Why was Christmas banned in 17th century England?
From approximately 1647 to 1660, during the rule of Oliver Cromwell, the celebration of Christmas was banned in Great Britain. For a time, shops actually were ordered to remain open on the holiday. Even the consumption of mince meat pie was outlawed! Cromwell became ruler after the execution of King Charles I, eventually taking the title of Lord Protector. Cromwell and his faction in Parliament, called the Godly party, were Puritan Protestants who challenged many of the practices of the Roman Catholic faith. The boistrous celebration of Christmas common at the time affronted Puritan sensibilities, who preached a more reserved and staid life. While the Christmas ban remained on the books until the restoration of the monarchy by Charles II in 1660, it was difficult to enforce and some people continued to celebrate Christmas when no one was looking.
