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December: A time of turning the world upside down
Christmas-time has a long tradition of rebellion and revolt. KEITH FLETT takes a look
Lords of Misrule

DECEMBER is rarely a time for big protests. The weather is poor and the pressures of a commercial festival are considerable, even more so in another year with Covid concerns.

Yet traditionally Christmas and new year have been times of revolt. When most worked on the land there was little that could be done in the few hours of daylight at this time of year. There was however plenty of time for festivities and revolt.

It was a time of the election of lords of misrule (these were mainly men although in France women also took the role). 

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