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Boxing Day: Middle Ages
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It is thought the Boxing Day was first observed in the Middle Ages. It found renewed popularity in the 19th Century when the lords and ladies of England presented gifts in boxes to their servants on 26 December in appreciation of the work they had done over the Christmas celebrations.
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Boxing Day is a traditional celebration dating back to the Middle Ages, of which the primary practice is the giving of gifts to employees or to people in a lower social class. The name has numerous folk etymologies[3].
Despite its name, Boxing Day has nothing to do with boxing the sport. Some say it is the day for people to return unwanted Christmas presents but even this has no basis in the truth. The fact is that the name goes back to medieval times (more than 800 years ago). Traditionally, poor boxes were placed at the back of every church to collect money for the poor. It is on this day that, at every English church, these boxes are opened and the contents given out to the poor.
What is Boxing Day? Despite its name, Boxing Day, which is celebrated on December 26 in Great Britain, has nothing to do with pugilistic competition. Nor is it a day for people to return unwanted Christmas presents. While the exact origins of the holiday are obscure, it is likely that Boxing Day began in England during the Middle Ages.
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Boxing Day originated in England in the middle of the nineteenth century under Queen Victoria. December 26th became a holiday as boxes were filled with gifts and money for servants and tradespeople.
On Boxing Day in the Middle Ages, the Lord of the Manor gave boxes of tools, money and other things his serfs needed to do their work in his lands. Today, boxes of clothing and food items are given to the needy.
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