12 Days of Medieval Christmas

[@cdfdesantis699]

My family is from the USA, with Scots-Irish heritage on my mother's side. My grandfather always believed it bad luck to take Christmas decorations down before Jan. 6, what he called "old Christmas". Sometimes I think he was RIGHT!

[@tsugima6317]

My family is polish and my mother did the same...I like being able to enjoy them after the hubbub.

[@cdfdesantis699]

@tsugima6317 I agree, it's nice to just relax & enjoy the beauty of the season. Thanks for your reply, & Merry Christmas!

[@lfgifu296]

Whenever “medieval” comes up I am hooked😭

[@ErinPlaysSims]

OMG, me too!

[@mariagordanier3404]

You are not alone. 🥀

[@9whilenine]

Same!!!!

[@mynameiscarmenwinston9329]

i love early medieval stuff, not so much late medieval

[@lfgifu296]

@@mynameiscarmenwinston9329 Same, but medieval is always appealing to me

[@kathrynstemler6331]

As a person employed by the hospitality industry, I have come to dread Christmas time a little bit more each year (a month of working your ass off with little time to enjoy anything) but it warms the cockles of my history loving heart to be part of traditions that go back centuries. (Still can’t wait for January 2 when all the stress in over!)

[@bethyeary8995]

The same thing with working retail.

[@kathrynjordan8782]

I felt that same way when I worked in retail. I could not wait until the Christmas returns were over. I always dreaded Black Friday and then the day after Christmas.

[@bethyeary8995]

@@kathrynjordan8782 ,yeah. I would have to go to returns every 15 minutes to get the stuff, then put back on the shelves what was still good, and haul back to damages the rest. Made me wonder why people bought so much sh** that obviously wasn't wanted

[@ThestuffthatSaralikes]

It took me leaving the hospitality and retail fields before I enjoyed holidays again… Nothing ruins a holiday spirit like the public. Fr.

[@GeorgeJetson-r3o]

Nothing like pagan rituals to mislead the Masses slowly but surely, so subtle the influence that by the time the whole world is all on the same n e page they don't even know what the he'll their even celebrating, u can yell them it's rooted in Satanism and they just ignore it and say its about family and getting together it d I sent matter if it's offensive to God he's cool with it,

[@lucypreece7581]

I love learning about how the traditions of modern Christmas came about and how it basically became an amalgamation of like multiple different things. like The Winter Solstice, Saturnalia, Yule and then the biblical story of the birth of Jesus (which if you actually do your research didn't actually happen in December. may have actually happened around June or July). It shows that Christmas was never just one thing. It's something different to different people. As a non religious person for me it's about family and food and taking time to reflect on life.

[@--enyo--]

I’m the same in that no-one in my family is religious (not unusual in Australia) so for us too Christmas has always been about meeting extended family and food. Also being from Australia where our Christmas is in Summer it’s interesting how all these traditions are changed even further to suit the climate.

[@SassyyjuicyMaria]

@@--enyo-- wow, we live in (southern) South America, It's nice to hear about some one experiencing Christmas in about the same weather we do... But for some reason we persist in foods suitable for the winter, etc

[@013aanikhfds]

It should be noted that the majority of historians still believe Christianity was a primary influence on the holiday.

[@dianajewell3251]

The church year starts in December thus CHRISTMAS..is the start .

[@lucypreece7581]

@@013aanikhfds But Christmas like traditions and celebrations existed way before Christianity. It's just the a lot of Christians forget that that other things existed before Christianity and that no everyone is Christian. And also like I said in my original comment if you actually look into it many academics believe that the birth of Jesus didn't actually happen in December but actually happened mid summer like around June or July. Christians just co-opted existing winter holidays like Yule, Hanukkah and the Winter Solstice and moved their celebration day for the birth of Jesus to mid winter instead of Midsummer. Because Christians were on a world domination mission and refused to acknowledge anything that wasn't Christian. Like with most things from religion it is all lies. Like Jesus being whit and "homosexuality being a sin" being in the bible. These ardent Christians are just following lies.

[@Art4ArtsSakeVideo]

I was a medieval history & lit major in college, and threw festive, somewhat accurate, Yule parties @SUNYPurchase. (Best moment: the Latin professor standing on a chair singing "Bring us in gude ale!") I later moved to London and bought a small flat with a smaller kitchen, and soon reinstated the Winter Solstice party. One year, I made roast suckling pig -- and brought out the head, an apple in its mouth, with the appropriate carol on the record player. I roped my British friends into fancy dress, singing old carols, playing the recorder and reciting verses, but I don't think they reckoned on the Boar's Head for reals.

