement of Alexandria, 11
Clement IX., tomb of, 330
Clerical players, 77
Cleves, Anne of, 108
Clifford, Lord, 82, 86
Closheys (ninepins), 88
Clothing, 265
Cloth of gold, 88
Clyde, Lord, 299
Clymme of Clough, 195
Cnut, King, 37
Cobham, Lord, 81
"Cob-loaf stealing," 243
Cockpit, 153
Collar-day at Court, 240
Colebrooke, Mr., 279
Coleridge, S. T., 274
Colleges' festivities, 109, 110, 111, 155
Collier, 124, 201
Colonist, English, 302
Columbine, 230
Columbus, Christopher, 95
Combats, inspiriting, 99
Comedies and Tragedies, Latin, 110
Comedies, 112
Comically cruel incident, 75
Commonwealth, 197
Communicants apprehended, 211
"Complaint of Christmas," 206
Concilium Africanum, 22
Conger, 96
Conjurors, 237
Consort, Prince, 261-2
Conspiracy against the King, 80
Constable Marshal, 125
Constantine the Great, 21;
Church of St. Constantine, 16
Constantinople, 52, 54, 307;
Emperor of, 80
Cooper, Sir Astley, 316
Cooper, T., 233
Cooper, Thomas, 266
Corbeuil, Archbishop, 48
Cordova, 339
Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, 23
Cornhill, London, 210
Corniche Road, 331
Cornisse, Mr., 100
Claudius, fourth Roman Emperor, 23
Clement of Alexandria, 11
Clement IX., tomb of, 330
Clerical players, 77
Cleves, Anne of, 108
Clifford, Lord, 82, 86
Closheys (ninepins), 88
Clothing, 265
Cloth of gold, 88
Clyde, Lord, 299
Clymme of Clough, 195
Cnut, King, 37
Cobham, Lord, 81
"Cob-loaf stealing," 243
Cockpit, 153
Collar-day at Court, 240
Colebrooke, Mr., 279
Coleridge, S. T., 274
Colleges' festivities, 109, 110, 111, 155
Collier, 124, 201
Colonist, English, 302
Columbine, 230
Columbus, Christopher, 95
Combats, inspiriting, 99
Comedies and Tragedies, Latin, 110
Comedies, 112
Comically cruel incident, 75
Commonwealth, 197
Communicants apprehended, 211
"Complaint of Christmas," 206
Concilium Africanum, 22
Conger, 96
Conjurors, 237
Consort, Prince, 261-2
Conspiracy against the King, 80
Constable Marshal, 125
Constantine the Great, 21;
Church of St. Constantine, 16
Constantinople, 52, 54, 307;
Emperor of, 80
Cooper, Sir Astley, 316
Cooper, T., 233
Cooper, Thomas, 266
Corbeuil, Archbishop, 48
Cordova, 339
Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, 23
Cornhill, London, 210
Corniche Road, 331
Cornisse, Mr., 100
Page 455
Cornwall, 113, 156
Cornwall, the Duchy of, 188
Cornwall, Barry, 272
Cornwall, Sir Gilbert, 194
Cornwallis, Sir Charles, 188
Coronation of Edward III., 69
Corpus Christi, festival of, 93
Corsica, 321
Costly garments, 116
Costumes ablaze, 291
Cottage Christmas-keeping, fourteenth century, 71
Cotterell, Sir Clement, 194
Cotton, 152
Cotton MSS., 136
Council of Arles, 25
Council of Auxerre, 22
Councils, Great, 41
Country festivities, 219, 226, 227
Courrieres, Lord of, 118
Court entertainments, 151, 197. (See other items under Sovereigns' names.)
Court Fool, 77, 113, 116
Court Leet and Baron, 187
Court Masques, 151-2
Coventry, 85, 89, 93, 148, 198
Cox, Captain, 197
Crackers, 289
Cranbourne, Ralph, 276
Cranes' flesh, 55
Cranmer, Archbishop, 117
Crecy, 72
Creighton, 74
Crimean Christmas, 297
Croatians, 345
Cromwell, Oliver, 213
Cromwell, Richard, 213
Cromwell, Thomas, 107, 108
Crowne, 218
Croyland Chronicler, 87, 93
Crusades, The, 58, 59
Cuba, 96
Cuisine, 312
Cumberland, 256
Cumberland, Earl of, 143
Cumnor Custom, 251
Cupids, 119
Cyflath, 281
Cymbals, 339
Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, 22
Cyprus, 307;
King of, 74
Cornwall, the Duchy of, 188
Cornwall, Barry, 272
Cornwall, Sir Gilbert, 194
Cornwallis, Sir Charles, 188
Coronation of Edward III., 69
Corpus Christi, festival of, 93
Corsica, 321
Costly garments, 116
Costumes ablaze, 291
Cottage Christmas-keeping, fourteenth century, 71
Cotterell, Sir Clement, 194
Cotton, 152
Cotton MSS., 136
Council of Arles, 25
Council of Auxerre, 22
Councils, Great, 41
Country festivities, 219, 226, 227
Courrieres, Lord of, 118
Court entertainments, 151, 197. (See other items under Sovereigns' names.)
Court Fool, 77, 113, 116
Court Leet and Baron, 187
Court Masques, 151-2
Coventry, 85, 89, 93, 148, 198
Cox, Captain, 197
Crackers, 289
Cranbourne, Ralph, 276
Cranes' flesh, 55
Cranmer, Archbishop, 117
Crecy, 72
Creighton, 74
Crimean Christmas, 297
Croatians, 345
Cromwell, Oliver, 213
Cromwell, Richard, 213
Cromwell, Thomas, 107, 108
Crowne, 218
Croyland Chronicler, 87, 93
Crusades, The, 58, 59
Cuba, 96
Cuisine, 312
Cumberland, 256
Cumberland, Earl of, 143
Cumnor Custom, 251
Cupids, 119
Cyflath, 281
Cymbals, 339
Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, 22
Cyprus, 307;
King of, 74
Page 456
Cyril, St., of Jerusalem, 11
D
Dacre, Lord, 86
Dakka, 300
Dalmatians, 345
"Damon and Pythias," 140
Dancers, 32, 49;
dancing, 74, 132, 195, 224, 236, 249, 250, 261, 294, 296
Dane, a firework artificer, 154
Danes, 29, 35, 36, 38
Danube, 226
Darey, Sir Thomas, 190
David, City of, 7
David, King of Scotland, 72, 74
David, St., 284
Dawson, Mr. George, 274
Day, John, Aldersgate, 136
Days of "Good Queen Bess," 148
De Beauchamp, William, 64
De Broc, The family of, 53
December, 28, 29, 33
Decking, 15, 204, 227, 273, 282, 305, 318
Decline of Christmas, 217
De Comines, Philip, 93
Decorations, 323. (See also "decking.")
D'Egville, 316
"Delights of Christmas," 243
Dellegrout, 55
De Molis, Sir Nicholas, 64
Demonology, 152, 196
De Montfort, Simon, 65
Denby, 219
Denison, Hon. Mr. and the Misses, 273
Denis, St., 53, 283
Denmark, 284, 288
De Patteshall, Hugh, 64
Dependents feasting, 202
Deposition of Edward II., 69
De Præfecto Ludorum, 110
Deptford Dockyard, 223
Derby, Countess Dowager of, 200
Dersingham, 263
Desborough, 213
De Tracy, William, 53
Detroit, 291
Devon, Earl of, 87
Devonshire, 213, 278
De Worde, W., 91
D
Dacre, Lord, 86
Dakka, 300
Dalmatians, 345
"Damon and Pythias," 140
Dancers, 32, 49;
dancing, 74, 132, 195, 224, 236, 249, 250, 261, 294, 296
Dane, a firework artificer, 154
Danes, 29, 35, 36, 38
Danube, 226
Darey, Sir Thomas, 190
David, City of, 7
David, King of Scotland, 72, 74
David, St., 284
Dawson, Mr. George, 274
Day, John, Aldersgate, 136
Days of "Good Queen Bess," 148
De Beauchamp, William, 64
De Broc, The family of, 53
December, 28, 29, 33
Decking, 15, 204, 227, 273, 282, 305, 318
Decline of Christmas, 217
De Comines, Philip, 93
Decorations, 323. (See also "decking.")
D'Egville, 316
"Delights of Christmas," 243
Dellegrout, 55
De Molis, Sir Nicholas, 64
Demonology, 152, 196
De Montfort, Simon, 65
Denby, 219
Denison, Hon. Mr. and the Misses, 273
Denis, St., 53, 283
Denmark, 284, 288
De Patteshall, Hugh, 64
Dependents feasting, 202
Deposition of Edward II., 69
De Præfecto Ludorum, 110
Deptford Dockyard, 223
Derby, Countess Dowager of, 200
Dersingham, 263
Desborough, 213
De Tracy, William, 53
Detroit, 291
Devon, Earl of, 87
Devonshire, 213, 278
De Worde, W., 91
Page 457
Diana, 102
Diana Hunting, a masque, 120
Dice, 195, 237
Dickens, Charles, 274, 292
Dieppe, 43
Dimmick, Mrs., 313
Dinah, 316
Dingwell, Lord, 190
Dinners to 5,000 poor, 264
Diocletian's atrocities, 20
Dionysius Exiguus, 13
Dipmore End, 276
Disguisings, 75, 76, 91, 95, 100
D'Israeli, 151
"Dissipation and Negligence," 112
Dissolution of Monasteries, 108
Distributions to the poor, 257, 260, 264
Diversions, 76, 91, 95, 101, 119, 153, 205, 246-7, 251
Diverting ditties, 233-7
Divinings, 345
"Doctor," 284;
medical, 341
"Domesday Book," 45
Donne, 152
Doran, Dr., 209, 210
Dorset, Countess of, 211
Dorset, Marquis of, 101
Dover, 63, 81
Dragon's heads, &c., 73
Dramatic displays, 123, 136-7, 140-2, 153
Dramatist, England's greatest, 142
Drinkhail, 58
Drinks, 55 (see "Ale," "Mead," &c.)
Druidical plant, 228, 318
Druidism, 15, 28, 228
Drums, 220, 339
Dryden, 196
Dublin, 52
Dudley, Lord Robert, 126
Dugdale, Sir William, 112, 125, 138, 146
Dunn, Harriett, 316
Dunois, 84
Dunstan's Churchyard, St., 136
Durham, 43
Durham, Bishop of, 241
Dutchmen display fireworks, 154
Dwarfs, 195
E
Diana Hunting, a masque, 120
Dice, 195, 237
Dickens, Charles, 274, 292
Dieppe, 43
Dimmick, Mrs., 313
Dinah, 316
Dingwell, Lord, 190
Dinners to 5,000 poor, 264
Diocletian's atrocities, 20
Dionysius Exiguus, 13
Dipmore End, 276
Disguisings, 75, 76, 91, 95, 100
D'Israeli, 151
"Dissipation and Negligence," 112
Dissolution of Monasteries, 108
Distributions to the poor, 257, 260, 264
Diversions, 76, 91, 95, 101, 119, 153, 205, 246-7, 251
Diverting ditties, 233-7
Divinings, 345
"Doctor," 284;
medical, 341
"Domesday Book," 45
Donne, 152
Doran, Dr., 209, 210
Dorset, Countess of, 211
Dorset, Marquis of, 101
Dover, 63, 81
Dragon's heads, &c., 73
Dramatic displays, 123, 136-7, 140-2, 153
Dramatist, England's greatest, 142
Drinkhail, 58
Drinks, 55 (see "Ale," "Mead," &c.)
