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Published Dec 17, 2021

Medieval Christmas

Explore the rich tapestry of medieval Christmas with Greg Jenner and Eleanor Janega as they delve into the origins of festive traditions like the Yule log and elaborate feasts, revealing how pagan customs and Roman influences shaped a season of spirited revelry and enduring holiday rituals.
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  • Lord of Misrule

    The medieval Christmas tradition of the Lord of Misrule was a fascinating inversion of social norms. explains that this role involved overseeing the rowdiness of festivities, often with a child or someone of lower status temporarily given authority 1. This topsy-turvy celebration included antics like swapping roles between children and clergy, and even appointing jesters to entertain with their mischievous acts 2.

    The Lord of Misrule is a catchy title for, I suppose, sort of Christmas jester, really, your job is, is to make sure everyone's having some fun, but also, it's a little bit naughty.

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    and humorously discuss how this tradition could be revived today, with joking about combining cricket and traffic safety as modern misrule activities 1.

       

    Mumming Plays

    Mumming plays were a vibrant part of medieval Christmas, blending performance and community interaction. describes these as medieval pantomimes where participants donned masks and performed in streets and homes, often leading to humorous and chaotic scenes 3. These plays were so popular that there were attempts to ban them, highlighting their widespread appeal.

    We've got carolers who basically break into your house and say, hey, who am I? Give me booze. That's fairly invasive.

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    The tradition of mumming was not just about entertainment but also about challenging social norms, as notes, with plays often featuring themes of misrule and inversion of societal roles 4.

       

    Carolling and Dancing

    Carolling in medieval times was a lively affair, quite different from today's harmonious singing. explains that medieval carolling involved more dancing and revelry, often accompanied by demands for drinks as they moved from house to house 5. This raucous tradition was part of a broader festive spirit that the church often tried to moderate.

    The entire story of medieval Christmas is the church being like, can you tone it down a notch? Everyone's saying no.

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    The contrast with modern carolling is stark, as today's version is more about community singing and less about the wild celebrations of the past 6.

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