14 Jan New Year’s Day is the 1st January and has always been, right?
Well, no, actually; though you’d be forgiven for thinking that. In fact, back in medieval times across Europe, 25th March was often the big day. It was The Feast of the Annunciation, and the day the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary bearing tidings that she would be giving birth to the son of God in nine months’ time. Towns would throw a street party, with processions and such like, and make quite a thing of it. It’s worth noting, mind you, that William the Conqueror decreed 1st January to be the New Year in England, though this didn’t reach outside his court for a long time. And when the English broke with the Roman Catholic church during Henry VIII’s reign, New Year continued to be celebrated on 25th March in defiance of the Roman Catholics adopting 1st January in 1582.
However, with all that said, some places didn’t begin the new year until 1st March. Others would see it start on Christmas day itself. Whilst elsewhere some would kick the year off on whichever day Easter was that year. So, as you can see, there wasn’t much consistency back then. And it could jump around over time; the Anglo Saxons initially celebrated it on 25th December, but then switched to 25th March during the Middle Ages, only to then swap to 1st January in the seventeen hundreds.
There’s a lovely quote from the book, Life in a Medieval Village, written by Frances and Joseph Gies in 1989, that characterises this whole set up brilliantly: A traveller setting out from Venice on March 1, 1245, the first day of the Venetian year; finding himself in 1244 when he reached Florence; and after a short stay going on to Pisa, where he would enter the year 1246. Continuing westward, he would return to 1245 when he entered Provence, and upon arriving in France before Easter (April 16) he would be once more in 1244. (Thank you medievalists.net for highlighting this gem to us!).
But how did they celebrate?
Regardless of date, though, what did they do to see in the New Year? In medieval France they had the Feast of Fools, which would take place on the 1st January. Everything would switch round for one day. The poor would dress up and ridicule the wealthy. They’d even hold a mock court that hosted a mock pope. In addition, of course, there would have been lots of eating and drinking, acting, music, and rowdy behaviour. So, all in all, it was a day to let your hair down. However, the church didn’t approve and by the fifteen hundreds the tradition had lost its spark.
Traditions across the globe
New Year was a time of gift giving in many places, for it was meant to bring good fortune for the next twelve months; particularly in England. However, in Scotland, they had (and still have to this day) a tradition of ‘first footing’. The first person to cross the threshold after midnight was significant. The householder’s fortunes were intimately tied up with who that person was. For some, fair hair brought good luck, though others were looking out for flat feet! Unfortunately, however, those with red locks were not welcome… they didn’t just bring bad luck, they brought grief. The Irish celebrated by banging on the doors and walls of their homes in a bid to flush out evil spirits before the New Year ticked over. And candles were lit and placed in a window to remember the dead and welcome the spirits of past family into the house.
In Eastern Europe, and particularly in Poland, they celebrated the Feast of St Sylvester; a brave man who slew a dragon called Leviathan. New Year’s Eve became a day of pranks being played by boys dressed as devils. And the next day, hoops of bread were baked with hidden crosses and rings. If you got the ring, it meant marriage was in the air; if you got a cross, a life in the clergy was on the cards for you.
In Russia, they celebrated New Year twice. Back in medieval times, one celebration took place in September, then it moved to March, but eventually settled on 1st January in 1699. They would have a New Year’s Tree, which stayed up until the 14th January, which was when their second New Year took place. This was a private event between family and close friends. Russia’s equivalent of Father Christmas would curry the help of a granddaughter – named the Snow Maiden – to hand out gifts. The Snow Maiden was actually added to the tradition in the eighteen hundreds, but her character has medieval roots.
What about New Year’s resolutions?
New Year is a popular time to start afresh, break some old habits, and set ambitious goals for the future. It’s something that really sits well with the human psyche. Thus, regardless of what date people believed to be the New Year, they’ve been setting New Year resolutions for some 4000 years. It’s believed the ancient Babylonians were trail blazers for this tradition, where borrowed things were returned and promises to pay debts were made.
Bank Holiday in the UK
Having the day off after heavy New Year’s Eve celebrations is a most welcome bank holiday. Scotland were the forerunners in allowing some rest and recuperation after a late night of partying. They have recognised News Year’s Day as a bank holiday since 1871. In England, however, the hard taskmasters-that-be did not declare the day a bank holiday until 1974. Up to that point, we all had to go to work with a hangover. We’re glad that’s changed!
So with all that researched, explained, and enjoyed, it leaves us to now wish YOU a very happy New Year. May 2022 bring you peace, joy, and something different hopefully post-pandemic!