Between 1647 and 1660 the celebration of Easter was banned by Parliament
Parliament banned the celebration of Easter and other religious holidays on 8th June 1647. Cromwell had no particular role. However there was an important and not mentioned quid pro quo. Parliament also ordered that the second Tuesday of each month should be a workers holiday. If employers refused then the Courts had the power to intervene. This concession came after a protest march by London Apprentices on 20th April 1647 from Covent Garden to Westminster protesting the ban.
Parliament of course had no issue with Sunday worship, the issue was with the feasting, drinking and celebration that went with it at Easter. Easter ales were common and at 1623 in Storrington, Sussex after the Easter sermon, parishioners enjoyed the ancient custom of a barrel of ale with bread and cheese
Die Martis, Junii 8, 1647.
Festivals called Holy-Days be no longer observed. June 8; Ordinance of Recreation.
Forasmuch as the Feasts of the Nativity of Christ, Easter, and Whitsontide, and other Festivals commonly called Holy Days, have been heretofore superstitiously used and observed, Be it ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the said Feasts of the Nativity of Christ Easter, and Whitsontide, and all other Festival-Days, commonly called Holy-Days, be no longer observed as Festivals or Holy-Days within this Kingdom of England, and Dominion of Wales, any Law, Statute, Custom, or Canon to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding: And to the end that there may be a convenient time alotted to Scholars, Apprentices, and other Servants, for their Recreation, Be it ordained by the Authority aforesaid, That all Scholars, Apprentices, and other Servants, shall, with the leave and approbation of their Masters respectively first had and obtained, have such convenient reasonable Recreation and Relaxation from their constant and ordinary Labours, on every second Tuesday in the Month throughout the Year, as formerly they used to have on such aforesaid Festivals commonly called Holy-Days. And that Masters of all Scholars, Apprentices, and Servants, shall grant unto them respectively such time for their Recreations, on the aforesaid second Tuesday in every Month, as they may conveniently spare from their extraordinary and necessary Services and Occasions. And it is further ordained by the said Lords and Commons, that if any Difference shall arise between any Master and Servant concerning the Liberty hereby granted, the next Justice of the Peace shall have Power to order and reconcile the same.
Leave a Reply