By Martyn Bennett
The prospect of a Christmas without large-scale celebrations is preying on minds. After the widespread cancellation of pantomimes, festive light “switch-ons” and other community activities, it seems likely that 2020’s festivities will be much more intimate affairs, potentially with households banned from mixing indoors.
But what if families ignore distancing rules, should they remain in place, and celebrate together rather than on Zoom? Politicians seeking to come down hard on rule-breakers might wish to recall a previously restricted yuletide.
Back in 1647, Christmas was banned in the kingdoms of England (which at the time included Wales), Scotland and Ireland and it didn’t work out very well.
In 1647, parliament had won the civil war in England, Scotland and Ireland and King Charles was held in captivity at Hampton Court. The Church of England had been abolished and replaced by a Presbyterian system.
The protestant reformation had restructured churches across the British Isles, and holy days, Christmas included, were abolished.
The usual festivities during the 12 days of Christmas (December 25 to January 5) were deemed unacceptable. Other traditions, such as feasting and the celebratory consumption of alcohol, consumed in large quantities then as now, were likewise restricted.
Christmas Day, however, didn’t pass quietly. People across England, Scotland and Ireland flouted the rules.
In Canterbury, the usual Christmas football game was played and festive holly bushes were stood outside house doors.
Christmas Day was celebrated in the very heart of Westminster and the churchwardens of St Margaret’s church (which is part of Westminster Abbey) were arrested for failing to stop the party. The mayor of London was verbally assaulted as he tried to rip down the Christmas decorations with the help of the city’s own battle-hardened veteran regiments.
Fighting against the prohibition of Christmas was a political act. The aftermath of the Norwich Christmas riots was the most dramatic.
The mayor was summoned to London in April 1648 to explain his failure to prohibit the Christmas parties, but a crowd closed the city gates to prevent him from being taken away. Armed forces were again deployed, and in the ensuing riots, the city ammunition magazine exploded, killing at least 40 people.
Norwich was not alone. In Kent, the grand jury decided that the Christmas party-going rioters had no choice but to answer to the law and the county went into exuberant rebellion against parliament. Royalists capitalised on the popular discontent and began organising the rioters.
This Christmas, police across the country are ready to enforce Covid regulations and break up gatherings. While the pandemic does make things different, with rule breaking a matter of safety as much as anything else, politicians could learn from the fallout of the last time Christmas was cancelled.
Like in 1647, many people today are fed up with the government’s restrictions. Many have also suffered financial difficulties as a result of the Covid regulations.
Such a situation will have to be handled gingerly.
Martyn Bennett is a Professor of Early Modern History at Nottingham Trent University.
The Star