She joined Mrs Jennings most heartily in her expectation of their being all comfortably together in Delaford Parsonage before Michaelmas.
Sense and Sensibility
Michaelmas is mentioned in almost all of Jane Austen’s novels (except Northanger Abbey) , and was a date in the year that everyone knew. Taking place at the end of Summer, and the harvest, it was beginning of the Autumn.
Jane used it as a marker for time, and uses it to give a deadline, and for pacing in her novels. Christmas holidays were long, and it seems that between Michaelmas the Christmas holidays, much would happen. This is why November is also a busy time that Jane uses to set deadlines.
Traditionally, there were four quarter days in the year, and Michaelmas was probably the most important. It was a day when rents were due, servants were hired, leases began, magistrates were elected, court sessions started, and students started their school terms.
The dates are also associated with seasons:
Lady Day – 25 March – Feast of the Annunciation, just after the Spring Equinox
Midsummer Day – 24 June – Feast of St John the Baptist, just after Summer Solstice
Michaelmas Day – 29 September – Feast of St Michael and All Angels, just after Autumn Equinox
Christmas Day – 25 December – Feast of the Nativity, just after the Winter Solstice.
St Michael is believed to be one of the main angelic warriors who fought against Satan and is often depicted with a sword, vanquishing a dragon that represents the Devil. He is regarded as a spiritual guardian against the dark of the night and considered a protector of the Church.
A legend says that the Devil was defeated by St Michael, and fell from the sky onto a blackberry bush, and defecated on the fruit as revenge. Children were warned not to pick and eat blackberries after Michaelmas (and they would probably be inedible anyway!).
According to custom, the harvest had to be finished by Michaelmas, and Geese, having hatched in the spring were let out to feed on the stubble in the fields. They were well fattened by Michaelmas, which became known as Goose Harvest, and traditionally the ‘Michaelmas Goose’ is roasted and eaten on that day.
Jane was visiting Edward and his family at Godmersham Park in Kent for Michaelmas, and was served Goose as she mentions in a letter to Cassandra. Portions were also given to the farm workers and to the poor.
Michaelmas in Jane Austen’s Novels
In Pride and Prejudice, Bingley’s lease at Netherfield Park starts at Michaelmas, and therefore, everyone suspects when he will be leaving though it is Mrs Bennet who confirms when he is arriving and asks when he is leaving!
He is to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week.
People did say, you meant to quit the place entirely at Michaelmas; but however, I hope it is not true.
In Mansfield Park, Henry Crawford wants Fanny to marry him quickly.
‘Mansfield, Sotherton, Thornton Lacey,’ he continued; ‘what a society will be comprised in those houses! And at Michaelmas, perhaps, a fourth may be added: some small hunting-box in the vicinity of everything so dear.’
In Emma, Harriet uses Michaelmas to convince others that she has known and been in love with Mr Elton for a good amount of time.
‘That Mr Elton should really be in love with me; -me of all people, who did not know him, to speak to him, at Michaelmas! And he, the very handsomest man that ever was, and a man that every body looks up to, quite like Mr Knightley!
Anne Elliot in Persuasion reflects on leaving Kellynch, when she has to go and stay with her sister Mary.
So passed the first three weeks. Michealmas came; and now Anne’s heart must be in Kellynch again. A beloved home made over to others; all the precious rooms and furniture, groves and prospects, beginning to own other eyes and other limbs! She could not think of much else on the 29th of September; and she had this sympathetic touch in the evening from Mary, who, on having occasion to note down the day of the month, exclaimed, “Dear me, is not the day the Crofts were to come to Kellynch? I am glad I did not think of it before. How low it makes me!
For more Michaelmas
Listen to the The Thing About Austen podcast to find out more about Michaelmas.
Read more about Michaelmas at the History Magazine
TAGS
Jane Austen, Jane Austen 250, Pride and Prejudice, Geese, Weddings, Godmersham Park, Edward Austen, St Michael and All Angels, Podcast, Michaelmas, Autumn, Fall, Oxford University, Netherfield.
If you can, please support the blog so I can keep writing for you..
If you have any requests for hi-res photographs, research questions or blog posts, please use the contact form. Thanks!
