Michaelmas

I meant to get this entry done yesterday, but I didn't have time in the end. Yesterday, the 29th of September was Michaelmas day. Now hands up who knew that? I had heard of Michaelmas but didn't know much about it until recently when I got a new magazine (Country kitchen) and read all about it.

The 29th of September is the feast day of St Michael the Archangel and is the real start of autumn. In the old days it was one of the most important days in the calender. Apparently according to my research, it is still the date on which the Lord Mayor of London is elected. However although he is elected on Michaelmas, he doesn't officially take up his post until the Silent Ceremony in the Great Hall, Guildhall on the 11th of November! Bizarre!!

Michaelmas was a quarter day, which back in the good old days was a day for settling debt, paying rents and renewing contracts . The harvest had to be completed by Michaelmas. This meant many farm hands were out of work, so traditionally Michaelmas was also a time for "hiring" fairs.

St Michael's day was a day of feasting, often on roast goose. The tradition of serving goose goes back to Queen Elizabeth 1st, who was dining on roast goose on Michaelmas day when she received the news of England's victory over the Spanish Armada. She decreed that from then on the event was to be commemorated each year by the serving of roast goose!

After the harvest the geese were let out to fatten themselves up eating the left over grains in the fields. By Michaelmas they were nice and plump. Goose fairs were popular events held around the country. The geese were walked there and then sold. The most famous being Nottingham's goose fair which is still held today, but I don't think you see any geese there! It is today more of a fun fair.

Goose is said to be the tastiest of all domesticated fowl. The layer of fat melts into the skin making it very succulent. I have never actually tasted goose myself, so I guess it is something that I should try. I had hoped to do my own Michaelmas dinner but time was not on my side and now it has passed. Maybe a late Michaelmas dinner is in order?

Eating goose on Michaelmas day was said to protect you against financial hardship in the coming year. A common saying from the olden days was: "If you eat goose on Michaelmas day, you will never want for money all year"! I hope that I haven't jinxed my families finances by not serving it!!!