Christmastide - online book

Its History, Festivities And Carols

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— 62 —
and points, in every house; but, as Stow says, more for pastime than for gain. The holidays, according to this annalist, extended from All-Hallows Evening to the day after Candlemas Day, and there was a penalty attached to any householder allowing such games, except during this time. Dramatic performances were exhibited at the houses of the great and wealthy, where the tenants and peasantry were allowed access, and cheered with good Christmas hos­pitality; carol singing was encouraged, and it is not im­probable that some of our modern carols may be connected with this age, though somewhat modified.
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