[@clairewebb7237]

Lindsay: Are you keen to incorporate any medieval Christmas traditions in your holiday this year? Me: Immediately emails work to say I'll be off for 12 days to have 20 feasts and drink bread.

[@derryg903]

My family celebrates the entire season of Christmas. It doesn't make sense to do all that work with decorations etc for just one day, and it makes everything less stressful.

[@anarchorepublican5954]

🎄🎅🏻yep...we do Christmas...all wrong

[@anubratabit3027]

Although I am neither a Christian nor a European, I do appreciate the notion of an annual 12-day long holiday full of feasts & revelry after surviving a year's worth of gruelling work, paying exorbitant taxes to satisfy the excesses of nobility with no respite from crop failures & diseases, in midst of one or two occasional political disturbances during the cold winters. Besides the collection of Christmas carols is also commendable.

[@rlord7053]

This is pretty cool. We all know life certainly wasn't easy back then, but it's nice they got to let loose and have fun at times.

[@sophroniel]

My family has always had this tradition, which can apparently be traced back to Victorian times :) It goes like this _The yearly turn of giving gifts_ _Like most things, as a creed,_ _Best met for health & happiness,_ _And that envy might not take seed,_ _And no frought, fight or tears_ _Thus all gentle folk take heed_ _And open up your ears,_ _And let every man, woman and child_ _Follow the truth which each one hears!_ _First give each one something they want,_ _Then something they need;_ _Next is something special to eat, and_ _Last is something to read,_ _And then sometimes of all round the fire,_ _A lone fifth gift may appear,_ _For a single soul, babe, maid or sire_ _Perhaps shew in place of those_ _Who were lost that year;_ _Or instead for someone that_ _All persons present think indeed,_ _Ought to receive reward for_ _Some selfless, noble deed._

[@Darkflowerchyld718]

I really love that even hundreds of years ago women were working behind the scenes to make Christmas special for their loved ones. This was absolutely perfect. Thank you so much for all that you do. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season ❤️💚❤️💚

[@Nikki-tx6kh]

As Spanish, yes, on the 28th of December we'll be pranking each other and every family has that one cousin who's almost born at home because Dad didn't believe Mom was in labour. We're weird, I recognise it. Our gift day is traditionally on the 6th of January, the Magi coming to leave them on the night of the 5th. My generation, Millenial, we've been kinda mixing up Santa and the Magi a lot, some people do one, some people do the other and some people mix it- small kids get Santa presents from the parents and Magi presents from the grandparents. That also means that school Christmas holidays are longer than in other countries, because they last all the way up at least the 8th of January (we get the 7th to enjoy the presents), but it can go to the 11th, if the 8th is a Friday.

[@luislozano6073]

hahahaha I love your merchandise on the famous portraits

[@PrincessQ-fj9ly]

Wow! How intriguing. I always wondered where the Christmas traditions came from. It's good to know that even people in the medieval times still have a good time despite living in rough times. Thank you for sharing this festive lesson! I feel enlightened from this! ❤️💕❤️

[@terrirobinson3876]

I love that you posted this. Everytime I bring up the 12 days of Christmas was after the 25th people look at me like I have 2 heads.

[@Pollicina_db]

In catholic countries it still is, our Christmas lasts till 6th of January (three wise men), bit in the past my grandma told me that cheistmas time was over when the day of Jesuses baptism came (idk when it is, but I know its somewhere in the middle of January)

[@anarchorepublican5954]

🎂Happy 12th Night/3 Kings Day👑👑👑 ...for a few years ...I used to even try and throw a 12th Night Party...eventually no takers... Now I just tolerate, funny looks and comments from my neighbors for having my lights and decorations up a week after New Years Eve... Hey, maybe moderns, are sort of like Medieval folk ..are also uncomfortably superstitious of Christmas decorations being up during "the wrong times"...and without even being aware of it....

[@ajrwilde14]

I think you mean Candlemas, Feb 2nd@@Pollicina_db

[@nicorn5804]

Please do a pagan one!!! It would be so cool to go more in depth about the traditions with pagan origins.

[@est9949]

Yes, please! I'm fascinated by the pagan and the culture of that old time. So much of their culture was lost due to the systematic ban, destruction and appropriation by Christian churches.

[@johnmichalski5981]

Christmas HAD no "pagan origins."

[@jiwillis76]

This is all pagan. There is nothing Christian about Christmas.

[@netwitchtatjana4661]

@@johnmichalski5981 🤣🤣🤣 Go back to school and do your homework.

