The 12 Days of Medieval Christmas

We’re familiar with the Christmas carol “The 12 days of Christmas” but in the middle ages, this extended holiday Christmas looked a bit different. There were plenty of lords-a-leaping and ladies dancing but the only partridge was trussed up on the King’s table next to the swans-a-swimming in gravy. And the gold rings were baked in the Christmas pudding! Medieval people dropped their plows, wrapped their spinning wheels in holly and ivy and took 12 days off, from Christmas day to Epiphany on January 6th. As the yule log crackled in the fire they feasted, played games and sports, attended mass, enjoyed subversive revelry and imbibed gallons of wassail. It all culminated into the most raucous party of the year on twelfth night! So Deck your halls, mull some wine, and cut a slice of mince pie as we join in the celebrations of the 12 days of Medieval Christmas...

Advent, December 24th - Christmas Eve

December 25th - Christmas Day - 1st day of Christmas 

December 26th - The Feast of St Stephen - 2nd day of Christmas

December 27th - The Feast of St John - 3rd day of Christmas 

December 28th - Childermas - 4th day of Christmas 

December 29th - Feast of St. Thomas Becket - 5th day of Christmas

December 30th - 6th

December 31st - New Year’s Eve - 7th day

January 1st - New Year’s Day - 8th day

January 2nd - 9th day

January 3rd - 10th day

January 4th - 11th day

January 5th - Twelfth Night - 12th day

January 6th - Epiphany

My historically accurate 12 Days of Christmas Song:

On the 12th day of medieval Christmas my true love gave to me:

Twelve massive parties

Eleven herbs and spices

Ten archery arrows

Nine saints bones

Eight royal presents

Seven swans-a-roasted

Six carole singers

Five bowls of wassail

Four bishop boys

Three mince pies

Two alms for the poor

and a boars head on a bed of holly!

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Intro Music: Baroque Coffee House by Doug Maxwell

Music: 12 days of Christmas by United States Air Force Band

Background: Yonder Hill & Dale by Aaron Kenny

The Boar's Head Carol Good

King Wenceslaus by U.S. Army Band

Coventry Carol by United States Air Force Band

Here We Come A-wassailing by U.S. Army Band 

All music is royalty free or public domain

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