We’re half-way there!
Twelfth Night was celebrated on the 5th January, the night before the feast of the Epiphany, in Medieval and Tudor England. It marked the end of Christmas and the celebrations for Twelfth Night included feasting, games and plays – there was even a special cake! During the Tudor period Twelfth Night cake contained plenty of fruit, with the addition of a bean. Whoever received the slice of cake containing the bean became the Lord of Misrule. This role carried the responsibility of planning the entertainment for the night!
Although the Twelfth Night cake isn’t a popular tradition anymore, many people across the UK have embraced their own traditions that make Christmas special to them. From Secret Santa, seeing reindeer, to decorating a pillowcase with happy memories, there are all kinds of traditions popping up each year.
Tag us at @WhitworthArt on Instagram or Twitter (X) and let us know your traditions at Christmas.
For all the Animal Crossing players out there, here is one more for your collection.
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– Steven Roper, Steph and Jason
Resources
English Heritage: ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’
Sam Bilton, ‘A History of the Twelfth Night Cake’, English Heritage, 10 November 2021.
Alison Weir and Siobhan Clarke, A Tudor Christmas, (London, 2018).
A Place Between The Trees 