Christmas During the English Civil War: Shropshire’s Festive Resilience

Have you ever wondered how Christmas survived during the English Civil War? Discover how Shropshire’s resilient residents kept festive traditions alive in the face of conflict and suppression.

The English Civil War, a period of unprecedented turmoil and division, cast a long shadow over 17th-century Shropshire. As battles raged and allegiances shifted, the cherished traditions of Christmas found themselves caught in the crossfire of political and religious upheaval. Yet, amidst the chaos, the unshakeable spirit of Shropshire’s people shone through, demonstrating a remarkable resilience in preserving their festive customs.

The Changing Face of Christmas

As the 1640s dawned, Christmas in Shropshire was a time of joyous celebration, much as it had been for generations. The twelve days of Christmas were marked by feasting, gift-giving, and merry-making. Churches across the county would have been adorned with holly and ivy, while the scent of mince pies filled the air in many a Shropshire home.

However, the outbreak of civil war in 1642 heralded a sea change in attitudes towards Christmas celebrations. The Puritan-dominated Parliament viewed the festive period with increasing suspicion, seeing it as a hotbed of sinful behaviour and frivolity. This shift in perspective would soon have far-reaching consequences for Shropshire’s Christmas traditions.

Shropshire: A County Divided

Shropshire found itself at the heart of the conflict, with control of the county hotly contested between Royalist and Parliamentarian forces. The county’s strategic importance as a gateway to Wales and a link to the north-western counties made it a key battleground.

Initially, Shropshire leaned towards the Royalist cause. Of the county’s twelve Members of Parliament in 1640, eight would fight for the King. This Royalist dominance was reflected in the early stages of the war, with King Charles I himself arriving in Shrewsbury in September 1642.

Christmas Under Siege

As the war progressed, Christmas celebrations in Shropshire became increasingly fraught. The Parliamentarian advance into the county brought with it stricter regulations on festive activities. In January 1645, Parliament issued a new Directory for Public Worship, which made it clear that festival days, including Christmas, were not to be celebrated.

The impact of these measures varied across the county, depending on which side held sway in a particular area. In Royalist-controlled regions, attempts were likely made to maintain traditional Christmas customs, albeit in a more subdued manner due to the pressures of war.

Shrewsbury: A Tale of Two Christmases

The fate of Christmas celebrations in Shrewsbury, Shropshire’s county town, serves as a microcosm of the wider struggle. Initially under Royalist control, the town would have seen relatively normal Christmas festivities in the early years of the war.

However, the capture of Shrewsbury by Parliamentarian forces in February 1645 marked a turning point. From this point onwards, Christmas in the town would have been a markedly different affair. The Parliamentarian authorities, now in control, would have sought to enforce the ban on Christmas celebrations.

Yet, evidence suggests that such measures were often met with resistance. In many parts of the country, people continued to celebrate Christmas in private, holding subdued gatherings and maintaining their cherished traditions as best they could.

Rural Resilience

While the larger towns may have seen stricter enforcement of anti-Christmas measures, the rural areas of Shropshire likely provided more opportunities for covert celebrations. The scattered nature of the county’s villages and hamlets would have made it difficult for authorities to police festive activities effectively.

In these rural communities, we can imagine families gathering quietly to share a special meal, exchange modest gifts, or perhaps even risk singing a carol or two behind closed doors. The traditional decorations of holly and ivy, though officially banned, may have found their way into homes in more remote areas.

The Role of the Church

The Church played a central role in Christmas celebrations, and the Civil War period saw significant changes in this regard. Many churches in Shropshire would have been caught between adhering to Parliamentary edicts and meeting the spiritual needs of their congregations.

Some clergy found creative ways to continue providing spiritual comfort during the Christmas season. For instance, Anthony Blagrave’s minister, Mr Sexby, managed to circumvent the ban by offering communions near to, but not actually on, Christmas day.

Festive Defiance

Despite the official ban, there is evidence that Christmas continued to be celebrated in various forms across Shropshire. The churchwardens’ accounts from Dinton in Wiltshire show payments for bread and wine at Christmas in 1653, suggesting that similar practices may have occurred in parts of Shropshire.

Also, the very existence of laws against Christmas celebrations indicates that people were continuing to observe the festival. In 1656, legislation was enacted to ensure strict observance of Sundays, with shops and markets ordered to stay open on 25 December. The need for such measures suggests that Christmas traditions were proving resilient in the face of official disapproval.

Christmas and Charity

One aspect of Christmas that proved particularly difficult to suppress was the tradition of charitable giving. This custom was deeply ingrained in the social fabric of Shropshire, as it was throughout England. Even during the height of Puritan rule, some continued to maintain this practice.

In Ludlow, for example, the bailiffs gave out clothes to the poor at Christmas in 1658, ‘as hath byn accustomed’. This act of generosity, carried out by town officials no less, demonstrates how deeply rooted Christmas traditions were, even in the face of official opposition.

The Restoration of Christmas

The restoration of the monarchy in 1660 brought with it a revival of Christmas celebrations. King Charles II removed the ban on Christmas festivities, allowing people to once again openly enjoy their traditional customs.

In Shropshire, this return to normalcy would have been welcomed by many. We can imagine the relief and joy with which people would have decorated their homes, attended church services, and gathered with friends and family to celebrate as they had done before the war.

Lasting Impact

The period of the Civil War and its aftermath left an indelible mark on Christmas celebrations in Shropshire. While many traditions were revived, the experience of having to celebrate in secret or not at all would have given people a renewed appreciation for their festive customs.

Also, the religious debates of the Civil War period continued to influence attitudes towards Christmas. The Puritan critique of excessive merrymaking and frivolity associated with the festival led to a more sober and reflective approach to Christmas celebrations in some quarters.

Conclusion

The story of Christmas in Civil War Shropshire is one of resilience and adaptability. Despite the tumult of war and the strictures of Puritan rule, the people of Shropshire found ways to maintain their cherished traditions, even if they had to do so quietly and in private.

From the covert celebrations in rural hamlets to the acts of charity in towns like Ludlow, the Christmas spirit proved remarkably enduring. The very attempts to suppress the festival underscore its significance in the lives of Shropshire’s people.

As we reflect on this turbulent period in Shropshire’s history, we can appreciate the determination of those who kept the flame of Christmas burning through the darkest days of civil strife. Their legacy lives on in the rich tapestry of yuletide customs that continue to be celebrated across the county to this day.

In the end, the story of Christmas during the English Civil War in Shropshire is not just about a festival under siege. It is a powerful illustration of the endurance of tradition, the strength of community, and the resilient human spirit that can find joy and meaning even in the most challenging of times.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8

Bob Lynn / 20-Dec-2024