Twelfth Night is an
annual seasonal celebration held in the Bankside area of London. It is a
celebration of the New Year, mixing ancient seasonal customs with contemporary
festivity. It is free, accessible to all
and happens whatever the weather. January 6th is Epiphany and Twelfth Night: the traditional end of the
Christmas festive season. By choosing this date for the celebration of the
visit of the Magi, the Church was giving Christian significance to existing
pagan midwinter festivities. It was the day before a general return to the
rigours of work (Plough Monday), and therefore a last chance to make merry.
Traditions
·
The Green Man is deeply rooted in a whole host
of customs and traditions. He is also known as the Wild Man, Jack-in-the-Green,
the Green Knight, the May King and sometimes Robin Hood. He has emerged along
the shore as Jack-in-the-Green at Hastings. Thirty pubs in London alone bear
his name.
·
The Mummers, folk plays are performed at
Midwinter all over England. They were generally referred to as "Mummings”.
Records exist of such an entertainment at the court of Henry IV. There is
enormous diversity of character and narrative but all
contain death and
resurrections: a theme which is at the heart of both the Christian Passion and
pagan ceremony.
·
King Bean
and Queen Pea are chosen at the end of the play - take a cake and see if you are one of
the lucky pair! This King and Queen were crowned for the day as part of the
general revelry, and 'Twelfth Cake' or 'King's Cake' (referring to the three
Magi) was once very popular in London.
·
The
Kissing Wishing Tree was made
at Christmas before pine trees were introduced by Prince Albert in 1840. An
evergreen bough was hung with apples, sweetmeats, candles and decked with
ribbons representing wishes. Perhaps our kissing under the mistletoe is related
to a tradition of kissing under this 'Kissing Tree'.
Information retrieved from http://www.thelionspart.co.uk/twelfthnight/, in 2011
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