The War on Christmas

Published: Dec. 19, 2023, 1 a.m.

England\u2019s Puritan Parliament attempted to purge Christmas of Catholic influences on 19th December, 1644, by passing The Ordinance for the Better Observation of the Monthly Fast, an attempt in the legislature to solemnise the day and prevent the public from indulging in carnal and sensual delights. Essentially: to ban Christmas.\nThe enforcement of these measures led to numerous conflicts, including the Plum Pudding Riot of 1647, when 10,000 men in Kent signed a petition declaring they would rather see the King back on his throne than forego Christmas celebrations - a message future \u2018Merry Monarch\u2019 Charles II certainly noticed\u2026\nIn this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly uncover the complexities of anti-anti-Christmas vandalism; explain why a calendar clash in 1644 persauded the Puritans to legislate; and imagine a world in which \u2018Second Tuesday of the Month Day\u2019 were celebrated with the gusto of December 25th\u2026\nFurther Reading:\n\u2022 \u2018When Christmas carols were banned\u2019 (BBC Culture, 2014): https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20141219-when-christmas-carols-were-banned\n\u2022 \u2018Did Oliver Cromwell Really Ban Christmas?\u2019 (HistoryExtra, 2021): https://www.historyextra.com/period/stuart/no-christmas-under-cromwell-the-puritan-assault-on-christmas-during-the-1640s-and-1650s/?ref=planksip.org\n\u2022 \u2018Why Was Christmas Banned?\u2019 (The Guardian, 2019): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsFYm796dig\nLove the show? Join \U0001f334CLUB RETROSPECTORS \U0001f334 to DITCH THE ADS and get an additional full-length episode every SUNDAY!\nPlus, get weekly bonus bits, unlock over 70 bits of extra content and support our independent podcast.\nJoin now via Apple Podcasts or Patreon. Thanks!\nWe'll be back tomorrow! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts: podfollow.com/Retrospectors\nThe Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.\nTheme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Ollie Peart.\nCopyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2023.\n\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices