One also has to wonder whether the series of gatherings
attended by the young people in the middle of November (N12
, N13
,
N14
,
N16
)
may not be celebrations traditionally associated with St. Martin's Day
(Nov. 11).
"As the feast of Martinmas occurs at the genial period of the
year when the harvest is
Start Quotation Blockin, and cattle are slain for the winter season,
and new wine is first opened and tasted, it followed that Martin became
the embodiment of good cheer." (Walsh 1942
,
p. 663)
(Note the killing of the cow at Colin Grove and subsequent gathering at
Mrs. Allen's in N16.) |