Let us take a journey back to Merrie Old England and the time of King Henry VIII in 1509. More than 500 years ago the Tudors did not have Christmas trees, or Santa Claus.
Christmas Eve in the countryside would have found the peasants working in the fields taking care of the cattle and the crops. In the British Isles, Catholics observed strict abstinence that was enforced by the Church. There would have been four weeks of Advent and fasting was required. Those who farmed the land would live on bread and the occasional ale, poorly brewed.
Christmas Eve homes were decorated with evergreens, holly, ivy, and rosemary. Midnight Mass offered the beginning of the 12-day holiday. We remember the Twelve Days of Christmas.
The King had 50 properties and Hampton Court was a favorite. A cooked bull was the center of his Christmas feast. There were mince pies, parsnips, breads, and roasts. The wild boar’s head had been in a brine for two weeks with red wine and mustard dressing,
By Royal decree, any leftovers were to be distributed to the poor. One-third of the residents lived in poverty. Bread, ale, and meat were given to the poor farmers and a hen was given to landowners.
Household accounts registered that 7,000 pounds were spent on Christmas meals. There were swans and peacocks to grace the Great Hall. Dancers and revelry ensued. Entertainments included singing, dancing, games, drinking, and the Lord of Misrule acted as a jester and a fool.
On the fourth day of Christmas, spirituals were sung on the Feast of Holy Innocents. There was making merry in taverns and homes. On the fifth day, there were sporting games and tennis competitions. One of the laws was that no one could be out at night wearing a mask. On the sixth day, games of dice were popular and mummering in costumes.
On the seventh day, entertainments continued. On New Year’s Day there was gift-giving. It was a highly-political ritual. In 1532 given by the King’s grace, gold and silver changed hands. Whatever the gifts given by Henry, were more than duplicated by those who wanted to curry his favor.
If the King gave a glove, that meant that there was money inside it of at least 10 schillings. He gave gifts of silver spoons, rings, goblets. One patron gave the King two greyhounds which were a favorite breed liked by Henry.
On the ninth day of New Year, prayers as well as parties, ensued and the King’s banquet included a chess set made of marzipan. On the 10th day, alcohol was drunk lustily which had been fermented with mead and honey. There were French imported wines and it was not a time of quiet contemplation, to be sure.
On the 11th day, the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court reverberated with the sounds of lutes and all manner of string instruments. On its 12th day, a great cake was baked with candied oranges, lemons, and currents. Masks were symbolic and the dancers and drama continued. Those in King Henry’s circle feasted and made good cheer. They were quite merry and drunk with food and wine. And, portly, we might add.
So it is Christmas once again. We gather together with loved ones and exchange gifts of the season. What a privilege it is to celebrate another joyful Christmas season.
Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night.