An Attempt to Date
Halloween
Pagan Holiday or Christian Holy Day?
October 14, 2014
G.D.O'Bradovich III
For those of us living in the Modern Age, we all know that November 1 was (1) originally the Druid festival of Samhain (pronounced Sow'n) that was (2) replaced by Halloween with the introduction of Christianity. Because both facts are so well established, we will experience no problems in demonstrating their veracity. The Oxford English Dictionary is referenced and secondary sources are in red.
2. The first of November, All Saints' Day. Cf. All Saints n.
α.
OE Rec. Dues, Worcester (Tiber. A.xiii) in R. W. Hunt et al. Stud. Medieval Hist. (1948) 74
Sæwine vi oran & heora andaga is half to natale s' marie & half to alra halg[a]n.
lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) anno 1095,
Swa þet seo fyrde eall togædere com to ealra halgena to Snawdune.
1666 W. Dugdale Origines Juridiciales 161/1
The three grand days are All-hallown, Candlemass, and Ascension day; whereof All-hallown and Candlemass are the chief.
δ.
a1450 (▸1408) tr. Vegetius De Re Militari (Douce) f. 120v (MED),
Þe turnynge of þis book into Englische was..ended in þe vigile of alle halewes, þe ȝeer of oure lord Ml. cccc & viij.
1591 H. Barrow Plaine Refut. Giffardes Bk. 8
Your Idoll Feastes, your Alhallowes, Candlemasse, your seuerall Lady dayes.
c1613 (▸1503) in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 183
If he come againe afor alhallowes.
1680 W. Winstanley Country-Mans Guide in New Help to Disc. (ed. 2) 217,
1 Nov. All Saints or All-hallows, is celebrated in commemoration of all the Saints.
1709 R. Steele et al. Tatler (1786) 6 349
The chaplain in her family was always allowed minced pyes from Allhallows to Candlemas.
1834 K. H. Digby Mores Catholici V. iii. 84,
I have seen the sublime Cathedral of Amiens on the night of All-hallows, when the vigils of the dead were sung there.
1892 Atlantic Monthly Mar. 291/2
The evening before Allhallows, or All Saints' Day, was commonly called ‘Teinla’ night.
1957 E. E. Evans Irish Folk Ways (2000) xii. 151
Traditionally all harvest work was completed by All-Hallows.
2006 R. Young Brethren ii. 178
The king invited Pierre de Pont-Eveque to perform for him on All Hallows.
γ.
1646 R. Crashaw Steps to Temple 13
How fit our well-rank'd Feasts doe follow, All mischiefe comes after All Hallow.
1871 J. Rust Druidism Exhumed ii. 266
It is a misnomer given by the early Christians, and intentionally too, to call this feast Allhallow.
1909 K. Tynan Lauds 34
Holy and still, it is the time of All-Hallow: A million voices are whispering secrecies.
1646 Mischief is associated with Halloween.
1680 "All Saints or All-hallows"
In 1871, we learn that the early Christians erred when they renamed the Druid holiday.
All Hallows' Day n. (in early use All Hallown Day) = All Saints' Day n.
In quot. OE2 in a description of the Last Judgement, but prob. with allusion to the festival.
[OE Ælfric Gram. (St. John's Oxf.) 43 Nouember: se monað ongynð on ealra halgena mæssedæg. December: se monoð onginð anum dæge æfter andreasmæssan.
OE Homily: Larspel & Scriftboc (Corpus Cambr. 421) in A. S. Napier Wulfstan (1883) 244
Þæt is domes dæg,..se myriga dæg, se halgesta sunna[n]dæg, godes dæg and ealra halgena dæg.]
?c1225 (▸?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 301
Seinte Michales dei. Alre haleȝeredei
[c1230 Corpus Cambr. alle halhene dei, a1250
Nero alre halewune dei]. Seinte ondrowes dei.
c1300 All Saints (Laud) l. 1 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 418 (MED),
Alle halewene-day we holdez one time in þe ȝere.
1484 Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) lxxxiii. 113
Thepystle of al hallowen day.
1552 in J. G. Nichols Chron. Grey Friars 76 On alhallon day began the boke of the new servis of bred and wyne in Powlles. Item after allhollan day was no more communyon but on the sondayes.
1666 W. Dugdale Origines Juridiciales 205/1
They entertain the Judges and Serjeants on All Hallown day and on the Feast day of the Purification of our Lady.
1747 H. Glasse Art of Cookery (ed. 2) xxi. 320
The buck venison begins in May, and is in high season till All-Hallow's-day.
2007 D. Duncan Feasting & Fasting xi. 249
In 731 AD, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as All Hallows' Day or All Saints' Day to commemorate all the lesser saints.
Pope Gregory III created All Saint's Day in the alleged year 731 (2007).
All Hallows' Eve n. (also †All Hallows' Even; in early use All Hallown Eve) the day before All Saints' Day; = Hallow-e'en n.
[OE Wulfstan Canons of Edgar (Junius) (1972) liv. 13
Ærest on easteræfen, and oðre siðe on candelmæsseæfen, þriddan siðe on ealra halgena mæsseæfen.]
1447 in S. A. Moore Lett. & Papers J. Shillingford (1871) i. 16 (MED),
The morun tuysday, al Halwyn yeven.
1556 in J. G. Nichols Chron. Grey Friars 17
Thys yere the towne of Depe was tane..on Halhalon evyn.
a1616 Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. i. 121 Clo.
Was't not at Hallowmas, master Froth? Fro. Allhallond-Eue.
1789 E. Sheridan Let. in Betsy Sheridan's Jrnl. (1986) viii. 187
All Hallows Eve we spent with Mrs Leigh.
1865 K. H. Digby Short Poems 29
All-hallows Eve at Paris.
1951 G. Murphy Let. 31 Oct. in L. Miller Lett. from Lost Generation (1991) 324
We are winging this All Hallows Eve on broomsticks to see our grandson, John Charles.
2002 C. Perry Youth Spirit 2 20/1
Hallowe'en, or All Hallows' Eve, is a part of the three-day celebration that includes All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
All Hallows' Mass n. (in early use All Hallown Mass) now rare = All Hallowmass n. at Compounds 2.
In quot. 1840 translating quot. OE.
OE Laws of Æðelred II (Claud.) vi. xvii. 252
Gelæste man..geogoðe teoþunge be pentecosten & eorðwæstma be ealra halgena mæssan.
lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) anno 1066,
Leofric..wæs dæd..on ælre halgan mæsse niht.
a1400 Richard Coer de Lyon (Egerton) l. 5920 in K. Brunner Mittelengl.
Vers-roman über Richard Löwenherz (1913) 379 [a1450 Caius He..wente home at] Alhalowyn-masse.
1840 B. Thorpe Anc. Laws & Instit. of Eng. I. 136
A tithe of young by Pentecost, and of earth-fruits by Allhallows' mass.
2007 Coventry Tel. (Nexis) 29 Oct.,
The mass which was said on All Hallows was called All Hallows mass.
All Hallows' tide n. (in early use All Hallown tide) = All-Hallowtide n. at Compounds 2.
OE Old Eng. Martyrol. (Julius) 1 Nov. 243
On ðone ærystan dæg þæs [monðes] bið ealra haligra tid.
c1325 (▸c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) l. 8601 (MED),
A sterre þat comete icluped is At alle halwen tid him ssewede.
1548 in J. G. Nichols Chron. Grey Friars 57
This yere before Alhallontyd was sett up the howse for the markyt folke in Newgate market for to waye melle in.
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler 222
About All-hollantide, when you see men ploughing up heath-ground.
1764 Museum Rusticum II. i. 8
Some time in the month of November, sometimes by All-hollandtide.
1835 J. Bell New & Comprehensive Gazetteer of Eng. & Wales III. 415/1
A fair, continuing for six days, is held here annually, beginning at Allhallows-tide.
1903 W. Q. East Last Days of Great Men 94
This simple faith accorded but little with tyrannous Star Chambers, branding irons, chimerical kings, and surplices at All-Hallows tide.
