Journal: January 17th (Old Twelfth Day)

The Christmas season not only provides an antiquarian treasury; it is my favourite time of year. And even by the old calendar (according to which I might celebrate Twelfth Day Eve tonight), I must, with a sigh, admit that it is finally once more at an end. Perhaps few are aware of the mid eighteenth-century calendrical transformations that allow such a contrived extension of festivities?!

Some (mostly, but not only, in the South-West) do still keep up ‘Old Twelvy’ traditions, by Wassailing orchards on January 17th. But I regret that such celebrations are now a minority pastime; and I expect that many would now see resistance to the transition from the Julian to Gregorian Calendar in 1752 through such observances as merely superstitious opposition to change.

The 'loss' of eleven days was surely most unsettling: we might imagine how many today would react to the prospect of retiring to bed on September 2nd, and arising the next day on September 14th!

How might we now also respond to a corresponding transference of New Year’s Day to another date in the calendar? Transmission of the turning year from March 25th, to January 1st, clearly caused more perplexity for contemporaries, than it continues does for modern-day historians (resulting in the need to convert ‘old dates’ – o.d. – into ‘new’ – n.d.; the requirement to add a year to those that fall between Jan. 1st and Mar. 25th before the change can be most confusing)!

I look forward to finding further comments and incidents relating to this episode in English history, with particular regard to Derby and the County. Hitherto, I have encountered only occasional references to this change within the local newspaper, the Derby Mercury.[i] But at this time, this publication (the only newspaper of the town) primarily reported news of national interest; and I would like to know more about affects upon everyday life!

I may collate more information within a future journal entry, and perhaps integrate this within a public talk.

Notes 

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[i] E.g. in the previous year, regarding the Parliamentary Bill: Derby Mercury, 15 March 1751 (o.d.!).

Journal of a Lady Antiquary: January 6th (Twelfth Day)

 Twelfth Night cake (from late 18th century book of ballads, The Twelfth Cake. A Juvenile Amusement, Reginald Spofforth) 

With preparations yet to complete for tonight’s Twelfth Night celebrations, journeyed into Derby this afternoon to make some essential purchases; but also with hopes of catching a glimpse of the great Twelfth cakes. The crowds around the pastry cooks were large, and it was with relief that I heard no cries of ‘thief’ among the multitudes; London newspaper reports (published in the local press - until the later 19th century, confined to the Derby Mercury) had made me wary of the pickpockets such gatherings attract.[i] I was also gratified to see that another Twelfth Day custom of the Capital (news of which I encountered in a book of days) seems not to have taken hold in our more practical town: that sport of errant youth, the nailing of the gowns and coat tails of lady and gentlemen onlookers to the shop front, and to one another![ii]

Twelfth Day: clothes nailed to pasty-shop windows. William Hone (1835) The Every Day Book vol. 1 

But, returning to the confectionery! I have heard of colossal cakes of the past – such as the 45-pound cake, with 45 decorations (I suspect that the number 45 is a reference to the 1745 Jacobite uprising), said to be sent to the radical John Wilkes in 1769![iii] I hope that the cake due to be delivered this evening is substantial, but not to this extent!

The competition for the best Twelfth Cake, baked by local pastry-cooks, and viewed by numerous townsfolk, has become popular in Derby, as elsewhere. I took interest in the above newspaper article (Derby Mercury, January 8th 1823) that describes their various and elaborate designs.

The advertisement shown above (on the front page of the Derby Mercury) demonstrates that Twelfth Night was good for the confectionery business! (In this case the cake show, as with other festivities, was held on the 7th, due to the 6th falling on the Sabbath.)

I must now return to preparations, and to welcome my guests (who are due to arrive imminently); I hope to write a favourable report of the party, after they have departed on the 8th!

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[i] Derby Mercury, 4th January 1787.

[ii] William Hone (1835) The Every Day Book vol. 1

[iii] Derby Mercury, 13 January 1769.

Journal of a Lady Antiquary: January 5th

Continuing preparations for the Twelfth Night gathering. Although I look forward with eager anticipation to greeting our guests, I am thankful that they will not arrive until tomorrow!

I had heard that the celebrations of Catholic families take place tonight, and not on the 6th (as is the custom of all whom I know – whether rich, poor, or of moderate income), but saw no signs of such festivities in our town today or this evening. I wonder whether England celebrated on the 5th prior to the Reformation or Commonwealth period?