Be prepared for April 1, and no fooling after noon.
April the First, as some do say,
Is set aside for All Fools Day.
Why this really should be so
Nor I nor they themselves do know.
But on this day are people sent
On errands of pure merriment...
Actually, in spite of the rhyme I do know why.
The origins of All Fools Day are rather obscure, dating back to the Roman Saturnalia and Greek mythology. But the custom traces more recently to France, in 1564, when Charles IX changed the old Georgian calendar and moved New Year's Day to April 1. Confusion ensued.
April fell during the spring solstice in early Britain and was connected with the mystery plays, in which the fools throughout the ages have been given license for social satire. The fool of ritual, court and stage, whatever his type, is no fool. Some have been jesters; others, supernatural figures.
The heyday of the fool came after the Crusades. Sometimes a superior fool was permanently attached to a court. In the Middle Ages, buffoons would travel on foot or in style with their patrons. They could dance, turn cartwheels, juggle, sing and compose satirical verses, and generally get away with blue murder under the guise of humor-as evidenced by the Lord of Misrule.
Henry VIII had his own special fool who, records show, was paid one pound, three shillings and fourpence halfpenny. Henry's daughter, Mary, had her own personal female fool. Shakespeare put wise words in the mouths of fools in several of his plays, and on several occasions the Bard quotes the joys of April.
So it is quite natural that, with this background, the British, contrary to popular belief, developed a great sense of humor and satire-as witnessed by Gilbert and Sullivan, or Noël Coward, who satirized everything from the monarchy to William Morris and every sacred cow in between, but did it with such wit and humor that is was acceptable and popular.
Although it's not a national holiday in Britain, April Fool's Day is observed with a great deal of enthusiasm, especially in the public schools. There the headmaster receives many unsolicited visits from unsuspecting students bearing bogus messages, such as to call Mr. Lyon with a telephone number that turns out to be the zoological gardens.
And a variety of household utensils, including the one that goes under the bed, find their way to the top of the church steeple or chapel tower. Also, apprentices are sent to the local chandlers for a long wait (weight), which could extend for hours.
The Victorians, who spent their days being straitlaced and respectable, thoroughly enjoyed a bit of practical joking. The story goes that a number of London's high society received gilt-edged invitations to attend the ceremony of the washing of the White Lions at the Tower of London. The Tower Bridge was clogged with magnificent carriages and footmen bearing elegantly dressed ladies and gentleman on their way to the ceremony the morning of April 1.
Needless to say, Queen Victoria did not appear, and history doesn't tell us if she was amused. Nevertheless, they all ended up having a party on Tower Green. No wonder Britain has the reputation of having more eccentrics per square mile than anywhere else in the world. And being a true Anglophile, I've no objection to being added to the list.
So watch out for strange messages, and check the source before you run any errands. And do a little bit of good-natured fooling of your own: but remember, it only holds good until noon. After that, the joke's on you. TTFN.[[In-content Ad]]
