Michaelmas at the Weald and Downland

Organised by : Weald and Downland Living Museum

https://www.wealddown.co.uk/events/michaelmas/

Michaelmas, on September 29th, marks the beginning of autumn and is one of the four quarter days in England, alongside Lady Day, Midsummer, and Christmas. Traditionally, it was a time for settling debts, hiring servants, and starting new leases.

The day is associated with St. Michael, the archangel who protects against darkness, symbolizing a shift towards the longer, colder nights. Customarily, people ate goose for prosperity, a tradition linked to Queen Elizabeth I and the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

In Scotland, a special scone called Struan Micheil is made for good fortune. Michaelmas also marks the end of harvest, and in folklore, blackberries should not be picked after Old Michaelmas Day (October 10th), as it is said the devil cursed them. The Michaelmas Daisy, blooming late in the season, is another symbol of protection and the closing of the harvest.

On this day you can see the Museum interpretation team as they prepare and celebrate a meal across the Bayleaf Farmstead. Demonstrations will show how members of the household would have different tasks to carry out in the preparations and then you can see them sit down to enjoy their meal.

You will be welcome to ask the team about their work, what they are doing (and why) and chat with them as they enjoy their hard work.