Stuff You Missed in History Class William Sandys & English Christmas Carols
Dec 24, 2025
Explore the fascinating evolution of Christmas carols from medieval ring-dances to cherished holiday songs. Discover how William Sandys, an influential antiquarian, played a key role in preserving these traditions in the 19th century. Learn about the impact of St. Francis on nativity songs and the symbolic significance of the boar's head feast. Dive into the Victorian revival of Christmas customs and how modern carols continue to evolve, shaping the festive soundtrack of today.
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Carol As Dance And Song
- The medieval carol combined stanzas with a repeated refrain called a burden sung by dancers and a cantor.
- This structure tied song and ring-dance movement into communal festivity rather than formal liturgy.
St. Francis Shifted Sacred Music Publicly
- St. Francis encouraged nativity plays and vernacular singing, boosting carol composition and public performance.
- Franciscans helped shift sacred music into communal, accessible forms tied to Christmas celebration.
Carols Weren't Always 'Christmas' Songs
- Medieval carols were not exclusively Christmas songs, but roughly half of surviving examples relate to the season.
- These carols were traditionally sung from Christmas Eve through the Twelve Days, ending on Twelfth Night.