| Twelfth Night
Twelfth Night, Jan. 5, the vigil or eve of Epiphany, so called because it is the 12th night from Christmas, counting Christmas as the first. In England, Twelfth Night has been a great festival marking the end of the Christmas season, and popular masquerading parties are typical entertainment. http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/society/A0849810.html
1367 to 1899 * 1367 - King Richard II of England (d. 1400)
Lord of Misrule The Lord of Misrule, known in Scotland as the Abbot of Unreason and in France as the Prince des Sots, was an officer appointed by lot at Christmas to preside over the Feast of Fools. The Lord of Misrule was generally a peasant or sub-deacon appointed to be in charge of Christmas revelries, which often included drunkenness and wild partying, in the pagan tradition of Saturnalia. The Church held a similar festival involving a Boy Bishop. The celebration of the Feast of Fools was outlawed by the Council of Basel that sat from 1431, but it survived to be put down again by the Catholic Queen Mary I in England in 1555. While mostly known as a British holiday custom, the appointment of a Lord of Misrule comes from antiquity. In ancient Rome, from the 17th to the 23rd of December, a Lord of Misrule was appointed for the feast of Saturnalia, in the guise of the good god Saturn. During this time the ordinary rules of life were turned topsy-turvy as masters served their slaves, and the offices of state were held by slaves. The Lord of Misrule presided over all of this, and had the power to command anyone to do anything during the holiday period. This holiday seems to be the precursor to the more modern holiday, and it carried over into the Christian era. At the beginning of January, 400 CE, Asterius, bishop of Amasea in Pontus (Amasya, Turkey) preached a sermon against the Feast of Kalends ("this foolish and harmful delight") that tells a lot about the Lord of Misrule in Late Antiquity. It contrasted with the Christian celebration celebrated, not by chance, on the adjoining day: "This is misnamed a feast, being full of annoyance; since going out-of-doors is burdensome, and staying within doors is not undisturbed. For the common vagrants and the jugglers of the stage, dividing themselves into squads and hordes, hang about every house. The gates of public officials they besiege with especial persistence, actually shouting and clapping their hands until he that is beleaguered within, exhausted, throws out to them whatever money he has and even what is not his own. And these mendicants going from door to door follow one after another, and, until late in the evening, there is no relief from this nuisance. For crowd succeeds crowd, and shout, shout, and loss, loss." Though it was no use clamoring at the bishop's gate, apparently, part of the celebration of this pre-medieval Lord of Misrule included the equivalent of the Waits who went from hall to hall: "This festival teaches even the little children, artless and simple, to be greedy, and accustoms them to go from house to house and to offer novel gifts, fruits covered with silver tinsel. For these they receive in return gifts double their value." Hopefully. Honest farmers coming into the city are likely to be jeered at, spanked ("flogged" is the bishop's unlikely remark) and robbed. Worse, "Even our most excellent and guileless prophets, the unmistakable representatives of God, who when unhindered in their work are our faithful ministers, are treated with insolence." For the soldiers, they spend all their wages in riot and loose women, see plays perhaps, "for they learn vulgarity and the practices of actors:" Their military discipline is relaxed and slackened. They make sport of the laws and the government of which they have been appointed guardians. For they ridicule and insult the august government. They mount a chariot as though upon a stage; they appoint pretended lictors and publicly act like buffoons. This is the nobler part of their ribaldry. But their other doings, how can one mention them? Does not the champion, the lion-hearted man, the man who when armed is the admiration of his friends and the terror of his foes, loose his tunic to his ankles, twine a girdle about his breast, use a woman's sandal, put a roll of hair on his head in feminine fashion, and ply the distaff full of wool, and with that right hand which once bore the trophy, draw out the thread, and changing the tone of his voice utter his words in the sharper feminine treble?
