DID YOU KNOW: A Carol was originally a French Circle Dance, popular in England between the 11th and 16th century after which time it began to be more commonly associated with Christmas songs. Probable the Puritan years of part of the 17th century was the break in recalling the older use of the term.
21st December Winter Solstice and traditionally St Thomas the Apostle Day. "St. Thomas gray, St. Thomas gray, The longest night and the shortest day." Thomassing, Mumping, curning, corning or gooding...all names for the practice of women knocking on doors and asking for alms was not only permitted but seen as a neighbourly requirement in days before 1945(last recorded mumping at Haddenham in Buckinghamshire), even for well to do ladies. Usual gift was something simple in the way of food such as corn and milk, or other produce (frumentation) to make into Christmas loaves
24th December and Christmas Eve. A traditional night for the telling of ghost stories and many legends are of ghostly appearances and sightings of "fairy folk" on this night all across the country! Much ringing of church bells occurs at midnight but perhaps the most extreme bell custom is kept at Dewsbury, where the bell known as Black Tom is rung in a ceremony known as the Devil's Nell or the Old Lad's Passing. One peel for each year since the supposed date of the Nativity (so over 2000 times) timed to have the last "bong" exactly at Midnight to mark the start of Christmas.
28th December Holy Innocents Day or Childermas. or Dyzemus day. Traditionally considered a bad day to do anything! Although Edward the Confessor had the foundations work of Westminster Abbey start on this day in 1065. The buiding is still standing but Edward himself died a year later and the disaster that was the Norman Conquest followed, heralding feudalism and a rich ruling elite that is still with us in our class ridden and grossly unequal society
29th December St Thomas Beckett. Beckett was at one time the most powerful man in Britain, next to Henry II King of England, Duke of Normandy and Acquitaine. Henry was a an intelligent, determined and energetic monarch who brought in many reforms to the Administration of State, "founder" of Common Law and an improved system of Justice. He extended rule over the Scots, in Wales and in Ireland. In later years he had to contend with plots and rebellions, some sponsored by his seperated wife Eleanor, his sons and the King of france. Consequently he looked to his friend and one time close allie Beckett whom he had made Chancellor of England and then Archbishop of Canterbury to be a support in maintaining the governance of the Country It was therefore with considerable frustration that Beckett after becoming Archbishop seemed to pick constant quarrels and opposed the the king in his struggle to bring the bishops into a more consistent state of judicial admininistration over criminal matters, effectively back to the status quo before the mess that was Stephen's reign. Unfortunately this was a time of Church and Papal expansion in wealth and power threatening the traditional relationship between Kings and chieftains and their lands and people. Beckett openly opposed the King in favour of the Pope and Church privileges. Things came to a head over Beckett's refusal to agree to the anointing by crowning of Henry's eldest son as heir and indeed Beckett excommunicated those Bishops in England who had participated in the ceremony...and the rest is "history". Beckett was killed by four knights, Henry gave penance and Canterbury prospered with a new martyr cult untill all was put to an end by Henry VIII.
2nd February: Candlemas. Commemoration of the ritual purification of Mary and the the infant Jesus' presentation in the the Temple. Traditional day for the blessing of candles. Originally a Roman festival involving candles and tourches honouring the "goddess" Februa. 'Tis said: "If a hedgehog casts a shadow at noon, winter will return" (and it has!).
6th February Feast of St Dorothy or Dorothea's Day: born Cappodecia died 304 AD during Diocletian prosecution. 'Tis said: "Dorothea gives the most snow".(and heavy snow is predicted for central and eastern England this day).
7th February: 200th Anniversary of the great humanitarian, man of letters, author, journalist etc: Charles Dickens 1812 at Portsmouth. Also on this day in 1872 Joseph Arch held the first meeting of the Agricultural Labourers at Wellesham near Stratford, Warwickshire. Had Joseph been in a tied house like many of his contemporaries he would have been made homless and reduced to being a pauper. However by their (the National Agricultural Labourers Union) unity and hard work by 1884 they had won the right for male agricultural labourers to vote...of course as we know it was many more years before women got the vote.
8th February 1587 Execution of Mary Queen of Scots at Fotheringhay castle, Northamptonshire.
11th February Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes
12th February 1554 Execution of Lady Jane Grey at the Tower of London.
Both LJG and MQS's, Protestant and Catholic were beheaded by their Catholic and protestant Queens respectively! Family and religion competition at the heart of the ruling class conflicts from the 10th to the 20th century often ended in death or prosecution and exhile..