The Plum Pudding Riots and the Puritan War on Christmas - Everything Everywhere Daily: History, Science, Geography & More

Summary

Everything Everywhere Daily: Episode Summary Title: The Plum Pudding Riots and the Puritan War on Christmas
Host: Gary Arndt | Glassbox Media
Release Date: December 23, 2024

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Everything Everywhere Daily, host Gary Arndt delves into a lesser-known but fascinating chapter of English history: the Puritan-led suppression of Christmas during the 17th century, culminating in the dramatic Plum Pudding Riots. Challenging the modern perception of Christmas as universally beloved, Gary explores the religious and political turmoil that led to the outright banning of the holiday in England.

Historical Background: The Religious Turmoil in England

Gary begins by setting the stage with the religious upheavals initiated by Henry VIII. Frustrated by the Pope's refusal to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church, establishing the Church of England and seizing Church properties. This act ignited a prolonged conflict between Catholics and Protestants, characterized by a series of monarchs oscillating between Catholicism and Protestantism.

"The conflict between Catholics and Protestants lasted generations, with monarchs flipping between faiths," Gary explains [02:45].

Rise of the Puritans

Amidst this broader religious conflict, the Puritans emerged as a distinct group dissatisfied with the compromises of the Reformation in England. They sought to "purify" the Church of England, desiring a return to what they perceived as a more scripturally aligned and less ceremonially ornate form of worship.

Gary highlights the failed Hampton Court Conference of 1604, where King James I opposed the Puritans' demands, famously stating, "no bishop, no king," thus intertwining the Church's hierarchy with the monarchy [05:30]. This stance led to increased persecution of Puritans under King Charles I and Archbishop William Laud, whose reforms, known as Laudonism, emphasized elaborate rituals that the Puritans vehemently opposed.

The Puritans' Opposition to Christmas

Central to the Puritans' agenda was their disdain for Christmas, which they viewed as a blend of pagan customs and Catholic influences. For the Puritans, Christmas symbolized unnecessary revelry, feasting, and idleness, starkly opposing their ideals of solemnity and simplicity in worship.

"Christmas was seen as an unacceptable mix of pagan customs and Catholic influences," Gary notes [12:15], explaining that the Puritans rejected the arbitrary date of December 25th as biblically unjustified for celebrating Christ's birth.

Political Context and Civil War

The political landscape further deteriorated as King Charles I ruled without Parliament for 11 years, employing controversial taxation methods like ship money. This period of personal rule alienated many, including Puritan ministers, and contributed to the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642 between Royalist forces and Parliamentarians.

Gary describes how the Puritan-leaning Long Parliament became a stronghold of opposition against the monarchy, emphasizing values of hard work, thrift, and personal responsibility shared by the emerging merchant class [18:50].

Enactment of the Christmas Ban

In the midst of the Civil War, Parliament took definitive steps to suppress Christmas. In 1644, they passed ordinances declaring December 25th a day of fasting and repentance instead of celebration. This ban was further enforced in 1647 when all traditional holy days, including Christmas, were abolished in favor of a monthly fasting day.

"Fasting is not feasting and not nearly as fun," Gary remarks [22:10], underscoring the Puritans' intent to eliminate festive practices associated with the holiday.

Public Reaction and the Plum Pudding Riots

The suppression of Christmas was met with widespread discontent among the general populace, who cherished the holiday for its communal and festive traditions. Gary recounts the infamous Plum Pudding Riots in December 1647 in Canterbury, highlighting how the enforcement of the ban led to violent confrontations.

"The Lord Mayor's attempt to enforce the ban turned into chaos as goods flew through the air, and the crowd's anger transformed into a full-blown mob," Gary narrates [28:35]. The situation escalated when the mayor threatened a merchant who refused to reopen his shop, inciting further outrage and leading to his public humiliation and assault by the mob.

Wider Resistance Across England

Canterbury was not an isolated case. Gary details similar acts of defiance in other cities like London, Norwich, and Ipswich. In Norwich, church bells rang out in protest, and in Ipswich, market stalls remained closed despite governmental orders. These acts of resistance symbolized the widespread opposition to the Puritan-imposed restrictions.

"Christmas remained a cherished cultural institution that marked a time of communal joy, charity, and family gatherings," Gary emphasizes [35:20], highlighting the deep-rooted nature of the holiday in English society.

