Christmas as we know it today was not always like this. Over the centuries, Christmas has evolved in so many ways that we may not even recognise the way that the early British celebrated their Christmas. This is the first part of a mini-series on the 10 Ages of Christmas, starting from the Medieval times to the Post-War era.
This was basically the time when Christmas was celebrated mixed with pagan festivities. Pre-Christian communities used to celebrate the winter solstice in order to make the dreary winter nights livelier. They had their own rites and rituals, which eventually became incorporated into the celebration of Christmas, which was of course, all about the birth of Christ. Some traditions that started in this period include evergreen wreaths, the Mistletoe, as well as the Yule log.
Perhaps the best phrase to describe the Elizabethan Christmas would be “Eat, drink, and be merry.” The main highlight of the Christmas celebrations during this time was the feast or banquet that was offered on Christmas Day. Of course, not everyone was able to afford this so it actually became a status symbol for those who were. The important thing was to be able to hold a banquet that would impress the guests – and nothing was spared in doing so. The theme was grandiosity and expenditure.
In contrast to the Elizabethan Christmas, the Christmas of the Restoration emphasised simplicity and austerity. Philip Stubbes (16th century) wrote:
“More mischief is that time committed than in all the year besides … What dicing and carding, what eating and drinking, what banqueting and feasting is then used … to the great dishonour of God and the impoverishing of the realm.”