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At the start of the Georgian period, Christmas was something of a private, polite celebration with none of the rowdiness of the previous century. The upper classes believed in elegant entertaining during the Christmas season. There were traditions such as decking the room with rosemary, eating Christmas porridge and dining on a buttock of beef.
The later Georgian period saw a revival in Christmas fortunes, with a nostalgic interest in how Christmas had been celebrated in Old England, with feasts associated with St Nicholas Day and Twelfth Night.
Rob talks about London at Christmas in the Georgian period, from masked Christmas balls to pantomime at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. You’ll hear how some were concerned about the cost of Christmas and the highwayman who covered the cost of Christmas his own way. All from the comfort of your own home.
Rob Smith is one of the tour guides with Footprints of London. He also teaches London History classes at Bishopsgate Institute, Morley College and South Thames College.
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