Festivals and Carnivals Flashcards
What connected all of early modern Europe?
Christianity
What did people look to the church for?
Moral direction, hope and consolidation in times of hardship
What were the main purposes of the church?
Provide safety from evil spirit, community, open space for sport, reinforced social norms
How many festivals were celebrated annually in Europe?
8
What is Lent?
A period of abstinence from food, drink, sex etc
What were the main festivals?
May Day, Midsummers, Valentines day, Halloween and All Saints day
What did people do at festivals?
Dressed up as mythological creatures and performed plays and mock battles
How was a great Lords festival different?
Rulers and lords staged their own festivals on a great stage - large banquets, literary and music competitions etc
What was Herrod’s massacre?
Children took over for the day
What was the Feast of fools and when was it celebrated?
When a mock bishop was elected to rule for the day and officials were ‘overthrown’ - celebrated after Christmas
What did festivals and carnivals cause?
Unity in popular culture
Why was carnival hit and miss across Europe?
More prominent in areas with better weather - Mediterranean over Britain
What replaced Carnivals when they weren’t very popular?
Carnivalesque days