Druidical plant, 228, 318
Druidism, 15, 28, 228
Drums, 220, 339
Dryden, 196
Dublin, 52
Dudley, Lord Robert, 126
Dugdale, Sir William, 112, 125, 138, 146
Dunn, Harriett, 316
Dunois, 84
Dunstan's Churchyard, St., 136
Durham, 43
Durham, Bishop of, 241
Dutchmen display fireworks, 154
Dwarfs, 195
E
Page 458
Ealdred, Archbishop, 39
Earl Marshal, 82
Early celebrations in Britain, 23
Eastern Churches, the, 11, 11, 325
Edgar, King, 36
Edinburgh, the late Duke of, 263
Edmondes, Sir Thomas, 192
Edmund, Archbishop, 63
Edmundsbury, St., 60
Edmund, son of Ethelred, 37
Edric, the Saxon, 37
Edric, Earl of Northumberland, 37
Edward the Confessor, 38
Edward, Prince, 241
Edward, St., 86
Edward I., 67
Edward II., 68
Edward III., 69
Edward IV., 86, 87, 88, 89
Edward V., 92
Edward VI., 108, 115, 116, 117
Edward the Black Prince, 74
Edwards, Richard, 137, 140
Edwin's Chiefs, King, 30
Effect of Season, 282
"Egeria," H.M.S., 308
Egg-nogg, 311
Egg Saturday, 183
Egmont, Count of, 118
Eija, 339, 340
Eisenach, 106
Eisleben, 106
Eleanor of Aquitane, 58
Eleanor of Castile, 68
Eleanor of Provence, 62
Eleutherius, Bishop of Rome, 24
Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Edward IV. 88
Elizabeth, Princess (afterwards Queen), 119, 120
Elizabeth, Princess of Austria, 335
Elizabeth, Queen, 122, 138, 140, 142, 150
Elizabeth of York, 93
Ellis, 105
El Teb, 302
Eltham, 78, 80, 81, 89, 104
Ely, Bishop of, 193
Ely, Monks of, 37
Emma, the Lady, 37, 38
England, 288
English Court, 38
English exiles, 93
Earl Marshal, 82
Early celebrations in Britain, 23
Eastern Churches, the, 11, 11, 325
Edgar, King, 36
Edinburgh, the late Duke of, 263
Edmondes, Sir Thomas, 192
Edmund, Archbishop, 63
Edmundsbury, St., 60
Edmund, son of Ethelred, 37
Edric, the Saxon, 37
Edric, Earl of Northumberland, 37
Edward the Confessor, 38
Edward, Prince, 241
Edward, St., 86
Edward I., 67
Edward II., 68
Edward III., 69
Edward IV., 86, 87, 88, 89
Edward V., 92
Edward VI., 108, 115, 116, 117
Edward the Black Prince, 74
Edwards, Richard, 137, 140
Edwin's Chiefs, King, 30
Effect of Season, 282
"Egeria," H.M.S., 308
Egg-nogg, 311
Egg Saturday, 183
Egmont, Count of, 118
Eija, 339, 340
Eisenach, 106
Eisleben, 106
Eleanor of Aquitane, 58
Eleanor of Castile, 68
Eleanor of Provence, 62
Eleutherius, Bishop of Rome, 24
Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Edward IV. 88
Elizabeth, Princess (afterwards Queen), 119, 120
Elizabeth, Princess of Austria, 335
Elizabeth, Queen, 122, 138, 140, 142, 150
Elizabeth of York, 93
Ellis, 105
El Teb, 302
Eltham, 78, 80, 81, 89, 104
Ely, Bishop of, 193
Ely, Monks of, 37
Emma, the Lady, 37, 38
England, 288
English Court, 38
English exiles, 93
Page 459
Entertainments, 30, 77, 112, 218, 233, 294
Epiphany, 11, 60, 93, 97, 192, 345
Episcopal cautions, 22
Ernalton of Spayne, 75
Errant, Knights, 195
Essex, Earl of, 143
Ethelbert, King of Kent, 28
Ethelred, King, 36, 37, 38
Ethelwine, Bishop, 43
Eusebius, 13
Evelyn, John, 201, 211, 223
Evelyn, Richard, 200
Ewald, 13
Excursionists, 310
Exeter, 232
Exeter Cathedral, 280
Exeter Chapel, 211
Exeter, Duchess of, 88
Excesses, Anglo-Saxon, 33;
Norman, 56
Expenditure for Christmas-keeping, 100-1
Experiences, Christmas, 287
F
Fabian, 81
"Fabliau of Sir Cleges," 69
Fair, Christmas, 337
Fairies, 195, 237
Fairy-bowl, 313
Fallow, Mr. T. M., F.S.A., 282-3
Fare, enormous, 65
Farnaby, 140
Farrar, Dean, 7
Fatally Burnt in Christmas Costumes, 291
"Father Christmas," 284
Favourites of James I., 155
Feast in the hall, 148
Feats of arms, 59, 67, 72, 73, 81, 99, 188
Fenwick, Sir John, 153, 222
Ferrers, George, 115, 116
"Ferrex and Porrex," 136
Festa Natalazie, 336
Festival in Scotland, the, 191
Festivities in the seventeenth century, 199
Fêtes, 309
Finland, 288
Fire, the all-attracting, at Christmas, 201, 217, 253, 259
Fire at King's Palace, 96
Fire in middle of halls, 30, 201
Epiphany, 11, 60, 93, 97, 192, 345
Episcopal cautions, 22
Ernalton of Spayne, 75
Errant, Knights, 195
Essex, Earl of, 143
Ethelbert, King of Kent, 28
Ethelred, King, 36, 37, 38
Ethelwine, Bishop, 43
Eusebius, 13
Evelyn, John, 201, 211, 223
Evelyn, Richard, 200
Ewald, 13
Excursionists, 310
Exeter, 232
Exeter Cathedral, 280
Exeter Chapel, 211
Exeter, Duchess of, 88
Excesses, Anglo-Saxon, 33;
Norman, 56
Expenditure for Christmas-keeping, 100-1
Experiences, Christmas, 287
F
Fabian, 81
"Fabliau of Sir Cleges," 69
Fair, Christmas, 337
Fairies, 195, 237
Fairy-bowl, 313
Fallow, Mr. T. M., F.S.A., 282-3
Fare, enormous, 65
Farnaby, 140
Farrar, Dean, 7
Fatally Burnt in Christmas Costumes, 291
"Father Christmas," 284
Favourites of James I., 155
Feast in the hall, 148
Feats of arms, 59, 67, 72, 73, 81, 99, 188
Fenwick, Sir John, 153, 222
Ferrers, George, 115, 116
"Ferrex and Porrex," 136
Festa Natalazie, 336
Festival in Scotland, the, 191
Festivities in the seventeenth century, 199
Fêtes, 309
Finland, 288
Fire, the all-attracting, at Christmas, 201, 217, 253, 259
Fire at King's Palace, 96
Fire in middle of halls, 30, 201
Page 460
First English Tragedy, 125
First Footing in Scotland, 285
"First Nowell," the, 346, 350
Fitzstephen, 45
Fitz Urse, Reginald, 53
Fitzwilliam, Lord Admiral, 109
Fitzwilliam, Sir William, 122
Five Articles of James I., 191
"Five Bells of Magdalen Church," 182
Fleet, the, 112
Fleetwood, 213
Flemings, 52
Fletcher, 152
Flodden Field, 98
Flohr, Madame Appoline, 332
Florentine, Old, 249
Flowers, 306, 307
Foiz, Erle of, 75
"Fool's Dance," the, 116
Fool, or Jester, 77, 113, 116, 284
Forbes, Mr. Archibald, 299
Forest of Dean, 43
Foresters, Lady, 75
Foresters and huntsmen in play, 100, 102
Forfeits, 246-7
Forte, Mr., 303
Fosse, the, 267
Foster, Birket, illustrations by, 2, 32, 44, 57, 111, 202, 234, 240, 250, 257, 271
"Foula Reel," the, 286
France, 63, 72, 108, 288, 316-321
Francis II., Emperor, 35
Franco-German War, 35
"Franklin's Tale," the, 33
Fraser, Sir Simon, 71
Free-lunches at hotels, 311
Freeman, William, 25, 37, 43, 45
French Embassy, 101
Fretevel, 53
Friars, 195, 271
Friday Street Tavern, 152
Friscobald, Leonard, 100
Froissart, Sir John, 31, 69, 75
Frost, hard, of 1564, 138
Frozen regions, 296
Fuller, 94
Fur-clad revellers, 310
G
Gairdner, Mr. James, 86
First Footing in Scotland, 285
"First Nowell," the, 346, 350
Fitzstephen, 45
Fitz Urse, Reginald, 53
Fitzwilliam, Lord Admiral, 109
Fitzwilliam, Sir William, 122
Five Articles of James I., 191
"Five Bells of Magdalen Church," 182
Fleet, the, 112
Fleetwood, 213
Flemings, 52
Fletcher, 152
Flodden Field, 98
Flohr, Madame Appoline, 332
Florentine, Old, 249
Flowers, 306, 307
Foiz, Erle of, 75
"Fool's Dance," the, 116
Fool, or Jester, 77, 113, 116, 284
Forbes, Mr. Archibald, 299
Forest of Dean, 43
Foresters, Lady, 75
Foresters and huntsmen in play, 100, 102
Forfeits, 246-7
Forte, Mr., 303
Fosse, the, 267
Foster, Birket, illustrations by, 2, 32, 44, 57, 111, 202, 234, 240, 250, 257, 271
"Foula Reel," the, 286
France, 63, 72, 108, 288, 316-321
Francis II., Emperor, 35
Franco-German War, 35
"Franklin's Tale," the, 33
Fraser, Sir Simon, 71
Free-lunches at hotels, 311
Freeman, William, 25, 37, 43, 45
French Embassy, 101
Fretevel, 53
Friars, 195, 271
Friday Street Tavern, 152
Friscobald, Leonard, 100
Froissart, Sir John, 31, 69, 75
Frost, hard, of 1564, 138
Frozen regions, 296
Fuller, 94
Fur-clad revellers, 310
G
Gairdner, Mr. James, 86
Page 461
Gaities, 309
Gala, 309
Galerius, 20
Gambia, 345
Gambols, 213, 221, 228, 247, 251
Games, 33, 88, 98, 102, 154, 205, 246
Garden of pleasure, 88
Garrard, Rev. G., 156
Garret, Mr. Edward, 284
Garrick, David, 219, 230, 237
Gascoigne, 140
Gascon wine, 57
Gaul, 28
Gaunt, John of, 94
Gay, John, 229
Geikie, Dr., 11
Generosity, 31, 263
Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal, 136, 141
Gentleman's Magazine, 243
Gentry, 55, 91. (Also see items under names of "Gentry.")
Geoffrey of Monmouth, 31, 49, 136
Geological Society, 297
George I., 229
George II., 231
George II., costumes, 286
George III., 240
George IV., 258
George's Chapel, St., Windsor, 140
George, King of Bohemia, 89
George, Prince, 225
George, St., village of, 324
George, St., and the Dragon, 59, 284
Germans, 33, 35, 288, 332, 333, 334
Germany, Emperor and Empress of, 334
"Germania," 295
Gesta Grayorum, 142
Ghost Stories, 33, 237, 274, 276
Giants, 195
Gifford, 152, 197
Gifts, 30, 42, 69, 89, 96, 148, 170, 300, 323
Giles, 140
Giles's Christian Mission, St., 265
Giles Fields, St., London, 81
"Gillie Cullum," 305
Gipps, Mr. Richard, 218
Giraldus Cambrensis, 49
Gleemen, 31, 69 (Also see "Minstrels.")
"Gloria in Excelsis," 317
Gloucester, 38, 45
Gloucester, Duke of, 92
Gala, 309
Galerius, 20
Gambia, 345
Gambols, 213, 221, 228, 247, 251
Games, 33, 88, 98, 102, 154, 205, 246
Garden of pleasure, 88
Garrard, Rev. G., 156
Garret, Mr. Edward, 284
Garrick, David, 219, 230, 237
Gascoigne, 140
Gascon wine, 57
Gaul, 28
Gaunt, John of, 94
Gay, John, 229
Geikie, Dr., 11
Generosity, 31, 263
Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal, 136, 141
Gentleman's Magazine, 243
Gentry, 55, 91. (Also see items under names of "Gentry.")
Geoffrey of Monmouth, 31, 49, 136
Geological Society, 297
George I., 229
George II., 231
George II., costumes, 286
George III., 240
George IV., 258
George's Chapel, St., Windsor, 140
George, King of Bohemia, 89
George, Prince, 225
George, St., village of, 324
George, St., and the Dragon, 59, 284
Germans, 33, 35, 288, 332, 333, 334
Germany, Emperor and Empress of, 334
"Germania," 295
Gesta Grayorum, 142
Ghost Stories, 33, 237, 274, 276
Giants, 195
Gifford, 152, 197
Gifts, 30, 42, 69, 89, 96, 148, 170, 300, 323
Giles, 140
Giles's Christian Mission, St., 265
Giles Fields, St., London, 81
"Gillie Cullum," 305
Gipps, Mr. Richard, 218
Giraldus Cambrensis, 49
Gleemen, 31, 69 (Also see "Minstrels.")
