Editing Michaelmas (section)

==History==
[[File:BL Harley 624, f. 134v - Michael and the dragon.jpg|thumb|left|[[Saint Michael]] defeats the Dragon, from a 12th-century [[manuscript]].]]
The name Michaelmas comes from a shortening of "Michael's Mass", in the same style as [[Christmas]] (Christ's Mass) and [[Candlemas]] (Candle Mass, the Mass where traditionally the candles to be used throughout the year would be blessed).<ref>{{cite web |title=Definition of Michaelmas |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Michaelmas |website=www.merriam-webster.com |access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref>

During the [[Middle Ages]], Michaelmas was celebrated as a [[Holy Day of Obligation]], but this tradition was abolished in the 18th century.<ref name=Holweck>{{cite web|url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10275b.htm |title=Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Michael the Archangel |publisher=Newadvent.org |date=1 October 1911 |access-date=29 September 2015}}</ref> In medieval England, Michaelmas marked the ending and beginning of the [[husbandman]]'s year, [[George C. Homans]] observes: "at that time harvest was over, and the [[bailiff]] or [[Reeve (England)|reeve]] of the [[Manorialism|manor]] would be making out the accounts for the year."<ref>George C. Homans, ''English Villagers of the Thirteenth Century'', 2nd ed. 1991:354.</ref>

Because it falls near the [[equinox]], this holy day is associated in the [[northern hemisphere]] with the beginning of [[autumn]] and the shortening of days. It was also one of the [[England|English]], [[Wales|Welsh]], and [[Ireland|Irish]] [[quarter days]], when accounts had to be settled. On manors, it was the day when a [[Reeve (England)|reeve]] was elected from the peasants.<ref name=Johnson>{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Ben |title=Michaelmas, 29th September, and the customs and traditions associated with Michaelmas Day |url=https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Michaelmas/ |website=Historic-uk.com |access-date=29 September 2015}}</ref> Michaelmas [[hiring fair]]s were held at the end of September or beginning of October.<ref name=Taylor>{{cite web |url=http://www.blackcountrybugle.co.uk/Michaelmas-Traditions/story-20144978-detail/story.html |author=Rob Taylor |title=Michaelmas Traditions |publisher=Black Country Bugle |date=7 October 2010 |access-date=29 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930145251/http://www.blackcountrybugle.co.uk/Michaelmas-Traditions/story-20144978-detail/story.html |archive-date=30 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The day was also considered a "gale day" in Ireland when rent would be due, as well as a day for the issuing or settling of contracts or other legal transactions.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=McGarry|first=Marion|date=27 September 2019|title=Geese, daisies and debts: Michaelmas customs in Ireland of old|url=https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2019/0926/1078446-geese-and-paying-the-rent-michaelmas-customs-in-ireland/|access-date=29 September 2020|website=RTÉ Brainstorm}}</ref>
[[File:Asteraceae - Aster amellus.JPG|thumb|Michaelmas daisy]]