Susan here … is your tree down, the ornaments packed away, your wreath off the door, the cookies and goodies all gone? Hang on, the party's not over yet … it's Twelfth Night!
Twelfth Night was by custom an evening of raucous and rowdy partying, revelry, pranks and shenanigans, wassailing, role-playing and gender-swapping, all under the rule of a king (often called the Lord of Misrule) and a queen chosen at random by a bean and a pea, respectively, found in pieces of a Twelfth Night cake, usually made with candied fruits and nuts. Historically, Twelfth Night was celebrated with well-established traditions in the medieval era through the Regency and Victorian eras. It made it across the ocean to America, as the Colonials celebrated it too, but while it is still enjoyed today in many places, it's not much of a holiday in the States. Many of us see it more as Taking Down the Christmas Tree Day. Growing up Catholic, my family always kept the decor up until the Feast of the Epiphany, but I heard very little about Twelfth Night beyond Shakespeare.
Twelfth Night had some of its origin in the rowdiest of parties, the Roman Saturnalia, and became part of the Christmastide tradition and was especially popular in Europe (or at least wildly popular with 17th century Dutch painter Jan Steen, who painted several scenes of Twelfth Night partying). Mary Queen of Scots was recorded to have celebrated it too – one of her ladies, Mary Fleming, found the bean in the cake, and instead of becoming king for the night, she was declared queen for the evening, and even got to wear something fabulous from Mary's own wardrobe. 
A night of chaos and craziness, a night of misrule and fools and frivolity – just the sort of contrast that makes the following day, the Feast of the Epiphany and its miraculous mood, all the more special. And perhaps that was the point for the people of those earlier centuries – the contrast of chaos and misrule, and with the dawn, a new order and a sense of something magical and inspiring.
The same to you Susan and all the Wenches. I had a nice holiday. Gave up making resolutions years ago. Whatever will be, will be as the saying goes.
The same to you Susan and all the Wenches. I had a nice holiday. Gave up making resolutions years ago. Whatever will be, will be as the saying goes.
The same to you Susan and all the Wenches. I had a nice holiday. Gave up making resolutions years ago. Whatever will be, will be as the saying goes.
The same to you Susan and all the Wenches. I had a nice holiday. Gave up making resolutions years ago. Whatever will be, will be as the saying goes.
The same to you Susan and all the Wenches. I had a nice holiday. Gave up making resolutions years ago. Whatever will be, will be as the saying goes.
Definitely, Teresa, whatever will be, will be – and may it be good and gracious for everyone! 🙂
Definitely, Teresa, whatever will be, will be – and may it be good and gracious for everyone! 🙂
Definitely, Teresa, whatever will be, will be – and may it be good and gracious for everyone! 🙂
Definitely, Teresa, whatever will be, will be – and may it be good and gracious for everyone! 🙂
Definitely, Teresa, whatever will be, will be – and may it be good and gracious for everyone! 🙂
It’s been a wonderful holiday season here, and the tree will be coming down today.
I’ll add a hearty second to this: “I’m just looking forward to a better year than last year, with good luck, health, peace, and happiness for all!”
It’s been a wonderful holiday season here, and the tree will be coming down today.
I’ll add a hearty second to this: “I’m just looking forward to a better year than last year, with good luck, health, peace, and happiness for all!”
It’s been a wonderful holiday season here, and the tree will be coming down today.
I’ll add a hearty second to this: “I’m just looking forward to a better year than last year, with good luck, health, peace, and happiness for all!”
It’s been a wonderful holiday season here, and the tree will be coming down today.
I’ll add a hearty second to this: “I’m just looking forward to a better year than last year, with good luck, health, peace, and happiness for all!”
It’s been a wonderful holiday season here, and the tree will be coming down today.
I’ll add a hearty second to this: “I’m just looking forward to a better year than last year, with good luck, health, peace, and happiness for all!”
I spread out my Christmas Novellas so I would finish tonight with the “Beast of Belleterre”. I’m looking forward to reading more Christmas Novellas during Advent through 12th night next year.
