Advent Number 15 - A Christmas Carol
In 1858, Charles Dickens came to York to read from his novello, A Christmas Carol - the little tale that invented the spirit of Christmas. People gathered in the Festival Concert Rooms, attached to the Assembly Rooms, A Christmas Carol brought to the fore themes such as charity at Christmas, thinking of those less fortunate than yourself and the bringing together of family and loved ones.
6000 of the books were published on the 19th December 1843 and sold out by Christmas Eve. It has never been out of print since. There have been umpteen interpretations of the work for TV and film, books, theatre, ballet and every other media you can think of.
If you need your annual fix of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, I highly recommend the This Is My Theatre Production at Holy Trinity Goodramgate. A wonderfully atmospheric, candlelit, beautifully crafted and performed piece - see it if you can!
@holytrinitygoodramgate @thisismytheatre @yorkshiresbestguides @britainsbestguides @indieyork #york #christmas #achristmascarol #theatre #tradition #charlesdickens #history #holytrinity @churchesconservationtrust #visityork
Advent Number 14 - Christmas Cards
The 1840's were a remarkably good year for Christmas! Charles Dicken's Christmas Carol, the popularisation of Christmas Trees, the move towards the Turkey and - Christmas Cards!
The first commercial christmas cards were sold in 1843, by Sir Henry Cole. He sold 1000 cards for 1 shilling each. You can see an image of Henry's card here - lots of happy folk enjoying a glass of wine - including one lady sharing her wine with her child .
The Victorian Postmen who delivered the cards wore bright red livery and were given the nickname 'Robins'. The delivery of the cards by the Robins cemented the festive image of an actual robin as an icon of christmas.
In York we have a beautiful elegant and slim Victorian postbox - with a frustratingly small slot! Think of the millions and millions of letters it must have recieved over the more than 120 years it has been in action.
Last posting day for UK cards is 20th December
#advent #christmascards #royalmail #christmas #victorianchristmas #history #robins #sirhenrycole
IO Saturnalia!
Seeing the Roman soldiers marching through the streets of Eboracum!
#york #eboracum #soldiers #history #romanbaths #iosaturnalia #christmas #traditions #christmastraditions #march #parade
Advent Number 13 - The Romans in York
IO SATURNALIA! Present day York is where the Romans founded their fortress of Eboracum, and where the legionaires stationed here would have celebrated Saturnalia with gusto! A festival centred around the God Saturn, a time of feasting, drinking and partying. A time to create an unreal world, the time when reality was turned on its head. Gambling was allowed during Saturnalia, people dressed up - men as women, women as men, and for one day only the Slaves and the Masters changed places .
Tonight we heard 'IO Saturnalia' ringing out in the streets of York once more as the soldiers left the Roman Bath Pub in Sampson Square to march through the streets.
Have you visited the Roman Bath Museum beneath the pub? When the former pub burned to the ground in the 1930's, it was decided to make deeper cellers for the new pub. But as they dug down, they discovered the remain of the Roman Bath and hence the pub got it's name. You can still visit the remains of the baths and a fascinating museum in the cellers beneath the pub.
#york #advent #roman #romansoldiers #bluebadgetouristguide #christmas #iosaturnalia
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Advent Number 12 - Christmas Lights
York is magical in the winter months with 175,000 twinkly lights stretching nearly 9.5 miles decorating more than 50 streets in the heart of the medieval city.
Light has always been used to celebrate at this time of year, the very darkest times. Electricity meant we could really light up the place! The idea of decorating with strings of lights began in America. Said to be invented by Edward Johnson in 1882, friend and business associate of Thomas Edison, the lightbulb inventor. The first UK Christmas lights came to Regent Street in 1954.
You can catch the wonderful lights here in York until February!
