Shakespeare's Christmas: The Festive Season in Early Modern England
This anthology recalls Christmas in Shakespeare's day, when it was an expansive festival, dominated by strict religious observance on the day itself, but including a long season of merrymaking, feasting and, most important of all, masques and plays. "Measure for Measure" was one of many of Shakespeare's plays first performed by "His Majestie's plaiers" during the 12-day festival at the Royal Court. Also included are little-known delights such as: the story of how Elizabeth I interrupted Shakespeare's performance by walking across the stage and dropping a glove at his feet; the 32 dishes expected to grace the table of a "modest home", including delectable Elizabethan desserts and Shakespeare's "roasted crabs hissing in the bowl"; how the barristers at Inns of Court danced before the judges; the ballad by George Wither of an Elizabethan Christmas, celebrated 16th-century poet Robert Herrick's verse on the ceremonies for Christmas, and the winter poem by the Catholic martyr, Father Robert Southwell. "The Masque of Christmas" by Shakespeare's contemporary, Ben Jonson, appears here complete, and readers learn of the ignoble goings-on of the Lord of Misrule.
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Detail
Editor: Maria Hubert
Format: hardback
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Please note: Global Mail shipping is currently unavailable for US orders due to new US tariff regulations.
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This anthology recalls Christmas in Shakespeare's day, when it was an expansive festival, dominated by strict religious observance on the day itself, but including a long season of merrymaking, feasting and, most important of all, masques and plays. "Measure for Measure" was one of many of Shakespeare's plays first performed by "His Majestie's plaiers" during the 12-day festival at the Royal Court. Also included are little-known delights such as: the story of how Elizabeth I interrupted Shakespeare's performance by walking across the stage and dropping a glove at his feet; the 32 dishes expected to grace the table of a "modest home", including delectable Elizabethan desserts and Shakespeare's "roasted crabs hissing in the bowl"; how the barristers at Inns of Court danced before the judges; the ballad by George Wither of an Elizabethan Christmas, celebrated 16th-century poet Robert Herrick's verse on the ceremonies for Christmas, and the winter poem by the Catholic martyr, Father Robert Southwell. "The Masque of Christmas" by Shakespeare's contemporary, Ben Jonson, appears here complete, and readers learn of the ignoble goings-on of the Lord of Misrule.
Every purchase you make supports the work of Shakespeare's Globe. Thank you!
Detail
Editor: Maria Hubert
Format: hardback
We offer free UK delivery on orders over £30.
- Royal Mail – untracked
- DHL Next Day Delivery at checkout
International shipping options:
- Global Mail - Tracked standard service
- Express Worldwide – faster delivery with tracking
Please note: Global Mail shipping is currently unavailable for US orders due to new US tariff regulations.
Made-to-order items
Some products are shipped directly from our suppliers. If your order includes both made-to-order and stocked items, they may arrive in separate parcels. For more details, visit our Delivery & Returns page.