The Georgian Christmas that John Clare would have experienced in his youth and young adulthood would have hardly changed for many years. It certainly had its own charm and delights and would last from St. Nicholas’ day on the 6thDecember to Epiphany on the 6th January. But it is to Clare that we must turn to get a better understanding of how Christmas was celebrated by a poor village community in England.
Thou day of happy sound & mirth
That long wi childish memory stays
How blest around the cottage hearth
I met thee in my boyish days
Harping wi raptures dreaming joys
Oer presents that thy coming found
The welcome sight of little toys
The christmass gifts of commers round
& many a thing a minutes sport
Left broken on the sanded floor
When we woud leave our play & court
Our parents promises for more
Tho manhood bids such raptures dye
& throws such toys away as vain
Yet memory loves to turn her eye
& talk such pleasures oer again
No grand Christmas balls in Helpstone of course, but convivial evenings spent in the company of village friends and neighbours. With games and cheer for all.
So even for simple rural folk Christmas was a time of great merriment, with gifts, parties and prayers.
During the reign of George III (1760-1820), Queen Charlotte brought the first version of the present-day Christmas tree to England. This was in 1800 and it would have been decorated with gifts, dolls and tapers after her German traditions. The villagers’ decorations would be rather less elaborate, but no less anticipated, especially by the children.
Published in November 2020, Glad Christmass Comes is priced at £3.50 + £1 P&P. To order by email drop me a message at arborfield@gmail.com OR send me a message via Facebook.
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