Saturnalia This article is about the Roman winter solstice festival Saturnalia (from the god Saturn) was the name the Romans gave to their holiday marking the Winter Solstice. Over the years, it expanded to a whole week, the 17 December to 23 December. It also degenerated from mostly tomfoolery, marked chiefly by having masters and slaves switch places, to sometimes debauchery, so that among Christians the (lower case) word "saturnalia" came to mean "orgy". The customary greeting for the occasion is a "Io, Saturnalia!" - io (pronounced "yo") being a Latin interjection related to "ho" (as in "Ho, praise to Saturn"). It has been postulated that Christians in the fourth century assigned December 25th (the Winter Solstice on the Julian calendar) as Christ's birthday (and thus Christmas) because pagans already observed this day as an holiday. This would sidestep the problem of eliminating an already popular holiday while Christianizing the population. The Romans also practiced many traditions similar to Christmas; specifically the "christmas tree". The Romans often cut down evergreens and decorated them to pay homage to Saturn, the god of farming. This was to honor the fact that the evergreens remained alive during the harshness of winter. It was also traditional for Romans to exchange gifts during this holiday. These gifts were customarily made of silver, although nearly anything could be given as a gift for the occasion. Several epigrams by the poet Martial survive, seemingly crafted as riddling gift-tags for gifts of food. The medieval celebration of the Feast of Fools was another continuation of Saturnalia into the Christian era. Seneca the Younger wrote about Rome during Saturnalia around AD 50: It is now the month of December, when the greatest part of the city is in a bustle. Loose reins are given to public dissipation; everywhere you may hear the sound of great preparations, as if there were some real difference between the days devoted to Saturn and those for transacting business....Were you here, I would willingly confer with you as to the plan of our conduct; whether we should eve in our usual way, or, to avoid singularity, both take a better supper and throw off the toga. Shakespeare's version of the theme takes the following form in Twelfth Night: What is love? 'Tis not hereafter;
In Spain, Cuba and some Latin American countries Epiphany day is called El Día de los Reyes (Kings' Day, as the Magi are known as the Los Tres Reyes Magos) or Pascua de Negros (Blackmen Christmas). In Spanish tradition, on this day, the Magi deliver Christmas presents. Little Christmas or Nollaig Bheag in the Irish language, is one of the traditional names in Ireland for January 6, more commonly known as the Epiphany. It is so called because it was, until the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, the day on which Christmas Day was celebrated. It is the traditional end of the Christmas season and the last day of the Christmas holidays for both Primary and Secondary schools. It is also known as Women's Christmas (Nollaig na mBan) It is so called because of the tradition (still surviving, though only just) of Irish men taking on all the household duties on that day and giving their spouses a day off. In ancient Latvia, Zvaigznes ("day of stars") was a festival held on January 6. Three pointed apple cakes were eaten. If a dog was heard barking, the direction was said to also be that person's future spouse. Weaving and wood-cutting was bad luck. A sunny enough day (warmed up the horse's backs) signified a year without war. After Christianization, Zvaigznes Diena became Tris Kunga Diena ("three king's day"). The three kings refer to Kasparu, Melchioru and Belceru. The initials "KMB" were carved on doors so that they would bless the house. Gypsies painted six-cornered stars on their foreheads. A clear night signified a good season. Alternative: Paganu Svetdienu ("holy day of pagans")
The Feast of Fools is the name given to popular medieval festivals regularly celebrated by the clergy and laity of the Roman Catholic Church from the 5th century to the 16th century in several countries of Europe. The feast of fools was an imitation of the Roman Saturnalia, and, like that festival, was also celebrated in December. The young people, who played the chief parts, chose from among their own number a mock pope, archbishop, bishop, or abbot to reign as Lord of Misrule. Participants would then "consecrate" him with many ridiculous ceremonies in the chief church of the place, giving names such as Archbishop of Dolts, Abbot of Unreason, Boy Bishop, or Pope of Fools. The ceremonies were often travesties mocking the performance of the highest offices of the church, while other persons, dressed in different kinds of masks and disguises, engaged in indecent songs and dances and practiced all possible follies within the church building. Except for the association with Saturnalia, little is known about the origin of these extravagances. which appear to have been very ancient. The festivals were most common in France, but were also observed in Spain, Germany, England, and Scotland. The Council of Basel in 1431 imposed prohibitions, yet the feasts survived in France until 1644.
