page_title: Michaelmas
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Michaelmas / History
caption_attribution_description: English: An historiated initial 'T' (of the word temporibus) with Michael the Archangel, who holds the scales to weigh the souls at the Last Judgement and spears a dragon below his feet. From the Passionale (Lives of the Saints), the rubrication notes it is at “the beginning on the life of St Alexius the Confessor, [celebrated on] the 17th calends of July [= 15 June]” – an error? His feast day, 17 July, is actually the 16th calends of August (XVI Kal. Aug.). Latina: Incipit vita sci. [sancti] Alexis conf[essoris]. XVII Kal. Iulii. Temporibus Archadii et Honorii [...]
context_page_description: Michaelmas is a Christian festival observed in some Western liturgical calendars on 29 September. In some denominations a reference to a fourth angel, usually Uriel, is also added. Michaelmas has been one of the four quarter days of the financial year.
  In Christian angelology, the Archangel Michael is the greatest of all the angels and is honored for defeating Satan in the war in heaven.
context_section_description: In the fifth century a basilica near Rome was dedicated in honour of Saint Michael the Archangel on 30 September, beginning with celebrations on the eve of that day. 29 September is now kept in honour of Saint Michael and all Angels throughout some western churches. The name Michaelmas comes from a shortening of "Michael's Mass", in the same style as Christmas (Christ's Mass) and Candlemas (Candle Mass, the Mass where traditionally the candles to be used throughout the year would be blessed).
  During the Middle Ages, Michaelmas was celebrated as a Holy Day of Obligation, but this tradition was abolished in the 18th century. In medieval England, Michaelmas marked the ending and beginning of the husbandman's year, George C. Homans observes: "at that time harvest was over, and the bailiff or reeve of the manor would be making out the accounts for the year."
  Because it falls near the equinox, this holy day is associated in the northern hemisphere with the beginning of autumn and the shortening of days. It was also one of the English, Welsh, and Irish quarter days, when accounts had to be settled. On manors, it was the day when a reeve was elected from the peasants. Michaelmas hiring fairs were held at the end of September or beginning of October.
caption: Saint Michael defeats the Dragon, from a 12th-century manuscript.
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