Victorian Christmas at Helmsley Castle, near York
Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 December 2011
Modern festivities owe much to the Victorians, as visitors toHelmsley Castleon Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 December will discover, when a duo of historical interpretation experts from Heuristics celebrate a Victorian Christmas!
From greetings cards to Christmas trees, the Victorians are responsible for many of the Christmas traditions that endure today. For example, modern pantomimes find their origins in medieval ‘mumming’ plays, performed by travelling troops of actors. The Victorian fascination with these medieval performances – which often featured irreverent stories poking fun at figures of authority – developed into the retelling of fairy stories which have become a regular fixture in theatres around the country at Christmas.
“People will be most familiar with Victorian Christmas traditions from the many retellings of Dickens’s ‘A Christmas Carol’, but this era did mark the start of many familiar traditions,” explains English Heritage’s regional events manager, Jon Hogan. “Christmas trees were a German tradition that really took off in England when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were pictured with one in an 1850 book, and whilst Father Christmas has his origins in the third century with Saint Nicholas, it was the Victorians who really emphasised his generosity, giving rise to the strong gift-giving traditions that we enjoy today.”
Heuristics will bring the Victorian Christmas vividly to life with presentations at 11.00am and 1.30pm each day in the range atHelmsley Castle, with the opportunity for children to try out traditional games and toys throughout the day.
Indeed, there is a selection of historic toys – ideal stocking fillers - available in the castle’s gift shop, from Jacob’s Ladders to pick-up-sticks, as well as a range of delicious jams and chutneys that are perfect for Christmas breakfasts and buffets. Adults can also sample some of the specialist liqueurs, wines and meads which make unusual gifts for family and friends.
The Victorian Christmas runs from 11.00am to 4.00pm atHelmsley Castle, with the site itself open from 10.00am. Admission prices are £4.80, £4.30 and £2.90 for children, with a family ticket for just £12.50 (two adults and up to three children).Helmsley Castleis open every weekend throughout the winter (excluding 24 & 25 December and 1 January).
For more information on English Heritage’s winter events programme, please call 01439 770442 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/yorkshire
ENDS
Email: jay@fim.org.uk
For further media information, please contact:
Jay Commins – PRO English Heritage (Yorkshire)
Tel: 0113 251 5698
Mob: 07810 546567
Email: jay@fim.org.uk
