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Author
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Topic: Christmas in a medieval castle
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deborahknowles
Senior Member
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posted 11-30-2000 02:00 PM
  
Please could someone tell me how Christmas was celebrated in Medieval times i.e. around 1300 a.d.?------------------
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Glaive203
Senior Member
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posted 12-01-2000 10:14 AM
first one needs to know something about the traditional MA year[at least in england],christmas,was as much a secular holiday as religious and was a season of 12 days rather than a day or two as with us.Both the lenten and winter crops at been harvested in august and most livestock butchered in november,winter corn at just been planted and Christmas was a time or leisure,merrymaking and abundance for everyone!Corn and carcasses had been generally marketed by then-meaning a castle holder had both the most food and the most cash during his year.A lord held feasts both for other lords,his vassals and household while christmas was the time his household normally received both what litle cash they would get and their new"robes"[complete sets of clothing]. |
wurdsmiff
unregistered
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posted 12-01-2000 03:36 PM
This is from a 14th century rendition of life at King Arthurs court,which can only be viewed as fictitious, though most probably based on contemporary events. The passage is borrowed and shortened from 'A Medieval Miscellany', as detailed in the Book Nook,
.......
In splendid celebration, seemly and carefree,
There tussling in tournament time and time again,
jousted in jollity these gentle knights,
Then in court carnival sang catches and danced;
For fifteen days the feasting there was full in like measure,
With all the meat and merry making men could devise,
Gladly ringing glee, glorious to hear,
a noble din by day, dancing at night!
All was happiness in the height in halls and chambers,
for Lords and their Ladies, delectable joy...Mass sung and service ended, straight from the chapel
The King and company came into hall, called on with cries from clergy and laity,
Noel was newly announced, named time and time again.
then Lords and Ladies leaped forth, largesse distributing,
offered New Year gifts in high voices, handed them out,
Bustling and bantering about these offerings....
And all this merriment they made until meal time.
Then in progress to their places they passed after washing'
In authorised order , the high ranking first;
...... ------------------
Demeure par la verite
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