Margaret Paston’s reference to playing cards in her letter to her husband on Christmas Eve 1459 is the earliest recorded ...

In the late Middle Ages, Christianity was widespread in Europe and Christmas celebrations every December were the norm in ...

After a long fast, Medieval Christendom typically celebrated the holiday with many days of raucous festivities ...

Long before Santa Claus, caroling, and light-strewn Christmas trees, people in medieval Europe celebrated the Christmas season with 12 full days of feasting and revelry. Christmas in the Middle Ages ...

There are many different ways people from all around the world celebrate Christmas and the winter season. But these rituals—which typically vary from place to place—have not always stayed the same ...

The great households of medieval Ireland were experts at wielding their hospitality and their power at Christmas festivities ...

When we think of eating in the medieval era, we often envision wooden banquet tables, goblets, elaborate salt cellars, and giant turkey legs. Banquet tables were even more adorned on Christmas ...

Turkey wasn’t on the menu yet, but a goose, swan, or a boar’s head might form a suitable centrepiece. Ale and wine would ...

However, there are other festive traditions that go back much further in time. A remarkable account of medieval Christmas celebrations can be found in an English letter dated to Christmas Eve 1459.