1998 P. E. McCullough Serm. at Court iii. 120
The Gunpowder Anniversary also coincided nicely with the Allhallows-tide revels which began on All Hallow's.
All Hallow Day n. = All Hallows' Day n. at Compounds 1.
1399 in Rec. Parl. Scotl. to 1707 (2007) 1399/1/13
The morne efter All Halow day.
1484 in E. Hobhouse Church-wardens' Accts. (1890) 114
Payde to Nycholas Ket, Scryvener, on Alhalow day.
1533 in J. Raine Testamenta Eboracensia (1884) V. 262
To poor people of All-halowe day and Sawmos day.
1678 N. Wanley Wonders Little World v. iii. 476
Bonifacius the fourth, he instituted All-hallow day.
1791 J. Throsby Hist. & Antiq. Leicester 51
The archbishop, being at high mass in the abbey, on All-hallow-day.
1885 Rocky Mountain News (Denver, Colorado) 1 Nov. 16/1
This is All Saints day, or All Hallow day.
1947 Bradford (Pa.) Era 1 Nov. 1/3
The observance of the festival is the derivation of the old English holiday, All Hallow E'en or the night preceding All Saints or All Hallow Day, Nov. 1.
2005 Albert & Logan (Brisbane) News (Nexis) 21 Oct.,
October 31 came to be called Halloween when the Christians proclaimed November 1 as All Hallow Day.
From the year 1678, we learn Boniface IV (d. 615) instituted All Hallow Day.
All Hallow Eve n. (also †All Hallow Even) = All Hallows' Eve n. at Compounds 1.
c1325 (▸c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) l. 9537 (MED),
Roberd erl of gloucestere..An alle halwe eue deide.
1495 in C. Innes & P. Chalmers Liber S. Thome de Aberbrothoc (1856) II. 289
The schireff court til be haldin at Dunde on Alhallowewyn.
1539 in Proc. Soc. Antiquaries Scotl. (1882) 16 195
Fyve paks of waldmaill and twa barrellis of butter yerele on Alhallowevin to be deliverit to us..upon the ayr of Kyrkwall.
1685 G. Sinclair Satans Invisible World Discovered 215
Some young Women..upon Allhallow even goe to bed without speaking to any,..and..see in their sleep, the man that shall be their husband.
1878 Manch. City News 20 Apr. 22/1 At home we had..the carvis, or seed-cake for Allhallow Eve.
1913 M. Hewlett Lore Proserpine 242 On All Hallow Eve,..they went into the garden..and circled about a stone which was believed to be bewitched.
1994 M. Segrest Mem. Race Traitor i. viii. 105 All Hallow Eve..is the night on which the passage thins between worlds of the living and of the dead.
The superstition of dreaming of a woman's future husband dates from at least 1685.
All Hallowmass n. the feast of All Saints; All Saints' Day.
?a1400 (▸a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt 511) ii. 145 (MED),
Þe moneth of Nouembre, after Alhalwemesse.
▸a1470 Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 22
He lette cry both turnementis and justis..and the day appoynted and sette at Allhalowmasse.
a1530 (▸c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Royal) viii. 2187
Fra the Alhalowmes..till Yhule he bydand wes.
a1616 Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) i. i. 187
Upon Allhallowmas last, a fortnight afore Michaelmas.
1725 H. Bourne Antiq. Vulgares xix,
Lighted tapers..were then wont to cease till the next All-hallow-mass.
1830 Scott Lett. Demonol. & Witchcraft iv. 130
Hecate riding at the head of witches..upon the ghostly eve of All-Hallow Mass.
1906 Folklore 17 320
In the ritual of Allhallowmas Eve the Irish sun charm was performed with apples, not mistletoe.
2006 K. Stevenson Chivalry & Knighthood in Scotl. ii. 21
Parliament decreed that shooting was to be practised each Sunday, from Easter to All Hallowmass.
By the year 1830, Hecate is associated with Halloween. The Irish superstition of charming the sun with apples is recorded in 1906.
All-Hallowtide n. the period around All Saints' Day; (also) All Saints' Day.
1471 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 569
Whyche shall be a-bowght All Halow Tyed at the ferthest.
1592 L. Mascall Bk. Plante & Graffe Trees 16
Betwixt Alhallowtide & Christmas.
c1623 in 5th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1876) 410/2
One entyre payment yearlie at Alhaloutyd.
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker I. p. ix,
I propose, Deo volente, to have the pleasure of seeing you in the great city, towards All-hallowtide.
1862 Dublin Univ. Mag. Feb. 241/1
The herbs..still retain their power at All-Hallow Tide, in furnishing truthful visions of their future husbands to superstitious damsels.
1912 C. A. Miles Christmas vii. 189
In the reign of Charles I. the young gentlemen of the Middle Temple were accustomed to reckon All Hallow Tide..the beginning of Christmas.
2003 N. J. Clark Story Irish Harp iii. 40
The feast of Samhain..is also known as All-Hallowtide (the first of November).
In the year 1862, the second reference to woman dreaming of their future husbands is recorded.
Samhain
The first day of November, celebrated by the ancient Celts as a festival marking the beginning of winter and of the new year according to their calendar; All Saints' Day or Hallowmass. Also attrib. Cf. Beltane n. The Old Irish form samain is used only with reference to the ancient Celts. ‘Samhain Eve’ (quot. 1904) and ‘the night of Samhain’ (quot. 1910) are different renderings of Irish oidhche Shamhna ‘Hallowe'en’.
1888 J. Rhys Lect. Orig. & Growth Relig. as illustr. by Celtic Heathendom v. 518
The Samhain feast..was, like the Greek Apaturia, partly devoted to business..otherwise the feast, which occupied, not only Samain or the first of November, but also the three days before and the three days after it, was given up to the usual games.
1904 W. B. Yeats Stories of Red Hanrahan 1
The barn where some of the men were sitting on Samhain Eve.
1910 J. M. Synge Deirdre of Sorrows i. 5
And it raining since the night of Samhain.
1917 J. M. Clark Vocab. Anglo-Irish vii. 27
Irish folk-lore has kept alive words of such classic associations as..Samhain and shanahus..which mean..‘All-Hallowtide’ (Nov. 1) and ‘a friendly chat’ respectively.
1949 J. A. MacCulloch Celtic & Scandinavian Relig. i. viii. 58
Samhain, which means ‘summer end’, naturally pointed to the fact that the powers of blight, typified by winter, were beginning their reign. But it may have been partly a harvest festival.
1957 W. R. Kermack Sc. Highlands 153
At Samhain (Hallowe'en, 31st October, the beginning of Winter) the Lewismen made libation to the sea-god Shony, who could send them plenty of seaweed to manure their fields.
1958 T. G. E. Powell Celts iii. 117
At Samain, sacrifices were certainly offered although no material descriptions have survived.
1968 New Larousse Encycl. Mythol. 236/1 T
he [Celtic] year began on what is now the first of November with the feast ofSamain... The ordinary people felt less sanguine about the possibility that on the eve of Samain the people of the sídeleft their domain and wandered in the world of man.
1970 Q. Rev. Guernsey Soc. 26 60
These four were the feast of Beltainn the great Sungod in May; mid-summer, mid-August..and Samhainn or Hallowmass (November 1).
The word Samhain is first recorded in the English language in 1888.
2. All Saints' Day; the period around this. Cf. All-Hallows n. 2.
a1400 Sarum Cal. (Bodl.) in W. Maskell Monumenta Ritualia Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ (1882) III. 208
Alle Seintis.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. lxxiii. f. xxxviiiv/2,
Ther [he] lodged and taryed more than a moneth abydinge prouysion for his host, the which was put on the see bytwene saynt Andrewes tyde and Allsayntes [Fr. entre la sainct andry et la toussainctz].
1580 T. Tusser Fiue Hundred Pointes Good Husbandrie (new ed.) f. 13,
All Saints [margin ‘Hallomas’] doe laie, for porke and souse, for sprats and spurlings, for their house.
