The Origins of the "Abbot of Unreason".
In old England, 12 days or so before the winter solstice and latterly, the festival of Christmas, an individual called "The Abbot of Unreason" or The Lord of Misrule was appointed by towns & village folk.
The “Abbot” was responsible for entertainment, merrymaking, mayhem and laughter during the lead-up to the start of the winter festival.
The tradition was banned by an act of Parliament after the English civil war, but when the Puritans lost their grip on power in England, the activities of “The Abbot” were revived in large family groups and by the folk of the county market towns and country villages.
Dressed in mock clerical robes, the “Abbots” or the "Lords" planned everything from games to song and dance and the lampooning of the gentry, nobles and the ruling class (without fear of prosecution or malice) right up to the start of the winter festival.
While the robes of "office" may have long gone, the tradition remains in some parts of England and any fool who bears the name "The Abbot of Unreason" is expected to bring entertainment to all, in a world that is driven by commercialization, the greed for ever-larger profits and the ambitions of foolish politicians and greedy businessmen and stock-market speculators.
Keep the faith,
The Lord of Misrule
April 2008
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Thanks for the comment Gazza.Billly Bragg was a huge influence on me especially his lifes a riot with spy v's spy mini album(remember those?) been known to perform a new england live myself over the years. Hope you get better soon take care and ta ta.
