Then came the merry maskers in,
And carols roared with blithesome din.
If unmelodious was the song,
It was a hearty note, and strong;
Who lists may in their murmuring see
Traces of ancient mystery;
White shirts supplied the masquerade,
And smutted cheeks the visors made;
But O, wht maskers richly dight,
Can boast of bosoms half so light!

-Sir Walter Scott


Maskers and mummers, in one shape or form, have entertained in the streets of towns, at festivals and at the great tables of the nobility as long as there has been a Christmas season. They would dance, sing carols, and put on plays for their audiences. Some of the performances were carefully rehearsed affairs, but most were impromptu play acts of great hilarity, often poking fun.

Masques were originally themed costume balls, the costumed guests would perform a dance and then invite the other guests to dance with them. Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth of England loved dancing. When Henry VIII took the throne, masques had been banned. Henry lifted the ban, for he loved high living and parties so they found new life under his reign. Henry loved the masque so much that he even wrote a song about it.

Masques generally started right after dinner and continued throughout the night, followed by more feasting. Sometimes the festivities were really wild, with tables being knocked down.

Mummers performed short plays and skits, usually some kind of parody. They would dress up as well and entertain the guests. In some areas, mummers would arrive at the door of households singing songs and performing, expecting wassail or some kind of treat in exchange.

Mummers and maskers were probably originally a part of the Yule celebrations, as described in this report from a few centuries ago - At Christmasse there was in the Kings's house, wheresoever hee was lodged, a lorde of misrule, or mayster of merry disportes; and the like had ye in the house of every nobleman of honour, or good worshippe, were he spirituall or temporall.--Stow.

You can still see maskers and mummers at modern day Christmas festivals. They dress up in period costumes, sing, dance and entertain as they have for countless centuries. Check your local newspaper, they generally announce the performances.

From: a Book of Cookrye 1591

To make pottage of Cherries. Fry white bread in butter til it be brown and so put it into a dish, then take Cherries and take out the stones and frye them where you fried the bread then put thereto Sugar, Ginger, and Sinamon, for lacke of broth, take White or Claret Wine, boyle these togither, and that doon, serve them upon your Tostes.




Today's desktop wallpaper download is a vintage Christmas postcard, circa early 1900, showing maskers and displaying Walter Scott's poem.

To download: Select the link that best fits your computer monitor. When you see the image in your browser, simply right-click on the link and select "Set as Background". Merry Christmas!

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p.s. These images are high resolution and they are BIG! So be patient while the image downloads!