THE LORD OF MISRULE.
An old Christmas custom which has fallen into disuse is tho appointing of a Lord of Misrule, who in tho good old days was absolute autocrat of tho house during the festive season. His business was to organise the revels and to invent all kinds of merry "stunts. ' Ho could play practical jokes on anyone with complete impunity. One of his chief duties was to see that tho dish of dishes, tho great boar's head,' was conducted into the dining hall with proper ceremony. First would como a motley crowd of men and girls in quaint disguises. Then came musicians playing a jolly air, and behind them marched four stout servitors bearing a gigantic dish. Round tho table went the procession, making as much cheerful noise as possible. Then the boar's head was placed before the carver,- end the feast began. Meantime his lordship was engaged in raising a laugh against each guest in turn. It must have been a splendid opportunity for paying off old scores, but it was as well not to go too far, otherwise tho Lord of Misrule might loso his job, or even his head.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19221220.2.160.25.13
Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18278, 20 December 1922, Page 8 (Supplement)
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194THE LORD OF MISRULE. New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18278, 20 December 1922, Page 8 (Supplement)
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