We’re familiar with the Christmas carol “The 12 days of Christmas” but in the middle ages, this extended holiday Christmas looked a bit different. There were plenty of lords-a-leaping and ladies dancing but the only partridge was trussed up on the King’s table next to the swans-a-swimming in gravy. And the gold rings were baked in the Christmas pudding! Medieval people dropped their plows, wrapped their spinning wheels in holly and ivy and took 12 days off, from Christmas day to Epiphany on January 6th. As the yule log crackled in the fire they feasted, played games and sports, attended mass, enjoyed subversive revelry and imbibed gallons of wassail. It all culminated into the most raucous party of the year on twelfth night! So Deck your halls, mull some wine, and cut a slice of mince pie as we join in the celebrations of the 12 days of Medieval Christmas...
Advent, December 24th - Christmas Eve
December 25th - Christmas Day - 1st day of Christmas
December 26th - The Feast of St Stephen - 2nd day of Christmas
December 27th - The Feast of St John - 3rd day of Christmas
December 28th - Childermas - 4th day of Christmas
December 29th - Feast of St. Thomas Becket - 5th day of Christmas
December 30th - 6th
December 31st - New Year’s Eve - 7th day
January 1st - New Year’s Day - 8th day
January 2nd - 9th day
January 3rd - 10th day
January 4th - 11th day
January 5th - Twelfth Night - 12th day
January 6th - Epiphany
My historically accurate 12 Days of Christmas Song:
On the 12th day of medieval Christmas my true love gave to me:
Twelve massive parties
Eleven herbs and spices
Ten archery arrows
Nine saints bones
Eight royal presents
Seven swans-a-roasted
Six carole singers
Five bowls of wassail
Four bishop boys
Three mince pies
Two alms for the poor
and a boars head on a bed of holly!
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Intro Music: Baroque Coffee House by Doug Maxwell
Music: 12 days of Christmas by United States Air Force Band
Background: Yonder Hill & Dale by Aaron Kenny
The Boar's Head Carol Good
King Wenceslaus by U.S. Army Band
Coventry Carol by United States Air Force Band
Here We Come A-wassailing by U.S. Army Band
All music is royalty free or public domain
#ChristmasHistory #Medieval History #HistoryTeaTime #LindsayHoliday
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