Not more importantly. Lisa is right. The reason it was a Quarter Day was the
Christian significance (see all the other Holidays [Holy Days] except
Midsummer which was a convenient 'quarter' point.
G McS.
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Chapman" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2005 1:38 AM
Subject: Re: Happy New Year?
> More importantly 25th March was a quarter day, the others being June 24
> (Midsummer), Sept 29 (Michaelmas) and Dec 25 (Christmas). In Scotland
> they are May 15 (Whitsun), Aug 1 (Lammas), Nov 11 (Martinmas) and Feb 2
> (Candlemas)
>
> They certainly go right back to the Middle Ages and were the dates upon
> which rents were due or tenancies begun and ended. The new year
> symbolism was Easter when the Easter Vestry was held to elect or appoint
> village officials. England adopted the nearest quarter day to start the
> year as it was fixed and not a moveable feast.
>
> Regards
>
> John
>
>
>
>
> In message <008401c53a35$bee84d20$1ea4fc3e@lisa>, Lisa Spurrier
> <[log in to unmask]> writes
> >Because it signifies the conception of Christ, which might be regarded as
> >the beginning of the Incarnation.
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Roger Fern" <[log in to unmask]>
> >To: <[log in to unmask]>
> >Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2005 11:12 PM
> >Subject: Re: Happy New Year?
> >> 25th March was called "Lady Day" -- meaning (I think) the Feast of
> >> the Annunciation. Any idea why that should have been thought
> >> suitable for starting the New Year? And does it go "right back" into
> >> the Middle Ages? And is it just an English peculiarity? Or was it
> >> New Year's Day all over Europe?
> >
> >
> >
> >--
> >Internal Virus Database is out-of-date.
> >Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
> >Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.7.0 - Release Date: 08/03/2005
>
> --
> John Chapman
>
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