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How Did People Celebrate Christmas in Medieval Times?
Just like today, it was a time of merriment, gift-giving, and celebration
Christmas was one of the best highlights of the medieval calendar, not only for the rich but for the peasants too. Unlike Christmas today, it was a celebration that lasted for twelve days where everyone indulged in food and merriment. Peasants were given two weeks off; lords would hand out free food, and children were given gifts.
It was also an elaborate time, with churches putting up performances like singing choirs and plays. People of all classes would attend, with many returning to homes decorated in colourful winter foliage like holly and mistletoe.
Christmas was always a special time, but modern-day Christmas is simply an evolution of the festivities that were celebrated generations ago. If we want to see what the spirit of Christmas was really like, then we need to look at the medieval era, when it was a truly grand affair.
How Did Peasants Celebrate Christmas?
Christmas lasted for twelve days between 24 December and 6 January, so it was by far one of the longest festivals in the year. As it took place in winter, there wasn’t much agricultural work to do, so most feudal lords would allow their…