For other uses see Twelfth Night (disambiguation) Twelfth Night is a holiday marked by some branches of Christianity, marking the 12th and final night of the Christmas season, namely the night of twelfth day or January 5, the eve of the Epiphany celebration (January 6) to commemorate the adoration of the Magi. (Sir James George Frazer, The Golden Bough, 1922: "The last of the mystic twelve days is Epiphany or Twelfth Night ...") In Tudor England, the Twelfth Night marked the end of a winter festival that started on All Hallows Eve--which some now celebrate as Halloween. A King or Lord of Misrule would be appointed to run the Christmas festivities, and the Twelfth Night was the end of his period of rule. The common theme was that the normal order of things was reversed. This Lord of Misrule tradition can be traced back to pre-Christian European festivals such as the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia. After Twelfth Night the Carnival season starts, which lasts through Mardi Gras. In some places such as New Orleans, Louisiana, the night of January 6 with the first Carnival celebrations is called Twelfth Night. In some places, Twelfth Night celebrations include food traditions such as the king cake or tortell. Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night, or What You Will was written to be performed as a Twelfth Night entertainment and first performed at Middle Temple Hall, London during the Twelfth Night celebrations of 1602 at the culmination of the celebrations, which was then at Candlemas, February 2. Other Customs for the Day The King and Queen, once chosen, are honored, obeyed, treated and addressed as royalty. When they drink, all cry out "The King (or Queen) drinks!" and take a sip of their own beverage. Some hide a clove in the cake, too, and whoever receives the piece containing it is the Fool (if you have a man's cake for choosing the King, and a woman's cake for choosing the Queen, you could have a clove in each to choose a Fool of each sex). Why not go all out and provide the Monarchs with golden crowns and scepters -- and any Fools with silly, Fool-ish hats? The custom of choosing Twelfthnight "royalty" is described in "Twelfth Night: Or King and Queen" by the English poet, Robert Herrick (A.D. 1591-1674): Twelfth Night: Or King and Queen Now, now the mirth comes Begin then to choose, Which known, let us make Next crown a bowl full Give then to the king At any rate, here are the recipes for the French "Galette des Rois" ("Cake of the Kings") and for "Lamb's Wool": Galette des Rois 1/4 cup almond paste Place the almond paste into a food processor or blender with about half of the sugar, and process until well blended. Add the butter and remaining sugar using and process until smooth, then blend in 1 egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, flour and salt. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Butter a baking sheet or line with parchment paper, and set aside. Roll out one sheet of the puff pastry into an 11 inch square. Keep the pastry cool, do not knead or stretch. Use a large pie plate, cake pan or frying pan to trace an 11 inch circle onto the dough using the tip of a small knife. Place the circle of pastry onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the second sheet of pastry. Refrigerate both sheets. Mound the almond filling onto the center of the pastry that is on the baking sheet. Leave about 1 1/2 inch margin at the edges. Press the bean or feve down into the filling. Place the second sheet of pastry on top, and press down the edges to seal. Beat the remaining egg with a fork, and lightly brush onto the top of the gallette. Use a knife to make a criss cross pattern in the egg wash, and then prick several small slits in the top to vent steam while baking. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Do not open the oven until the time is up, as the pastry will not fully puff. Remove from the oven, and dust with confectioners' sugar. Return to the oven, and cook for an additional 12 to 15 minutes, or until the top is a deep golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Lay a golden paper crown gently on top of the cake. This will be used to crown the person who finds the bean or feve. Serve warm or cold. Make sure to tell everyone that something is hidden inside the cake lest they eat it if it's inedible! The French method of serving this cake is for the youngest person in the room to hide under the table and shout out who gets which piece. The person who gets the piece with the hidden object chooses his Queen (or her King). One piece is always set aside "for God" (it's known as "le part du Bon Dieu"). This cake is said to serve 16.
6 baking apples, cored Roast the apples in a baking pan at 450 degrees F. for around an hour, until they are very soft and bursting open. In a large saucepan, dissolve the sugar a few tablespoons at a time in the liquid of choice, tasting for sweetness. Add the spices. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Pour the liquid over the apples (left whole or smashed up) in a large punch bowl. Serve with nuts. Another Twelfthnight custom is the singing of the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" as a "memory and forfeit" game; whoever forgets one of the gifts is out. Click here for the real lyrics to and information about this song. Children from Spanish cultures go to bed on this night in anticipation of a visit from the Three Kings (the Magi, or Wise Men). They get snacks for the Kings' camels (hay or grass) which some leave in boxes underneath their beds, and others leave in their shoes near the fireplace. They awaken to find that the snacks are gone and presents are left in their place. La BefanaItalian children anticipate a visit from La Befana, an old woman who was invited by the Magi to accompany them in their search for the newborn King. The old woman, whose name comes from the Italian word for Epiphany ("Epifania"), was too busy sweeping her house at the time, but soon realized her error and went out after the Magi, who were far, far ahead of her. She continues her search to this day, riding her broomstick all over the world in search of Jesus. She visits the children of each house and leaves toys and candy for the good ones, and lumps of coal for the bad ones. Children leave out a glass of wine and an orange to sustain her on her way. Traditions of Christmas Another aspect of Christmas that receives much criticism is its traditions. Traditions such as kissing under mistletoe are very popular, but have no biblical reference at all. Bill McLain wrote in his book, "There are many legends about mistletoe. One Scandinavian legend states that Loki, the god of destruction, killed Baldur, the god of peace, by shooting him with an arrow made from mistletoe. Other gods and goddesses were saddened by Baldur's death and asked that his life be restored, which it was. In appreciation, his mother Frigga hung up the mistletoe and promised to kiss all who passed under it. Because of this, mistletoe became the symbol of both forgiveness and love." There are also a few other beliefs of mistletoe from around the world. During the Middle Ages, people would hang mistletoe over doors and on their ceilings to scare off evil spirits and prevent witches from entering. In addition, there is an old superstition that if you place a twig of mistletoe under your pillow you will not have any nightmares.
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