Reversal ritual
festivity in which the roles of the different groups in a community are exchanged
boy bishop
widespread medieval custom in which a boy was chosen, for example among cathedral choristers, to parody the real bishop, commonly on the feast of Holy Innocents, a custom linked with others, such as that of the Feast of Fools and the Feast of Asses
Carnival
festive season which occurs immediately before Lent
Feast of Fools
Medieval European feast day
Saturnalia
ancient Roman festival in December