[Namron] Yule Fun: Josiah King's The Examination and Tryal of Father Christmas (1686)

[Jacq Ball]

While musing on the mirth of Wiesenfeuer's Yule event to come, I
stumbled upon a little gem that may amuse some of you.

Josiah King's The Examination and Tryal of Father Christmas (1686).

www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Poetry/examination__and__tryal_of.htm

It's a little late period for the SCA, but satirizes the strong
opposition to the celebration of Christmas that would have existed in
many places in period. Just listen to the charges against poor old
Father Christmas:

"hearken to thy Inditement, Christmas thou art here indited by the
name of Christmas, of the Town of Superstition, in the County of
Idolatry, and that thou hast from time to time, abused the people of
this Common-wealth, drawing and inticing them to Drunkenness,
gluttony, & unlawful Gaming, Wantonness, Uncleanness, Lasciviousness,
Cursing, Swearing, abuse of the Creatures, some to one Vice, and some
to another; all to Idleness: what sayest thou to thy Inditement,
guilty, or not guilty?"