Parliament's Continued Enforcement and the Restoration

Despite the persistent resistance, Parliament intensified its anti-Christmas policies, deploying troops to restore order and distributing pamphlets denouncing the holiday as pagan and Catholic. However, these measures only fueled the desire among the populace to maintain their traditional celebrations clandestinely.

The suppression lasted until the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, when Christmas celebrations were officially reinstated. Gary draws a parallel to the Soviet Union's later attempts to ban Christmas for secular reasons, noting the enduring resilience of the holiday.

"Christmas is really hard to stamp out," Gary concludes [50:45], illustrating how both religious and non-religious forces have struggled to extinguish the celebratory spirit of Christmas throughout history.

Conclusion

Gary Arndt's exploration of the Puritan War on Christmas and the ensuing Plum Pudding Riots offers a compelling glimpse into how deeply ingrained cultural and religious traditions can resist even the most stringent attempts at suppression. This episode not only sheds light on a tumultuous period in English history but also underscores the universal and resilient nature of holiday celebrations.

Notable Quotes:

"The conflict between Catholics and Protestants lasted generations, with monarchs flipping between faiths." — Gary Arndt [02:45]
"No bishop, no king," — King James I during the Hampton Court Conference [05:30]
"Christmas was seen as an unacceptable mix of pagan customs and Catholic influences." — Gary Arndt [12:15]
"Fasting is not feasting and not nearly as fun." — Gary Arndt [22:10]
"The Lord Mayor's attempt to enforce the ban turned into chaos as goods flew through the air, and the crowd's anger transformed into a full-blown mob." — Gary Arndt [28:35]
"Christmas is really hard to stamp out." — Gary Arndt [50:45]

Production Credits

Executive Producer: Charles Daniel
Associate Producers: Benji Long and Cameron Keever

Gary also extends gratitude to Patreon supporters and invites listeners to join the Everything Everywhere Daily Facebook group and Discord server for further discussions and community engagement.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and historical narratives presented in the episode, providing a detailed overview for listeners and those interested in the intricate history of Christmas and its enduring legacy.

Transcript

Host (0:00)

