Christmas during the Middle Ages could be a busy time. Here, we will take a look at some of the events that happened during a medieval Christmas that would have a lasting impact on history. Firstly, we'll have a look at some famous coronations.
Christmas Coronations
Charlemagne Crowned Holy Roman Emperor Christmas Day 800
Being Pope around the 8th, 9th and 10th centuries could be a particularly unpleasant experience. Stories of popes being usurped, murdered or having rival popes installed against them (anti popes) were rife and Leo III's story is no less brutal, having nearly been blinded and his tongue almost torn out in a vicious attack on him by the citizens of Rome. Charlemagne went to his aid where Leo offered to crown him Emperor. Future emperors like Charles The Bald would also have themselves crowned on Christmas Day; Not only for religious reasons but also to follow in the footsteps of Charles The Great.
William The Conqueror Crowned King of England 1066
After his victory at Hastings in October 1066, William of Normandy was crowned king of England at Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066. But the coronation didn't exactly go according to plan. A huge roar of approval was bellowed out by those inside the abbey in acceptance of the new king but William's guards outside took this as a sign William was in danger and went on the rampage. As chaos broke out, William remained inside the abbey, shellshocked and furious,
Baldwin I Crowned King of Jerusalem 1100
After The First Crusade had reclaimed Jerusalem for Christianity in the summer of 1099, a ruler over the Holy City had to be established, The man the crusaders turned to was Godfrey of Bouillon, Godfrey, however, refused to take the title of king in this holiest of places nor would he accept a crown, instead assuming the title of defender of the Holy Sepulchre. He died in 1100 and it would be his brother, Baldwin, who would become the first king of Jerusalem when he was crowned Christmas Day 1100
Christmas Births
King John Born Christmas Eve 1166
On Christmas eve, 1166, the final child to be born to King Henry II and his Queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, arrived at Beaumont Palace, Oxford. This little boy would be named John. The future prospects for John looked limited as he had three surviving old brothers ahead of him in the line of succession. Lands and power would surely be hard to come by for him as he grew up. Lacking in lands and titles he may be but John could take some comfort from the fact that he was his father's favourite and also from the fact that life in the medieval period could change in the blink of an eye.
Christmas Deaths
Byzantine Emperor Leo V murdered Christmas Day 820
Being Byzantine emperor was a dangerous old game as Leo V was to find out to his cost on Christmas Day 820. Having forced his way on to the imperial throne in 813, Leo would have to see off his own share of plots against him with one coming from a man named Michael The Amorian. Leo was going to carry out Michael's execution swiftly but allowed himself to be persuaded to leave it until after Christmas which would prove to be a big mistake. Supporters of Michael attacked Leo whilst he was attending mass in the early hours of Christmas morning. Leo attempted to defend himself with a large cross but had his arm severed by one of the assassins and, from there, he was easy prey.
Henry III Of Castile Died Christmas Day 1406
Afflicted by poor health, Henry is sometimes referred to as the Suffering. His 13 year long reign was a proactive one despite his personal issues as Henry engaged in naval conflicts with England, saw off a threat posed to him by Portugal and kept things stable at home. His wife, Catherine, was an English princess and a daughter of John of Gaunt who had previously tried to take the Crown of Castile. Despite his best efforts, Henry's health caught up with him and he died aged only 27 on Christmas day 1406.
Although some of the events talked about here may suggest otherwise, Christmas day was a very important day in the medieval calendar, far more important then it is today, hence why some of the period's great men like Charlemagne and William The Conqueror chose to have the most important moments of their lives held on that particular day. During the hundred years war, fighting was periodically stopped including at the Siege of Orleans in 1428 so the dead could be buried. Kings like Richard II of England chose to celebrate the day by holding a ludicrously large feast. Richard was not alone in enjoying himself in that regard.. Even the poor could enjoy themselves and, for a short time at least, could forget about the harshness of their lives with some much needed merriment and donations from those higher up in the social standing.
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