#christmas #christmaslights #festive #christmasspirit #christmasmarket #york #yorkchristmas #yorkchristmasmarket #walkingtour #history #tourguide #fairylights
Advent Number 11 - Viking Christmas
The Vikings settled here in 866AD and created their trading settlement of Jorvik. At this time of year the citizens would have been gearing up for Jol. Jol was a festival centred around the winter solstice and the Norse God, Odin - the Jol-Nir, or Yule Father. It was a Festival of Darkness and Light. The dark from the fact that in the most northerly parts of the northern hemisphere, the sun barely peeped over the horizon for days. The light from Fire - the warming flames of the burning Yule Log in the hearth of the home.
It was a time of feasting and drinking and pleasure . It was made even more pleasurable by King Haakon - Between 934 and 961 he introduced a law, that households MUST brew Christmas Beer or face a fine. No wonder he was known as King Haakon the Good.
Step into a magical Winter Jorvik at Jorvik Viking Centre - on until 23rd February 2025.
#viking #jol #christmas #advent #vikingchristmas #jorvik #jorvikvikingcentre #festive #vikings
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Advent Number 10 - Holy Trinity, Goodramgate
If you want a massive dose of wonderful Christmas-ness, do what you can to secure a ticket to one of the many festive events at Holy Trinity Church Goodramgate.
A church that has not been in regular use since the 1880’s and so didn’t get those fancy mod-cons like electricity and heating. Wrap up and listen in candlelight to wonderful musicians with an incredible variety of Christmas Tunes!
#christmas #festive #noel #choir #christmasspirit #holytrinitychurch #york #advent #adventcalendar
Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, York
Advent Number 9 - The Krampus
What was occuring in York yesterday?
The Krampus came to town. St Nicholas’ companion who, rather than leave gifts for the good children, punishes the bad ones. Half Demon, Half Goat , stunning costumes and a wonderful specatacle in the medieval streets.
If you want more Krampus - head to Villain’s Rum for Spiced Caramel Biscuit Rum. If that doesn’t warm you heart and make you festive, nothing will.
For more Krampus fun and gorgeousness head to the Society of Alchemists on Shambles. These alchemists sell gorgeous scented bath bombs, lotions and potions! Those Krampus might look a bit scary - but they smell good!
@thesocietyofalchemists @villainsrum @indieyork #krampus #naughtylist #christmas #traditions #darkchristmas #york #visityork #history #christmashistory #advent #adventcalendar
Advent Number 8 - The Boy Bishop Tradition
Today, Sunday 8th December, an ancient ceremony will be revived at York Minster. The tradition of the Boy Bishop- now known as the Chorister Bishop.
Traditionally, between 6th December, St Nicholas’ Day (Patron Saint of Children) and Holy Innocents Day (28th December) the Bishop and a Boy Chorister would SWAP places. The Chorister would lead the processions, take the services and even travel the diocese collecting the money. Henry VIII banned the practice - as he felt it made a mockery of the church!! But, some cathedrals have revived this tradition.
The Chorister Bishop and their Canons of 2024 will have the oppurtunity to give an address and lead the prayers at the evensong on behalf of choristers everywhere.
Sunday 8th December - 4pm Choral evensong with the Chorister Bishop
📷 Thanks to Chapter of York for permission to use the photo of the Chorister Bishop from 2023, Bishop Edward, and his Canons, with Arch Bishop Stephen Cottrell
@yorkminsterofficial #theboybishop #yorkminster #tradition #christmas #noel #festive #evensong #ceremony #church #choir #churchchoir #choirister #archbishop #york @indieyork
Advent Number 6 - St Nicholas Day
Did you know that Oranges ( and that includes my favourite Terry’s Chocolate variety) are connected to Christmas because of St Nicholas?
Legend has it that upon hearing of the plight of three daughters whose poor father could not afford a dowry, this 4th century Greek bishop decided to come to their rescue. He threw three bags of gold down the chimney, which handily landed in the freshly laundered stockings that the girls had hung up to dry by the fire. The round and golden bags of gold enabled the three girls to marry well and live happily ever after. And oranges in your stockings at christmas commemorate the kindness and generosity of St Nicholas.
So why not treat yoursef to a nice orange ( Terry’s or otherwise ) or three to celebrate St Nicholas Day this 6th December
Head down to Holy Trinity Micklegate to see the fabulous stained glass window of St Nicholas.
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