Christmas is the time of year for getting together with loved ones, celebrating and giving gifts. As the song says, it's the most wonderful time of the year. Nobody could possibly dislike Christmas, right? Well, some people don't like Christmas and historically some people really don't like Christmas. In fact, in 17th century England they actually banned Christmas and that did not go over well. Learn more about the Plum Pudding Riots and the Puritan War on Christmas on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. This episode is sponsored by Butcherbox. You've probably heard me talk about how ButcherBox only sells 100% grass fed grass finished beef, but what exactly is that and why does it matter? This type of beef comes from cattle that have grazed on grass for their entire lives as opposed to being finished on a diet of grains and other feed at a feedlot. Basically, cattle eat what cattle are designed to eat. 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The 17th century attack on Christmas in England wasn't something that came from anti religious forces. Quite the opposite. It came from extremely religious forces who opposed Christmas on religious grounds. To understand how this happened, we have to go all the way back to Henry viii. After the frustration of not getting his marriage to Catherine of Aragon annulled by the Pope, he personally took over the Church, confiscated all Church property and established himself as the head of the Church of England. This caused a conflict between Catholics and Protestants in England that lasted generations and a series of monarchs who flip flopped between Catholic and Protestant. I've covered this in multiple episodes. But the conflict between Catholics and Protestants wasn't the only religious conflict in England. The other major group in England were the Puritans. Puritans were dissatisfied with what they saw as compromises and felt that the Reformation in England didn't go far enough. Their name came from the fact that they wished to purify the Church of England. This was because of the Church of England's religious settlement under Elizabeth I, which aimed at a middle ground between Catholic and Protestant practices. It retained many traditional Catholic practices, rituals and hierarchical structures. The Hampton court conference of 1604 failed to pacify the Puritans. James I opposed their demands, famously declaring no bishop, no king, tying the Church's hierarchy to the royal hierarchy. Tensions escalated as Charles I and Archbishop of Canterbury William Loud sought to enforce uniformity in worship all over England. Loud's reforms, known as Loudonism, emphasized elaborate rituals, the use of altars and reverence for the Church hierarchy. This led to widespread persecution of Puritans and their growing opposition to royal policies. Faced with persecution in England, many Puritans just chose to leave. Some Puritans, like the Pilgrims, initially fled to the Dutch Republic, where religious tolerance allowed them to practice their faith freely. In the 1620s and 30s, many Puritans migrated to the New World, particularly in New England. However, those who stuck around in England soon found the political pendulum swinging in their favor. For 11 years, Charles I ruled without calling Parliament, bypassing the body entirely and raising funds through controversial methods like ship money, which was an ancient tax on coastal communities. This period of personal rule alienated many ministers of Parliament, including Puritans, who resented the King's perceived absolutism. When Charles finally summoned Parliament in 1640 to address the financial crisis Caused by the bishops war, he faced an increasingly radical body. The short Parliament was dismissed after just three weeks. But the long Parliament convened later that year and became a hotbed of Puritan opposition. Puritanism had strong support among the rising merchant class, who shared its values of hard work, thrift and personal responsibility. This class played an increasingly prominent role in Parliament. The Puritans were staunch Calvinists. Calvinism emphasized simplicity and purity in worship, seeking to align all practices with Scripture while rejecting elements not explicitly prescribed in the Bible. This principle, known as the regulative principle of worship, holds that only those activities directly commanded or modeled in Scripture are permissionable in worship. Calvinists opposed ornate ceremonies, the use of icons, elaborate music and hierarchical rituals, seeing them as distractions from true spiritual devotion and the remnants of Catholicism. One of the implications of these beliefs is that they hated Christmas. Technically, they didn't like any holy day, but they really didn't like Christmas. For the Puritans, Christmas represented an unacceptable mix of pagan customs and Catholic influences. They criticized its association with feasting, revelry and idleness, arguing that such behavior contradicted the solemnity and simplicity that true Christianity required. Furthermore, they just viewed December 25th as an arbitrary date, not biblically justified as the birth of Christ. In 1642, a civil war broke out between the forces of Parliament and those of Charles I. In 1644, during the Civil War, Parliament passed ordinances banning Christmas celebrations. They declared December 25 a day of fasting and repentance, rather than festivity. This ban was further reinforced in 1647, when Parliament abolished all traditional holy days, including Christmas, which involved feasting. To compensate for the removal of feast days, the Puritans created a day of fasting on the last Wednesday of each month. However, fasting is not feasting and not nearly as fun. The banning of Christmas was deeply unpopular amongst the general population, who valued the holiday for its communal and festive traditions. Both Anglicans and Catholics resented Puritan dominance and their attempts to impose strict religious observance. Christmas was a cherished cultural institution that marked a time of communal joy, charity and family gatherings. Its suppression alienated even those who otherwise were loyal to Parliament. People couldn't even make the traditional mince pies and plum puddings. The conflict over Christmas came to a head in December 1647, when riots erupted across England. The most notable of these took place in the city of Canterbury in Kentucky. Local officials in Canterbury, under pressure to enforce Parliament's orders, issued directives for shops to remain open and for all citizens to treat Dec. 25 as an ordinary workday. The problem was only a handful of shops actually bothered to open. The rest of them were closed, as they always were on Christmas Day, in open defiance of the orders of Parliament. As tensions simmered in the city, the Lord Mayor of Canterbury took to the streets, walking through the bustling lanes and personally urging shopkeepers to comply with the