25th of December to January 5th was the twelve days of Christmas. In medieval times, economy focussed mainly on agriculture and in mid-winter there was not a lot to do in the fields, so 12 days of back to back merriment went some way to stop us from going mad. Productivity is now so important that we are no longer allowed such extended festivities, unless you count the three week + run up to Christmas day which is encouraged by anyone who wants to sell stuff.
When the Royalists lost the Civil War and Cromwell took over, Christmas was banned for 8 years. When he died and the New Order fell apart, they dug him up, hanged him, then stuck his head on a stake.
I sometimes think that Christmas became so important to the English because of Cromwell's prohibition. The regicide was secondary.
'Back to back merriment' eh? I'm way too old for such shenanigans now...may 2023 be kind to you and yours x
ReplyDeleteNot working for 12 days could be seen as shenanigans I suppose.
DeleteThey dug him up and hanged him, huh? I guess he wasn't dead enough already? Haha.
ReplyDeleteThey disembowelled him too.
DeleteI don't understand any of this. I had to look up regicide. Christmas shut downs of 12 days still happen here. What people do with regard to festivities I have no idea except that it involves a lot of going out in the car.
ReplyDeleteShutdowns of 12 days where? Norfolk?
DeleteMany businesses in my county close from Christmas Eve until New Year. Those that keep going have processing that does not take kindly to switch offs, like the beet factories. I don't how far your observation goes but I would doubt Somerset and Wiltshire would be much different with regard to business shut downs.
DeleteI am so used to shutting myself down that I forget that most people have bosses.
DeleteI say, "Each to his or her own merriment." Happy 2023.
ReplyDeleteAnd to you.
DeleteYou got me , suffice to say
ReplyDeleteHappy new year
Sounds like Sonny and Cher.
DeleteLet's begin with wishes for a happy new year and see how it goes from there.
ReplyDeleteStarting now.
DeleteI wish you happiness and contentment during 2023 Tom. Personally 2022 is a year I would not ever wish to live again.
ReplyDeleteI understand that, Avus. Let's hope it improves. HYN to you too.
DeleteHappy, happy New Year to you and yours Tom. Hope 2023 is amazing.Thanks for another year of making me laugh and for your blogging support in 2022.
ReplyDeleteGoing back to what we are fed on social media, it isn't just what we search for on one platform but ' they ' are watching our every move on every platform and it shows itself everywhere. You could just Google something and then similar will be shown to you on Instagram etc. I think thats how it works but I could be wrong. I'm sure someone will tell me if I am !!! Much love. XXXX
It was Instagram I was talking about. I am not aware I have ever searched for car crashes or women in underwear (honest) anywhere online. HNY to you.
DeleteA usual food for thought mixed in with merriment. Here's to 2023 dear friend.
ReplyDeleteYes Weave. Wishing you happiness and contentment for another year.
ReplyDeleteHope 23 is a prosperous one Tom and I look forward to reading your posts on here. You always keep us entertained.
ReplyDeleteI used to enjoy working between Christmas and New Year. There was often a lot of good will and merriment at work as people got over one celebration and looked forward to the other. And I was less likely to notice how horrible the weather was. When the boss decided we should close for the week instead I was not impressed - would rather have had my holidays in better weather.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a happy and healthy year ahead.
Happy New Year. I think that 12 days of back to back merriment would be more merriment than I have stomach for.
ReplyDelete