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Party Like It Is 999! For the people of the medieval era, life was not all plagues, war, and royal oppression. Joy and fun could be found as well, and oftentimes it was found at the center of a celebration. Whether for a holiday or special event, a good celebration was marked by special traditions, feasting, blessings, and general revelry, making each one an experience that that was sure to be remembered. How did medieval people celebrate special events and what holidays did they celebrate? What sort of activities could you expect to find at festivals, feasts, and parties in the medieval era? That is what this newsletter is all about! So stick with us as we try to turn back the pages of history to give you a brief introduction to the world of medieval merrymaking. |
Twelve Parties A Year! It can be said that the people of the medieval era were party animals. It was not uncommon to have at least twelve annual festivals a year, as each month generally had its own holiday. Factor in a number of other reasons to celebrate, like weddings, births, the arrival of special persons, and other events, and it stands to reason that a lucky person might see double or triple that number in a year. Like those of the modern day, many of the annual holidays were dedicated to celebrating special persons, religious events, or marking important times of the year. Many even fulfilled several of those roles at once. An example of which is the medieval approach to Easter, which was both highly religious and marked the beginning of spring, as well as the time when farmers would attempt to plan and plant their spring crop. Among the more common holidays celebrated in the medieval era were: Lammas Day (a day dedicated to the first wheat harvest of the year), Midsummers Eve (a holiday celebrated on the summer solstice), the Feast of Fools (a celebration reminiscent of the modern April Fool's Day), All Saints' Day (held to honor saints as well as all those who had died in the year), and Christmastide or the Twelve Holy Days (a long holiday that gave rise to modern-day Christmas.) Some of these grew out of local traditions, while others were noted days marked by religious significance. For example, the Feast of Fools had its start in France and was most common there until it gradually gained acceptance in other regions. An interesting note is that some of the biggest celebrations were mandated by royal decree and Papal Bull. This meant that that the holiday had to happen in some form or the other. Knights from the ruling lord would not break down doors or burn villages for not celebrating, but it was expected that some acknowledgement of certain holidays be given. This could be as simple as taking the day off from labor to mark the occasion. |
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Making Merry The medieval era had holidays aplenty to celebrate, but the traditions for each could vary. Certain rituals were specific to each event, and that is what made a holiday distinct. Christmas lasted twelve days, with feasts of twelve different meals on each of the days. Easter was a time of revival and spring. One tradition has dancers wearing loud shoes and dancing around the hall to wake the spirits of spring. Another has revelers performing plays dedicated to religious events, including the tale of Noah's Ark, a story that has a strong theme of renewal. All Saints' Day had strong connotations of death, and it was not uncommon to celebrate the coming of the holiday with a bonfire while the day itself was marked with religious ceremony and unique treats called "soul cakes." Apart from specifics of each holiday, certain things could be expected at any given celebration, whether it was for a harvest festival in a village or a big event at the lord's castle. Feasting was a central element in medieval celebrations. High and lowborn alike would feast at festivals and on holidays, the only difference between them was the courses served. The nobility would feast on wild game, exotic dishes, and honeyed desserts, all paired with wine. Lower classes would dine on rich, hearty dishes made from vegetables of the earth and more common meats, served with brown bread and washed down with beer or ale. There was in no shortage of entertainment at medieval celebrations either. Music and dancing were often enjoyed throughout a feast. Sometimes plays were put on to both entertain and remind the watchers of important lessons learned by historical and religious figures. Games were played and fortunes were told. As festivals and holidays were times of gathering, merchants and temporary markets were also commonplace; this boosted new trade in the region. |
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Why Hold a Celebration? Celebrations of all kinds were important for a variety of reasons. For all, they were a time of joy and merriment, and added something lighthearted to the typical routine of medieval life. In this way, they were not all that different from modern holidays which give both the common and wealthy man a chance to lay down his burdens and be merry. Festivals were also a time of gathering, making them a perfect time to socialize. Many celebrations among nobility were also held as a pretext to show off wealth. A noble would host a fellow lord and go to extravagant means to show off his own warriors, his bounty, and prosperity in the hopes of securing an alliance, a maid's hand in marriage, or any number of other political advantages. Celebrations would also be held when notable individuals of higher rank graced your castle or home. After all, it is not every day that the king or queen graciously decides to pay you a visit! |
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An End to the Festivities As far as celebrations and holidays go, this is only the briefest of introductions. We hope that this newsletter to medieval holidays, festivals, and celebrations has piqued your interest and perhaps inspired you to get a little medieval with your next holiday. Stayed tuned for more newsletters in the coming months, when we will give a bit more details on the holidays as they approach. |
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