1611 in M. C. Questier Newslett. Archpresbyterate G. Birkhead (1998) 127
The savoy Imbassadour went to the Court this day which is the 8ve of all saints.
1677 R. Plot Nat. Hist. Oxford-shire 240
Ploughing in the bean-brush at All-Saints.
1712 I. Newton Let. 13 Oct. in Corr. (1975) V. 346
The neighbours have of late years eaten the fallow Lings with great cattel between Low Sunday & All Saints.
a1773 A. Butler Lives Primitive Fathers (1798) I. Chron. Index 7
On all Saints, Nov. 1.
1833 K. H. Digby Mores Catholici iv. vii. 201
When de la Moote..was suddenly attacked with a fatal pleurisy after mass on All-Saints.
1859 W. B. Ullathorne in C. Butler Life & Times Bp. Ullathorne (1926) I. ix. 229
We arrived on All Saints at midnight.
1909 H. Belloc Marie Antoinette ii. 19
In the morning of that All Saints, a little after eight, the altars stood prepared.
1969 R. Godden In this House of Brede xv. 342
All Saints was a day of joy.
1993 A. Higgins Lions of Grunewald xxiv. 145
The frosty Monday after All Saints.
All Saints' Eve n. (also †All Saints' Even) = All Hallows' Eve n. at All-Hallows n.Compounds 1.
?c1550 in E. Corbett Hist. Spelsbury (1962) vi. 119
Upon the feast of All Saints even, all the brethren of every hylde come together to their hyldes.
1641 T. Hayne tr. M. Adam Life & Death Dr. Martin Luther 11
These [propositions] he publikely affixed at the Church next to the Castle of Wittenberg, on All Saints Eve, An. 1517.
1794 J. Sinclair Statist. Acct. Scotl. XI. 621
On All-Saints Even, they set up bonfires in every village.
1886 G. F. Jackson & C. S. Burne Shropshire Folk-lore III. xxviii. 381
At Ripon, All Saints' Eve is called Cake Night, and a cake is baked in each household for every member of the family.
1962 C. Wilson Strength to Dream v. 141
The legend attached to the place declares that they [sc. the two statues] get up on All Saints' Eve and walk across to the cottage in which the painter lives.
2010 Irish Times 25 Nov. 17/3
The book unfurls over three days—All Saints' Eve, All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day—significant dates to O'Brien's Agnes.
1794: Bonfires
All Saints' mass n. = All Hallowmass n. at All-Hallows n. Compounds 2.
1823 D. Scot Murray's Hist. European Langs. I. 87
Al-haligen-maesse, All-saints-mass, All-hallow-mass.
1871 R. Buchanan Land of Lorne II. vi. 191
After All Saints' mass the King sailed his ships to Medalland Harbour.
1922 H. Harper tr. H. Bordeaux House that Died ix. 168
From a point of vantage on this knoll I watched the people coming up to celebrate All Saints' Mass.
2004 E. McGraw Good Life 154
We'll celebrate the All Saints mass... We always do. But the Halloween party is harmless.
The connection between All Saint's mass and All Hallowmass is referenced in 1823.
All Saints' Night n. the night or evening of All Saints' Day; = All Souls' Eve n.
1607 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Serres in tr. Gen. Inuentorie Hist. France ii. 718
He makes a leuy of men..and on all Saints night surpriseth the Towne of Carmagnole.
1783 Gentleman's Mag. July 578/2,
I recollect one more [custom],..viz. that prevailing amongst the Roman Catholics of lighting fires upon the hills on All Saints night.
1833 Knickerbocker Sept. 191
The ‘Pookah’ is an imaginary monster, supposed to be all powerful on All Saints' Night.
1914 G. W. Read Médoc in Moor ii. 30
Many a village near us had its story of the dead who rose on All Saints' Night to swim on the chilly waters.
2003 D. M. Rosman Evol. Eng. Churches, 1500–2000 ii. 44
For decades after Elizabeth came to the throne church bells were rung on All Saints night to comfort souls in purgatory.
1833 Imaginary monsters are associated with Halloween.
Lighting of fires is recorded in 1783.
All Saints' tide n. = All-Hallowtide n. at All-Hallows n. Compounds 2.
1587 T. Dawson Good Huswifes Iewell (new ed.) sig. F6v,
They vncouer the rootes after all Saintes tide.
1728 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. (ed. 4) ,
Alhollaandtide, corruptly for Alhallows Tide, q.d. all holy Men, or All Saints Tide.
1873 Musical Times 16 333/2
Neither hymn nor anthem seemed large enough to express, in All Saints' Church, at All Saints' tide the exalted sentiment and the high spiritual thought suggested by the place and occasion.
1934 H. F. B. Mackay Followers in Way 190
The [chapel restoration] work was finished by All Saints-tide, 1846.
2007 M. Earey et al. Connecting with Baptism 137
The Church in the West has traditionally associated baptism with Easter, but in other traditions it has been linked with Epiphany..and with All Saints' tide.
Trick or treat, a traditional formula used at Hallowe'en by children who call on houses threatening to play a trick unless given a treat or present; also as n., this practice. Hence trick-or-treating vbl. n. and ppl. adj. orig. and chiefly U.S.
1947 Amer. Home Oct. 150/2
The household larder needs to be well stocked on October 31, because, from dusk on, the doorbell rings, bright eyes peer through crazy-looking masks, and childish voices in ghostlike tones squeal, croak, or whisper, ‘Trick or Treat!’
1950 Sun (Baltimore) 31 Oct. 12/1
So let the kids go out tonight and have a grand time with their masquerading and trick-or-treating.
1954 Sun (Baltimore) 22 Oct. 18/4
Now that the ‘Trick or Treat’ season is upon us, let us hope that thoughtful parents will discourage the practice.
1968 Mrs. L. B. Johnson Diary 31 Oct. in White House Diary (1970) 731
He and his mother had stopped by the office on their way to ‘trick or treating’ at some friends' houses.
1973 M. R. Crowell Greener Pastures 64
Trick-or-treat begins at Grandma Latimer's down the road in the little green house.
1974 New Yorker 25 Feb. 112/2
Like a horde of trick-or-treating children who have suddenly been turned middle-aged and paunchy by a wicked witch.
1982 Daily Tel. 29 Oct. 3/1
A tradition of allowing children out on Halloween ‘trick-or-treat’ expeditions.
The first record of "Trick or Treat" is from 1947.
All Souls Day
2 November, a festival commemorating the souls of the dead, now observed chiefly by Catholics and some Anglicans. Cf. Soul-mass Day n. at soul mass n. Compounds, All Souls' Eve n.
c1300 All Souls (Laud) l. 20 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 421
Men holden alle soulene-day..Þat ech Man..For alle þe soulen in purgatorie bidde þat ilke day.
?1449 Earl of Warwick in Paston Lett. & Papers (2005) III. 76
Wreten atte London on All Salwyn day.
?c1450 in G. J. Aungier Hist. & Antiq. Syon Monastery (1840) 356
Al Sowle day the sustres schal haue Te Deum at ther matins.
1514 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. I. 255,
I have receyved your Letter writen at Grenewiche on Alle Soulen daye.
1556 in J. G. Nichols Chron. Grey Friars 33
On Alsolne day doctor Allyn beganne in the Gray freeres at afternone.
1593 P. Stubbes Motiue to Good Wks. iii. 124
To giue soule-cakes (for so they shame not to cal them) or rather foole-cakes agaynst all soules daie, for the redemption of all christen soules, as they blasphemously speake.
1597 Shakespeare Richard III v. i. 10
Buck. This is Alsoules day fellowes, is it not? Rat. It is my Lord. Buck. Whie then Alsoules day, is my bodies domesday.
1618 in M. Burrows Worthies All Souls (1874) ix. 154
Whereas our Gaudyes on All Soules Day to the Side Tables in the Hall were but five dishes to every Messe.
1661 T. Blount Glossographia (ed. 2) ,
Soul-masse-Cakes, are certain oaten cakes, which some of the wealthier sort of persons in Lancashire use still to give the poor on All-Souls day.