I spread out my Christmas Novellas so I would finish tonight with the “Beast of Belleterre”. I’m looking forward to reading more Christmas Novellas during Advent through 12th night next year.
I spread out my Christmas Novellas so I would finish tonight with the “Beast of Belleterre”. I’m looking forward to reading more Christmas Novellas during Advent through 12th night next year.
I spread out my Christmas Novellas so I would finish tonight with the “Beast of Belleterre”. I’m looking forward to reading more Christmas Novellas during Advent through 12th night next year.
I spread out my Christmas Novellas so I would finish tonight with the “Beast of Belleterre”. I’m looking forward to reading more Christmas Novellas during Advent through 12th night next year.
To each of the Wenches and all their readers, I hope 2019 is filled with joy and love and serenity.
My word for the coming year is Hope. I think that is the most wonderful of words.
Y’all take care – and may God Bless each of you.
To each of the Wenches and all their readers, I hope 2019 is filled with joy and love and serenity.
My word for the coming year is Hope. I think that is the most wonderful of words.
Y’all take care – and may God Bless each of you.
To each of the Wenches and all their readers, I hope 2019 is filled with joy and love and serenity.
My word for the coming year is Hope. I think that is the most wonderful of words.
Y’all take care – and may God Bless each of you.
To each of the Wenches and all their readers, I hope 2019 is filled with joy and love and serenity.
My word for the coming year is Hope. I think that is the most wonderful of words.
Y’all take care – and may God Bless each of you.
To each of the Wenches and all their readers, I hope 2019 is filled with joy and love and serenity.
My word for the coming year is Hope. I think that is the most wonderful of words.
Y’all take care – and may God Bless each of you.
I was born on December 27. I never really knew if I was celebrating on the Second or Third Day, but I have made the executive decision that I am more Three French Hens than Two Turtledoves! I hope 2019 will be less restive and send mt best wishes for health, good fortune and joy to all
I was born on December 27. I never really knew if I was celebrating on the Second or Third Day, but I have made the executive decision that I am more Three French Hens than Two Turtledoves! I hope 2019 will be less restive and send mt best wishes for health, good fortune and joy to all
I was born on December 27. I never really knew if I was celebrating on the Second or Third Day, but I have made the executive decision that I am more Three French Hens than Two Turtledoves! I hope 2019 will be less restive and send mt best wishes for health, good fortune and joy to all
I was born on December 27. I never really knew if I was celebrating on the Second or Third Day, but I have made the executive decision that I am more Three French Hens than Two Turtledoves! I hope 2019 will be less restive and send mt best wishes for health, good fortune and joy to all
I was born on December 27. I never really knew if I was celebrating on the Second or Third Day, but I have made the executive decision that I am more Three French Hens than Two Turtledoves! I hope 2019 will be less restive and send mt best wishes for health, good fortune and joy to all
Lots of great Christmas novellas out there, Pamela! I’m glad you enjoy “The Black Beast of Belleterre.” Have you read Jo Beverley’s “The Wise Virgin,” recently released for the first time in an e-edition? We Wenches have contributed our share of holiday novellas to the total!
Lots of great Christmas novellas out there, Pamela! I’m glad you enjoy “The Black Beast of Belleterre.” Have you read Jo Beverley’s “The Wise Virgin,” recently released for the first time in an e-edition? We Wenches have contributed our share of holiday novellas to the total!
Lots of great Christmas novellas out there, Pamela! I’m glad you enjoy “The Black Beast of Belleterre.” Have you read Jo Beverley’s “The Wise Virgin,” recently released for the first time in an e-edition? We Wenches have contributed our share of holiday novellas to the total!
Lots of great Christmas novellas out there, Pamela! I’m glad you enjoy “The Black Beast of Belleterre.” Have you read Jo Beverley’s “The Wise Virgin,” recently released for the first time in an e-edition? We Wenches have contributed our share of holiday novellas to the total!
Lots of great Christmas novellas out there, Pamela! I’m glad you enjoy “The Black Beast of Belleterre.” Have you read Jo Beverley’s “The Wise Virgin,” recently released for the first time in an e-edition? We Wenches have contributed our share of holiday novellas to the total!