The “Christmas Revels” of the London Inns of Court under Elizabeth I (1558–1603) Between parody and satire

In the sixteenth century London Inns of Court, annual celebrations marked the end of the year. Scholars have argued that they instructed the pupils in the practices of power. By presenting a review of both narratives and archival sources, this article demonstrates how these festivities were organized in service of the monarchy. In times of crisis, the Inns’ authorities sought to restrict the celebrations, transforming the parodic festivities into a satire of the institute itself.