Christmas in the Olden Times.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 237, 22 December 1916, Page 1 (Supplement)

Christmas in the Olden Times.

" But is old, old, good old Christmas gone? Nothing but the hair of his good, grey old hair and beard left? We would dislike to believe it; realising, however, the disappearance of the many charming and' attractive customs ot the old-fashioned Christmas; we can not but fervently hope that the beautiful spirit of the hearth and home and the love for fellowman that characterised the Christmas days by yester year will ever be with us. In the good time of yore, this festival smbolised the gathering of family interests. It was the occasion of many happy reunions. Anger, strife, discontent and feuds were forgotten aiound the family hearth where hand clasped hand and heart touched heart. But not alone in the smaller circle of the family did the magic power ot leve prevail, but rich and-poor, high and lowly, lord and drawn together by a band of good will and fellowship. The old castteand manor had open house for all. The harp and carol sounded from early morn to late at night. ~ , An old song gives us a good idea ot the hospitable and cheery atmosphere of this gladsome season.

" A man might then behold At Christmas, in Wh haU Good fires to curb the cold, And meat for great and-small

Tine neighbours were friendly bidden And all had welcome true, The poor from the gates were not chidden When this old cap was new.

Even the humblest person celebrated the day. None were to poor to welcome the joyous time with open hearts and delightful excitement. Walter Scott tells us how the spirit of brotherhood and good fellowship prevailed: —

"The fire with well dried logs supplied, Went roaring up the chimney widte; The huge hall table's oaken face, Scrubbed till it shone, the day to

Bore then upon its massive board No mark to part the squire or lord.

And then again he says!-- " 'Twas Christmas broached the mightiest ale, 'Twas Christfas told the merriest tale; \ Christmas gambol oft * would cheer The poor man's heart through half the * year."

The decorating of the homes and churches played an important part in the Christmas celebration. Holly, mistletoe, bay and evergreen were found in every home. Many before Cliristmas a crowd of people went to gather the mistletoe. The spray was cut with a silver knife and let fall on a white cloth that was spread on the ground. An old English quotation of the fifteenth century says:

"Again.it the feast of Christmas, every man's house, as also their parish churches, were decked with. Holm, Ivy and Bays., and whatsoever the season of the yeere afforded to be greene. The Conduits and the Standards of the streetes were likewise garnished." From an old Saxon rhyme we have:

" Whosoever against holly do cry la a rope shall be hung full high, Alleulia!"

While another carol says: '•Holly and ivy, box and bay, Put in the church on Christmas Day.''

It was considered unlucky in tho days of Old England to bring the decorations into the homes or churches •before Christmas Eve or to remove them before Candlemas Day. As a punishment to any maidens who would neglect to take the greens down in time Goblins would appear and frighten them.

In England the Christmas festival of the olden times lasted for many days. The celebration ijegan qn Christmas Eve. A great Yule log was carried and lit with a piece of last year's "clog." This "clog" iroas to burn all night and if it went out it was a sign of bad luck. The merry makers played games, danoed and sang around the ruddy blaze of the log fire until they were tired. Then with glowing eyes they would listen to tales and legends of Old Father Christmas. Some of the popular games of those days were "Hoodman Blind," "Steal th'a Whito Loaf," '"Bob the Apple," "Snap the Dragoon," and many others of "merrie disport." While "Cardes dice, chess, shovel-board, the philosopher's game, small tremkes, shuttlecock, musicke, masks, singing, dancing, jests, riddles, merry tales, etc.,' were among the favourite pastimes. Masking and mumming were attractive amusements in the old fashioned times. The citizens of London in the year 1377 gave an elaborate masquerad© before the Black Prince. But Henry VII. abolished the practice by sending all the masquoraders to prison. A charming custom of yore that giaddened the hearts of many was the singing of the Christmas carols on Christmas Eve and morning by the boys and girls. And the Christmas dinner! Feasting and Christmas were synonymous. The tables groaned under "brawn and beef and humming ales." Everything that an overflowing larder could provide was put l>efore the happv-hearted folks. Hero is a description of a real Christmas dinner: "They served up salmon, venison and wild boars By hundreds and by dozens and by scores, Hogsheads of hone, kilderkins of mustard, Muttons and fatted beeves and bacon .wine, Herons and bitterns, peacocks, swan and bustard, Teal, mallard, pigeons, widgeons and in fin<» Plum puddings, pancakes, apple pies and custard, And therewithal they drank good Gascon wine, With mead, find ale and cider of our own, Fr r porter, punch and negus were not known." An important factor of the banquet was the boar's head. Tt was cooked to

a. orisp brown colour, placed on a platter and surrounded by rosemary. Its ears were pointed outward and a lemon stuck in its mouth. This tempting di£h iraj placed at the head of the table with a lighted candle at each end.

The peacock was another important dish for the feast. Frequently it was made into a pie, at one end of which ii s head apeared above the crush in a!! its plumage with the beak highly gilt. At the other end tsie tail was seen.

After dinner a large cake was brought in and passed to the maidens. The lucky girl who found the bean in the cake was made Queen of the Festival. She chose the King and these two were honoured ones throughout the Christmas Hiolidays.