As the frost begins to melt, the flowers emerge from the cold, and traditions start to spring to life, it is about time we introduce the second season of the Ritual Year: Spring. For the next three months, England will be drawn into days of brighter sun, warmer breeze and the sounds of new life. Trees that stood bare since Advent, slowly begin to blossom and flourish. The woodland floors start to see the first inklings of colour and life. Spring is the season of renewal, refreshment and redemption. It is as symbolic as it is natural. Into the darkness of Winter, the light of Spring breaks in, leading us all into new life.
It was this symbolism, and its obvious parallels to the Christological story, that permeated the medieval world, helping to shape and mould its Spring traditions. The arrival of spring was deeply intertwined with religious, agricultural, and social traditions. Today, we mark the beginning of spring on the 21st of March, aligning with the equinox when daylight and nighttime are equal in length. Medieval authors similarly associated March with the renewal of life.
In his seventh-century encyclopaedia Etymologies, Isidore of Seville described March as ‘the month of new things,’ marking both the beginning of the year and the awakening of nature. In many parts of medieval England, the new year officially began on the 25th of March, known as Lady Day, the Feast of the Annunciation. This Christian festival commemorated the angel Gabriel’s announcement to the Virgin Mary that she would give birth to Christ. More than just a religious occasion, Lady Day was also an administrative landmark – rents were paid, contracts commenced or concluded, and labourers were hired.
As spring advanced, medieval England’s calendar was punctuated with significant observances. Easter, the most important feast in the Christian calendar, marked the culmination of Lent and celebrated Christ’s resurrection, bringing with it a renewed sense of both spiritual and agricultural rebirth. The season began with Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. In England, palms were replaced with locally available greenery such as yew, willow, and hazel. The solemnity of Maundy Thursday followed, marking the Last Supper and the washing of feet, while Good Friday was a day of mourning and reflection, with dramatic rituals such as ‘creeping to the cross.’ Easter Sunday itself was a joyous occasion, symbolised by the extinguishing and relighting of candles to represent Christ’s resurrection. In the days following Easter, medieval communities celebrated Hocktide, a time of merriment, fairs, and acts of charity for the poor.
Beyond religious observances, spring was also a season of love and courtship. The literary tradition of reverdie, or ‘re-greening,’ celebrated the renewal of nature and the romantic pursuits that accompanied it. Depictions of April and May in illuminated calendars often showcased noble couples walking in gardens or engaging in hawking – leisure activities strongly linked to courtly love. This theme extended into medieval poetry and storytelling, such as Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, where April’s gentle showers and birdsong herald the time for pilgrimage and romance.
Marriage customs and birth records further illuminate the season’s significance. Analysis of late medieval marriage contracts suggests that weddings were infrequent during Lent, a period of religious abstinence. However, marriage ceremonies surged in April and May, once Lenten restrictions were lifted. This pattern is mirrored in birth records from later centuries, indicating that many children were conceived in the months following Easter. The Church played a significant role in shaping these traditions, even introducing a rule in 1279 stipulating that only infants under a week old could be baptised at Easter.
Springtime celebrations extended beyond the Easter period. The 23rd of April marked St George’s Day, honouring England’s patron saint, who was widely venerated by both nobility and commoners alike. The day was a grand occasion in medieval England, featuring processions and festivities in his honour. May Day, celebrated on the 1st of May, was another highlight of the season, with people of all social classes engaging in festivities that heralded the arrival of warmer days. The gathering of greenery and the erection of maypoles were common features of the celebrations, with some, like Henry VIII, taking part in elaborate displays of revelry.
Rogationtide, observed in the days leading up to Ascension Day, saw communities come together in processions to pray for bountiful harvests and protection from misfortune. This was closely followed by Ascension Day itself, which commemorated Christ’s ascent to Heaven. Medieval English churches marked the occasion with elaborate plays, where a figure of Christ was lifted through a purpose-built opening in the church roof, accompanied by music and symbolic imagery of angels and doves.
Thus, spring in medieval England was a season imbued with deep religious meaning, social customs, and literary significance. From the solemnity of Lent to the joy of Easter, from the romantic associations of May to the agricultural prayers of Rogationtide, the season reflected the rhythms of both nature and faith. As flowers bloomed, animals mated, and communities gathered in celebration, spring was indeed the season of love, renewal, and new beginnings.
The British Ritual Year, from the solemn reflections of Lent to the jubilant revelry of May Day, is a testament to the enduring power of tradition. It reminds us of the importance of faith, renewal, and community, weaving these values into the fabric of everyday life.
At the Weald & Downland Living Museum, we bring the traditional rhythms of the Ritual Year to life. Through our collection of historic buildings, spanning from the Anglo-Saxon period to the Victorian era, we offer a window into how people of the past lived, worked, and celebrated the seasons. Spring, with its promise of rebirth and abundance, is no exception.
From marking Easter and Rogationtide to welcoming the return of greenery, we embrace the customs that shaped rural life. Our team demonstrates traditional practices such as planting, gathering, and preparing seasonal foods, celebrating the land’s renewal and the changing rhythms of the farming year. We honour the festivals and folklore of the season, from the solemnity of Good Friday to the joyous dances of May Day. A visit to the Museum allows you to step back in time and experience the beauty and traditions of Spring as they would have been celebrated in centuries past.
To find out how we’re marking the season, what events and celebrations we have, and how you can get involved in practising the Ritual Year, check out our What’s On page!
