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An Elizabethan Frost Fair
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An Elizabethan Frost Fair
Christmas-tide on the Ice: An Elizabethan Thames Fair. high Wassail on the frozen Thames. Roasting an ox on the ice by old London Bridge during the Great Frost of 1565 (in a 1934 illustration). Date: 1565
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Media ID 14235093
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
1565 Elizabethan Fairs Frost Frozen Roasting Sixteenth Tide Tudor Wassail
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A Winter Wonderland on the Thames: An Elizabethan Frost Fair (1565) Amidst the crisp air and icy landscape of old London, an extraordinary spectacle unfolded during the Great Frost of 1565. The frozen Thames River transformed into a vast, solid expanse, providing an unparalleled backdrop for a unique and lively winter fair. This image, dated 1565 but published in 1934, depicts the jovial scene of Christmas-tide on the ice, with merrymakers gathered around a roasting ox near Old London Bridge. The Elizabethan Frost Fair, as it came to be known, was a testament to the resilient spirit of the people during the harsh winter. The Thames, usually teeming with boats and bustling activity, was now a frozen playground for the citizens of London. The frozen riverbanks became a stage for various entertainments, from acrobatics and games to puppet shows and food stalls. The roaring fire, fueled by the ox's carcass, added warmth and cheer to the frosty scene. The men in the image are seen raising their tankards in a high Wassail, a traditional English drink made from spiced ale or cider, toasting to the spirit of the season and the camaraderie of the fair. The women, bundled up against the cold, look on with amusement and curiosity. This enchanting scene offers a glimpse into the past, transporting us back to a time when the people of London came together to create joy and warmth amidst the frozen winter landscape. The Elizabethan Frost Fair remains an enduring symbol of the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Tudor people, and a reminder of the magic and wonder that can be found even in the harshest of winters.
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