Just Love Christmas

The Romans had a public festival known as Saturnalia. It originally took place between 220 to 210BC. It is believed to have been introduced initially, as a moral boaster, following a military defeat but soon became the festival for Saturn. … Continue readingSaturnalia The Roman Winter Festival

There was a time when Christmas was not celebrated in Britain. It was during the time of the Republic. When Cromwell and his Puritan forces removed the Monarchy of Charles I in 1645, their belief was to rid the country … Continue readingPuritans Christmas

When Julius Caesar instructed the creation of a calendar, his astronomers centred it round the sun. The calendar was set to 365 and a quarter days. These were to be divided over 12 months. Unfortunately even with the introduction of … Continue readingOld Christmas Day Date

During the early Middle Ages (Medieval Period starting c.400AD and finishing c.1400AD) it was the Epiphany, the arrival of the Magi that was the main religious event. That said, November and December was dominated by religious holidays. There were the … Continue readingChristmas In The Middles Ages

An Elizabethan Christmas continued with many of the celebrations from the Middle Ages and introduced traditions that would be familiar today. Holly, ivy and winter greenery decorated the homes and even traditions that possibly date back to Saturnalia. As in Saturnalia … Continue readingElizabethan Christmas

Before the birth of Jesus, many regions had a winter festival or celebrations, the ancient festivals. Many of these celebrations are in part incorporated into the Christmas season. Before the arrival of the Romans and their celebration of Saturnalia, the tribes … Continue readingPre-Christmas History – Ancient Festivals