Twelfth Night History: Feast of Fools

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Twelfth Night is part of the end of the year festivities of the British Isles and France. Celebrations began in the fifth century when French and English churches created The Feast of Fools. Temporary Bishops and Archbishops of Fools play-acted, reveled, and created mischief. By the 15th century it was banned from church by the French government due to lewd behavior. A new street festival was created and a temporary king for the season called a Prince des Sots was elected. The king was known as The Lord of Misrule in England, and in Scotland he was called The Abbot of Unreason. The king began his reign on Halloween and reigned for three months. (1, 3)