Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 June 1898 — Directed Court Amusements. [ARTICLE]

Directed Court Amusements.

Down to the reign of Henry VIII., and occasionally since, a “Lord of Misrule” was appointed to direct the amusements of the English court during the holidays. He presided over the festivities, prepared the games, di-' rected the sports, and saw that the court Was kept properly amused during Christmas week. The office was considered highly honorable, and the “Lord of Misrule” was generally some wealthy nobleman who was willing to spend money lavishly In promoting the gayeties of the court. It is of record that during the reign of Elizabeth, Essex, as “Lord of Misrule,” spent in one Christmas season $15,000 of his own money on the court games.