Advent calendars...medieval themed...

It is surprising how much one learns in the course of writing historical novels. Religion is the main topic that arises with such frequency. There are so many examples of trends, events and occasions that we now know under modern, social guises that have stemmed from religious days. Lady Day, for example, leading to what we now know as Mothering Sunday. Whitsun, Michaelmas, Trinity and All Saints (the festival not the band) being others.

And of course, the current period of Advent. A time we only now consider as being ripe for chocolate filled calendars and Christmas shopping, was an important element of the Catholic diary back in the height of the Middle Ages. It was during some research into this that I had an idea for marketing advent calendars as medieval items - perhaps with a knight coming out of a doorway for each day in the countdown to Christmas, to celebrate the origins of the period. Hey, perhaps even a Silver Knight. Jack Templeman could appear in different outfits, finally leading to his full plate armour on the 24th of December to signify the arrival of Christmas Eve...

Buggar, I've cheapened it already. Just think, a serious author of medieval fiction descending to purveying cheap tat. I have embarrassed myself - ignore me, please...