"Gloria in Excelsis," 317
Gloucester, 38, 45
Gloucester, Duke of, 92
Page 462
Gloucestershire, Sheriff of, 65
Goblins of the "Iliad," 325
Goddesses and huntresses, 119
Godwin, House of, 38
Goffe, 212
Gold Coast, 288
Golden play at Court, 154
Goldsmith, Oliver, 241
"Good old fashion," 146
Googe, Barnaby, 121
Goose-pie, 256
"Gorboduc," 125, 136
Gorgeous apparelling, 101
Gosford Street, Coventry, 148
Gospatric, 38
Gourdon, Sir Robert, 190
"Governance Lord," 112
"Gracious time," a, 34
Graduals, 22
Grand entertainments, 99, 100-2
"Grand Christmas" ceremonies, 132
Grand Guiser, 286
Grant, 254
Granthuse, Lord of, 87
Grape gathering, 16
Grattan, 59
Gray's Inn, 111, 112, 142, 143, 144, 145, 193, 218
Gray's Inn List of Performers, 143-5
Great houses, 111
Gregory Nazianzen, Bishop, 22
Gregory the Great—His Antiphonary, 22;
his story about English slaves, 27;
sends Augustine to England, 28
Greek Church show, 328
Greek Empire, 324
Green, J. R., 122, 200
Greenland, 295, 296
Greenwich, 100, 108, 115, 119
Greenwich Hospital Gathering, 288
Grey de Ruthyn, Lord, 82
Grey, Lady Jane, and her husband, 117
Grey, Lord Richard, 92
Griffiths, William, 136
"Grimston, Young," 273
Groceries, 265
Grose, 227
Guildford, 60, 73
Guising, 286
Gunhild, 37
Gunning, Mr., 211
Goblins of the "Iliad," 325
Goddesses and huntresses, 119
Godwin, House of, 38
Goffe, 212
Gold Coast, 288
Golden play at Court, 154
Goldsmith, Oliver, 241
"Good old fashion," 146
Googe, Barnaby, 121
Goose-pie, 256
"Gorboduc," 125, 136
Gorgeous apparelling, 101
Gosford Street, Coventry, 148
Gospatric, 38
Gourdon, Sir Robert, 190
"Governance Lord," 112
"Gracious time," a, 34
Graduals, 22
Grand entertainments, 99, 100-2
"Grand Christmas" ceremonies, 132
Grand Guiser, 286
Grant, 254
Granthuse, Lord of, 87
Grape gathering, 16
Grattan, 59
Gray's Inn, 111, 112, 142, 143, 144, 145, 193, 218
Gray's Inn List of Performers, 143-5
Great houses, 111
Gregory Nazianzen, Bishop, 22
Gregory the Great—His Antiphonary, 22;
his story about English slaves, 27;
sends Augustine to England, 28
Greek Church show, 328
Greek Empire, 324
Green, J. R., 122, 200
Greenland, 295, 296
Greenwich, 100, 108, 115, 119
Greenwich Hospital Gathering, 288
Grey de Ruthyn, Lord, 82
Grey, Lady Jane, and her husband, 117
Grey, Lord Richard, 92
Griffiths, William, 136
"Grimston, Young," 273
Groceries, 265
Grose, 227
Guildford, 60, 73
Guising, 286
Gunhild, 37
Gunning, Mr., 211
Page 463
Gustavus, 342
Guy of Warwick, 195
Gybson, Richard, 100
H
"Hackin, the," 216, 235
Haddon Hall, 224, 225
Hagmenae, 305
"Halig monath" (Holy month), 29
Hallam, 223
Hall, chronicler, 100, 104
Hall, a gentleman's, 30, 201
Halstead, 93
Hamilton, Marquesse of, 192
"Hamlet," 34, 142
Hampton Court, 108, 139
Handel, 350
Hanover, 229
"Hansa," the, 295
"Happy Land," the, 286
Harefield, 200
Harefleur, 93
Hare soup, 295
Harleian, MS., 30, 95
Harlequin, 230
"Harlequin Sorcerer," 230
Harold I., son of Canute, 37
Harold II., son of Godwin, 39
Harpers, 31, 41, 91
Harrison, President, and Mrs., 313
Harthacnut, 37
Haselrig, 213
Haslewood, Mr. Joseph, 232, 241, 244
Hastings, battle of, 39
Hastings, Lord, 87, 88
Hatfield House, 119, 120
Hat of Estate, royal, 96
Hatton, Lady, 211
Hawaii, 307
Hawking, 32, 154
Hay, Lord, 190
Heathenish practices, 26
Hebrew and Hellenic elements, 19
Heine, Henrich, 321
Helena of York, 21
Heliogabalus, 312
Helmes, Mr. Henry, 143
Hemans, Mrs., 47
Hems, Mr. Harry, 278
Guy of Warwick, 195
Gybson, Richard, 100
H
"Hackin, the," 216, 235
Haddon Hall, 224, 225
Hagmenae, 305
"Halig monath" (Holy month), 29
Hallam, 223
Hall, chronicler, 100, 104
Hall, a gentleman's, 30, 201
Halstead, 93
Hamilton, Marquesse of, 192
"Hamlet," 34, 142
Hampton Court, 108, 139
Handel, 350
Hanover, 229
"Hansa," the, 295
"Happy Land," the, 286
Harefield, 200
Harefleur, 93
Hare soup, 295
Harleian, MS., 30, 95
Harlequin, 230
"Harlequin Sorcerer," 230
Harold I., son of Canute, 37
Harold II., son of Godwin, 39
Harpers, 31, 41, 91
Harrison, President, and Mrs., 313
Harthacnut, 37
Haselrig, 213
Haslewood, Mr. Joseph, 232, 241, 244
Hastings, battle of, 39
Hastings, Lord, 87, 88
Hatfield House, 119, 120
Hat of Estate, royal, 96
Hatton, Lady, 211
Hawaii, 307
Hawking, 32, 154
Hay, Lord, 190
Heathenish practices, 26
Hebrew and Hellenic elements, 19
Heine, Henrich, 321
Helena of York, 21
Heliogabalus, 312
Helmes, Mr. Henry, 143
Hemans, Mrs., 47
Hems, Mr. Harry, 278
Page 464
Hengest, 28
Henley-on-Thames, 157
Henrietta Maria, 214
Henry, Cardinal of Winchester, 82
Henry I., 47
Henry II., 52, 56
Henry III., 62, 64
Henry IV., 79
Henry V., 80;
widow of, 94
Henry VI., 83, 85, 86, 87
Henry of Richmond, 93
Henry VII., marries Elizabeth of York, 94
Henry VIII., 98;
becomes head of Church, 107
Henry V. of Germany, 47
Henry, Prince, Son of James I., 152, 188
"Henry, Prince of Purpoole," 32
Herald Angels, the (a poem), 3
Heralds and pursuivants, 89
Herbert, Sir Philip, 153
Hereford, Duke of, 78
Herod, King, 7
Herons, 96
Herrick, Robert, 202, 279
"Hesperides," the, 203, 279
Heton, 68
Heynalte, Syr John, 70
Heywood, a player, 108
Higgs, Griffin, writer of the "Christmas Prince," 157, 350
High Festival at Court, 240
Highgate, 122
Highlands, 254
Hilary's Day, St., 73
Hilo, 306
Hinds' and maids' festivities, 213
Hippodrome, 52
Hobbyhorse, the, 197
Hobgoblins, 237
Hochstetter, Professor, 297
Hogges, village of, 52
Hogges, village of, 52
Holbein, Hans, 109, 114
Holinshed, 100, 115, 122
Holland, Governor of, 87
Holland, Lord, 156
Hollington, near Hastings, 284
Hollis, Sir William, 220
Holst, Duke of, 153
Holt, Sir, 243
Henley-on-Thames, 157
Henrietta Maria, 214
Henry, Cardinal of Winchester, 82
Henry I., 47
Henry II., 52, 56
Henry III., 62, 64
Henry IV., 79
Henry V., 80;
widow of, 94
Henry VI., 83, 85, 86, 87
Henry of Richmond, 93
Henry VII., marries Elizabeth of York, 94
Henry VIII., 98;
becomes head of Church, 107
Henry V. of Germany, 47
Henry, Prince, Son of James I., 152, 188
"Henry, Prince of Purpoole," 32
Herald Angels, the (a poem), 3
Heralds and pursuivants, 89
Herbert, Sir Philip, 153
Hereford, Duke of, 78
Herod, King, 7
Herons, 96
Herrick, Robert, 202, 279
"Hesperides," the, 203, 279
Heton, 68
Heynalte, Syr John, 70
Heywood, a player, 108
Higgs, Griffin, writer of the "Christmas Prince," 157, 350
High Festival at Court, 240
Highgate, 122
Highlands, 254
Hilary's Day, St., 73
Hilo, 306
Hinds' and maids' festivities, 213
Hippodrome, 52
Hobbyhorse, the, 197
Hobgoblins, 237
Hochstetter, Professor, 297
Hogges, village of, 52
Hogges, village of, 52
Holbein, Hans, 109, 114
Holinshed, 100, 115, 122
Holland, Governor of, 87
Holland, Lord, 156
Hollington, near Hastings, 284
Hollis, Sir William, 220
Holst, Duke of, 153
Holt, Sir, 243
Page 465
Holly, 273, 282
"Holly Bough, under the," 274
Holy evenings, 342
Holy Land, 67
Homage in the fifteenth century, 90
Hone, 66, 241, 317
Honey and wine, 55
Hood, Thomas, 274
Hoop and hide, 237
Hooton Roberts, 220
Horses gaily caparisoned, 99
Hospitality, 30, 124, 145, 146, 220, 256, 260-6, 278
Hostilities suspended for Christmas-day, 81, 84
Hot cockles, 229, 247, 252
Houghton Chapel, 220
Household Book of Henry VII., 95
Household Book of Henry VIII., 100
Housekeeping, Christmas, 232
House of Commons, 207
House of Peers, 226
Howard family, 101
Howard, Frances, Countess of Essex, 155
Howitt, Mary, 276
"Hue and Cry after Christmas," 208
Huet, Sir John, 153
Huish, 241
Humber, the, 43
Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, 82
Hungary, 153;
King of, 35
Hunting, 32, 54
Huntingdon, Earl of, 79;
Countess of, 82
Hunt the Slipper, 247, 313
Hussars, 10th, 301
Hussey, Sir Richard, 153
Hypocras, 55
I
Iceberg, Christmas upon an, 297
Ice-bound regions, 295
Ice sports, 45, 138, 154-5
Ideler, 13
Illuminations at Hampton Court, 120
Immanuel, 55, 6
India, 299
Indian Ocean, 308
Ingenuities and devices, 63
Inner Temple, 125, 136, 138
"Holly Bough, under the," 274
Holy evenings, 342
Holy Land, 67
Homage in the fifteenth century, 90
Hone, 66, 241, 317
Honey and wine, 55
Hood, Thomas, 274
Hoop and hide, 237
Hooton Roberts, 220
Horses gaily caparisoned, 99
Hospitality, 30, 124, 145, 146, 220, 256, 260-6, 278
Hostilities suspended for Christmas-day, 81, 84
Hot cockles, 229, 247, 252
Houghton Chapel, 220
Household Book of Henry VII., 95
Household Book of Henry VIII., 100
Housekeeping, Christmas, 232
House of Commons, 207
House of Peers, 226
Howard family, 101
Howard, Frances, Countess of Essex, 155
Howitt, Mary, 276
"Hue and Cry after Christmas," 208
Huet, Sir John, 153
Huish, 241
Humber, the, 43
Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, 82
Hungary, 153;
King of, 35
Hunting, 32, 54
Huntingdon, Earl of, 79;
Countess of, 82
Hunt the Slipper, 247, 313
Hussars, 10th, 301
Hussey, Sir Richard, 153
Hypocras, 55
I
Iceberg, Christmas upon an, 297
Ice-bound regions, 295
Ice sports, 45, 138, 154-5
Ideler, 13
Illuminations at Hampton Court, 120
Immanuel, 55, 6
India, 299
Indian Ocean, 308
Ingenuities and devices, 63
Inner Temple, 125, 136, 138
Page 466
Innocents' Day, 38, 119, 169
Inns of Court, 111, 112, 137, 201, 218
Interludes, 103, 112
Interruptions of festivities, 85, 206
"Investigator," the, 294
Iona, the monks of, 27
Ipomydon, Romance of, 33
Ipswich, 68, 210
Ira Seu Tumulus Fortune, 183
Ireland, 52, 288
Irish customs, 251
Irish Princes and Chieftains, 55
Irving, Washington, 241, 258
Isabel, Queen of France, 78
Isabella, daughter of Edward III., 75
Isaiah, the Prophet, 5
Italy, 288
Italian characters, 230
Italian Masque, 100
J
"Jack Straw," a masque, 112
Jacobites, 237
Jade, a charming, 252
Jamaica, 288
James I., 138, 150, 191, 193, 196
James II., 220, 225
James III. of Scotland, 98
James IV. of Scotland, 98
James's, St., 241
"Jane the Fool," 108
Jellalabad Plain, 302
Jermyn, Sir Isaac, 153;
Sir Robert, 153
Jerome, St., 13, 21
Jerusalem, the church at, 11
Jerusalem Chamber, 207
"Jesus, the Nazarene," 52
Jhelum, 300
Jinks, high, 285
Joan of Arc, 84
Joan of Kent, 76, 149
Jocund holiday, 266
John's College, St., Oxford, 111
John III., Duke of Cleves, 109
John's Day, St., 86, 134, 153, 219, 320
John, King, 59
John of Gaunt, 74
John of Salisbury, 54
