Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
I only have to see the words “Food Glorious Food” and I almost immediately start humming the tune from the musical “Oliver Twist”. The song is part of my childhood and of course the film and its songs were based on the novel by Charles Dickens. This particular song is sung from the point of view of the children in a workhouse for orphans where they are forced to work whilst being deprived of proper nutrition or even basic care whilst the orphanage administrators feast abundantly.
Dickens campaigned for social justice on behalf of the poor using his writing to expose Victorian poverty, child labour, the wretched housing and lack of education. His own childhood was impoverished and often miserable. His father was imprisoned for debt meaning his family kept having to move house and he was forced to leave school early and to work in a factory to earn money.
In many ways Charles Dickens was and is the man most responsible for the modern traditions with which we celebrate Christmas. Published in December 1843, the novel “A Christmas Carol” was an overnight success, and it re-shaped the idea of Christmas into the family-centric celebration that emphasises charity, generosity to those less fortunate and goodwill that we recognise today. Thanks to him, the phrase “Merry Christmas” has become enshrined in the modern lexicon whilst his detailed descriptions of a Christmas feast made goose, plum pudding and mince pies made them the Christmas staples they are today
His sympathy for the victims in society and life was inherent both in his cast of characters and the sweep of his stories. It is often forgotten that the 1840s was an era of economic depression where the spectre of famine lurked over England lending the era the name “the Hungry Forties”. In Ireland, a million people starved to death during the potato famine and there was widespread hunger and unrest all over Europe.
In “A Christmas Carol”, Ebenezer Scrooge faces the poverty of his employee Bob Cratchit’s family. When he is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Present, two children named Ignorance and Want are concealed beneath the spirit’s robes and for much of the book the most important currency is food.
At Highclere, Charles Dickens’s great grandson Gerald Dickens concluded our Christmas events with a one-man performance of “A Christmas Carol” - a magical evening not just because of the candlelit play, the food and champagne but because it defines Christmas and, in a way, rounds off the year. It is a truly magnificent evening and one I look forward to each year.
What is less well remembered though is that Christmas for Charles Dickens was a twelve-day celebration ending on Twelfth Night (Epiphany) January 6th, which coincidentally was also his son Charley’s birthday. Thus, he and his wife Catherine would hold elaborate Twelfth Night parties with huge cakes and numerous entertainments ranging from amateur dramatics, magic lantern shows Dickens himself would perform feats of conjuring, a skill at which he was fairly adept.
These revelries were clearly dear to Dickens' heart, and represented for him the best of Christmas, as described by Scrooge's irrepressibly cheerful nephew: "a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time”. He was an exceptional host who found the entire festive season an excuse to celebrate with friends, family, artists, and social reformers and his guest lists were diverse, including actors, artists like Clarkson Frederick Stanfield and Daniel Maclise, writers such as Wilkie Collins and Elizabeth Gaskell and radical politicians. The parties were known for their abundant food, drink, games and dancing and Dickens lived as he wrote, regarding such merriment as essential times for generosity, family and friendship.
Today in the UK, Epiphany has almost been forgotten as a celebration and New Year’s Eve as taken over as the signal for the end of the Christmas holiday period. By January 6th most people are back at work, and it is remembered largely as being the date by which Christmas decorations must be taken down and stored away for another year.
However, for all the gifts and frivolities at Christmas, there is nothing that matters so much as sitting down together and enjoying a proper feast and time out with friends, who may be on their own and, remembering to share.
38 Comments
This is a wonderful tribute to Dickens and his lasting impact on the meaning of Christmas! He inspired “Ghosts of Presidents Past - A Reckoning,” a historical fiction book.
A series of deceased U.S. presidents confront an outlier. Newsweek Magazine featured an article about the book the day of a final U.S. presidential debate. Happy New Year!
That is a title I will make note of and certainly read with interest! What a delightful way to express the feeling of many here, across the pond!!
That is a title I will make note of and certainly read with interest! What a delightful way to express the feeling of many here, across the pond!!
I bet watching Gerald Dickens perform was spectacular! A beautiful blog as always ❤️
Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for remembering Charles Dickens, an early progressive thinker! Remembering the story of “A Christmas Carol” is surely an update of the Christmas miracle. On this Fifth Day of Christmas, I hope Lord Carnarvon has presented you with the gifts of the Caro - Five golden rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree!
Hoping all your Christmases are happy,
Martha G
I hope our instagram post amused you !
Just read The Earl and the Pharaoh in preparation for our visit to Highclere
In March!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you
and your family.
Thank you !
How I appreciate today's blog. Especially your last paragraph. Sharing time and food with friends and those who are alone.
Lovely the pictures of Charles Dickens and ghosts of presidents past and Happy new year to you and lord caranvonand l lovely your year of highcelere castle it is a excellent book to read
Oh dear, and I thought I was done with Christmas! Now you've got us thinking to re-do our festivities at Epiphany--a very good idea!