[@lucypreece7581]

@@johnmichalski5981 The birth of Jesus according to many academics didn't actually happen in December. it instead more then likely happened in the middle of summer around like June or July. Mid winter festivals and celebrations existed way before Christianity like Yule, Saturnalia and The Winter Solstice. Christians just moved the celebration day for the birth of Jesus to Winter instead of summer to coincide with the other celebrations and over the years they took the traditions of those celebrations and claimed them as their own. Christianity is not as old as people like to think. Other faiths and religions and celebrations and feast days existed way before Christianity his western culture.

[@maryellencook9528]

Yup. Going to a 12th Night party at our Rector's house next month. My late husband and I were married on February 3rd, 1979. The only reason we didn't get married on February 2nd is that the Episcopal Diocese we live in had Council from Jan 30th to Feb 2nd that year. We still had Candlemas Revel for our wedding reception.

[@joylox]

The English side of my family always had New Year's Day as our big dinner, fancier than Christmas day. That's when we'd bring out the fancy dishes, polish the silverware, and bring the vegetables out of the cold rooms (or freezers for things like corn and beans) to celebrate as a family, and pray for blessings on the new year. I never understood why some people would celebrate things in very different ways, but now I get a bit more of the reasoning. And while I've never done it, I guess mummering is the closest thing to wassailing that still is done. I've heard about it as I live in Atlantic Canada, just not the area that does it the most.

[@ajrwilde14]

were they actually Scottish and not English? it's Scottish people who traditionally celebrated New Year 'Hogmany' more than Christmas.

[@aubreevecellio]

My high school has always done a Magical dinner and we did a lot of these food traditions. We even have a boar head and sing the song!

[@summeroflove394]

Just last night I was listening to the amazing Christmas video from last year before bedtime. Glad we have a new one. Love listening to medieval pods and stories.

[@kelly_seastar]

"Medieval people would be shocked by how early decorations go up now." No joke, my local grocery store was decorated for Christmas on November 20th.

[@gillybby4143]

The feast of St John got me. We celebrate a dude being save from prison wine by... drinking a buttload of wine. Insert ye olden painting of a dude having a wine chunder outside 🤣

[@sharonkaysnowton]

This year is 2024- I am an adult doll collector, and in my doll house I am creating a medieval Christmas tree. I chose a copper colored tree. I am also using the song "12 Days of Christmas". 1- Partridge in a pear tree (my copper tree), 2- 2 turtle doves 3- 3 French hens 4- 4 calling birds 5- 5 golden rings, etc. So, I am hoping this will turn out beautifully, and I will put sigils on it. I watched this video to get other ideas as far as medieval decor. So far it is beautiful.

[@maddietrallier]

I loved this video! Can you imagine if we didn't work for 12 days today? Honestly I always thought Christmas day was the last day of Christmas, not the first. Learn something new every day.

[@kathrynjordan8782]

Not working for 12 today would be a holiday! It would be interesting to see how companies would fare if people didn't work for 12 days today.

[@bipolarmonkey77]

Could you please make a video about Carlota, Empress Consort of Mexico (Charlotte of Belgium)

[@i_liza_lott]

She should! Carlota has such an interesting story!

[@luislozano6073]

I'm already planning this years 12 days of christmas

[@ZiggyWhiskerz]

BRING BACK 12 DAYS OF CELEBRATIONS!!! And I didn't know wassail was a beverage! I just knew it was like loud singing. 🤣 learn something new everyday.

[@kathrynjordan8782]

I wish we would bring back 12 Days of Celebrations!!!!! I miss the door to door singing like I used to do when I was a child.

[@ZiggyWhiskerz]

@@kathrynjordan8782 I remember my church and family would go caroling at nursing homes when I was little. It was fun, but I would get very sick every year after that. I think door to door would be much healthier.

[@tinas_hotdog_sophie]

Yay, christmas! MEDIVAL! Thanks Lindsay! Evening saved 🥰

[@t.grimes9973]

This is by far my favourite video you have ever made. I've watched it at least 4 times this holiday season:) It makes me feel justified about not taking down my Christmas décor until the feast of Epiphany.

[@tzarinaruths.2610]

1st time watching & I really enjoyed your research. Thank you & will be watching more.

[@AstarionWifey]

Please do Christmas Holiday Traditions from other countries ❤❤❤❤

[@nora768]

This video is delightful and yet educational at the same time.

[@kray3883]

I always wonder how people a few hundred years in the future will interpret our traditions... "and then they watched a football game which symbolized the political disagreements of the time and in the evening they held an ugly sweater contest which was considered to be a daring rebellion against the strict fashion rules of the era".

[@GoingGreenMom]

I've been considering the wassail tradition.... minus the shared bowl and slice of bread. Lol.