1745 tr. P. Mussard Conformity between Anc. & Mod. Ceremonies p. xx,
It is usual for the Poor, up on All Souls Day, to go from one Village to another begging Soul Cakes.
1785 H. Swinburne Trav. in Two Sicilies II. ix. 65
It is a custom here, on All Souls day, to throw open the charnel-houses, lighted up with torches, and decked out with all the flowery pageantry of May-day.
1820 R. Wilbraham Attempt Gloss. Cheshire at Souling,
To go a souling, is to go about as boys do, repeating certain rigmarole verses, and begging cakes or money, in commutation for them, the Eve of All Souls' Day.
1894 New Ireland Rev. Nov. 582,
I was again in Monte Video on All Souls' Day.
1928 Universe 3 Feb.,
A loaf of curious, very sweet currant bread is made and sold for All Souls Day.
1995 Homiletic & Pastoral Rev. May 58/1
May a priest still trinate [= celebrate three Masses] on All Souls' Day?
1820 Boys are begging for cakes or money.
2. The first of November, All Saints' Day. Cf. All Saints n.
α.
OE Rec. Dues, Worcester (Tiber. A.xiii) in R. W. Hunt et al. Stud. Medieval Hist. (1948) 74
Sæwine vi oran & heora andaga is half to natale s' marie & half to alra halg[a]n.
lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) anno 1095,
Swa þet seo fyrde eall togædere com to ealra halgena to Snawdune.
1666 W. Dugdale Origines Juridiciales 161/1
The three grand days are All-hallown, Candlemass, and Ascension day; whereof All-hallown and Candlemass are the chief.
δ.
a1450 (▸1408) tr. Vegetius De Re Militari (Douce) f. 120v (MED),
Þe turnynge of þis book into Englische was..ended in þe vigile of alle halewes, þe ȝeer of oure lord Ml. cccc & viij.
1591 H. Barrow Plaine Refut. Giffardes Bk. 8
Your Idoll Feastes, your Alhallowes, Candlemasse, your seuerall Lady dayes.
c1613 (▸1503) in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 183
If he come againe afor alhallowes.
1680 W. Winstanley Country-Mans Guide in New Help to Disc. (ed. 2) 217,
1 Nov. All Saints or All-hallows, is celebrated in commemoration of all the Saints.
1709 R. Steele et al. Tatler (1786) 6 349
The chaplain in her family was always allowed minced pyes from Allhallows to Candlemas.
1834 K. H. Digby Mores Catholici V. iii. 84,
I have seen the sublime Cathedral of Amiens on the night of All-hallows, when the vigils of the dead were sung there.
1892 Atlantic Monthly Mar. 291/2
The evening before Allhallows, or All Saints' Day, was commonly called ‘Teinla’ night.
1957 E. E. Evans Irish Folk Ways (2000) xii. 151
Traditionally all harvest work was completed by All-Hallows.
2006 R. Young Brethren ii. 178
The king invited Pierre de Pont-Eveque to perform for him on All Hallows.
γ.
1646 R. Crashaw Steps to Temple 13
How fit our well-rank'd Feasts doe follow, All mischiefe comes after All Hallow.
1871 J. Rust Druidism Exhumed ii. 266
It is a misnomer given by the early Christians, and intentionally too, to call this feast Allhallow.
1909 K. Tynan Lauds 34
Holy and still, it is the time of All-Hallow: A million voices are whispering secrecies.
1646 Mischief is associated with Halloween.
1680 "All Saints or All-hallows"
In 1871, we learn that the early Christians erred when they renamed the Druid holiday.
All Hallows' Day n. (in early use All Hallown Day) = All Saints' Day n.
In quot. OE2 in a description of the Last Judgement, but prob. with allusion to the festival.
[OE Ælfric Gram. (St. John's Oxf.) 43 Nouember: se monað ongynð on ealra halgena mæssedæg. December: se monoð onginð anum dæge æfter andreasmæssan.
OE Homily: Larspel & Scriftboc (Corpus Cambr. 421) in A. S. Napier Wulfstan (1883) 244
Þæt is domes dæg,..se myriga dæg, se halgesta sunna[n]dæg, godes dæg and ealra halgena dæg.]
?c1225 (▸?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 301
Seinte Michales dei. Alre haleȝeredei
[c1230 Corpus Cambr. alle halhene dei, a1250
Nero alre halewune dei]. Seinte ondrowes dei.
c1300 All Saints (Laud) l. 1 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 418 (MED),
Alle halewene-day we holdez one time in þe ȝere.
1484 Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) lxxxiii. 113
Thepystle of al hallowen day.
1552 in J. G. Nichols Chron. Grey Friars 76 On alhallon day began the boke of the new servis of bred and wyne in Powlles. Item after allhollan day was no more communyon but on the sondayes.
1666 W. Dugdale Origines Juridiciales 205/1
They entertain the Judges and Serjeants on All Hallown day and on the Feast day of the Purification of our Lady.
1747 H. Glasse Art of Cookery (ed. 2) xxi. 320
The buck venison begins in May, and is in high season till All-Hallow's-day.
2007 D. Duncan Feasting & Fasting xi. 249
In 731 AD, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as All Hallows' Day or All Saints' Day to commemorate all the lesser saints.
Pope Gregory III created All Saint's Day in the alleged year 731 (2007).
All Hallows' Eve n. (also †All Hallows' Even; in early use All Hallown Eve) the day before All Saints' Day; = Hallow-e'en n.
[OE Wulfstan Canons of Edgar (Junius) (1972) liv. 13
Ærest on easteræfen, and oðre siðe on candelmæsseæfen, þriddan siðe on ealra halgena mæsseæfen.]
1447 in S. A. Moore Lett. & Papers J. Shillingford (1871) i. 16 (MED),
The morun tuysday, al Halwyn yeven.
1556 in J. G. Nichols Chron. Grey Friars 17
Thys yere the towne of Depe was tane..on Halhalon evyn.
a1616 Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) ii. i. 121 Clo.
Was't not at Hallowmas, master Froth? Fro. Allhallond-Eue.
1789 E. Sheridan Let. in Betsy Sheridan's Jrnl. (1986) viii. 187
All Hallows Eve we spent with Mrs Leigh.
1865 K. H. Digby Short Poems 29
All-hallows Eve at Paris.
1951 G. Murphy Let. 31 Oct. in L. Miller Lett. from Lost Generation (1991) 324
We are winging this All Hallows Eve on broomsticks to see our grandson, John Charles.
2002 C. Perry Youth Spirit 2 20/1
Hallowe'en, or All Hallows' Eve, is a part of the three-day celebration that includes All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
All Hallows' Mass n. (in early use All Hallown Mass) now rare = All Hallowmass n. at Compounds 2.
In quot. 1840 translating quot. OE.
OE Laws of Æðelred II (Claud.) vi. xvii. 252
Gelæste man..geogoðe teoþunge be pentecosten & eorðwæstma be ealra halgena mæssan.
lOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) anno 1066,
Leofric..wæs dæd..on ælre halgan mæsse niht.
a1400 Richard Coer de Lyon (Egerton) l. 5920 in K. Brunner Mittelengl.
Vers-roman über Richard Löwenherz (1913) 379 [a1450 Caius He..wente home at] Alhalowyn-masse.
1840 B. Thorpe Anc. Laws & Instit. of Eng. I. 136
A tithe of young by Pentecost, and of earth-fruits by Allhallows' mass.
2007 Coventry Tel. (Nexis) 29 Oct.,
The mass which was said on All Hallows was called All Hallows mass.
All Hallows' tide n. (in early use All Hallown tide) = All-Hallowtide n. at Compounds 2.
OE Old Eng. Martyrol. (Julius) 1 Nov. 243
On ðone ærystan dæg þæs [monðes] bið ealra haligra tid.
c1325 (▸c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) l. 8601 (MED),
A sterre þat comete icluped is At alle halwen tid him ssewede.
