11 November - St Martin

Martin of Tours lived in the 4th century. He started out as a Roman soldier, was baptized and became a monk. Because of his exemplary life he was, (very much against his will,) appointed Bishop of Tours. The goose, animal symbol of St. Martin, is a common meal around St. Martin's Day. Martin tried to hide in a stall on the day he was to be appointed bishop, but gabbling geese gave him away.

Placed at the beginning of winter, many pagan fertility and light celebrations are connected with this holiday, such as the Martin's fires (bon fires and burning wheels,) and the Martin's singing. When evening falls children, carrying Martin's lanterns and torches, parade through the streets. While parading they sing about the generosity of St. Martin and the procession may end with the lighting of a bonfire. Finally the children go from house to house and recite verses, for which they are rewarded with sweets or, more so these days, with money. In some areas the legend is reenacted in which St. Martin shares his cloak with a beggar in the cold of winter.

The real reason that the geese are butchered around St. Martin's Day is that they are ready for harvesting at this time of the year. In this country as well as in the old, goose feathers were used for pillows and featherbeds, quills were used for writing, the eggs were good for baking, the fat was needed for baking and could be eaten on bread, the bird made a great roast and even the wing could be used for dusting.

In England, the day was called Martinmas (or sometimes Martlemass). Martlemass beef was beef from cattle slaughtered at Martinmas and salted or otherwise preserved for the winter.

In Scotland, Martinmas was one of the four Quarter Days in the year. Apart from November 11th, there was Candlemas (February 2nd), Whitsun (late May / early June) and Lammas (August 1st). Quarter Days would divide the legal year, when rent and interest on loans were due, and when servants were hired and paid. These would also be the days that contracts and leases would commence and cease.