2006-12-11 10:33:39 · 8 answers · asked by karen b 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
cromwell was a dictator. charles was a masterdebator.
2006-12-11 10:45:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure that it was Oliver Cromwell who banned Christmas in England. It was the Puritans in Parliament who banned Christmas in 1647, and in particular who insisted that the shops open on December 25th. Oliver Cromwell did not become Lord Protector until 1653: before he was only one MP and the general in charge of the army.
The banning of Christmas led to a riot in the streets of Canterbury. The mob attacked shops that were open and played football in the streets. This led to the short Second English Civil War, centred on Kent, as opposed to the First English Civil War of 1641 - 1645 (little of the fighting during which was in Kent). The Second Civil War was quickly put down by Parliament, and led to their decision to try and execute Charles 1st, who they were previoulsy simply holding prisoner.
Whilst the Puritans were hostile to festivals such as Christmas, I think that after their experience in 1647 they were probably wary of causing too much trouble by enforcing its suppression. And of course you are quite right, Charles 2nd. restored the Church of England in 1660 with its Prayer Book, whcih specifies Christmas as a festival.
I am wrting this response from Canterbury. It is a pity more people here don't remember the football match along Burgate in 1647. It could be a great local city tradition on the day following the Archbishop's Christmas Eve carol service for the people (the church services on Christmas Day are ecclesiastical events). But no such tradition was created!
2006-12-12 03:53:03 · answer #2 · answered by Philosophical Fred 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was the puritans who banned Christmas as they felt the Elizabethan Settlement did not move far enough away from popery and the lavish excesses of Catholicism. Christmas was banned in 1647, before Cromwell declared himself Lord Protector. In terms of Cromwell's own politics, he would not have been sad to see it go.
2006-12-14 02:39:52 · answer #3 · answered by james c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think so. I will check.
Actually looking into it Cromwell banned feasting and drinking on Christmas - he allowed people to attend mass in church. When Cromwell died in 1658 then his rules were no longer enforced so Charles did not need to re-instate it. People just went back to enjoying themselves like they did before 1653.
2006-12-11 10:41:38 · answer #4 · answered by monkeymanelvis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, after Charlie the Renegade escaped to France through Shoreham in 1651 and came back a few years later, he reinstated some of the Chrsitmas traditions. However, I think more credit should be given to Charlie Dickens.
2006-12-11 10:47:09 · answer #5 · answered by Perseus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not everything was reinstated - the laws Cromwell brought in about not indulging in Christmas pudding and mince pies have never been officially repealed...
2006-12-11 21:05:33 · answer #6 · answered by toscamo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
2006-12-11 10:36:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Did not know he did,but he was right to.
Nothing to do with the birth of Jesus.
2006-12-11 12:43:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