1548 in J. G. Nichols Chron. Grey Friars 57
This yere before Alhallontyd was sett up the howse for the markyt folke in Newgate market for to waye melle in.
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler 222
About All-hollantide, when you see men ploughing up heath-ground.
1764 Museum Rusticum II. i. 8
Some time in the month of November, sometimes by All-hollandtide.
1835 J. Bell New & Comprehensive Gazetteer of Eng. & Wales III. 415/1
A fair, continuing for six days, is held here annually, beginning at Allhallows-tide.
1903 W. Q. East Last Days of Great Men 94
This simple faith accorded but little with tyrannous Star Chambers, branding irons, chimerical kings, and surplices at All-Hallows tide.
1998 P. E. McCullough Serm. at Court iii. 120
The Gunpowder Anniversary also coincided nicely with the Allhallows-tide revels which began on All Hallow's.
All Hallow Day n. = All Hallows' Day n. at Compounds 1.
1399 in Rec. Parl. Scotl. to 1707 (2007) 1399/1/13
The morne efter All Halow day.
1484 in E. Hobhouse Church-wardens' Accts. (1890) 114
Payde to Nycholas Ket, Scryvener, on Alhalow day.
1533 in J. Raine Testamenta Eboracensia (1884) V. 262
To poor people of All-halowe day and Sawmos day.
1678 N. Wanley Wonders Little World v. iii. 476
Bonifacius the fourth, he instituted All-hallow day.
1791 J. Throsby Hist. & Antiq. Leicester 51
The archbishop, being at high mass in the abbey, on All-hallow-day.
1885 Rocky Mountain News (Denver, Colorado) 1 Nov. 16/1
This is All Saints day, or All Hallow day.
1947 Bradford (Pa.) Era 1 Nov. 1/3
The observance of the festival is the derivation of the old English holiday, All Hallow E'en or the night preceding All Saints or All Hallow Day, Nov. 1.
2005 Albert & Logan (Brisbane) News (Nexis) 21 Oct.,
October 31 came to be called Halloween when the Christians proclaimed November 1 as All Hallow Day.
From the year 1678, we learn Boniface IV (d. 615) instituted All Hallow Day.
All Hallow Eve n. (also †All Hallow Even) = All Hallows' Eve n. at Compounds 1.
c1325 (▸c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) l. 9537 (MED),
Roberd erl of gloucestere..An alle halwe eue deide.
1495 in C. Innes & P. Chalmers Liber S. Thome de Aberbrothoc (1856) II. 289
The schireff court til be haldin at Dunde on Alhallowewyn.
1539 in Proc. Soc. Antiquaries Scotl. (1882) 16 195
Fyve paks of waldmaill and twa barrellis of butter yerele on Alhallowevin to be deliverit to us..upon the ayr of Kyrkwall.
1685 G. Sinclair Satans Invisible World Discovered 215
Some young Women..upon Allhallow even goe to bed without speaking to any,..and..see in their sleep, the man that shall be their husband.
1878 Manch. City News 20 Apr. 22/1 At home we had..the carvis, or seed-cake for Allhallow Eve.
1913 M. Hewlett Lore Proserpine 242 On All Hallow Eve,..they went into the garden..and circled about a stone which was believed to be bewitched.
1994 M. Segrest Mem. Race Traitor i. viii. 105 All Hallow Eve..is the night on which the passage thins between worlds of the living and of the dead.
The superstition of dreaming of a woman's future husband dates from at least 1685.
All Hallowmass n. the feast of All Saints; All Saints' Day.
?a1400 (▸a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt 511) ii. 145 (MED),
Þe moneth of Nouembre, after Alhalwemesse.
▸a1470 Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 22
He lette cry both turnementis and justis..and the day appoynted and sette at Allhalowmasse.
a1530 (▸c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Royal) viii. 2187
Fra the Alhalowmes..till Yhule he bydand wes.
a1616 Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) i. i. 187
Upon Allhallowmas last, a fortnight afore Michaelmas.
1725 H. Bourne Antiq. Vulgares xix,
Lighted tapers..were then wont to cease till the next All-hallow-mass.
1830 Scott Lett. Demonol. & Witchcraft iv. 130
Hecate riding at the head of witches..upon the ghostly eve of All-Hallow Mass.
1906 Folklore 17 320
In the ritual of Allhallowmas Eve the Irish sun charm was performed with apples, not mistletoe.
2006 K. Stevenson Chivalry & Knighthood in Scotl. ii. 21
Parliament decreed that shooting was to be practised each Sunday, from Easter to All Hallowmass.
By the year 1830, Hecate is associated with Halloween. The Irish superstition of charming the sun with apples is recorded in 1906.
All-Hallowtide n. the period around All Saints' Day; (also) All Saints' Day.
1471 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 569
Whyche shall be a-bowght All Halow Tyed at the ferthest.
1592 L. Mascall Bk. Plante & Graffe Trees 16
Betwixt Alhallowtide & Christmas.
c1623 in 5th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1876) 410/2
One entyre payment yearlie at Alhaloutyd.
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker I. p. ix,
I propose, Deo volente, to have the pleasure of seeing you in the great city, towards All-hallowtide.
1862 Dublin Univ. Mag. Feb. 241/1
The herbs..still retain their power at All-Hallow Tide, in furnishing truthful visions of their future husbands to superstitious damsels.
1912 C. A. Miles Christmas vii. 189
In the reign of Charles I. the young gentlemen of the Middle Temple were accustomed to reckon All Hallow Tide..the beginning of Christmas.
2003 N. J. Clark Story Irish Harp iii. 40
The feast of Samhain..is also known as All-Hallowtide (the first of November).
In the year 1862, the second reference to woman dreaming of their future husbands is recorded.
Samhain
The first day of November, celebrated by the ancient Celts as a festival marking the beginning of winter and of the new year according to their calendar; All Saints' Day or Hallowmass. Also attrib. Cf. Beltane n. The Old Irish form samain is used only with reference to the ancient Celts. ‘Samhain Eve’ (quot. 1904) and ‘the night of Samhain’ (quot. 1910) are different renderings of Irish oidhche Shamhna ‘Hallowe'en’.
1888 J. Rhys Lect. Orig. & Growth Relig. as illustr. by Celtic Heathendom v. 518
The Samhain feast..was, like the Greek Apaturia, partly devoted to business..otherwise the feast, which occupied, not only Samain or the first of November, but also the three days before and the three days after it, was given up to the usual games.
1904 W. B. Yeats Stories of Red Hanrahan 1
The barn where some of the men were sitting on Samhain Eve.
1910 J. M. Synge Deirdre of Sorrows i. 5
And it raining since the night of Samhain.
1917 J. M. Clark Vocab. Anglo-Irish vii. 27
Irish folk-lore has kept alive words of such classic associations as..Samhain and shanahus..which mean..‘All-Hallowtide’ (Nov. 1) and ‘a friendly chat’ respectively.
1949 J. A. MacCulloch Celtic & Scandinavian Relig. i. viii. 58
Samhain, which means ‘summer end’, naturally pointed to the fact that the powers of blight, typified by winter, were beginning their reign. But it may have been partly a harvest festival.
1957 W. R. Kermack Sc. Highlands 153
At Samhain (Hallowe'en, 31st October, the beginning of Winter) the Lewismen made libation to the sea-god Shony, who could send them plenty of seaweed to manure their fields.
1958 T. G. E. Powell Celts iii. 117
At Samain, sacrifices were certainly offered although no material descriptions have survived.
1968 New Larousse Encycl. Mythol. 236/1 T
he [Celtic] year began on what is now the first of November with the feast ofSamain... The ordinary people felt less sanguine about the possibility that on the eve of Samain the people of the sídeleft their domain and wandered in the world of man.
1970 Q. Rev. Guernsey Soc. 26 60
These four were the feast of Beltainn the great Sungod in May; mid-summer, mid-August..and Samhainn or Hallowmass (November 1).
The word Samhain is first recorded in the English language in 1888.