Inns of Court, 111, 112, 137, 201, 218
Interludes, 103, 112
Interruptions of festivities, 85, 206
"Investigator," the, 294
Iona, the monks of, 27
Ipomydon, Romance of, 33
Ipswich, 68, 210
Ira Seu Tumulus Fortune, 183
Ireland, 52, 288
Irish customs, 251
Irish Princes and Chieftains, 55
Irving, Washington, 241, 258
Isabel, Queen of France, 78
Isabella, daughter of Edward III., 75
Isaiah, the Prophet, 5
Italy, 288
Italian characters, 230
Italian Masque, 100
J
"Jack Straw," a masque, 112
Jacobites, 237
Jade, a charming, 252
Jamaica, 288
James I., 138, 150, 191, 193, 196
James II., 220, 225
James III. of Scotland, 98
James IV. of Scotland, 98
James's, St., 241
"Jane the Fool," 108
Jellalabad Plain, 302
Jermyn, Sir Isaac, 153;
Sir Robert, 153
Jerome, St., 13, 21
Jerusalem, the church at, 11
Jerusalem Chamber, 207
"Jesus, the Nazarene," 52
Jhelum, 300
Jinks, high, 285
Joan of Arc, 84
Joan of Kent, 76, 149
Jocund holiday, 266
John's College, St., Oxford, 111
John III., Duke of Cleves, 109
John's Day, St., 86, 134, 153, 219, 320
John, King, 59
John of Gaunt, 74
John of Salisbury, 54
Page 467
John the Baptist, 13
Joints of meats, 265
Jones, Rev. A. G., 308
Jones, Mr. Charles C., 102
Jones, Mrs. Herbert, 85, 263
Jones, Inigo, 151
Jones, Mary, 280
Jonson, Ben, 86, 141, 148, 149, 151, 152, 190, 197
Jordan, 19
Joseph, 5, 6
Jousts, 32, 120
Judas Maccabæus, 17
Judæan origin of Christmas, supposed, 17
Jugglers, 31
Jule (see Yule)
"Julebukker," 342
Julius Agricola, 25
Julius I., Bishop of Rome, 11
Jupiter, 152
Justin Martyr, 7
Justiciars' extravagance, 59
K
Katherine of Arragon, 99
Katherine, wife of Henry V., 81
Kalends of January, 22
Karumpie, 55
Ken, Bishop, 11
Ken, Bishop, 11
Kenilworth Castle, 67, 68, 69, 84, 93, 197
Kent, 118
Kent, earldom of, 46
Kent, Countess of, 82;
Fair Maid of, 149
"Kepe Open Court," 69
"Kepe open thy door," 30, 146, 220
Kilaue, 307
Kimberley, 299
King and Council, 117
King at Lord Buckingham's, 192
King, Josiah, 233
King of Christmas, 112
"King of the Cockneys," 112
"King of the Peak," 224
King of Egypt and his daughter, 284
King's deer, 75
King's Lynn, 85
King's players, 151, 153
King's singing men, 89
Joints of meats, 265
Jones, Rev. A. G., 308
Jones, Mr. Charles C., 102
Jones, Mrs. Herbert, 85, 263
Jones, Inigo, 151
Jones, Mary, 280
Jonson, Ben, 86, 141, 148, 149, 151, 152, 190, 197
Jordan, 19
Joseph, 5, 6
Jousts, 32, 120
Judas Maccabæus, 17
Judæan origin of Christmas, supposed, 17
Jugglers, 31
Jule (see Yule)
"Julebukker," 342
Julius Agricola, 25
Julius I., Bishop of Rome, 11
Jupiter, 152
Justin Martyr, 7
Justiciars' extravagance, 59
K
Katherine of Arragon, 99
Katherine, wife of Henry V., 81
Kalends of January, 22
Karumpie, 55
Ken, Bishop, 11
Ken, Bishop, 11
Kenilworth Castle, 67, 68, 69, 84, 93, 197
Kent, 118
Kent, earldom of, 46
Kent, Countess of, 82;
Fair Maid of, 149
"Kepe Open Court," 69
"Kepe open thy door," 30, 146, 220
Kilaue, 307
Kimberley, 299
King and Council, 117
King at Lord Buckingham's, 192
King, Josiah, 233
King of Christmas, 112
"King of the Cockneys," 112
"King of the Peak," 224
King of Egypt and his daughter, 284
King's deer, 75
King's Lynn, 85
King's players, 151, 153
King's singing men, 89
Page 468
King's train-bearer, 96
"Kingdome's Weekly Intelligencer," 208
Kinloch, 300
Kirke, George, 201
Kissing Bush, 250, 281
Kitts, St., 288
Knevet, Sir Thomas, 101
Knights and Ladies, playing at, 252
Knights of the Round Table, 30
Knights in armour, 99
Knight Templars, 60
Knipton, 266
Kyrie Eliesons, 22, 28
L
La Blanche Nef, 47
Ladies-in-waiting, 263
Lady-bells ring, 267
Lady-Mass, 88
"Lady Public Weal," 112
Ladysmith, 299
Lalain, Count of, 118
Lamb, Charles, 200, 244-6
Lambeth, 38, 138
"Lamentation," 145
Lancastrians, 85, 86
Lanfranc, Archbishop, 46, 49
Lanterns, Feast of, 345
"Largess," a, 129
Latimer, Hugh, 113
Latin and Greek verse, 111
Laube, Dr., 297
Laud, Dr. (Archbishop), 191, 195
Launcelot, Sir, 32
Laurel, 273, 282
Laurel blent with cypress, 298
Lavaine, Sir, 32
Lavish entertainments, 59
Law, Christmas, ancient, 35
Lawes, Henry, 151
Leaping, 32, 229
Leech, John, 289
Lee's "Mithridates," 218
Leeds, 283, 291
Legend of St. Nicholas, 310
Leicester, Earl of, 66, 139
Leigh, Gerard, 127
Leland, 95
Lenox, Duke of, 190
"Kingdome's Weekly Intelligencer," 208
Kinloch, 300
Kirke, George, 201
Kissing Bush, 250, 281
Kitts, St., 288
Knevet, Sir Thomas, 101
Knights and Ladies, playing at, 252
Knights of the Round Table, 30
Knights in armour, 99
Knight Templars, 60
Knipton, 266
Kyrie Eliesons, 22, 28
L
La Blanche Nef, 47
Ladies-in-waiting, 263
Lady-bells ring, 267
Lady-Mass, 88
"Lady Public Weal," 112
Ladysmith, 299
Lalain, Count of, 118
Lamb, Charles, 200, 244-6
Lambeth, 38, 138
"Lamentation," 145
Lancastrians, 85, 86
Lanfranc, Archbishop, 46, 49
Lanterns, Feast of, 345
"Largess," a, 129
Latimer, Hugh, 113
Latin and Greek verse, 111
Laube, Dr., 297
Laud, Dr. (Archbishop), 191, 195
Launcelot, Sir, 32
Laurel, 273, 282
Laurel blent with cypress, 298
Lavaine, Sir, 32
Lavish entertainments, 59
Law, Christmas, ancient, 35
Lawes, Henry, 151
Leaping, 32, 229
Leech, John, 289
Lee's "Mithridates," 218
Leeds, 283, 291
Legend of St. Nicholas, 310
Leicester, Earl of, 66, 139
Leigh, Gerard, 127
Leland, 95
Lenox, Duke of, 190
Page 469
Leo, Pope, 35
Leon, King of Armenia, 78
Leon von Rozmital, 89
Leonard's chime, St., 267
Lerwick, 286
Letter Missions, 292
Leyden, 157
Library, St. John's College, 156
Lichfield Cathedral, 349, 350;
Deanery of, 157, 350
Lincoln, 51, 68
Lincoln, Earl of, 64
Lincoln's Inn, 111, 112, 138
Lincolnshire, 266
Linlithgow, 68
Lion and antelope as performers, 102
Lions' heads, 119
Lisbon, 226
Lists of combat, 101
Literature, 292, 313
Llanfairpyllycrochon, 280
Llewellyn, Prince of Wales, 67
Log-fires, 32, 301
Lollards, 80
London, 36, 38, 43, 45, 51, 60, 63, 71, 78, 138
London, Bishop of, 25, 79
Longchamps, William, Bishop of Ely, 59
Longe, John, 71, 72
Longfellow, 26, 43, 44, 271
Lord Chamberlain, 87, 139
Lord Chamberlain's players, 151
Lord Mayor of London, 116
Lord Mayor and Lord of Misrule at loggerheads, 198
Lord of Misrule, 74, 95, 100, 105, 109, 112, 115, 125, 126, 198, 200, 218
Lord President of Wales, 200
Lord Treasurer, 192
Lorrainers, 319
Loseley, Surrey, 122
Lott, Mr. J. B., 350
Louis of France, 62
Lambert, 213
Louis, St., 317
"Love's Triumph," 198
Lucius Verus, 24
"Luck of Christ," the, 325
Ludlow, 92, 200
Luke, St., 6, 7
Luther, Martin, 106
"Lying Valet," 237
Lyly's Plays, 141
Leon, King of Armenia, 78
Leon von Rozmital, 89
Leonard's chime, St., 267
Lerwick, 286
Letter Missions, 292
Leyden, 157
Library, St. John's College, 156
Lichfield Cathedral, 349, 350;
Deanery of, 157, 350
Lincoln, 51, 68
Lincoln, Earl of, 64
Lincoln's Inn, 111, 112, 138
Lincolnshire, 266
Linlithgow, 68
Lion and antelope as performers, 102
Lions' heads, 119
Lisbon, 226
Lists of combat, 101
Literature, 292, 313
Llanfairpyllycrochon, 280
Llewellyn, Prince of Wales, 67
Log-fires, 32, 301
Lollards, 80
London, 36, 38, 43, 45, 51, 60, 63, 71, 78, 138
London, Bishop of, 25, 79
Longchamps, William, Bishop of Ely, 59
Longe, John, 71, 72
Longfellow, 26, 43, 44, 271
Lord Chamberlain, 87, 139
Lord Chamberlain's players, 151
Lord Mayor of London, 116
Lord Mayor and Lord of Misrule at loggerheads, 198
Lord of Misrule, 74, 95, 100, 105, 109, 112, 115, 125, 126, 198, 200, 218
Lord President of Wales, 200
Lord Treasurer, 192
Lorrainers, 319
Loseley, Surrey, 122
Lott, Mr. J. B., 350
Louis of France, 62
Lambert, 213
Louis, St., 317
"Love's Triumph," 198
Lucius Verus, 24
"Luck of Christ," the, 325
Ludlow, 92, 200
Luke, St., 6, 7
Luther, Martin, 106
"Lying Valet," 237
Lyly's Plays, 141
Page 470
Lyson's "Magna Britannia," 251
M
Macaulay, Lord, 40
Machinists, ingenious, 151
Mackay, Dr. Charles, 274
Madden, Sir Frederick, 87
Madeley, Shropshire, 255, 284
Mafeking, 299
Magdalen College, Oxford, 109, 110
Magdalene College, Cambridge, 145
Magi, the, 11, 19, 28
Magna Charta, 60
Magnificence, 40, 87
Magnus, St., 49
Maid of Kent, Fair, 76, 149
Maid Marians, 286
Maid Marians, 286
Mainard, John, 117
Mallard, John, 114
Malory, Sir Thomas, 32
Malta, 307
Manger, superb substitutes for, 328
Manners, Lord and Lady John, 266
Manners, Sir John, 224
Manor, ancient, 148, 149
Mansfeld, 106
Mansions, 55
Manuel, Emperor, 52
Maori Pa, 304
March, Earl of, 82
Marcus Aurelius Antonius, 24
Margaret, daughter of Henry III., 64
Margaret of Anjou, 85, 86
Margaret, daughter of Henry VII., 97
Mark's, St., Venice, 336
Marlboro', 304
Marlborough, Duchess of, 225;
Duke of, 225
"Marmion," 36
Marriage festivities, 62, 63, 64, 81, 99, 151-2
Marseilles, 307
Marteaux (a game with balls), 88
Martial music, 84
Martigny, George, 88
Martin, 152
Martin's, St., Canterbury, 24
Martyn, John, 231
Martyrs, British, 20
M
Macaulay, Lord, 40
Machinists, ingenious, 151
Mackay, Dr. Charles, 274
Madden, Sir Frederick, 87
Madeley, Shropshire, 255, 284
Mafeking, 299
Magdalen College, Oxford, 109, 110
Magdalene College, Cambridge, 145
Magi, the, 11, 19, 28
Magna Charta, 60
Magnificence, 40, 87
Magnus, St., 49
Maid of Kent, Fair, 76, 149
Maid Marians, 286
Maid Marians, 286
Mainard, John, 117
Mallard, John, 114
Malory, Sir Thomas, 32
Malta, 307
Manger, superb substitutes for, 328
Manners, Lord and Lady John, 266
Manners, Sir John, 224
Manor, ancient, 148, 149
Mansfeld, 106
Mansions, 55
Manuel, Emperor, 52
Maori Pa, 304
March, Earl of, 82
Marcus Aurelius Antonius, 24
Margaret, daughter of Henry III., 64
Margaret of Anjou, 85, 86
Margaret, daughter of Henry VII., 97
Mark's, St., Venice, 336
Marlboro', 304
Marlborough, Duchess of, 225;
Duke of, 225
"Marmion," 36
Marriage festivities, 62, 63, 64, 81, 99, 151-2
Marseilles, 307
Marteaux (a game with balls), 88
Martial music, 84
Martigny, George, 88
Martin, 152
Martin's, St., Canterbury, 24
Martyn, John, 231
Martyrs, British, 20
Page 471
Mary, the mother of Jesus, 5, 6
Mary, St., 53
Mary, Princess (afterwards Queen), 105;
her accession, 117;
Queen, 119, 136
Maryland, 314
Mary, Queen, wife of William III., 221
Mason, 251
Masquerade, 100, 102, 236
Masques, 52, 99, 119, 120, 143, 151, 152, 153, 154, 168, 192, 195, 197, 201;
rustic masque, 272
