Anglo-Saxons called September, Gertsmonath, the barley month. Barley, used for brewing was one of the first grains harvested. The Swiss call it Herbstmonant, the harvest month. Prior to the Henry VIII's break with Rome, English harvests began on August 1 with Lammas, the Loaf Mass. The first harvest was made into loaves of bread and given to the church. since the break from Rome, harvest festivals occur at the end of the harvest, not the beginning.
The British Empire adopted the modern Gregorian calendar on September 2, 1752, 170 years later than the rest of Europe. To make their calendar coincide with other nations, what should have been September 3, became September 14. No British history exists for the eleven days September 3 through September 13, 1752.
Michealmas, September 29, is a Quarter Day. A day to settle differences. We'll deal with that then.
Enjoy, although it is expected to top 100F, 39C in Mayberry today, soon the season will turn. It's a good month to see Woody Allen's underrated September.
toad
Posts
5 comments:
Curious about the new banner. Is that supposed to be Ernest Hemingway having a martini, or just a loud Ugly American in a roomful of swells?
"The British Empire adopted the modern Gregorian calendar on September 2, 1752, 170 years later than the rest of Europe. To make their calendar coincide with other nations, what should have been September 3, became September 14. No British history exists for the eleven days September 3 through September 13, 1752."
Wonderful writing, you are erudite but never pedantic... Your posts remind me of William Cuppy. Very grateful for this blog.
Anon the drawing is an old Esquire print of the La Florita bar in Havana. I'll allow you to pick, but bear in mind I am the handsome fellow standing at the bar on the far right, in the red shirt. Rarely loud, self described as not ugly.
Charles thank you. I learn a little bit each day, just showing up here.
Thanks for the banner explanation, Toad. Thought that red-shirted chap looked familar.
Who knew ??? One thinks of our calendar as having always been in existence. Love the idea of missing days, no history.
Post a Comment