[@tsugima6317]

Some used apples roasted in honey in spiced cider or wine.

[@emlyons]

Lindsay, love the video and learning about medieval traditions! I notice that Catherine Howard is spelled Catherine Horward on your merchandise shirt. In case this is a mistake, I figured I would put it out there! If it's not, please disregard. Thank you for the content!

[@LindsayHoliday]

Thanks, typo, I fixed it

[@CoalMnrsDotr]

I'm going caroling Saturday. Gonna be fun.

[@kathrynjordan8782]

I have always liked the Coventry Carol. I didn't know meaning behind the song. Thank you for explaining the history behind it. I have always liked Medieval history. This is a wonderful documentary on Medieval Christmas.

[@daphneoakes8389]

Wonderful video. Thanks for incorporating music into it.

[@autumnrose1998]

Just came to say there isn't a bad video on this channel. Love what you do. Keep doing what you do!

[@Atm0111]

Medieval and Christmas!🙌 😍 i love watching Lindsay's videos right before bed bc they're always so soothing and really quiet my mind 🌠 🛌 🎅🌌😴🎄

[@lexophile9667]

SAMEee also whenever i’m experiencing anxiety or fighting with my husband or etc 😅 for me it’s the comforting patient voice along with details of people living in a less comfortable, convenient society. takes me right out of my own brain every time 💥

[@jocelynw6405]

Thanks for today's festive lesson!

[@danniellefenton-johnston8123]

my grandmother to the tradition of symbolise alive We would play it every year. It’s actually quite fun and I wish more people still played it. My husband doesn’t understand the rules of the game like tight as a drum

[@NRD1985]

Merry Medieval Christmas Lindsay! Thanks for all the videos over this year.

[@stacyk123]

I love conventry carol. It's so haunting and slow compared to all the other upbeat holiday songs. It's almost hypnotic.

[@katijoogden2221]

Your voice is so soothing and your content is amazing!

[@myrigarou]

Congratulations for this wonderful video. It is very interesting to discover the songs. thank you Lindsay, I wish you a Merry Christmas!

[@pjalexandra]

I've been trying to dig up whether new year was actually new year before very recently, because January 1 feels completely random in my northern Canadian climate, a really daft time for anything 'new' when you want to just stay inside and go inward generally. The whole video added detail to what I knew about 12 days, but that detail in particular was a relief to hear! Thank you.

[@WitchoftheWest]

Someone else must love the Tudor Monastery Farm Christmas special with Ruth Goodman

[@ME-rr5jq]

I'd love to renew the tradition of having 12 straight days off from work lol

[@cocoaorange1]

Never knew swan, peacock, and wild boar were holiday entrees back in medieval times. I will stick with duck or goose for the holidays.

[@tsugima6317]

My parents had peacock at their wedding reception. My mom said it tasted like dark meat poultry.

[@kathycc88]

One tradition missed in this video perhaps is the setting up of the Nativity Scene. Instituted, so to speak, by St. Francis of Assisi. For most Christians it is our main focus during Christmas, not the tree. Catholics traditionally celebrated the day of Christmas during 8 days, until Jan 1st, it's what we call liturgically speaking an Octave. Then, our biggest Feast after Easter has traditionally been Epiphany both in east and west Christendom, on Jan 6th. Anyways, thank you for this great compilation!

[@esta8651]

I didn’t know the sad meaning behind Coventry Carol. I always thought the lyrics were odd. 😢

[@hollysmith7393]

Well done !! As always , well done

[@Pollicina_db]

I have to say that the advent period and the 12 days of Christmas are still practiced here in Croatia, and plus we also celebrate other holidays during the advent like saint Nicholas, saint Lucy and saint Barbara.

[@heden1460]

I knew some of that, but not all. It was interesting. Thanks.

[@carolineadams7283]

Wassail is a not what you describe it still happens where I live and it involves blessing the orchards with last years cider at new year

[@jackmason5278]

Curious about one aspect of the chronology. The Holy Family fled to Egypt and thus avoided having Jesus slaughtered. On Epiphany the magi somehow found Jesus. Was this before He left Bethlehem, after He arrived in Egypt, or somewhere enroute?

[@ChibiProwl]

Before He left Bethlehem. Matthew 2 verses 8-11. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

[@LindaCooper-i3f]

Epiphany at the brownstone of Nero Wolfe would be an interesting sight.

[@HereForTheComments]

I do love the holidays on this channel, I'm sad to have missed them. But 2023 is gonna be my year for sure!

[@LetsTravelThisYear]

Your videos are awesome. You sure go to a lot of work doing them. Thanks...so interesting.

