The Medieval Magazine: A Medieval Christmas (Volume 2 Issue 31)
Happy holidays from Medievalists.net! Medieval holiday traditions, the story of how Nicholas became Santa Claus, and some tasty treats for your holiday feast.…
Epiphany: Three Kings Day
A look at the history behind Epiphany and Twelfth Night.
Surviving Winter in the Middle Ages
Surviving Winter in the Middle Ages: How did people stay warm? What did they eat? What did they do?
Advent in the Middle Ages
Advent in the Middle Ages
A Christmas Crib as a Meek Heart of the Late Mediaeval Christian
In the summer of 2013 the Rijksmuseum acquired a rare Late Gothic Christmas Crib (c. 1510-20). In the 15th century tangible aids – devotionalia – were promoted to support meditation, to accomplish as it were a link between God and the soul of the believer.
From St. Nicholas to Santa Claus
How did a 4th century bishop become the jolly man who comes down the chimney with gifts for children on Christmas?
Bah! Humbug! Complaining about holiday gifts 1600 years ago
Christmas has long been associated with gift giving, but one suspects that Asterius of Amasea would not like seeing all those presents under the Christmas tree!
The Earliest Christmas Tree
One of the most iconic traditions of Christmas is having a tree in your house, decorating it and placing the presents underneath. How early did this tradition begin?
The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus: The True Life and Trials of Nicholas of Myra
Around the fourth century in what is now Turkey, a boy of humble circumstance became a man revered for his many virtues.
Sal ich von den Ioden liten große pin? – Integration and Isolation in the Medieval German Christmas Play
I would like to start with two responses to the performance of Christmas plays that provide some insight into their effect on the socialization of the Christian communities in which they were performed.
Saint Lucy’s Day: A Light in a Dark Time
Scandinavian and Sicilian girls eagerly await the arrival of Saint Lucy on 13 December.
A Medieval Christmas: Such Splendid Sight Was Never Seen
Take in this medieval play in Toronto on Friday December 13th and Saturday, December 14th
Matthew Paris and the Royal Christmas: Ritualised Communication in Text and Practice
In the Chronica majora, and its abbreviations, Paris opened each year with a description of how and where the king held Christmas.
Christmas in the Qur’än: the Qur’änic account of Jesus’s nativity and Palestinian local tradition
The confluence of this evidence strongly suggests that the traditions associated with Kathisma church gave rise to the rather peculiar account of Christ’s Nativity found in the Quran.
Richard III’s raucous Christmas parties
Just as the company Christmas party can lead to embarrassing situations, some 15th century festivities could also lead to scandal.
Seven Medieval Christmas Traditions
Christmas in medieval Europe could include feasting, gambling, one-day marriages, boy bishops and trolls.
Poculi Ludique Societas shows how to perform a Christmas play, medieval style
A Medieval Christmas: Go We hence to Bethlehem’s Bower – playing this weekend in Toronto
Medieval Christmas Cookies Still In Fashion
So what does a Christmas cookie from centuries ago look like? This time of year, a bakery in Pennsylvania Dutch country is busy making cookies the same way they were made in medieval Germany, and their edible pieces of art history have attracted customers from all over the globe.
Christmas traditions and performance rituals: a look at Christmas celebrations in a Nordic context
This article grew out of a project with our drama students at Bergen University College, Norway, in December 2002. I wanted to introduce the students to pre-Christian roots of Yule, and to give them an historical introduction to extant dramatic/ritual Christmas customs in our country.
Medieval Christmas Celebrations
Richard and Anne’s first Christmas as king and queen in 1483 was happy, even though they were in London and their only son Edward had to remain at Middleham, too sickly to travel.
Christmas: Its Origin and Associations: Together with Its Historical Events and Festive Celebrations During Nineteen Centuries
Henceforth, I became a snapper-up of everything relating to Christmastide, utilised every opportunity of searching libraries, bookstalls, and catalogues of books in different parts of the country…
Christmas Cards with medieval images on sale from Bangor University
Cards show a miniature of a bishop consecrating a church, and the decorated opening page of a special Mass celebrated during the Christmas season.