Page:Cassell's Illustrated History of England vol 1.djvu/88

74 was dedicated by the Saxons to the goddess Rhoeda, and hence called "Rhede-monath." It was called also "Illyd-monath," or the stormy month. In the engraving they are digging, hoeing, and sowing with great ardour. After the introduction of Christianity, March was held in great reverence, as the month in which Lent began.



was "Oster-monath," because the wind generally blew from the east during this month. The engraving appears to represent three thanes celebrating a feast by quaffing ale from their drinking-horns. On one side is an armed guard with a long spear, and on the other two attendants. The bench on which the three worthy thanes are seated is adorned with two sculptures of formidable-looking animals. The use of chairs or sofas was then entirely unknown. They called the benches placed in the festal halls "mede bene," or "eale bene"—mead or ale benches.

was called "Trimilki," because then they began to milk the kine three times in the day. Shepherds are watching over the ewes and lambs. May-day was the great rural festival of the Anglo-Saxons, and was celebrated with great pomp and rejoicing. This festival will soon be numbered amongst the things that were.

—To June different names were given: "Weyd-monath," according to some, " because then the cattle began to wej-d "—that is, feed in the meadows, which at that time were usually marshes. According to others, it was called "Midsummer month." This was the time of the year at which the Saxons commenced their long voyages, and they are represented in the engraving in the act of cutting down and dressing trees, in order to fit out their ships.