Mistletoe.
—At what period mistletoe came to be recognised as a Christmas evergreen, is not by any means certain. We have Christmas carols in praise of holly and ivy of even earlier date than the fifteenth century, but allusion to mistletoe can scarcely be found for two centuries later, or before the time of Herrick. Coles, too, in his Knowledge of Plants, 1656, says of mistletoe, “it is carried many miles to set up in houses about Christmas-time, when it is adorned with a white glistening berry.” In the tract, Round about our Coal-Fire, published early in the last century, we are told the rooms were embowered with holly, ivy, cypress, bays, laurel, and mistletoe. Brand (Pop. Antiq., 1849, vol. i. p. 523) thinks that mistletoe was never put in churches among evergreens but by mistake or ignorance; for, says he, it was the heathenish, or profane plant, as having been of such distinction in the pagan rites of druidism, and it had its place therefore assigned it in kitchens, where it was hung in great state.—See Timbs’ Things Not Generally Known, 1856, pp. 159-160.
Lord of Misrule.
—His office was to preside over the festivities of Christmas, and his duties consisted in directing the various revels of the season. In some great families, and occasionally at Court, he was also called the Abbot of Misrule, corresponding with the French Abbé de Liesse, a word which implies merriment. Stow, in his Survey of London, alluding to this whimsical custom says:—“In the feast of Christmas there was in the king’s house, wheresoever he lodged, a Lord of Misrule, or master of merry disports, and the like, had ye in the house of every nobleman of honour, or good worship, were he spiritual or temporal. The Mayor of London, and either of the sheriffs, had their several lords of misrule, ever contending, without quarrel or offence, who should make the rarest pastime to delight the beholders, these lords beginning their rule at Allhallowed Eve, continued the same till the morrow after the Feast of the Purification, commonly called Candlemas Day, in which space there were fine and subtle disguisings, masks, and mummeries, with playing at cards for counters, nayles, and points, in every house, more for pastimes than for game.”
Leland (Collectanea de Rebus Anglicis, 1770, vol. iii., Append. p. 256), speaking of the year 4 Henry VII., 1489, says:—“This Christmas I saw no disguisings, and but right few playes; but there was an Abbot of Misrule that made much sport, and did right well his office.” It appears that large sums of money were expended by this king upon these masquerades and sports, as the following extracts from his “Privy Purse Expenses” will show:—
“Dec. 24 (1491). To Ringley, Lorde of Mysrewle, upon a preste, 5l.
“Oct. 24 (1492). To Ringley, Abbot of Mysreule, 5l.
“Jan. 2 (1494). For playing of the Mourice daunce, 2l.
“Jan. 15 (1494). To Walter Alwyn, in full payment for the disguising made at Christenmas, 14l. 3s. 4d.
“March 3 (1490). To Jacques Haulte, in full payment for the disguising at Christenmas, 32l. 18s. 61⁄2d.