Santa didn’t start at the North Pole,
Meet St Nicholas, the Boy Bishop, and the real roots of Santa Claus.
And no, Coca Cola didn’t invent the red and white Santa!

#StNicholas #SantaClausHistory #TudorChristmas
#MedievalHistory #ChristmasTraditions #BoyBishop
#AdventSeries

Sadly, although this small monument in Salisbury Cathedral has traditionally been identified as a Boy Bishop (Christmas trad where boy appointed to carry out some of office of bishop), it probably isn’t. Likely a heart burial. Possibly of 13thC Bishop Poore #salisburycathedral #boybishop #medieval

Decorated manuscript initial "D", showing St Nicholas in his bishop's mitre with crozier, blessing three boys emerging from a tub after rescue.

For a change from our current leaders, shall we try a #BoyBishop?

Celebrating #OTD 6Dec the feast of #StNicholas & traditions explored in last year's thread:
🧵 h-net.social/@ClaireFromClare/1115314...

🎨 Stowe Breviary, painted in Norwich c.1322-25.