The Master of Revels
Country of Origin: Europe and America

ong before Christmas became the national religious holiday we know today, it was often observed as a time for celebrating, eating, and even drinking, similar to the way we celebrate New Years' Eve today. During this often month-long celebration, sometimes known as misrule, it was common for the people to choose from amongst themselves a common person to be the 'Master of Revels'.

The Master of Revels, or Lord of Misrule, traveled around the city encouraging the people to celebrate and to make merry. Often The Master of Revels would gather people into groups and travel from house to house singing songs, looking for small gifts from the wealthier inhabitants of the village. After a night of drinking and singing the groups were known to become mischievous and partake in small acts of vandalism directed toward those houses unwilling to part with their food or wine.

As Christmas became a more family oriented holiday, the Master of Revels took on a more gentle role. In the Bracebrige Hall stories found in Washington Irving's The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, the Master of Revels is seen as a kindly single man who leads the children in games and song during a town Christmas Celebration.

Sources for the History of the Master of Revels:

The Battle for Christmas by Stephen Nissenbaum
The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon by Washington Irving