Shrove Tuesday
19/02/06
"It is intelligible enough that before a long period of deprivations human nature should allow itself some exceptional license in the way of frolic and good cheer." - Catholic Encyclopedia.
By our Anglican calendar, Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday (which in turn marks the beginning of Lent). In Latin countries it's the last day of Carnival. In historically Francophone places it's Mardi Gras (French for "Fat Tuesday").
The origin of the name Shrove lies in the old English verb "shrive" (to absolve). It was common in England during Middle Ages for shriveners (as priests were oft called) to hear folks' confessions at Shrovetide (the three days before the beginning of Lent). I know, you're asking "but what about the pancakes..?" Oh, did you know that the "famous" Shrove Tuesday pancake race at Olney in Buckinghamshire, England has been held continuously since 1445?
Traditionally, on Shrove Tuesday, folks would get together for one last party before Lent (the 40 day penitential season in preparation of Easter). They'd use up whatever remaining ingredients they had left in their larders (pantry for storing meats and fats) that they weren't allowed to eat during Lent, so would spoil (butter, stored meats, eggs, etc.); which means, in fine Anglican tradition, it's time for pancakes and sausages (that'll use up the larder). Oh, and it's time for chocolate too, since it was a tradition to give up that popular treat for Lent. (Why do you think there's so much chocolate at Easter?)
So, let's all extend ourselves some exceptional license before we prepare for Lent, in the way of frolic and good cheer as we celebrate Shrove Tuesday. Mmm, (savory) pancakes.
By our Anglican calendar, Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday (which in turn marks the beginning of Lent). In Latin countries it's the last day of Carnival. In historically Francophone places it's Mardi Gras (French for "Fat Tuesday").
The origin of the name Shrove lies in the old English verb "shrive" (to absolve). It was common in England during Middle Ages for shriveners (as priests were oft called) to hear folks' confessions at Shrovetide (the three days before the beginning of Lent). I know, you're asking "but what about the pancakes..?" Oh, did you know that the "famous" Shrove Tuesday pancake race at Olney in Buckinghamshire, England has been held continuously since 1445?
Traditionally, on Shrove Tuesday, folks would get together for one last party before Lent (the 40 day penitential season in preparation of Easter). They'd use up whatever remaining ingredients they had left in their larders (pantry for storing meats and fats) that they weren't allowed to eat during Lent, so would spoil (butter, stored meats, eggs, etc.); which means, in fine Anglican tradition, it's time for pancakes and sausages (that'll use up the larder). Oh, and it's time for chocolate too, since it was a tradition to give up that popular treat for Lent. (Why do you think there's so much chocolate at Easter?)
So, let's all extend ourselves some exceptional license before we prepare for Lent, in the way of frolic and good cheer as we celebrate Shrove Tuesday. Mmm, (savory) pancakes.