CAROLS

"This practice is forbidden!" The British Parliament prohibited this practice as pagan and sinful. Its pagan roots in the 13th century and its overly "democratic" 14th century influences made it an unsuitable activity for the general public and it was to be mandated so, by the Commonwealth government of 1647. This practice, which got its name originally from a word that meant "to dance in a circle", was too "pagan" for the Puritan government of Cromwell's movement. Puritans at this time disapproved as well of the celebration of Christmas, and did not close shop on that day, but continued to work through December 25. During this brief interlude in English history, during which there was no monarch, this activity by the populace was to remain illegal. But this activity was prohibited only as long as the Commonwealth survived, and in 1660, when Charles II restored the Stuarts to the throne, the public was once again able to practice this activity, the singing of Christmas carols.

Bill Petro, your friendly neighborhood historian