2. All Saints' Day; the period around this. Cf. All-Hallows n. 2.
a1400 Sarum Cal. (Bodl.) in W. Maskell Monumenta Ritualia Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ (1882) III. 208
Alle Seintis.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. lxxiii. f. xxxviiiv/2,
Ther [he] lodged and taryed more than a moneth abydinge prouysion for his host, the which was put on the see bytwene saynt Andrewes tyde and Allsayntes [Fr. entre la sainct andry et la toussainctz].
1580 T. Tusser Fiue Hundred Pointes Good Husbandrie (new ed.) f. 13,
All Saints [margin ‘Hallomas’] doe laie, for porke and souse, for sprats and spurlings, for their house.
1611 in M. C. Questier Newslett. Archpresbyterate G. Birkhead (1998) 127
The savoy Imbassadour went to the Court this day which is the 8ve of all saints.
1677 R. Plot Nat. Hist. Oxford-shire 240
Ploughing in the bean-brush at All-Saints.
1712 I. Newton Let. 13 Oct. in Corr. (1975) V. 346
The neighbours have of late years eaten the fallow Lings with great cattel between Low Sunday & All Saints.
a1773 A. Butler Lives Primitive Fathers (1798) I. Chron. Index 7
On all Saints, Nov. 1.
1833 K. H. Digby Mores Catholici iv. vii. 201
When de la Moote..was suddenly attacked with a fatal pleurisy after mass on All-Saints.
1859 W. B. Ullathorne in C. Butler Life & Times Bp. Ullathorne (1926) I. ix. 229
We arrived on All Saints at midnight.
1909 H. Belloc Marie Antoinette ii. 19
In the morning of that All Saints, a little after eight, the altars stood prepared.
1969 R. Godden In this House of Brede xv. 342
All Saints was a day of joy.
1993 A. Higgins Lions of Grunewald xxiv. 145
The frosty Monday after All Saints.
All Saints' Eve n. (also †All Saints' Even) = All Hallows' Eve n. at All-Hallows n.Compounds 1.
?c1550 in E. Corbett Hist. Spelsbury (1962) vi. 119
Upon the feast of All Saints even, all the brethren of every hylde come together to their hyldes.
1641 T. Hayne tr. M. Adam Life & Death Dr. Martin Luther 11
These [propositions] he publikely affixed at the Church next to the Castle of Wittenberg, on All Saints Eve, An. 1517.
1794 J. Sinclair Statist. Acct. Scotl. XI. 621
On All-Saints Even, they set up bonfires in every village.
1886 G. F. Jackson & C. S. Burne Shropshire Folk-lore III. xxviii. 381
At Ripon, All Saints' Eve is called Cake Night, and a cake is baked in each household for every member of the family.
1962 C. Wilson Strength to Dream v. 141
The legend attached to the place declares that they [sc. the two statues] get up on All Saints' Eve and walk across to the cottage in which the painter lives.
2010 Irish Times 25 Nov. 17/3
The book unfurls over three days—All Saints' Eve, All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day—significant dates to O'Brien's Agnes.
1794: Bonfires
All Saints' mass n. = All Hallowmass n. at All-Hallows n. Compounds 2.
1823 D. Scot Murray's Hist. European Langs. I. 87
Al-haligen-maesse, All-saints-mass, All-hallow-mass.
1871 R. Buchanan Land of Lorne II. vi. 191
After All Saints' mass the King sailed his ships to Medalland Harbour.
1922 H. Harper tr. H. Bordeaux House that Died ix. 168
From a point of vantage on this knoll I watched the people coming up to celebrate All Saints' Mass.
2004 E. McGraw Good Life 154
We'll celebrate the All Saints mass... We always do. But the Halloween party is harmless.
The connection between All Saint's mass and All Hallowmass is referenced in 1823.
All Saints' Night n. the night or evening of All Saints' Day; = All Souls' Eve n.
1607 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Serres in tr. Gen. Inuentorie Hist. France ii. 718
He makes a leuy of men..and on all Saints night surpriseth the Towne of Carmagnole.
1783 Gentleman's Mag. July 578/2,
I recollect one more [custom],..viz. that prevailing amongst the Roman Catholics of lighting fires upon the hills on All Saints night.
1833 Knickerbocker Sept. 191
The ‘Pookah’ is an imaginary monster, supposed to be all powerful on All Saints' Night.
1914 G. W. Read Médoc in Moor ii. 30
Many a village near us had its story of the dead who rose on All Saints' Night to swim on the chilly waters.
2003 D. M. Rosman Evol. Eng. Churches, 1500–2000 ii. 44
For decades after Elizabeth came to the throne church bells were rung on All Saints night to comfort souls in purgatory.
1833 Imaginary monsters are associated with Halloween.
Lighting of fires is recorded in 1783.
All Saints' tide n. = All-Hallowtide n. at All-Hallows n. Compounds 2.
1587 T. Dawson Good Huswifes Iewell (new ed.) sig. F6v,
They vncouer the rootes after all Saintes tide.
1728 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. (ed. 4) ,
Alhollaandtide, corruptly for Alhallows Tide, q.d. all holy Men, or All Saints Tide.
1873 Musical Times 16 333/2
Neither hymn nor anthem seemed large enough to express, in All Saints' Church, at All Saints' tide the exalted sentiment and the high spiritual thought suggested by the place and occasion.
1934 H. F. B. Mackay Followers in Way 190
The [chapel restoration] work was finished by All Saints-tide, 1846.
2007 M. Earey et al. Connecting with Baptism 137
The Church in the West has traditionally associated baptism with Easter, but in other traditions it has been linked with Epiphany..and with All Saints' tide.
Trick or treat, a traditional formula used at Hallowe'en by children who call on houses threatening to play a trick unless given a treat or present; also as n., this practice. Hence trick-or-treating vbl. n. and ppl. adj. orig. and chiefly U.S.
1947 Amer. Home Oct. 150/2
The household larder needs to be well stocked on October 31, because, from dusk on, the doorbell rings, bright eyes peer through crazy-looking masks, and childish voices in ghostlike tones squeal, croak, or whisper, ‘Trick or Treat!’
1950 Sun (Baltimore) 31 Oct. 12/1
So let the kids go out tonight and have a grand time with their masquerading and trick-or-treating.
1954 Sun (Baltimore) 22 Oct. 18/4
Now that the ‘Trick or Treat’ season is upon us, let us hope that thoughtful parents will discourage the practice.
1968 Mrs. L. B. Johnson Diary 31 Oct. in White House Diary (1970) 731
He and his mother had stopped by the office on their way to ‘trick or treating’ at some friends' houses.
1973 M. R. Crowell Greener Pastures 64
Trick-or-treat begins at Grandma Latimer's down the road in the little green house.
1974 New Yorker 25 Feb. 112/2
Like a horde of trick-or-treating children who have suddenly been turned middle-aged and paunchy by a wicked witch.
1982 Daily Tel. 29 Oct. 3/1
A tradition of allowing children out on Halloween ‘trick-or-treat’ expeditions.
The first record of "Trick or Treat" is from 1947.
All Souls Day
2 November, a festival commemorating the souls of the dead, now observed chiefly by Catholics and some Anglicans. Cf. Soul-mass Day n. at soul mass n. Compounds, All Souls' Eve n.
c1300 All Souls (Laud) l. 20 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 421
Men holden alle soulene-day..Þat ech Man..For alle þe soulen in purgatorie bidde þat ilke day.
?1449 Earl of Warwick in Paston Lett. & Papers (2005) III. 76
Wreten atte London on All Salwyn day.
?c1450 in G. J. Aungier Hist. & Antiq. Syon Monastery (1840) 356
Al Sowle day the sustres schal haue Te Deum at ther matins.
1514 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. I. 255,
I have receyved your Letter writen at Grenewiche on Alle Soulen daye.
1556 in J. G. Nichols Chron. Grey Friars 33
On Alsolne day doctor Allyn beganne in the Gray freeres at afternone.
1593 P. Stubbes Motiue to Good Wks. iii. 124
To giue soule-cakes (for so they shame not to cal them) or rather foole-cakes agaynst all soules daie, for the redemption of all christen soules, as they blasphemously speake.