mandate. He appealed to their sense of duty, or perhaps fear, encouraging them to remain open in defiance of Christmas spirit so cherished by the townspeople. However, the sight of the Lord mayor enforcing such an unpopular decree did not go unnoticed. A crowd began to gather, initially murmuring their discontent, but soon swelling in size and intensity, the mob surged forward, emboldened by their shared outrage, only to be confronted by the mayor's armed pikemen, who were ordered to hold the line and prevent further escalation. What began as a standoff quickly descended into chaos. Goods started to fly through the air, hurled by angry townsfolk over the heads of the mayor's men. The crowd's anger transformed into a full blown mob, its energy driven by the collective determination to uphold their cherished Christmas traditions. Nearby, a merchant, overwhelmed by the scene, decided to shutter his premises. The mayor, determined to assert his authority, approached the merchant and demanded that he reopen his shop. When the merchant refused, the mayor threatened to have him placed in stocks for disobedience, a punish meant to humiliate and deter the crowd. Witnessing this confirmation erupted with fury. They surged forward again, rallying in defense of the shopkeeper and directing their rage towards the mayor. The air was thick with shouts of anger and chants supporting the defiant merchant. As the mob pressed closer, their numbers overwhelming, the Lord Mayor's composure faltered. He lashed out in an attempt to regain control, but his efforts were futile. The crowd retaliated, and he was violently knocked to the ground. The mayor's situation grew dire. As he struggled to rise, he was trampled in the mud, his ceremonial robes and garments shredded amidst the chaos. Dragged by his feet through the gutter, he became the symbol of the people's rebellion against the enforcement of of the Puritan regime's Christmas band. Despite the humiliation and pain, the mayor somehow managed to regain his footing. Gathering his remaining strength, he called for order with a commanding voice. Miraculously, the crowd grew silent. Their attention focused on their battered Lord mayor. Summoning what authority he could muster, the Lord Mayor issued a stern order. They were to disperse immediately. His words hung in the air, a plea for calm amid the fervor of rebellion. And just then, instead of the mob getting worse, something happened that was totally out of left field. Someone brought out two inflated pig bladders, the makeshift balls of that era, and soon a massive, unruly game of football erupted in the streets. This was a far cry from the modern game of football, regardless of whatever sort of football you happen to be thinking of, these were the days before rules, goal posts and referees. Entire towns would participate in such matches. With boundaries extending across fields, streets and into neighboring villages, the population, whether enthusiastic or reluctant, often found themselves drawn into the melee. As these games were as much about community spirit as they were about sheer pandemonium, these town wide matches were notoriously violent, with participants frequently sustaining injuries in the fray. If it wasn't technically a riot, it was the next closest thing to a riot. As the pig bladders were kicked, thrown and wrestled over, the people of Canterbury charged wildly through the streets shouting cries of conquest. Their shouts echoed through the town as they transformed the day into a lively, albeit rebellious celebration. Adding to the festive atmosphere, some residents took the opportunity to decorate their homes with holly bushes and a traditional symbol of the holiday season. Others organized impromptu entertainment, offering a sense of camaraderie and defiance against the Puritan opposed restrictions. Basically, the people of Canterbury did all of the things that the Puritans hated. Canterbury was not the only place where similar events happened in London. In the heart of the Puritan government, there was widespread discontent over the suppression of Christmas. While large scale riots were avoided due to the strong presence of government troops, many citizens defied the ban by decorating their homes with holly and ivy, refusing to open their shops and gathering privately to celebrate. The city of Norwich, known for its strong ties to traditional Anglicanism, saw a more organized resistance. Citizens openly refused to comply with orders to treat Christmas as a regular workday. Church bells rang out in defiance of the ban and large gatherings formed in the street. Authorities attempted to intervene, but their efforts were met with jeers and illicit acts of Christmas similar to the events in Canterbury. In Ipswich, another town deeply affected by the Puritan ban, the townspeople similarly resisted. Market stalls were shuttered despite orders to remain open, and gatherings in the town square celebrated the holiday with caroling and feasting. Despite all of this resistance to banning Christmas, Parliament doubled down on its anti Christmas policies, imposing fines and penalties on those who celebrated it. Troops were deployed to restore order in affected areas, and leaders of the unrest were arrested and punished. Pamphlets denouncing Christmas as a pagan and Catholic invention were widely distributed to justify the ban. The ban on Christmas remained in place during the interregnum period until 1660, when Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans ruled the country. Still, celebrations persisted underground or in defiance of the law. The restoration of Charles II in 1660 marked the end of the Puritan experiment and the revival of traditional Christmas festivities. Charles II recognized Christmas and restored it as a public celebration. It turns out that Christmas is really hard to stamp out. The Soviet Union tried to ban Christmas for totally different reasons than the Puritans. From 1929 to 1935, celebrations were outlawed, including the sale of Christmas trees. Stalin eventually changed strategy in 1935, brought back Christmas trees and turned it into a compulsory New Year's celebration. It just goes to show that whether it's for religious or non religious reasons, Christmas is something that is very hard to extinguish. The executive producer of Everything Everywhere Daily is Charles Daniel. The associate producers are Benji Long and Cameron Keever. I want to give a big shout out to everyone who supports the show over on Patreon, including the show's producers. Your support helps me put out a show every single day and also Patreon is currently the only place where Everything Everywhere Daily merchandise is available to the top tier of supporters. If you'd like to talk to other listeners of the show and members of the Completionist Club, you can join the Everything Everywhere Daily Facebook group or Discord server. Links to Everything are in the show Notes.