Massacres of Christians, 20
Massinger, Philip, 112, 193
"Master Christmas," 206
Master of the Children, the, 136
Master of the Revels, 74, 112, 125, 218 (see also Lord of Misrule)
Matilda, Empress, daughter of Henry I., 47, 51
Matilda, Queen of Henry I., 49
Matins, 88
Matthew, St., 6
Maud, General, 300
Maupigyrum, 55
Mauritius, 288
Mayor and Aldermen of London, 74, 96
Mayor of Canterbury mobbed, 210
McClure, Sir R., 294
Mead, 55
Meade, Mr., 192, 198
Mediterranean, 307, 321, 331
Medley of Nymphs, savages, &c., 102
Melbourne, 303
"Meliades," 189
Melrose, 98
Memphis, 59
Mendelssohn, 350
Men of Kent, 210
Mephistopheles, 342
Mercia, 34, 35
"Merciless Parliament," 78
"Mercurius Academicus," 207
"Mercurius Civicus," 208
Mermaid Inn, 152
"Merry Boys of Christmas," 215
Merry Disports, Lord of, 117 (see also Master of the Revels)
"Merry in the hall," 235
Merry tales, 195
Merton College, Oxford, 237
"Messiah," 304, 350
Metrical Romance, 69
Mexborough, 219
Mary, St., 53
Mary, Princess (afterwards Queen), 105;
her accession, 117;
Queen, 119, 136
Maryland, 314
Mary, Queen, wife of William III., 221
Mason, 251
Masquerade, 100, 102, 236
Masques, 52, 99, 119, 120, 143, 151, 152, 153, 154, 168, 192, 195, 197, 201;
rustic masque, 272
Massacres of Christians, 20
Massinger, Philip, 112, 193
"Master Christmas," 206
Master of the Children, the, 136
Master of the Revels, 74, 112, 125, 218 (see also Lord of Misrule)
Matilda, Empress, daughter of Henry I., 47, 51
Matilda, Queen of Henry I., 49
Matins, 88
Matthew, St., 6
Maud, General, 300
Maupigyrum, 55
Mauritius, 288
Mayor and Aldermen of London, 74, 96
Mayor of Canterbury mobbed, 210
McClure, Sir R., 294
Mead, 55
Meade, Mr., 192, 198
Mediterranean, 307, 321, 331
Medley of Nymphs, savages, &c., 102
Melbourne, 303
"Meliades," 189
Melrose, 98
Memphis, 59
Mendelssohn, 350
Men of Kent, 210
Mephistopheles, 342
Mercia, 34, 35
"Merciless Parliament," 78
"Mercurius Academicus," 207
"Mercurius Civicus," 208
Mermaid Inn, 152
"Merry Boys of Christmas," 215
Merry Disports, Lord of, 117 (see also Master of the Revels)
"Merry in the hall," 235
Merry tales, 195
Merton College, Oxford, 237
"Messiah," 304, 350
Metrical Romance, 69
Mexborough, 219
Page 472
Michell, Sir Francis, 194
Middle Temple, 156, 192
Middleton Tower, Norfolk, 84
Midnight Mass, 316, 323
Midwinter Customs in the north, 284
Mildmay, Sir Henry, 192
Milford Haven, 93
Millbrook, Southampton, 265
Miller, Thomas, 248
Mills, 148
Milner, Dr., 31
Milton, 13, 200, 253
Mimics, 69
"Mince-pie," 273
Minerva, the Goddess, 102
Minstrels, 31, 41, 42, 43, 44, 58, 69, 315
Miracles at Becket's Sepulchre, 54
Miracle Plays, 52, 77
"Misa del Gallo," 340
"Misa di Lux," 340
Miscomia, 297
Misrule (see "Lord of Misrule")
Missionary's Christmas, 308
Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, 286
Mistletoe, 28, 228, 250, 273, 282, 307, 318, 319
M'Kee, Mr. and Mrs., 313
Modern Christmases at home, 240
Modern Christmases abroad, 294
"Modern Intelligencer," The, 208
Mohnpielen, 335
Monk, General, 214
Monks, merry, 37, 56
Monson, Sir William, 192
Monstrelet, 81
Monte Carlo, 331
Montegele, Lord, 154
Montgomery, 154, 190
Morat, 55
Moray, Earl of, 71
More, Mr., of Loseley, 122
Morley, Lady, 91
Morley, Professor Henry, 69, 125, 136, 193, 229
Morrice Dance, 102
Mortimer, Anne, 86
Morville, Hugh de, 53
Mosaics, 16, 331
Mother of the maids, 139
Motley throng, 286
Mowbrays, 148
Moyle, Thomas, 112
Middle Temple, 156, 192
Middleton Tower, Norfolk, 84
Midnight Mass, 316, 323
Midwinter Customs in the north, 284
Mildmay, Sir Henry, 192
Milford Haven, 93
Millbrook, Southampton, 265
Miller, Thomas, 248
Mills, 148
Milner, Dr., 31
Milton, 13, 200, 253
Mimics, 69
"Mince-pie," 273
Minerva, the Goddess, 102
Minstrels, 31, 41, 42, 43, 44, 58, 69, 315
Miracles at Becket's Sepulchre, 54
Miracle Plays, 52, 77
"Misa del Gallo," 340
"Misa di Lux," 340
Miscomia, 297
Misrule (see "Lord of Misrule")
Missionary's Christmas, 308
Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, 286
Mistletoe, 28, 228, 250, 273, 282, 307, 318, 319
M'Kee, Mr. and Mrs., 313
Modern Christmases at home, 240
Modern Christmases abroad, 294
"Modern Intelligencer," The, 208
Mohnpielen, 335
Monk, General, 214
Monks, merry, 37, 56
Monson, Sir William, 192
Monstrelet, 81
Monte Carlo, 331
Montegele, Lord, 154
Montgomery, 154, 190
Morat, 55
Moray, Earl of, 71
More, Mr., of Loseley, 122
Morley, Lady, 91
Morley, Professor Henry, 69, 125, 136, 193, 229
Morrice Dance, 102
Mortimer, Anne, 86
Morville, Hugh de, 53
Mosaics, 16, 331
Mother of the maids, 139
Motley throng, 286
Mowbrays, 148
Moyle, Thomas, 112
Page 473
Muddle, General, 297
Mumming, 52, 80, 121, 234, 236, 267
Murray, Sir Andrew, 71
Murray, Sir Andrew, 71
Muschamp, Sir Thomas, 153
Music, 195
Musicians, 129
Musk veal, 294
Mysteries, 77
N
"Naogeorgus," 121
Naples, 336
Napoleon Bonaparte, 321
Naseby, 209
Nativity, place of the, 7;
Church and Convent of the, 7;
feast of the, 15;
massacres at the, 20;
sermons on the, 193-5
Navarre, 63
Navidad discovered, 96
Negroes' merry Christmas, 314
Negro minstrels, 286
Neighbours and Tenants, 146, 220
Nelson, New Zealand, 304
Nero, 15, 20
Netherlands, 288
Neville's Cross, 74
Neville, Sir Richard, 82
Nevil, Lord, 86, 101
Newark-on-Trent, 62
New Brunswick, 288
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 68
New England Puritans, 314
New Forest, 47
Newmarket, 194, 218
New style, 237
Newton, Sir Isaac, 14, 204
New Year's Day, 93, 95, 96, 100, 130, 135, 169, 170, 189, 199, 203, 260, 263, 271, 284, 286, 291,
323, 342
New Zealand, 304
Nicholas's Day, St., 119
Nichols, 120, 124, 126, 153, 155, 191, 192, 193-5
Nicomedia, 20
Nigellus, 53
Novgorod, 319
Nip, 342
"Nippin Grund," the, 286
Mumming, 52, 80, 121, 234, 236, 267
Murray, Sir Andrew, 71
Murray, Sir Andrew, 71
Muschamp, Sir Thomas, 153
Music, 195
Musicians, 129
Musk veal, 294
Mysteries, 77
N
"Naogeorgus," 121
Naples, 336
Napoleon Bonaparte, 321
Naseby, 209
Nativity, place of the, 7;
Church and Convent of the, 7;
feast of the, 15;
massacres at the, 20;
sermons on the, 193-5
Navarre, 63
Navidad discovered, 96
Negroes' merry Christmas, 314
Negro minstrels, 286
Neighbours and Tenants, 146, 220
Nelson, New Zealand, 304
Nero, 15, 20
Netherlands, 288
Neville's Cross, 74
Neville, Sir Richard, 82
Nevil, Lord, 86, 101
Newark-on-Trent, 62
New Brunswick, 288
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 68
New England Puritans, 314
New Forest, 47
Newmarket, 194, 218
New style, 237
Newton, Sir Isaac, 14, 204
New Year's Day, 93, 95, 96, 100, 130, 135, 169, 170, 189, 199, 203, 260, 263, 271, 284, 286, 291,
323, 342
New Zealand, 304
Nicholas's Day, St., 119
Nichols, 120, 124, 126, 153, 155, 191, 192, 193-5
Nicomedia, 20
Nigellus, 53
Novgorod, 319
Nip, 342
"Nippin Grund," the, 286
Page 474
Noblemen, 99, 124 (see others named)
Noche-buena, 340
Nocturnal Office, 317
Noël or Nowell, 9, 33, 319, 321, 346, 350
Nonconformists, 207
Norfolk, 143, 146, 218
"Norman Baron," the, 43-4
Norman celebrations, 40, 41
Norman Conquest helped, 37
Norman-French customs, 38
Normandy, dukedom of, 47
Normandy, 42, 318, 320
Northampton, Marquis of, 139
Northamptonshire, 284
North, Mr. Thomas, 232
Northern nations, 15
North Pole, 295
North Sea fishermen, 286
North West Passage, 294
Northumberland, 43, 255
Northumberland, Earl of, 37, 86;
earldom of, 43;
Duke of, 117
Northumberland Household Book, 103
Northumbrians, 27, 38
Norton, Thomas, 125
Norway, 288, 342
Nottingham, 68, 189
Nova Scotia, 288
Nuns, 267, 271, 321
O
Oberon, 342
Odo, Bishop, 46
Offa, "the mighty," 34, 350
Officers of "Grand Christmas," list of, 126;
of Christmas Prince, 165-6-7;
officers, Royal, of Arms, 139
Oglethorpe, Bishop, 123
Olaf, King, 26
"Old Christmas," 145, 230, 273, 276
"Old and Young Courtiers," 217
Oldisworth, Michael, 201
"Open Court" of Cardinal Wolsey, 104
"Open House," 113, 220
Opera, the, 228
Order of the Garter instituted, 72
Ordinances of the Puritans, 207
Orkney Isles, 287
Noche-buena, 340
Nocturnal Office, 317
Noël or Nowell, 9, 33, 319, 321, 346, 350
Nonconformists, 207
Norfolk, 143, 146, 218
"Norman Baron," the, 43-4
Norman celebrations, 40, 41
Norman Conquest helped, 37
Norman-French customs, 38
Normandy, dukedom of, 47
Normandy, 42, 318, 320
Northampton, Marquis of, 139
Northamptonshire, 284
North, Mr. Thomas, 232
Northern nations, 15
North Pole, 295
North Sea fishermen, 286
North West Passage, 294
Northumberland, 43, 255
Northumberland, Earl of, 37, 86;
earldom of, 43;
Duke of, 117
Northumberland Household Book, 103
Northumbrians, 27, 38
Norton, Thomas, 125
Norway, 288, 342
Nottingham, 68, 189
Nova Scotia, 288
Nuns, 267, 271, 321
O
Oberon, 342
Odo, Bishop, 46
Offa, "the mighty," 34, 350
Officers of "Grand Christmas," list of, 126;
of Christmas Prince, 165-6-7;
officers, Royal, of Arms, 139
Oglethorpe, Bishop, 123
Olaf, King, 26
"Old Christmas," 145, 230, 273, 276
"Old and Young Courtiers," 217
Oldisworth, Michael, 201
"Open Court" of Cardinal Wolsey, 104
"Open House," 113, 220
Opera, the, 228
Order of the Garter instituted, 72
Ordinances of the Puritans, 207
Orkney Isles, 287
Page 475
Orleans, 84
Orpheus, 19, 29, 152
Osborne House, 261-3
Othbert, 49
Ovation to Henry V., 81
Overbury, Sir Thomas, 155
Ovid, 230
Oxford, 38, 51, 68, 109, 140, 210
P
Paganism, 19, 20, 22, 28
Pageantry, 31, 63, 122
Paget, Lord, 120
Palatine, marriage of, 151
"Palemon and Arcite," 140
Palestine, 54
"Pallas, Knights of," 102
Palmer, Mr., Lord of Misrule, 198
Pansch, Dr., 295
Panting Piper, 305
Pantomime, 229, 230
Papal Legate, 64
Pappa Westra, 287
Paris, 35, 291, 316, 317, 318
Paris, Matthew, 54, 63
Paris Tournament, 78
Parker, Lieutenant and Mrs., 313
"Parlement," 45
Parliamentarians, 206
Parliament, new Houses of, 46
Parliament, the first English, 65
Parson makes merry with parishioners, 113
Parties, 309
"Paston Letters," 86, 91
Pastoral, "Calisto," 218
Patriarch of Venice, 336
Patrick, St., 284
Paulinus, Missionary, 30
Paul, Mr. Howard, 309
Paul's Cathedral, St., 140
Paul's Church, St., 119
Paul's Cross, St., 92
Paul's Cross, St., 92
Paul St., Earl of, 79
Paul's School, St., 77
Paupers, merry, 288
Pavy, Salathiel, 142
