Bible Dictionaries

1910 New Catholic Dictionary

Fools, Feast of

Celebration of the later Middle Ages which took place in many parts of Europe, particularly in France, and occurred near the feast of the Circumcision, January 1,. It marked the brief supremacy of those ordinarily in subordinate positions and was attended by great buffoonery and license, which probably originated in ancient pagan customs. It was forbidden under severe penalties by the Council of Basel, 1435.