The 15th-century origins of our favorite holiday musical tradition
In short: We often view carols as timeless fixtures of Christmas, yet their evolution into a distinct English vernacular was a specific historical flowering. From the violent skirmishes of medieval London to the parchment manuscripts of Oxford, the journey of the carol reveals a surprisingly complex literary lineage.
The 'great flowering' of carols in the English vernacular occurred during the first half of the 15th century. While modern listeners might associate these songs with purely religious devotion or festive cheer, their early history is rooted in the works of specific medieval figures. One such notable figure was John Audelay (often referred to as 'Ailing Audelay' by scholars), an Augustinian friar who lived during a period of significant cultural transition.
In 1417, Audelay witnessed a deadly fight within St Dunstan-in-the-East, a London church, during his eventful existence. This violent incident occurred during Easter Day worship and involved Audelay's patron, Lord Richard Lestrange. Despite such turmoil, Audelay produced a collection of writings that he compiled around 1426 while on his deathbed at Haughmond Abbey.
His work is notable for its specific dialect—the Middle English of North Staffordshire. Today, these early carols are preserved in the Bodleian Library in Oxford as part of the Douce 302 manuscript. This collection was amassed by Francis Douce, an antiquarian who spent years gathering thousands of books and hundreds of manuscripts. Of the fifty-five poems attributed to Audelay in this collection, twenty-five are specifically labeled as 'caroles.' These texts provide a direct link to the linguistic and musical roots of the carols we recognize today, showing how they transitioned from medieval poetry into a staple of the holiday season.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Origins of Christmas Carols - Jeremy Summerly
- Also: Medieval Carols
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