Peacocks, 96, 97
Pegasus, 198
Orpheus, 19, 29, 152
Osborne House, 261-3
Othbert, 49
Ovation to Henry V., 81
Overbury, Sir Thomas, 155
Ovid, 230
Oxford, 38, 51, 68, 109, 140, 210
P
Paganism, 19, 20, 22, 28
Pageantry, 31, 63, 122
Paget, Lord, 120
Palatine, marriage of, 151
"Palemon and Arcite," 140
Palestine, 54
"Pallas, Knights of," 102
Palmer, Mr., Lord of Misrule, 198
Pansch, Dr., 295
Panting Piper, 305
Pantomime, 229, 230
Papal Legate, 64
Pappa Westra, 287
Paris, 35, 291, 316, 317, 318
Paris, Matthew, 54, 63
Paris Tournament, 78
Parker, Lieutenant and Mrs., 313
"Parlement," 45
Parliamentarians, 206
Parliament, new Houses of, 46
Parliament, the first English, 65
Parson makes merry with parishioners, 113
Parties, 309
"Paston Letters," 86, 91
Pastoral, "Calisto," 218
Patriarch of Venice, 336
Patrick, St., 284
Paulinus, Missionary, 30
Paul, Mr. Howard, 309
Paul's Cathedral, St., 140
Paul's Church, St., 119
Paul's Cross, St., 92
Paul's Cross, St., 92
Paul St., Earl of, 79
Paul's School, St., 77
Paupers, merry, 288
Pavy, Salathiel, 142
Peacocks, 96, 97
Pegasus, 198
Page 476
Pembroke, the Regent, 62
Pembroke, Countess of, 241
"Penelope's Wooer," 187
Penshurst, Kent, 148-9
Pepys, Samuel, 145, 218
Perche, Countess of, 47
Peres, William, 103
Performers, various, 41, 77
"Periander," a tragedy, 185
Periodicals, 292, 313
Period of Christmas, 11, 35, 111, 135, 227
Perrers, Alice, 74, 75
Perth, 274
Perry, 55
Peshawur, 300
Petavius, 13
Peter of Blois, 56
Peter, St., 283
Peter the Great, of Russia, 223
Peter's, St., Rome, 330
Pétit Souper, 322
Petworth, 225
Philip of Spain, 118
Philip and Mary, 119
Philippa, Queen, 72
"Philomathes," 176
"Philomela," a tragedy, 169
Philosopher's game, 195
Phœnicia, 55
Picnics, 304
Picts and Scots, 26, 31
"Picturesque Europe," 224
Pièce de résistance, 294
Piers Gaveston, 68
Pigment, 55
Pilgrims, 59
Pires Barnard, 68
Pipers, 31, 89
Place de la Madeline, 319
Place de la République, 319
Plague, the, 139
Plantagenets, 68
Plato's Dialogue, 17
Plays, Christmas, 76-7, 84, 91, 95, 102, 112, 125, 136-7, 142, 284, 320-1
Playing Cards, 90
Plum-pudding, 245, 263, 265, 273, 317, 319
Pocahontas, 314
Poculum charitatis, 237
Poetic pictures of Christmas, 33, 34, 43-4, 69, 203, 204-5, 217, 221-2, 227, 250, 258, 274, 276-8,
288, 298, 350
Pembroke, Countess of, 241
"Penelope's Wooer," 187
Penshurst, Kent, 148-9
Pepys, Samuel, 145, 218
Perche, Countess of, 47
Peres, William, 103
Performers, various, 41, 77
"Periander," a tragedy, 185
Periodicals, 292, 313
Period of Christmas, 11, 35, 111, 135, 227
Perrers, Alice, 74, 75
Perth, 274
Perry, 55
Peshawur, 300
Petavius, 13
Peter of Blois, 56
Peter, St., 283
Peter the Great, of Russia, 223
Peter's, St., Rome, 330
Pétit Souper, 322
Petworth, 225
Philip of Spain, 118
Philip and Mary, 119
Philippa, Queen, 72
"Philomathes," 176
"Philomela," a tragedy, 169
Philosopher's game, 195
Phœnicia, 55
Picnics, 304
Picts and Scots, 26, 31
"Picturesque Europe," 224
Pièce de résistance, 294
Piers Gaveston, 68
Pigment, 55
Pilgrims, 59
Pires Barnard, 68
Pipers, 31, 89
Place de la Madeline, 319
Place de la République, 319
Plague, the, 139
Plantagenets, 68
Plato's Dialogue, 17
Plays, Christmas, 76-7, 84, 91, 95, 102, 112, 125, 136-7, 142, 284, 320-1
Playing Cards, 90
Plum-pudding, 245, 263, 265, 273, 317, 319
Pocahontas, 314
Poculum charitatis, 237
Poetic pictures of Christmas, 33, 34, 43-4, 69, 203, 204-5, 217, 221-2, 227, 250, 258, 274, 276-8,
288, 298, 350
Page 477
Poictiers, 74
Pointer, 237
Poleaxes for Pensioners, 156
Pole, Cardinal, 118, 119
"Pompey," 36
Pontefract, 87, 92
"Poor Robin's Almanack," 217, 222, 223, 230
Pope, poet, 46, 230
"Popish Customs," so called, 109
Popple, John, 257
Popular festivities, 242
Portugal, 226, 288
Post and Pair, 247, 250
Post-office and postmen, 292
Poverty at Court, 86
Prayer Books of Edward VI., 117
Presbytery, 109
Presents, 15, 42, 69, 88, 312, 323, 326, 335
Presentation in the Temple, 348
Presepio (manger), 328
Preston, Sir Richard, 190
Priestess, Druid, 228
Priests bearing relics, 90
Priestly practices, 121, 317, 328
Primate's cruelty, 200
Primitive celebrations, 19
"Prince Charlie," 237
Prince of Wales, 85, 225, 263
Prince of Wales's Strait, 294
Princes of Germany, 35, 109
Princes play in masques, 152, 197
Privy Council, 117
Prolongation of Revels, 201
Promethus, 152
Protectorate, the, 213
Protestantism of Queen Elizabeth, 122
Provençal Plays, 320-1
Provence, 320, 321;
Eleanor of, 62-4
Provision for the poor, 257-8, 260-6
Prowess, 67, 72, 73, 84, 99, 190
Prussian Royal Family, 334
Prynne, William, 199
Psyche, 19
Ptarmigan pasties, 295
Punch, 282, 342
Puppet shows, 227, 321, 328
Purification, the, 73
Puritan Directory, 207
Puritanism, 109
Pointer, 237
Poleaxes for Pensioners, 156
Pole, Cardinal, 118, 119
"Pompey," 36
Pontefract, 87, 92
"Poor Robin's Almanack," 217, 222, 223, 230
Pope, poet, 46, 230
"Popish Customs," so called, 109
Popple, John, 257
Popular festivities, 242
Portugal, 226, 288
Post and Pair, 247, 250
Post-office and postmen, 292
Poverty at Court, 86
Prayer Books of Edward VI., 117
Presbytery, 109
Presents, 15, 42, 69, 88, 312, 323, 326, 335
Presentation in the Temple, 348
Presepio (manger), 328
Preston, Sir Richard, 190
Priestess, Druid, 228
Priests bearing relics, 90
Priestly practices, 121, 317, 328
Primate's cruelty, 200
Primitive celebrations, 19
"Prince Charlie," 237
Prince of Wales, 85, 225, 263
Prince of Wales's Strait, 294
Princes of Germany, 35, 109
Princes play in masques, 152, 197
Privy Council, 117
Prolongation of Revels, 201
Promethus, 152
Protectorate, the, 213
Protestantism of Queen Elizabeth, 122
Provençal Plays, 320-1
Provence, 320, 321;
Eleanor of, 62-4
Provision for the poor, 257-8, 260-6
Prowess, 67, 72, 73, 84, 99, 190
Prussian Royal Family, 334
Prynne, William, 199
Psyche, 19
Ptarmigan pasties, 295
Punch, 282, 342
Puppet shows, 227, 321, 328
Purification, the, 73
Puritan Directory, 207
Puritanism, 109
Page 478
Purposes, 195
Puss-in-the-Corner, 236
Pynson, printer, 104
Q
Quadrangle, Royal, 88
"Quartette" cards, 272
Queen's College, Oxford, 109
Queen's Gentlewomen, 88
Questions and Commands, 195, 236
Quintin, 45, 59
R
Races, 218
Railways, the, 292
Raleigh, Sir Walter, 152
Rampini, Sheriff, 286
Ratcliffe, 93
Rathbertus, a priest, 49
Reade, Mr., 346
"Read's Weekly Journal," 232
"Recollections of old Christmas," 272
Recreations, 195, 315
Redcoats, 294
Redmile, 266
Rœdwald, 29
Reformation, 106, 109
Regatta, the Christmas, 304
"Regis Orator et Calamo," 114
Regulations for a grand Christmas, 112
Reindeer-sleigh of St. Nick, 311
Rejoicings on French battle ground, 72
Relics, sacred, 90, 331
Religious matters, 117
Rennes cloth, 88
Reresby, Sir John, 219
Restoration, the, 215
Reunions, 313
Revels resembling Saturnalia, 18
Revels, called a Maskelyn, 100
Revels, Master of the, 112 (see also "Lord of Misrule")
Revels, 132, 153, 180, 181, 192, 193, 218, 315
Revolution, 220
Rex Fabarum, 109
Rhedon, 93
Rheims Cathedral, 94
Rhosllanerchrugog, 264
Rhosymedre, Denbighshire, 264
Rhys, brother of Gruffydd, 38
Puss-in-the-Corner, 236
Pynson, printer, 104
Q
Quadrangle, Royal, 88
"Quartette" cards, 272
Queen's College, Oxford, 109
Queen's Gentlewomen, 88
Questions and Commands, 195, 236
Quintin, 45, 59
R
Races, 218
Railways, the, 292
Raleigh, Sir Walter, 152
Rampini, Sheriff, 286
Ratcliffe, 93
Rathbertus, a priest, 49
Reade, Mr., 346
"Read's Weekly Journal," 232
"Recollections of old Christmas," 272
Recreations, 195, 315
Redcoats, 294
Redmile, 266
Rœdwald, 29
Reformation, 106, 109
Regatta, the Christmas, 304
"Regis Orator et Calamo," 114
Regulations for a grand Christmas, 112
Reindeer-sleigh of St. Nick, 311
Rejoicings on French battle ground, 72
Relics, sacred, 90, 331
Religious matters, 117
Rennes cloth, 88
Reresby, Sir John, 219
Restoration, the, 215
Reunions, 313
Revels resembling Saturnalia, 18
Revels, called a Maskelyn, 100
Revels, Master of the, 112 (see also "Lord of Misrule")
Revels, 132, 153, 180, 181, 192, 193, 218, 315
Revolution, 220
Rex Fabarum, 109
Rhedon, 93
Rheims Cathedral, 94
Rhosllanerchrugog, 264
Rhosymedre, Denbighshire, 264
Rhys, brother of Gruffydd, 38
Page 479
Richard I. ("Cœur de Lion"), 58
Richard II., 76
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, 92
Richard III., 93, 101
Richard, Duke of York, 86, 87
Richard the Good, of Normandy, 38
Rich, Christopher, 229
Rich, John, 229
Richmond, 96, 98, 99, 102, 108, 119
Richmond, Duke of, 105
"Richemond Manor," open house at, 104
Riding School, Windsor, 260
Riddles, 252
Rigden, Mr., 219
Ripon, 242
Rivers, Lady, 88;
Earl, 92
Rivet, Andrew, 157
"Roast Beef of Old England," 301
Robert of Comines, 43
Robes, costly, 75
Robin Hood, 66
Robin Hood and his foresters depicted, 100, 286
Rochester, 118
Rochester, Bishop of, 139
Roe, Sergeant, 112
Roger de Coverley, Sir, 227
Roger Mortimer, 68
Roland, Captain of Charlemagne, 41
Roman Church, 62
Roman Catholic reaction, 118
Roman Empire, 35
Roman invasion of Britain, 23
Romantic days, 31
Rome, early Church at, 11
Rome, 328
Romish priestly practices, 121
Rooke, Sir George, 226
Rope-dancing, 229
Roses united in marriage, 94
Rotterham, 220
Rouen, 81, 317
"Round about our Coal Fire," 201, 233
Round Table, 30, 67, 73
Royalists, 206, 215
Royal Bounties, 258, 260
Royal festivities, 54, 94, 99, 141, 261 (see also other festivities recorded under the names of
different Sovereigns)
Rowbotham, 28
Rowe, 142
Richard II., 76
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, 92
Richard III., 93, 101
Richard, Duke of York, 86, 87
Richard the Good, of Normandy, 38
Rich, Christopher, 229
Rich, John, 229
Richmond, 96, 98, 99, 102, 108, 119
Richmond, Duke of, 105
"Richemond Manor," open house at, 104
Riding School, Windsor, 260
Riddles, 252
Rigden, Mr., 219
Ripon, 242
Rivers, Lady, 88;
Earl, 92
Rivet, Andrew, 157
"Roast Beef of Old England," 301
Robert of Comines, 43
Robes, costly, 75
Robin Hood, 66
Robin Hood and his foresters depicted, 100, 286
Rochester, 118
Rochester, Bishop of, 139
Roe, Sergeant, 112
Roger de Coverley, Sir, 227
Roger Mortimer, 68
Roland, Captain of Charlemagne, 41
Roman Church, 62
Roman Catholic reaction, 118
