In medieval times, most English cathedrals and abbeys, collegiate churches, and schools, used to reverse the structures of hierarchy at midwinter by selecting a young choirboy to act as ‘bishop’ or ‘abbot’. Wearing appropriate robes, he would preside at services, preach a sermon, and lead a procession through the streets blessing the people—during which money would be collected for the upkeep of the institution he represented. His term of office began on St Nicholas's Day (6 December) and ended on Holy Innocents Day (28 December); in London and some other towns, he was actually referred to as ‘St Nicholas’. The last known example in England was at Gloucester Cathedral in 1558.
Bibliography
The full bibliography list is available here.
- Neil Mackenzie, History Today
37 (1987), 10-16 - Hutton, 1996: 100-4
- Wright and Lones, 1940:
iii. 194-7 - Hazlitt, 1905: 68-71
