Fools, Feast of

Fools, Feast of

▪ medieval festival
      popular festival during the Middle Ages, held on or about January 1, particularly in France, in which a mock bishop or pope was elected, ecclesiastical ritual was parodied, and low and high officials changed places. Such festivals were probably a Christian adaptation of the pagan festivities of the Saturnalia. By the 13th century these feasts had become a burlesque of Christian morality and worship. In spite of repeated prohibitions and penalties imposed by the Council of Basel (Basel, Council of) in 1431, the feasts did not die out entirely until the 16th century.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Fools, Feast of — • A celebration marked by much license and buffoonery, which in many parts of Europe, and particularly in France, during the later middle ages took place every year on or about the feast of the Circumcision (1 Jan.) Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • FOOLS, FEAST OF —    a festival of wild mirth in the Middle Ages, held on 1st January, in which the Ass of Scripture celebrity played a chief part, and in which many of the rites and ceremonies of the Church were travestied …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • Feast of Fools — • A celebration marked by much license and buffoonery, which in many parts of Europe, and particularly in France, during the later middle ages took place every year on or about the feast of the Circumcision (1 Jan.) Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • feast of fools — Usage: usually capitalized both Fs Etymology: translation of Medieval Latin festum stultorum : a medieval burlesque festival held especially in France usually on the feast of the Circumcision (January l), a prominent feature being mummeries such… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Feast of Asses —     Feast of Asses     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Feast of Asses     The celebration of the Festum Asinorum in medieval and ecclesiastical circles was a pastime in which all, from the dignitaries in the upper stalls of the sanctuary to the… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Feast of Asses — Feast of Fools and Feast of Asses Medieval festivals held between Christmas and Epiphany, in which a mock bishop was enthroned in church, a burlesque mass was said, and an ass driven round in triumph • • • Main Entry: ↑feast …   Useful english dictionary

  • Feast of Fools (podcast) — Infobox Podcast title=Feast of Fools caption = Hosts Fausto Fernós (left) and Marc Felion (right), as photographed by [http://www.jasonsmith.com/ Jason Smith] , artwork by Fausto Fernós. host = Fausto Fernós and Marc Felion… …   Wikipedia

  • Feast of Fools — The Feast of Fools, known also as the festum fatuorum , festum stultorum , festum hypodiaconorum , or fête des fous , are the varying names given to popular medieval festivals regularly celebrated by the clergy and laity from the fifth century… …   Wikipedia

  • Feast of the Ass — The Feast of the Ass (Latin: Festum Asinorum or asinaria festa , French: Fête de l âne ) was a medieval, Christian feast observed on January 14th, celebrating the Flight into Egypt. It was celebrated primarily in France, as a by product of the… …   Wikipedia

  • Feast of Fools — A custom of the 10c and later following the Feast of the Nativity. On the *triduum, or three days, following the Nativity, minor clergy and others were permitted to undertake divine service, with the exception of the mass. On St Stephen s Day (26 …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”