Roman Empire, 35
Roman invasion of Britain, 23
Romantic days, 31
Rome, early Church at, 11
Rome, 328
Romish priestly practices, 121
Rooke, Sir George, 226
Rope-dancing, 229
Roses united in marriage, 94
Rotterham, 220
Rouen, 81, 317
"Round about our Coal Fire," 201, 233
Round Table, 30, 67, 73
Royalists, 206, 215
Royal Bounties, 258, 260
Royal festivities, 54, 94, 99, 141, 261 (see also other festivities recorded under the names of
different Sovereigns)
Rowbotham, 28
Rowe, 142
Page 480
Rowse, Sir John, 153
Royston, 153
Roxburgh Collection (British Museum), 145
Ruabon, 264
Rufus's revelries, 47
Rump, the, 213, 217
Running, 32
Runnymede, 60
Russell, Lord John, 297
Russia, 284, 288, 342
Rutland, Duke of, 224, 266;
Janetta, Duchess of, 225;
Lord, 80, 87
S
Sabine Island, 295
Sackville, Thomas, 125
Sailors' gathering, 288
Salisbury, Earl of, 87, 154, 156
Salom Moss, 101
Sanctuary at Westminster, 92
Sandal Castle, 87
Sandhurst, Berkshire, 276
Sandringham, 85, 263
Sandwich Island, 294
Sandwich Islands, 305
Sandys, William, F.S.A., 15, 104, 137, 201, 206
San Maria Maggiore Church, 331
Saracens, 59
Santa Claus, 290, 310
"Saturday Review," 207
Saturnalia, 13, 15, 19, 29, 168, 191, 320
Saxon chiefs, 43
Saxon sports, 44
Scales, Lord and Lady, 84, 85
Scaliger, 13
"Scalloway Lasses," 286
Scandinavianism, 285
Scenic magnificence, 152
Schomberg, Duke of, 226
Scottish annals, 48, 68, 71, 82, 98, 154, 191, 207, 242, 254, 284-8
Scotch first-footing, 285
Scott, Dr., 313
Scott, Sir Walter, 36, 98, 250
Scripture history plays, 77
Sea celebrations, 95, 218, 307
Sears, E. H., 350
Sectaries, 207
Segraves, 148
Royston, 153
Roxburgh Collection (British Museum), 145
Ruabon, 264
Rufus's revelries, 47
Rump, the, 213, 217
Running, 32
Runnymede, 60
Russell, Lord John, 297
Russia, 284, 288, 342
Rutland, Duke of, 224, 266;
Janetta, Duchess of, 225;
Lord, 80, 87
S
Sabine Island, 295
Sackville, Thomas, 125
Sailors' gathering, 288
Salisbury, Earl of, 87, 154, 156
Salom Moss, 101
Sanctuary at Westminster, 92
Sandal Castle, 87
Sandhurst, Berkshire, 276
Sandringham, 85, 263
Sandwich Island, 294
Sandwich Islands, 305
Sandys, William, F.S.A., 15, 104, 137, 201, 206
San Maria Maggiore Church, 331
Saracens, 59
Santa Claus, 290, 310
"Saturday Review," 207
Saturnalia, 13, 15, 19, 29, 168, 191, 320
Saxon chiefs, 43
Saxon sports, 44
Scales, Lord and Lady, 84, 85
Scaliger, 13
"Scalloway Lasses," 286
Scandinavianism, 285
Scenic magnificence, 152
Schomberg, Duke of, 226
Scottish annals, 48, 68, 71, 82, 98, 154, 191, 207, 242, 254, 284-8
Scotch first-footing, 285
Scott, Dr., 313
Scott, Sir Walter, 36, 98, 250
Scripture history plays, 77
Sea celebrations, 95, 218, 307
Sears, E. H., 350
Sectaries, 207
Segraves, 148
Page 481
Selden, 152
Seleucus Nicator, 13
Senegal, 345
Senlac, battle of, 39
"Seven Champions of Christendom," 283
"Seven Dayes of the Weeke," the, 174
Sermons, Christmas, 193
Servants' feasts, 202, 212-3, 263
Servians, 345
Settlers, English, 314
Seville Cathedral, 338
Seymour, Jane, 108
Shaftesbury, 37
Shaftesbury, 37
Shakespeare, 34, 80, 81, 141, 142, 151, 152, 153, 263
Shaw, Dr., 92
Shene, 75, 96
Shepherds, 7, 317
Sherwood Forest, 66
Shetland, 285
"Shewes," triumphant, 190
Shipwreck on Christmas-day, 287
Shopping in sleighs, 312
Shovelboard, 195
Shrewsbury, Earl of, 139
Shrine of St. Peter, 330
Shropshire, 24, 118, 255, 284
Shrove Tuesday, 183
Sicily, King of, 59
Sidney, Sir Philip, 148
Sieur de Nigry, 118
Silurians, King of, 24
Simeon, 348
Sinclair, Rev. John, 287
Singing, 140, 195, 294, 326, 350
Sirloin of roast beef, 231
Siward, Sir Richard, 64
Skating, 45 (see "Ice Sports")
Skeleton at bed foot, 276
Skinner's Wells, 76
Skylarking, 294
Slade, Monty, 302
Sladen Douglas, B. W., 303
Slavs, 345
Sleighing, 302, 310
Smith, Captain John, 314
Smith, Dr. Walter, 285
Smith, Sir Thomas, 139
Smithfield, London, 79
Smyth, John, court fool, 116
Seleucus Nicator, 13
Senegal, 345
Senlac, battle of, 39
"Seven Champions of Christendom," 283
"Seven Dayes of the Weeke," the, 174
Sermons, Christmas, 193
Servants' feasts, 202, 212-3, 263
Servians, 345
Settlers, English, 314
Seville Cathedral, 338
Seymour, Jane, 108
Shaftesbury, 37
Shaftesbury, 37
Shakespeare, 34, 80, 81, 141, 142, 151, 152, 153, 263
Shaw, Dr., 92
Shene, 75, 96
Shepherds, 7, 317
Sherwood Forest, 66
Shetland, 285
"Shewes," triumphant, 190
Shipwreck on Christmas-day, 287
Shopping in sleighs, 312
Shovelboard, 195
Shrewsbury, Earl of, 139
Shrine of St. Peter, 330
Shropshire, 24, 118, 255, 284
Shrove Tuesday, 183
Sicily, King of, 59
Sidney, Sir Philip, 148
Sieur de Nigry, 118
Silurians, King of, 24
Simeon, 348
Sinclair, Rev. John, 287
Singing, 140, 195, 294, 326, 350
Sirloin of roast beef, 231
Siward, Sir Richard, 64
Skating, 45 (see "Ice Sports")
Skeleton at bed foot, 276
Skinner's Wells, 76
Skylarking, 294
Slade, Monty, 302
Sladen Douglas, B. W., 303
Slavs, 345
Sleighing, 302, 310
Smith, Captain John, 314
Smith, Dr. Walter, 285
Smith, Sir Thomas, 139
Smithfield, London, 79
Smyth, John, court fool, 116
Page 482
Smyth, Matthew, 143
"Snap" cards, 272
Snapdragon, 247
Social festivities, 252
Society Islands, 288
Somerset, Duke of, 87, 115, 225
Somerset, Earl of, 155
Somerset, Sir Thomas, 190
Somersetshire, 31
Somers, Will, king's jester, 113
"Sonsy haggis" 255
"Sonya," 344
Southampton, Earl of, 190
Southern merrymaking, 314
Southey, 257
Souvenirs, 312
Spain, 75, 108, 120, 190, 212, 225, 288, 338
Spanish cavaliers, 286
Spectacular entertainments, 52, 99
"Spectator," the, 227
Speech from the throne, 87
Spenser, 149
Spithead, 225
Sports, 33, 54, 154, 169, 198, 203, 247, 252
Stacy, Louis, 88
Staffordshire, 284, 349, 350
Stained glass, modern, 348
Stainer, 350
Stanley, Dean, 17
Stanton, Mr. W. M., 304
Stapleton, Lady, 91
Star of Bethlehem, 319
Star Chamber, 156
State meetings, 29, 38, 45, 54;
State worship, 96-7
Steele, 227
Stephen, King, 51
Stephen's Day, St., 120, 126, 130, 133, 168, 219, 350
Steward's Department, Lord, 260
Steward, Sir John, 82
"Still Christmas" of Henry VIII., 104
Stoke Abbat, 157
Stony Stratford, 92
Stories of Christmastide, 48, 49, 237, 274, 275, 276, 287
Stowe, 66, 74, 102, 112, 116
Strafford papers, 156
Strange, Lady, 139
Stratford-upon-Avon, 218
Strutt, 44, 76, 103, 119, 218
Strype, 119
"Snap" cards, 272
Snapdragon, 247
Social festivities, 252
Society Islands, 288
Somerset, Duke of, 87, 115, 225
Somerset, Earl of, 155
Somerset, Sir Thomas, 190
Somersetshire, 31
Somers, Will, king's jester, 113
"Sonsy haggis" 255
"Sonya," 344
Southampton, Earl of, 190
Southern merrymaking, 314
Southey, 257
Souvenirs, 312
Spain, 75, 108, 120, 190, 212, 225, 288, 338
Spanish cavaliers, 286
Spectacular entertainments, 52, 99
"Spectator," the, 227
Speech from the throne, 87
Spenser, 149
Spithead, 225
Sports, 33, 54, 154, 169, 198, 203, 247, 252
Stacy, Louis, 88
Staffordshire, 284, 349, 350
Stained glass, modern, 348
Stainer, 350
Stanley, Dean, 17
Stanton, Mr. W. M., 304
Stapleton, Lady, 91
Star of Bethlehem, 319
Star Chamber, 156
State meetings, 29, 38, 45, 54;
State worship, 96-7
Steele, 227
Stephen, King, 51
Stephen's Day, St., 120, 126, 130, 133, 168, 219, 350
Steward's Department, Lord, 260
Steward, Sir John, 82
"Still Christmas" of Henry VIII., 104
Stoke Abbat, 157
Stony Stratford, 92
Stories of Christmastide, 48, 49, 237, 274, 275, 276, 287
Stowe, 66, 74, 102, 112, 116
Strafford papers, 156
Strange, Lady, 139
Stratford-upon-Avon, 218
Strutt, 44, 76, 103, 119, 218
Strype, 119
Page 483
Sturgeon, 96
Stuteville, Sir Martin, 192, 198
Subtleties, 83, 97
Sufed Koh, 302
Suffolk, 146
Suffolk, Earl of, 84, 189
Sullivan, 350
Sumptuous feasts of Normans, 54
Superstitions, 33, 34, 285
Sussex, Earl of, 139
Sussex, Sheriff of, 65
Swans, 96
Sweden, 288
Sweetmeats, 322
Swegen, King, 36
Swein, King of Denmark, 43
Swithin, St., Winchester, 56
Sword-dance, 229, 255
Sword actors, 282-4
Sword of King Arthur, 58
Swynford Catherine, 94
"Synod of Westminster," 208
Synod of Whitby, 27
Syria, 55
T
Tacitus, 24, 33
Taillefer, Norman minstrel, 41
Talbot, Sir John, 84
Tallard, Marshal, 226
Tales, weird, 274-5
Tallis, 140
Tambourine, 340
Tancred, King, 58
"Tatler," the, 228
Taverner, Edmund, 201
Taylor, John, 206
Te Deum, 317
Telesphorus, St., Bishop of Rome, 13
Tempest, great, 74
Templars' sports, 198
Temple-horn winded, 198
Temple of Minerva, 184
Temples, the, 111
Tenants' and labourers' feast, 231
Tennyson, 31, 270
Teonge, Rev. Henry, 218
Tetzel, 89
Teuton forefathers, our, 26
Stuteville, Sir Martin, 192, 198
Subtleties, 83, 97
Sufed Koh, 302
Suffolk, 146
Suffolk, Earl of, 84, 189
Sullivan, 350
Sumptuous feasts of Normans, 54
Superstitions, 33, 34, 285
Sussex, Earl of, 139
Sussex, Sheriff of, 65
Swans, 96
Sweden, 288
Sweetmeats, 322
Swegen, King, 36
Swein, King of Denmark, 43
Swithin, St., Winchester, 56
Sword-dance, 229, 255
Sword actors, 282-4
Sword of King Arthur, 58
Swynford Catherine, 94
"Synod of Westminster," 208
Synod of Whitby, 27
Syria, 55
T
Tacitus, 24, 33
Taillefer, Norman minstrel, 41
Talbot, Sir John, 84
Tallard, Marshal, 226
Tales, weird, 274-5
Tallis, 140
Tambourine, 340
Tancred, King, 58
"Tatler," the, 228
Taverner, Edmund, 201
Taylor, John, 206
Te Deum, 317
Telesphorus, St., Bishop of Rome, 13
Tempest, great, 74
Templars' sports, 198
Temple-horn winded, 198
Temple of Minerva, 184
Temples, the, 111
Tenants' and labourers' feast, 231
Tennyson, 31, 270
Teonge, Rev. Henry, 218
Tetzel, 89
Teuton forefathers, our, 26
Page 484
Teuton forefathers, our, 26
Teuton kinsmen, 34
Tewkesbury, 94
Thackeray, Mr., 229
Thames, 108, 127
Thanet, Isle of, 28
Theatrical exhibitions, 141, 229, 230
Thelluson, Hon. Mr. and Miss, 273
Theobald, Archbishop, 53
Theobalds, 154, 193, 194
Theodosius the younger, 22
Thewlis, St., 284
Thomas, St., 54
Thomas, St. (a place), 288
Thomas's Day, St., 130, 164, 265
Thomas, Thomas, 280
Thomas, the Misses, 262
Thor, 15, 26, 29
Thorold, Sir Wilfrid de, 267
Thunder (see Thor), 29
Thurstan, Archbishop, 48
Thrybergh, 219
Tilting, 155 (see also Tournament)
"Time's Alteration," 217
"Time's Complaint," 170
"Time's Telescope," 251
Tobacco, 259, 278
Toffee, 281
Tommy Atkins, 299
Torchlight procession, 286
