ChristmasRichard III only celebrated two Christmases while king - in 1483 and 1484. 1483 must have been happy, but 1484 would have been miserable as Richard and Anne’s beloved only son Edward had died in April, and Anne was very ill.
But Richard as king would have been obliged to wine, dine and entertain numerous noble guests for the twelve days from Christmas Day to Epiphany. All sorts of food would have been eaten. No doubt there was a boar’s head on the table as the centre piece.
The Paston Letters mention the following entertainments: disguisings (acting), harping, luting, singing, lewd sports (possibly the carol dance), playing at the tables (backgammon), chess and cards.
York Minster is the only cathedral in the UK to put mistletoe as well as holly on its high altar at Christmas.
Medieval people put either a bean, coin or ring into a cake at Christmas time. Whoever found the bean became the Bean King and was a comical ruler of the celebration. Finding the ring meant marriage next year, and the coin meant wealth.
The yule log - the biggest log you could find - had to burn for the twelve days of Christmas as if it went out it meant bad luck.
Mince pies contained meat with spices and fruit in medieval times