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Michaelmas

September 29

And when the tenants come to pay their quarter’s rent They bring some fowle at Midsummer, a dish of fish in Lent, At Christmasse a capon, at Michaelmasse a goose; And somewhat else at New-yeres tide, for feare their lease flie loose.

Gasciogne, Posies (1575)

September 29 is the Feast Day of the Archangel St. Michael and All Angels.

The archangel Michael is featured prominently in both the Old and New Testaments, as well …Read more

Lady Day

 

March 25 Happy New Year!

For over six centuries, England celebrated March 25 as the first day of the new year, up until the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar in 1752.

Being stapled to one solar calendar for so long, it’s hard for us to understand how this is possible. I mean, March 25 isn’t even the first day of the month, let alone the first month of the year.

But remember, for much of antiquity, …Read more