[@joiedevivre2005]

The Twelfth Night Cake likely gave birth to the King Cake we enjoy during Carnival Season in New Orleans. Instead of a bean or pea, we have a plastic baby in the cake. The one who gets the baby in their piece of cake, has to buy (host) the King Cake for the next gathering (it is also considered to be good luck). Carnival Season begins on January 6 & continues until Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) which is the day before Ash Wednesday. I'm sure many Medieval Christmas celebratory traditions found their way into Carnival traditions (such as the King of Misrule - we have Kings for each krewe, with the most exalted being the King of Rex).

[@fgferraro]

PLS can we make a collective decision to bring this back? except maybe we can still eat cheese. i want 12 days off

[@PC-tz6kb]

Good show! Thanks, Lindsey.

[@maxaranguiz-peterson2908]

Thank you Lindsey for the video. Quite historical and interesting.

[@blondebomber-qo2uy]

12:02 timestamp is Viggo Mortensen wearing a crown

[@tudorrosey76]

That’s just too much for me! I really enjoyed The Video, It was Very educational !

[@yvonneemmert904]

I had either plum or figgy pudding one time I played a serving wench in a madrigal dinner!!! It was delicious!!! And I had a blast!!! I could do a madrigal dinner every day!!!

[@sharonbell2368]

I learned so much from this video. I can't wait to watch more!

[@nathanbarth6393]

Still good this year

[@theresalaux5655]

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you🎉 thanks so much for your videos😊

[@luislozano6073]

How to write "lasnwol"? the beer with spices

[@bettyleeist]

This is very interesting to see a medieval 🏰 Christmas 🎄!I have also had a plum pudding from the world 🌎 food market.And,yes…..our family has had a Christmas 🎄 turkey 🦃 on this holiday!

[@ajrwilde14]

Xmas pudding actually evolved separately from mince pies, probably from 'plum porridge/pottage'

[@SCOTTBULGRIN]

Excellent video. I've learned a great deal about Christmas by watching this video. Merry Christmas.

[@sandrasmith2912]

What a fabulous video! I learned so much! Thank you for your wonderful video! Merry Christmas and Happy Epiphany!!

[@cc100ish]

The 3rd day of Christmas sounds like my kind of fun 😂

[@QuEeNMeRaNdA]

I love this, would like to incorporate more into my own traditions

[@jyf.7551]

I absolutely adore your festive videos!! They deserve so many more views

[@myexplorations3521]

This is one of my favorite! I watched it several times over the holidays and played it for my teenagers. I see that your postings about British royals have a lot more views (and therefore $), but I hope you keep fitting in Medieval & Renaissance postings like this! But I love the Royals too!

[@lauradarnall227]

Happy Christmas history of Tea 🍵 ✨️

[@callmethecommentcountess9329]

This is so much better than the evil version of Santa

[@zakattack8624]

I just got drunk and high, ate lots of food, and read books and comics :)

[@rogertaylor9435]

What a lovely video.

[@JaiWren]

Gah! I love your videos so much and I’m so excited about Christmas so I’m so stoked for this one!

[@margaretanncarno4014]

Love this. Some of these traditions where incorporated into Carnival season

[@vickimingus9281]

love your videos I have learned so much

[@gracealdridge7648]

i fucking love you lindsay you pick the best video topics

[@robinhumphrey2692]

Excellent!

[@jennifers1149]

@7:44 Poldark fans will remember Judd & Prudie singing this

[@ludovica8221]

we have been singing the Boar's head carol all my life, but the tune I know is slightly different from the one you have

[@samtung]

Really fun and thorough!

[@meadowrose100]

This was absolutely fascinating. Thank you so much!

[@BLWSquared]

So the feast of Adam and Eve is celebrated Dec 24th. They would hang apples and other fruit on the trees/plants they decorated with for Christmas Eve. That’s how we come to use ornaments!

[@marthmfn9707]

Very interesting ☕️

[@FuuHolliday]

Whoa, I enjoyed this video. Thank you.

[@tarynotona3097]

Amazing. Thanks so much

[@samlichtenstein2754]

I like the King Singer's version of that song.

[@JuliahistoryLover]

Can you do a video on each Christmas song and where it came from and what era?

[@FoodNerds]

Merry Christmas 🎄

[@nigellanjuat3294]

2023 Christmas 🎄💘

[@kathrynjordan8782]

This is a wonderful documentary on Medieval Christmas. I enjoy medieval history so this is very interesting to learn more about some (though not all) of the traditions that still exist today. It would be interesting to see a documentary on traditions of the Victorian era as well as pagan origins.