1597 Shakespeare Richard III v. i. 10
Buck. This is Alsoules day fellowes, is it not? Rat. It is my Lord. Buck. Whie then Alsoules day, is my bodies domesday.
1618 in M. Burrows Worthies All Souls (1874) ix. 154
Whereas our Gaudyes on All Soules Day to the Side Tables in the Hall were but five dishes to every Messe.
1661 T. Blount Glossographia (ed. 2) ,
Soul-masse-Cakes, are certain oaten cakes, which some of the wealthier sort of persons in Lancashire use still to give the poor on All-Souls day.
1745 tr. P. Mussard Conformity between Anc. & Mod. Ceremonies p. xx,
It is usual for the Poor, up on All Souls Day, to go from one Village to another begging Soul Cakes.
1785 H. Swinburne Trav. in Two Sicilies II. ix. 65
It is a custom here, on All Souls day, to throw open the charnel-houses, lighted up with torches, and decked out with all the flowery pageantry of May-day.
1820 R. Wilbraham Attempt Gloss. Cheshire at Souling,
To go a souling, is to go about as boys do, repeating certain rigmarole verses, and begging cakes or money, in commutation for them, the Eve of All Souls' Day.
1894 New Ireland Rev. Nov. 582,
I was again in Monte Video on All Souls' Day.
1928 Universe 3 Feb.,
A loaf of curious, very sweet currant bread is made and sold for All Souls Day.
1995 Homiletic & Pastoral Rev. May 58/1
May a priest still trinate [= celebrate three Masses] on All Souls' Day?
1820 Boys are begging for cakes or money.
The following table is organized by the date of the first usage primary reference (first column) to the word (second column). The third column is the date of the second use of the word (primary sources only).
IOE
OE OE 1523 1548 1556 1556 1587 1591 1592 1607 1641 1646 1678 1685 1725 1823 1888 1947 |
Halloween 2a
All Hallowday All Hallows Mass All Saints Day All Hallow's tide All Hallows Eve All Souls Day All Saints Tide Halloween 2b All Halow tide All Saints Night All Saints Eve Halloween 2c All Hallow's Day All Hallow Eve All Hallow mass All Saints Mass Samhain Trick or Treat |
1666
1552 IOE 1580 1653 2002 1593 1728 1680 1771 1783 1794 1871 1791 1878 1830 1871 1904 1950 |
1646 Mischief is associated with Halloween.
From the year 1678, we learn Boniface IV (d.615) instituted All Hallow Day.
1680 "All Saints or All-hallows"
The superstition of dreaming of a woman's future husband dates from at least 1685.
Lighting of fires is recorded in 1783.
1794: Bonfires.
1820 Boys are begging for cakes or money.
The connection between All Saint's mass and All Hallowmass is referenced in 1823.
By the year 1830, Hecate is associated with Halloween.
1833 Imaginary monsters are associated with Halloween.
In the year 1862, the second reference to woman dreaming of their future husbands is recorded.
In 1871, we learn that the early Christians erred when they renamed the Druid holiday.
The word Samhain is first recorded in the English language in 1888.
The Irish superstition of charming the sun with apples is recorded in 1906.
The first record of "Trick or Treat" is from 1947.
Pope Gregory III created All Saint's Day in the alleged year 731 (2007).
By 1830, all the secondary aspects (mischief, bonfires, begging for cakes) of Halloween are recorded.
We will research the Druids and the Oxford English Dictionary has been consulted. We will attempt to understand what we know of the Druids that differentiates them from other peoples as related by the following citations.
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. cxxiiv,
As the Druydans [1570 Druidans] rennyth in vayne about In theyr mad festes.
1509: The Druids have festivals.
1565 A. Golding tr. Cæsar Martiall Exploytes in Gallia vi. f. 155,
The Druides are occupied about holy things: they haue the dooing of publicke and priuate sacrifices, and do interprete and discusse matters of Religion.
1565: The Druids have public and private sacrifices.
1577 W. Harrison Hist. Descr. Islande Brit. i. viii. f. 7 b/2, in R. Holinshed Chron. I,
Places where the Druiysh religion was frequented.
1577: The Druids have places of religion.
1598 R. Barckley Disc. Felicitie of Man iii. 162
A woman..that was a Southsayer, of them which were called Druides.
1602 Hist. Eng. in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) II. 439
The Druyds, lifting up their hands towards heaven, filled the air with cries and curses.
1602: Druids cry to heaven for revenge.
1670 Milton Hist. Brit. ii. 34
If lastly the Druid learning honour'd so much among them, were at first taught them out of Britain.
Learning was honored.
1678 T. Jones Of Heart & Soveraign 542
The Druidean philosophy.
There is a Druidean philosphy.
1685 E. Stillingfleet Origines Britannicæ ii. 78
The last Age hath discovered a famous Urn of one Chyndonax, Chief of the Druids.
1685: The Druids have a leader.
1715 M. Davies Εἰκων Μικρο-βιβλικὴ 287
Fabulous Legends and Poetick Druidisms.
1715: The Druids have legends.
1723 H. Rowlands Mona Antiqua Restaurata ii. 235
The Druidish Discipline in Gallia.
1723 H. Rowlands Mona Antiqua Restaurata ii. 270
We date and fix the Original of Druidism about the Time of Abraham.
By 1723, the Druids are dated to the time of Abraham.
1728 E. Young Love of Fame iii, in Wks. (1757) I. 101
Like an old Druid from his hollow oak.
1755 T. Amory Mem. Ladies 208
Caesar..conversed here with the Dryades, and Magistri Sapientiae, the Druidesses and Druids.
In 1755, we learn Caesar conversed with the Druids.
1755 W. Cooke (title) An Inquiry into the Patriarchal and Druidical Religion, Temples, etc.
1769 T. Pennant Brit. Zool. (new ed.) III. iii. 23
Our modern Druidesses give much the same account of the ovum anguinum.
1773 Gentleman's Mag. 43 230
The remains of a stone tower, which I apprehend to be a Druidic work.
1773: Stone towers are assumed to be Druidic.
1776 J. Wesley Jrnl. 1 Sept.,
Druid altars of enormous size.
1776: Druids have altars.
1777 T. Warton Poems 17
Here Poesy..In druid songs her solemn spirit breath'd.
1782 W. Cowper Table Talk in Poems 503
Every hallowed druid was a bard.
1803 W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. 1 261
The druidic or rather bardic order, among the Cimbri, was very literate.
1803: The Druids were literate.
1813 Scott Bridal of Triermain iii. xxxv. 188
Of merry England she, in dress Like ancient British druidess.
1827 G. Higgins Celtic Druids 286
The Druidesses are represented to have acted like furie
1842 J. C. Prichard Nat. Hist. Man 191
Circles of upright stones, like those which in Europe are termed Druidical.
1842: Stone circles are attributed to the Druids.
1848 E. Bulwer-Lytton Harold I. i. i. 5
Grey Druid stones..gleaming through the dawn.
1861 Ecclesiologist 23 279
Curious beads of coloured glass commonly called ‘Druids' beads’.
1868 ‘Holme Lee’ Basil Godfrey i. 4
The spring festival of Druidry.
1868: The Druids have a spring festival.
1871 J. Phillips Geol. Oxf. xvii. 446
In this way perhaps we may account for the ‘Druid’ sandstones, or ‘Grey Weathers’, or ‘Sarsen stones’ which lie in such abundance about Ashdown..and between Marlborough and Avebury.
1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz in La Saisiaz & Two Poets of Croisic 16
‘Scraps of Druidic lore’, Sigh scholars.
1879 F. W. Farrar Life & Work St. Paul I. vi. xxiv. 472
They [sc. Galatians] had brought with them into Asia their old Druidism.
1879 J. Lubbock Sci. Lect. v. 167
Avebury, the most magnificent of Druidical remains.
1892 S. R. Gardiner Student's Hist. Eng. 14
In Mona was a sacred place of the Druids.
