Book 2, Chapter 6, The End of the Ninth Century – Anglo Saxon Hunting and Travelling
In the Pagan Anglo-Saxon Calendar the year was divided into two parts, summer and winter, the latter commencing with the full moon of October, whence that month was called “Wyntyr Fylleth.” The year began on a festival called “Modrenech,” or Mother-night, answering to December 25th, time was counted by winters instead of years, and the Almanac, after the establishment of Christianity, was a square piece of wood, a foot or more in length, out with notches and emblems for the days and festivals of the Church.
The names of the months were expressive of the employments, &c. of the various seasons. December was called Mid-winter-month, January, Eftera Geola, or After Yule, February, Sol-monath, from the returning sun, March, Rhede, or Rethe-monath, or rough-month, or, possibly, from Rheda, the Saxon deity, April Eoster-monath, from another Saxon goddess, May, Irimilchi, from the kine being then milked thrice in a day, June, Sere, or dry month, July, Maed-monath, from the meadows being then in bloom, August, Weod-monath, from its luxuriance of weeds , September, Haerfest-monath, October, Wyntyr Fylleth, and November, Blotte-monath, from the blood of cattle and swine, then slain for winter provision.
Chapter 6, Ancient Towns and Highways
Domestic life of the Anglo-Saxons
Chapter 6, Internal Fittings of Houses
Chapter 6, Anglo-Saxon Furniture
Chapter 6, Anglo Saxon Hunting and Travelling
The Calendar
Chapter 6, Anglo-Saxon Language
Local and District Courts of Justice
Categories: Book 2
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