Historia extraña, loca y asquerosa: la Navidad

In this one off class, learners will explore the ways that different people in the past have celebrated festivals and holidays in December. 

Learners will look at the way Christmas was celebrated in Medieval Europe, looking at gifts that were given by Lords and Henry II's peculiar Christmas Jester. We will also look at associated Christmas celebrations, such as Childermas and the Feast of Fools. We will also look at the development of the Victorian Christmas and how traditions such as Christmas trees and Christmas crafts became popular. Learners will also look at some Christmas traditions from Catalonia, including 'Tio' the Christmas log and the figure of the Caganer.

The class will be discussion based, using primary sources and photographs to prompt discussion, which will take place in English. no prior knowledge is needed for this class.