The following is a summary of what we have learned of the Druids:
1509: The Druids have festivals.
1565: The Druids have public and private sacrifices.
1577: The Druids have places of religion.
1602: Druids cry to heaven for revenge.
1685: The Druids have a leader.
1715: The Druids have legends.
By 1723, the Druids are dated to the time of Abraham.
In 1755, we learn Caesar conversed with the Druids.
1773: Stone towers are assumed to be Druidic.
1776: Druids have altars.
1803: The Druids were literate.
1842: Stone circles are attributed to the Druids.
1868: The Druids have a spring festival.
Unfortunately, from the above information there are no distinguishing characteristics of the Druids that allow us to differentiate them from any ancient civilization, other than they existed in the British Islands. While we understand that the English language has little to no contact with Africa or Eastern Europe until the 16 and 17th centuries, we are unforgiving for the language having no references to an allegedly domestic people until 16th century. The recent reference to Druids (1509) and the modern introduction of their festival of Samhain (1888) lead us to conclude that neither touch upon reality.
Therefore, based upon the dates and details provided by the Oxford English Dictionary, we conclude that Halloween has always been a holiday for the departed in the western Church, while the Greek Church commemorates the deceased on the Sunday following Pascha.
From the year 1678, we learn Boniface IV (d.615) instituted All Hallow Day.
1680 "All Saints or All-hallows"
The superstition of dreaming of a woman's future husband dates from at least 1685.
Lighting of fires is recorded in 1783.
1794: Bonfires.
1820 Boys are begging for cakes or money.
The connection between All Saint's mass and All Hallowmass is referenced in 1823.
By the year 1830, Hecate is associated with Halloween.
1833 Imaginary monsters are associated with Halloween.
In the year 1862, the second reference to woman dreaming of their future husbands is recorded.
In 1871, we learn that the early Christians erred when they renamed the Druid holiday.
The word Samhain is first recorded in the English language in 1888.
The Irish superstition of charming the sun with apples is recorded in 1906.
The first record of "Trick or Treat" is from 1947.
Pope Gregory III created All Saint's Day in the alleged year 731 (2007).
By 1830, all the secondary aspects (mischief, bonfires, begging for cakes) of Halloween are recorded.
We will research the Druids and the Oxford English Dictionary has been consulted. We will attempt to understand what we know of the Druids that differentiates them from other peoples as related by the following citations.
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. cxxiiv,
As the Druydans [1570 Druidans] rennyth in vayne about In theyr mad festes.
1509: The Druids have festivals.
1565 A. Golding tr. Cæsar Martiall Exploytes in Gallia vi. f. 155,
The Druides are occupied about holy things: they haue the dooing of publicke and priuate sacrifices, and do interprete and discusse matters of Religion.
1565: The Druids have public and private sacrifices.
1577 W. Harrison Hist. Descr. Islande Brit. i. viii. f. 7 b/2, in R. Holinshed Chron. I,
Places where the Druiysh religion was frequented.
1577: The Druids have places of religion.
1598 R. Barckley Disc. Felicitie of Man iii. 162
A woman..that was a Southsayer, of them which were called Druides.
1602 Hist. Eng. in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) II. 439
The Druyds, lifting up their hands towards heaven, filled the air with cries and curses.
1602: Druids cry to heaven for revenge.
1670 Milton Hist. Brit. ii. 34
If lastly the Druid learning honour'd so much among them, were at first taught them out of Britain.
Learning was honored.
1678 T. Jones Of Heart & Soveraign 542
The Druidean philosophy.
There is a Druidean philosphy.
1685 E. Stillingfleet Origines Britannicæ ii. 78
The last Age hath discovered a famous Urn of one Chyndonax, Chief of the Druids.
1685: The Druids have a leader.
1715 M. Davies Εἰκων Μικρο-βιβλικὴ 287
Fabulous Legends and Poetick Druidisms.
1715: The Druids have legends.
1723 H. Rowlands Mona Antiqua Restaurata ii. 235
The Druidish Discipline in Gallia.
1723 H. Rowlands Mona Antiqua Restaurata ii. 270
We date and fix the Original of Druidism about the Time of Abraham.
By 1723, the Druids are dated to the time of Abraham.
1728 E. Young Love of Fame iii, in Wks. (1757) I. 101
Like an old Druid from his hollow oak.
1755 T. Amory Mem. Ladies 208
Caesar..conversed here with the Dryades, and Magistri Sapientiae, the Druidesses and Druids.
In 1755, we learn Caesar conversed with the Druids.
1755 W. Cooke (title) An Inquiry into the Patriarchal and Druidical Religion, Temples, etc.
1769 T. Pennant Brit. Zool. (new ed.) III. iii. 23
Our modern Druidesses give much the same account of the ovum anguinum.
1773 Gentleman's Mag. 43 230
The remains of a stone tower, which I apprehend to be a Druidic work.
1773: Stone towers are assumed to be Druidic.
1776 J. Wesley Jrnl. 1 Sept.,
Druid altars of enormous size.
1776: Druids have altars.
1777 T. Warton Poems 17
Here Poesy..In druid songs her solemn spirit breath'd.
1782 W. Cowper Table Talk in Poems 503
Every hallowed druid was a bard.
1803 W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. 1 261
The druidic or rather bardic order, among the Cimbri, was very literate.
1803: The Druids were literate.
1813 Scott Bridal of Triermain iii. xxxv. 188
Of merry England she, in dress Like ancient British druidess.
1827 G. Higgins Celtic Druids 286
The Druidesses are represented to have acted like furie
1842 J. C. Prichard Nat. Hist. Man 191
Circles of upright stones, like those which in Europe are termed Druidical.
1842: Stone circles are attributed to the Druids.
1848 E. Bulwer-Lytton Harold I. i. i. 5
Grey Druid stones..gleaming through the dawn.
1861 Ecclesiologist 23 279
Curious beads of coloured glass commonly called ‘Druids' beads’.
1868 ‘Holme Lee’ Basil Godfrey i. 4
The spring festival of Druidry.
1868: The Druids have a spring festival.
1871 J. Phillips Geol. Oxf. xvii. 446
In this way perhaps we may account for the ‘Druid’ sandstones, or ‘Grey Weathers’, or ‘Sarsen stones’ which lie in such abundance about Ashdown..and between Marlborough and Avebury.
1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz in La Saisiaz & Two Poets of Croisic 16
‘Scraps of Druidic lore’, Sigh scholars.
1879 F. W. Farrar Life & Work St. Paul I. vi. xxiv. 472
They [sc. Galatians] had brought with them into Asia their old Druidism.
1879 J. Lubbock Sci. Lect. v. 167
Avebury, the most magnificent of Druidical remains.
1892 S. R. Gardiner Student's Hist. Eng. 14
In Mona was a sacred place of the Druids.
The following is a summary of what we have learned of the Druids:
1509: The Druids have festivals.
1565: The Druids have public and private sacrifices.
1577: The Druids have places of religion.
1602: Druids cry to heaven for revenge.
1685: The Druids have a leader.
1715: The Druids have legends.
By 1723, the Druids are dated to the time of Abraham.
In 1755, we learn Caesar conversed with the Druids.
1773: Stone towers are assumed to be Druidic.
1776: Druids have altars.
1803: The Druids were literate.
1842: Stone circles are attributed to the Druids.
1868: The Druids have a spring festival.
Unfortunately, from the above information there are no distinguishing characteristics of the Druids that allow us to differentiate them from any ancient civilization, other than they existed in the British Islands. While we understand that the English language has little to no contact with Africa or Eastern Europe until the 16 and 17th centuries, we are unforgiving for the language having no references to an allegedly domestic people until 16th century. The recent reference to Druids (1509) and the modern introduction of their festival of Samhain (1888) lead us to conclude that neither touch upon reality.
Therefore, based upon the dates and details provided by the Oxford English Dictionary, we conclude that Halloween has always been a holiday for the departed in the western Church, while the Greek Church commemorates the deceased on the Sunday following Pascha.