Here at the Museum, we put great emphasis on preserving and celebrating the rich tapestry of traditions that have defined our historic rural communities for centuries. Among these customs is the observance of Quarter Days with a special focus on Michaelmas which is celebrated on the 29th September.
What Are Quarter Days?
Quarter Days are four significant days that mark the beginning of each quarter of the year:
- Christmas Day (25th December)
- Lady Day (25th March)
- Midsummer Day (24th June)
- Michaelmas (29th September)
Michaelmas, the Feast of Michael and All Angels
Traditionally marking the end of the harvest season, Michaelmas, or the Feast of Michael and All Angels, is celebrated on the same day each year, to mark the end of harvest, the beginning of autumn and the shortening of days.
Traditionally families would celebrate Michaelmas to invite good fortune and ward off negative forces, which were believed to grow stronger as the days grew darker. In England a well fattened goose, which was fed on the stubble from the fields after the harvest, was eaten as an offering in the belief that this would protect fortunes for the year ahead.
In Scotland they celebrated in a similar way, with the St Michael’s Bannock (a large scone-like cake) which was created from the cereals grown. Through the celebrations of the day, the prosperity and wealth of the family was believed to be supported for the coming year. Michaelmas was an important date to our ancestors from medieval times right through to the nineteenth century, when the tradition died out.
Keeping Traditions Alive 
Michaelmas has evolved over the years. While its traditional celebration has diminished, it has given way to what we now know as the Harvest Festival. This modern observance, typically aligned with the autumn equinox, celebrates the successful gathering of crops and continues to honour the spirit of gratitude and community that Michaelmas once embodied.
At the Museum, we strive to keep these traditions alive, offering our visitors a glimpse into the past and a chance to participate in the customs that have shaped our rural heritage.
This Sunday 29 September 2024 we will be demonstrating a traditional celebration meal in Bayleaf Farmstead. Visitors can see all the preparations in Winkhurst Kitchen before the Tudor household feast together in honour of Michaelmas.
