Yule: Difference between revisions

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Due to a peculiarity of the [[Shire Calendar]], the Yuledays always fell on the same days of the week. The last day of the year, 1 Yule, was always a [[Highday]] (Friday), while the first day of the following year, 2 Yule, was always a [[Sterday]] (Saturday).  
Due to a peculiarity of the [[Shire Calendar]], the Yuledays always fell on the same days of the week. The last day of the year, 1 Yule, was always a [[Highday]] (Friday), while the first day of the following year, 2 Yule, was always a [[Sterday]] (Saturday).  


The formal use of Yule in the Shire calendar cannot, by definition, predate the foundation of the Shire in [[Third Age|T.A.]] 1601. However, its appearance there represents a survival of an older tradition, and the name 'Yule' for a midwinter festival was known as far from the Shire as [[Rohan]] and [[Gondor]].
The formal use of Yule in the Shire calendar cannot, by definition, predate the foundation of the Shire in {{TA|1601}}. However, its appearance there represents a survival of an older tradition, and the name 'Yule' for a midwinter festival was known as far from the Shire as [[Rohan]] and [[Gondor]].
==Etymology==
Yule is a translation of a [[Hobbitish]] word, not occurring in [[Westron]].  


However it's possible that it derives from a form of [[Northern Mannish]] and later used in [[Rohirric]]. Since [[Gondorians]] of the [[Third Age]] were in part [[Northmen]], the word was recogniseable as a 'northern name' for the midwinter festival.<ref>{{HM|N}}</ref>


[[Category:Hobbit Calendar]]
[[Category:Hobbit Calendar]]

Revision as of 12:56, 14 October 2010

Two days in the calendars of the Hobbits that marked the end of one year, and the beginning of the next. On a modern calendar, they fell on the 21 and 22 December3. Around them, the six-day festival of Yuletide was held, running from 29 Foreyule to 2 Afteryule.

Due to a peculiarity of the Shire Calendar, the Yuledays always fell on the same days of the week. The last day of the year, 1 Yule, was always a Highday (Friday), while the first day of the following year, 2 Yule, was always a Sterday (Saturday).

The formal use of Yule in the Shire calendar cannot, by definition, predate the foundation of the Shire in T.A. 1601. However, its appearance there represents a survival of an older tradition, and the name 'Yule' for a midwinter festival was known as far from the Shire as Rohan and Gondor.

Etymology

Yule is a translation of a Hobbitish word, not occurring in Westron.

However it's possible that it derives from a form of Northern Mannish and later used in Rohirric. Since Gondorians of the Third Age were in part Northmen, the word was recogniseable as a 'northern name' for the midwinter festival.[1]