Torksey Hall, 266
Tostig, Earl, 38
Tournaments, 32, 52, 67, 73, 78, 99, 101, 155, 189, 190
Tower of London, 79, 92, 117, 123, 223, 226
Towton, 87
Toys, 265
Tragedy of "Gowry," the, 153
Traill, Mr., 287
Transatlantic Saxons, 309
Transvaal, 288
Travelling, ancient, 31
"Treason! treason!" cried James I., 193
Tricks by animals, 229
Trinity College, Cambridge, 110
Trinity Term, 131
Triphook, Robert, 155
Tripoli, 55
Triumphs of the tournament, 101
Trumpeters, 89
Trumpets, 220, 261
Teuton kinsmen, 34
Tewkesbury, 94
Thackeray, Mr., 229
Thames, 108, 127
Thanet, Isle of, 28
Theatrical exhibitions, 141, 229, 230
Thelluson, Hon. Mr. and Miss, 273
Theobald, Archbishop, 53
Theobalds, 154, 193, 194
Theodosius the younger, 22
Thewlis, St., 284
Thomas, St., 54
Thomas, St. (a place), 288
Thomas's Day, St., 130, 164, 265
Thomas, Thomas, 280
Thomas, the Misses, 262
Thor, 15, 26, 29
Thorold, Sir Wilfrid de, 267
Thunder (see Thor), 29
Thurstan, Archbishop, 48
Thrybergh, 219
Tilting, 155 (see also Tournament)
"Time's Alteration," 217
"Time's Complaint," 170
"Time's Telescope," 251
Tobacco, 259, 278
Toffee, 281
Tommy Atkins, 299
Torchlight procession, 286
Torksey Hall, 266
Tostig, Earl, 38
Tournaments, 32, 52, 67, 73, 78, 99, 101, 155, 189, 190
Tower of London, 79, 92, 117, 123, 223, 226
Towton, 87
Toys, 265
Tragedy of "Gowry," the, 153
Traill, Mr., 287
Transatlantic Saxons, 309
Transvaal, 288
Travelling, ancient, 31
"Treason! treason!" cried James I., 193
Tricks by animals, 229
Trinity College, Cambridge, 110
Trinity Term, 131
Triphook, Robert, 155
Tripoli, 55
Triumphs of the tournament, 101
Trumpeters, 89
Trumpets, 220, 261
Page 485
Trunks, small, 195
"Truth," in pageantry, 122
Tucker, Thomas, the elected Prince, 156
Tudela, Benjamin of, 52
Tudor, Edmund, Jasper, Owen, 94
Tumbling, 119, 228
Turkeys, 246, 340
"Turkish Knight," 284
"Turkish Magistrates," 119
Turnham Green, 284
Tusser, Thomas, 124, 140, 146
Twelfthtide, 15, 35, 95, 97, 100, 102, 125, 135, 153, 154, 188, 190, 193, 198, 201, 241, 320, 342
Twelve days of Christmas, 35, 111, 125, 227
Tyrrel, Sir Walter, 47
Tytler, General, 300
U
Udall, Nicholas, 119
Ukraine, 345
Ule (see Yule)
Uniformity, Act of, 117
United States, 288, 309-316
Uphelya, 286
"Ups and Downs of Christmas," the, 209
"Ursa Minor," 273
Usher, 13
Ushers, Gentlemen, 139
Uvedale, Lord of Wickham Manor, 71
V
Valorous deeds, 59
Vane, 213
Variety of players, 63
Vaughan, Master, 88
Vawce, Sergeant, 117
"Venetian Senators," 119
Venice, 190, 336
Vere, Earl of Oxford, 75
Vere, Lady Susan, 153
Vernon, Dorothy, 224
Versailles, 35
Vespers, 331
Viands, 55
Victoria, Queen, 258, 260-3
Victoria's grandchildren, Queen, 262
Vienna, 336
Vigil of Christmas, 49, 317
Vigilate, a, 178
"Vindication of Father Christmas," the, 212
"Truth," in pageantry, 122
Tucker, Thomas, the elected Prince, 156
Tudela, Benjamin of, 52
Tudor, Edmund, Jasper, Owen, 94
Tumbling, 119, 228
Turkeys, 246, 340
"Turkish Knight," 284
"Turkish Magistrates," 119
Turnham Green, 284
Tusser, Thomas, 124, 140, 146
Twelfthtide, 15, 35, 95, 97, 100, 102, 125, 135, 153, 154, 188, 190, 193, 198, 201, 241, 320, 342
Twelve days of Christmas, 35, 111, 125, 227
Tyrrel, Sir Walter, 47
Tytler, General, 300
U
Udall, Nicholas, 119
Ukraine, 345
Ule (see Yule)
Uniformity, Act of, 117
United States, 288, 309-316
Uphelya, 286
"Ups and Downs of Christmas," the, 209
"Ursa Minor," 273
Usher, 13
Ushers, Gentlemen, 139
Uvedale, Lord of Wickham Manor, 71
V
Valorous deeds, 59
Vane, 213
Variety of players, 63
Vaughan, Master, 88
Vawce, Sergeant, 117
"Venetian Senators," 119
Venice, 190, 336
Vere, Earl of Oxford, 75
Vere, Lady Susan, 153
Vernon, Dorothy, 224
Versailles, 35
Vespers, 331
Viands, 55
Victoria, Queen, 258, 260-3
Victoria's grandchildren, Queen, 262
Vienna, 336
Vigil of Christmas, 49, 317
Vigilate, a, 178
"Vindication of Father Christmas," the, 212
Page 486
Vineyard of pleasure, 88
Vintage, the, 16
Violins, 220
Virgil's Eclogues, 17
Virginian Colonists, 314
Virgin Mary, image of the, 317
Visors depicted in verse, 104
Vivian, Sir Francis, 156;
Mr. Vivian, 156
Volcano, 305
W
Waits, 44, 240
Wakefield, battle of, 86
Wales, 38, 188, 200, 280, 288
Wales, Prince and Princess of, 85, 225, 263
Wallingford, 51, 68
Wanjani, 304
Ward, Rev. John, 218
Warning shots, 127
Warren, Earl of, 64
Warrior-King (Edward III.), 74
Warriors rewarded, 42
Wars of Barons, 65
Wars of Roses, 85
Wars of Roses ended, 93
War suspended for Christmas, 81, 84
Warton, author, 110
Warwick, Earl of, 87, 93, 139, 192
Warwick muses, 198
Warwickshire, 146, 284
Wash, the, 62
Wassail, 15, 58, 97, 181
"Wassail Bowl," 15, 273
Wassailing the apple-trees, 278-9
Washburn, Ex-Minister E. B., 318
Washington negroes, 314
Wattewille, Monsieur Robert, 68
"Weekly Account," the, 208
"Weihnacten," 335
"Weihnactt's Bescheerung," 335
"Welcome to Christmas," 276
Welcome to all comers, 30, 148, 220, 256
Wellington, 304
Welsh border, 38, 43
Welsh Christmas, 280-2
Western Church, the, 11
West Kington, 113
Westminster, 46, 62, 64, 74, 87, 89, 123
Vintage, the, 16
Violins, 220
Virgil's Eclogues, 17
Virginian Colonists, 314
Virgin Mary, image of the, 317
Visors depicted in verse, 104
Vivian, Sir Francis, 156;
Mr. Vivian, 156
Volcano, 305
W
Waits, 44, 240
Wakefield, battle of, 86
Wales, 38, 188, 200, 280, 288
Wales, Prince and Princess of, 85, 225, 263
Wallingford, 51, 68
Wanjani, 304
Ward, Rev. John, 218
Warning shots, 127
Warren, Earl of, 64
Warrior-King (Edward III.), 74
Warriors rewarded, 42
Wars of Barons, 65
Wars of Roses, 85
Wars of Roses ended, 93
War suspended for Christmas, 81, 84
Warton, author, 110
Warwick, Earl of, 87, 93, 139, 192
Warwick muses, 198
Warwickshire, 146, 284
Wash, the, 62
Wassail, 15, 58, 97, 181
"Wassail Bowl," 15, 273
Wassailing the apple-trees, 278-9
Washburn, Ex-Minister E. B., 318
Washington negroes, 314
Wattewille, Monsieur Robert, 68
"Weekly Account," the, 208
"Weihnacten," 335
"Weihnactt's Bescheerung," 335
"Welcome to Christmas," 276
Welcome to all comers, 30, 148, 220, 256
Wellington, 304
Welsh border, 38, 43
Welsh Christmas, 280-2
Western Church, the, 11
West Kington, 113
Westminster, 46, 62, 64, 74, 87, 89, 123
Page 487
Westminster Abbey, 38, 51, 123, 140, 193
Westminster Hall, 46, 60, 64, 68, 78, 93, 118, 123, 226
Weston, Dr., 118
West Riding of Yorkshire, 282-4
West Newton, 263
Whalley, Colonel, 212
Wheatley, Mr. W. M., 265
Whippingham, 262
White, Sir Thomas, 118
Whitehall, 118, 154
Whitelock, 207
"White Rose of York," 85
Whittier, J. G., 37
Wild Boar, 32, 33, 45, 110
William, Prince of Orange, 220
William and Mary, 221
William IV., 258
William the Almoner, 64
William the Conqueror, 39
William, King of Prussia, 35
William Rufus, 46
William, son of Henry I., 47
William of Malmesbury, 49
William of Ypres, 52
Williams, 99
Willoughby, Lord, 82
Winchester, 31, 34, 37, 47, 65;
monks of, 56
Winchester, Bishop of, 195
Winchester Palace, 62, 65
Winchester School, 71
Windsor, 31, 47, 48, 54, 62, 75, 80, 87, 225, 261
Wine and honey, 55
Winer, 13
Winters, hard, 67, 138, 154-5
Winter solstice, 15, 29, 295
Winwood, Mr., 153
Wise Men (Magi), 11, 19, 28
Wise Men (the King's), 29, 38, 45
Witches, 195, 237
"Wit-combats," 153
Witenagemot, 29
Wither, George, 190, 204
Wizard of Christmas, 310
Woden, 25, 29
Wolf, 45
Wolferton, 263
Wolley, Sir Francis, 154
Wolsey, Cardinal, 104, 106, 112
Women masks, 119
Westminster Hall, 46, 60, 64, 68, 78, 93, 118, 123, 226
Weston, Dr., 118
West Riding of Yorkshire, 282-4
West Newton, 263
Whalley, Colonel, 212
Wheatley, Mr. W. M., 265
Whippingham, 262
White, Sir Thomas, 118
Whitehall, 118, 154
Whitelock, 207
"White Rose of York," 85
Whittier, J. G., 37
Wild Boar, 32, 33, 45, 110
William, Prince of Orange, 220
William and Mary, 221
William IV., 258
William the Almoner, 64
William the Conqueror, 39
William, King of Prussia, 35
William Rufus, 46
William, son of Henry I., 47
William of Malmesbury, 49
William of Ypres, 52
Williams, 99
Willoughby, Lord, 82
Winchester, 31, 34, 37, 47, 65;
monks of, 56
Winchester, Bishop of, 195
Winchester Palace, 62, 65
Winchester School, 71
Windsor, 31, 47, 48, 54, 62, 75, 80, 87, 225, 261
Wine and honey, 55
Winer, 13
Winters, hard, 67, 138, 154-5
Winter solstice, 15, 29, 295
Winwood, Mr., 153
Wise Men (Magi), 11, 19, 28
Wise Men (the King's), 29, 38, 45
Witches, 195, 237
"Wit-combats," 153
Witenagemot, 29
Wither, George, 190, 204
Wizard of Christmas, 310
Woden, 25, 29
Wolf, 45
Wolferton, 263
Wolley, Sir Francis, 154
Wolsey, Cardinal, 104, 106, 112
Women masks, 119
Page 488
Wood, Mr., 109, 140, 157
Woodstock, 226
Woodville, Elizabeth, 89
Woodville family, 92
Woolsthorpe, 204, 266
Worcester, 52, 60, 67;
Earl of, 82, 189
Workhouse, Christmas at, 288
Worksop, 87
Worship in State, 96-7
Wortley, near Leeds, 291
Wotton, 200
Wrestling, 32
Wright, Thomas, F.S.A., 90
Wyatt, Sir Thomas, 118
Wykeham, William of, 71
Wynh, Lady Williams, 264
Wynn, Sir W. W., Bart., 264
Wynnstay Park, 264
Wyrcester, William, 87, 89
X
Xtemas, 9
Y
Yeoman, 124
Yew, 282
York, 31, 36, 43, 64, 68, 86
York, Archbishop of, 65, 240
York, Bishop of, 25
York, Duchess of, 82
York, Duke of, the young, 92
York, wars of, 85
Yorkshire, 251, 282-4
Yule, Jule, or Ule, 9, 15, 195, 285
Yule-log, 1, 268, 302, 319, 345
"Yuletide," 177, 227, 267, 285
Z
Zambombas, 339
Zanzibar, 288
Zukkur Kehls, 300
Woodstock, 226
Woodville, Elizabeth, 89
Woodville family, 92
Woolsthorpe, 204, 266
Worcester, 52, 60, 67;
Earl of, 82, 189
Workhouse, Christmas at, 288
Worksop, 87
Worship in State, 96-7
Wortley, near Leeds, 291
Wotton, 200
Wrestling, 32
Wright, Thomas, F.S.A., 90
Wyatt, Sir Thomas, 118
Wykeham, William of, 71
Wynh, Lady Williams, 264
Wynn, Sir W. W., Bart., 264
Wynnstay Park, 264
Wyrcester, William, 87, 89
X
Xtemas, 9
Y
Yeoman, 124
Yew, 282
York, 31, 36, 43, 64, 68, 86
York, Archbishop of, 65, 240
York, Bishop of, 25
York, Duchess of, 82
York, Duke of, the young, 92
York, wars of, 85
Yorkshire, 251, 282-4
Yule, Jule, or Ule, 9, 15, 195, 285
Yule-log, 1, 268, 302, 319, 345
"Yuletide," 177, 227, 267, 285
Z
Zambombas, 339
Zanzibar, 288
Zukkur Kehls, 300
Page 489
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