TRIVIA BITS … 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

TRIVIA BITS …

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Although 25th December was the official date for Christmas celebrations, the bawdy fun-loving Britons of medieval times slowly expanded the period to 12 days . By the 16th century the “12 days of Christmas” had become an officially established custom. During those 12 days, medieval minstrels would travel form castle to castle and village to village singing carols, many of which have survived to this day. In 1601 Shakespeare’s play “Twelfth Night” was first performed at the court of Queen Elizabeth I setting the seal of official approval on the 12 days of celebrations. Ireland too adopted the custom but the more devout Irish studiously observed the solemn religious period of Advent. They did not start their celebrations until the 26th December when they made up their previous abstinence in true Irish fashion.