Christmas In England
Paul Buckley
The people of England are well known for their Christmas
celebrations, dating back to the legendary King Arthur who made"
merrie" in York in 521 celebrating with "minstrels, gleemen,
harpers, pipe-players, jugglers, and dancers." Except for the
brief period of the Republic under Cromwell, England has always
been a special place for Christmas, and made even more so by the
famous Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol.
During the Victorian period of the 1800's, according to Countess
Maria Hubert von Staufer, Director of Christmas Archives
International in the UK, "It is a popular misconception that
Christmas in England was eradicated by the Cromwellians and was
reinvented by the Victorians." She says the customs people
observed then were handed down from earlier days, when Christmas
celebrations were underground. The countess has written about
Christmas in Victorian England extensively, and says that it was
celebrated with church bells, hand bells, choirs of singers and
street performers. Wandering minstrels went from hamlet to hamlet
and castle to castle in England's past, and the tradition
continued.
One tradition we can thank the English for is the Christmas tree.
It became most popular with Queen Victoria's husband, Prince
Albert, who was born German, brought it to his new country, where
it took its place next to the kissing bough, a mixture of
mistletoe and evergreen. The most well known Christmas tree in
England today is in the heart of London, a giant spruce near the
statue of Lord Nelson in Trafalgar Square. The tree is a gift
from the people of Oslo, Norway. During World War II King Haakon
of Norway was in exile in England while Norway was occupied by
the German Army. Each year during his exile Norwegian military
forces would smuggle a tree past the German navy's patrols and
bring it to their king in England so that he could celebrate
Christmas with a tree from his homeland. Since then, the people
of Norway have expressed their appreciation by sending a tree
every year to the people of London. British children get visits
from Santa Claus, just as the children of America do, but they
know him as Father Christmas. He's a jolly old man with white
hair and a pipe, much like the American Santa. But, he
traditionally wears a green coat. The image of the red coat was
introduced to England in 1930 on a Christmas card from America
and in advertising by Coca Cola. His green coat stems from the
ancient midwinter festival and signifies the return of Spring.
Also, the sleigh and reindeer are an American invention, and
Father Christmas isn't expected to be pulled by eight tiny
reindeer. But English children do write letters to Father
Christmas as American children do to Santa, and at Christmas
parties someone usually dresses the part and pretends to be
Father Christmas.
The main meal at Christmas time is noon on Christmas day, and is
traditionally roasted turkey with potatoes, stuffing and
vegetables. Some families will still have a Christmas goose
however. Goose was the main Christmas course tradition for many
years until King Henry VIII decided he preferred turkey. And many
people still make a special Christmas pudding to have for desert,
a favorite of children. Like America, in England Christmas is
probably the favorite children's holiday.
Paul Buckley has created a website packed with fascinating
holiday season articles, stories and ideas sure to help you make
this holiday the best yet.
http://www.oldpelican.com
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