Some authorities maintain that the month takes its name from Maia, the
mother of the god Hermes or Mercury; others claim that it comes from
Majores or Maiores, the Senate of the first constitution of Rome.
_WHITSUNTIDE._--Whitsuntide, which shares pride of place in the Church
Calendar with Christmas and Easter, is closely connected with the
Jewish feast of Pentecost, which became identified with one of the
great summer festivals of the pagan inhabitants of Western Europe, and
this idea is borne out by the fact that Whitsuntide has always been
the most popular festival period of the year.
It was commonly celebrated in all parts of the country by what was
termed Whitsun ale, which was usually consumed under the auspices of
the churchwardens in some barn near the church, when all assembled
agreed to be good friends for once in the year and spend the day in
"sober" joy.
The day was a prolonged picnic, for each parishioner brought what
victuals he could spare. The squire and his lady came with their pipe
and taborer, the young folk danced or played at bowls, and the old
looked on while they sipped their ale, which was brewed fairly strong
for the occasion and sold by the churchwardens for the repairs of the
church.
During the Middle Ages, Whitsun services were marked by some curious
customs, one of which was the letting down of a dove from the roof,
another the dropping of balls of fire, of rose leaves, and the like.
_THE MORRIS DANCES._--Whitsuntide was pre-eminently the time for the
performance of the Morris dances, which some suppose derive their
name from the Spanish Moriseo, a Moor, and the dance was originally
identified with the fandango. Others believed them to be connected
with one of the season's pagan observances prevalent amongst primitive
communities and associated in some mysterious manner with the
fertilization and slaughter of all living things.
Usually the Morris dances were only performed at special seasons once
or twice a year, and in some districts they were only indulged in at
Christmas. It is highly significant, and bears out the belief in the
religious origin of the movement, that the first of the Whitsuntide
dances in some villages was performed on the top of the tower of the
church. Lucky indeed were those who took part in these church-top
revels, for they were certain to be free of the devil's attentions for
some while to come.