Here, in the US, Epiphany is also forgotten. The 12 days of Christmas are celebrated before Christmas as a countdown to the big day. In my home, the tree stays up until Epiphany. As Lafy Mary would say, “we do it properly. “I have been to Highclere twice and thoroughly enjoyed both visits. I hope to return soon. Happy Epiphany!
Christmas does not end in our house until 6th January, I was always taught Christmas is celebrated until Twelfth Night. What a wonderful tribute to Charles Dickens and his famous A Christmas Carol, what a treat to have his descendant preforming it.
Greetings from Canada Lady Carnarvon! Thank you for your very interesting post about Charles Dickens.
I will mention your blog to my Book Club next week as we discuss our December book “Mr. Dickens and His Carol” by Samantha Silva.
Charles Dickens certainly had a very fascinating life and what a pleasure it must have been to meet his grandson, what amazing family stories he must have!
Thank you for this! It gives context to the story and the man.
Dickens...grande Anima. Grazie per il racconto.
Emiliano
Lovely the pictures of Charles dickens and ghosts of presidents past and l lovely book a year highcelere castle and happy new year to you and lord Carnarvon
One of the saddest parts of Christmas Carol
is the fact that Scrooge's Mother died
giving birth to him. His father who loved her dearly
Blamed Ebenezer, who looked like his mother, and
His father refused to ever see him again, that's
why he has to stay in school all holiday.and
Has never known love.
But love is there and he found it
Yes, love was the answer. A beautiful book. And if I may add, as an actor many people ask me why Shakespeare called his play
12th Night when it seemed to have no connection to the date. The truth is her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the First asked
Shakespeare to create a piece to be performed on 12th Night for the Queen's entertainment. It had no title, but we think the actors
probably called it the 12th Night show because that was when it would be performed, and as a comedy ideal for this night.
Our family celebrates the Twelve Days of Christmas each year. December 26th is St. Stephen's day and my husband of 55 years is Stephen 💕.
I ready your article with much interest and we will be sure to add Amateur Dramatics next year...my grandchildren will certainly enjoy entertaining us!
Happiest of New Year's! Perhaps in 2027 we will visit Highclere again. It is a long way from New Mexico and so very different & special.
Dear Lady Carnarvon
It sounds like a wonderful evening, I'm now humming Food Glorious food.
Wishing you and your family a very Happy and Healthy New Year.
Best wishes
Lorraine xx
Thank you for reminding us of Epiphany. It is too oft forgotten. Christmas should be celebrated all twelve days. Thanks for your very interesting and educational posts..
Thank you for reminding us of Epiphany. It is too oft forgotten. Christmas should be celebrated all twelve days. Thanks for your very interesting and educational posts..
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
Thank you for this Monday's timely holiday blog and the great photographs accompanying it.
You are so fortunate to have Mr. Gerald Dickens perform his great-grandfather's work at the Castle. Perhaps at some future date, he would consider coming to Holly, Michigan for its annual Dickens Festival.
So until next time, may you, Lord Carnarvon, and everyone at Highclere Castle have a Happy New Year.
Perpetua Crawford
P.S. With regard to the comment about mincemeat pie, I am the only person in my family/friend circle who enjoys eating the same (warm, with a whip cream topping)
God Bless Us Everyone!
Would absolutely love to be in the audience of Gerald's presentation of A Christmas Carol, my all-time favourite novel.
Details for 2026 would be much appreciated.
All the very finest to you & Lord Carnarvon in the New Year xx
Lovely pictures of Charles Dickens and he inspired “Ghosts of presidents past and lovely your book year of highcelere castle and happy new year
Lovely pictures of Charles Dickens and he inspired “Ghosts of presidents past and lovely your book year of highcelere castle and happy new year
This lovely portrayal of the Holiday season at Highclere takes me to a place of Wonder! Thank you for sharing! I wish I lived nearby to capture the essence of every season at Highclere. Looking forward to Highclere in 2026 through your writings and sharing.
In January of this year I saw a truly spectacular production of Lionel Bart's "Oliver!" (not to be confused with Mr. Dickens' although of course the one inspired the other). Seeing such a first rate production in London itself was one of the most memorable theatergoing experiences of my life, so much so that I am going to see it again next week when once again I will be in London. I'll only be there one night, and I felt rather foolish, considering the abundance of riches to be found in London theater, choosing this "chestnut" for the second time, but I am not sorry one bit and can't wait for the curtain to go up and to hear "Food, Glorious Food" and all those other beautiful songs once again. Lionel Bart's story is quite sad, but this gift he left behind is a treasure that just keeps giving throughout the decades.
Thank you for the touching reminder of Christmas Spirit!
Love the Dan Stevens movie The Man who Invented Christmas, very
true to his life.
Dickens forever!
We watch "Scrooge" every Christmas, the wonderful black and white performance by
Alistair Sims......I weep everytime at the scene where his sister, Fan, visits him at his boarding school.....I just want him to leave with her.
Thank you for sharing, Lady Carnarvon, and a Happy New Year to you.
I celebrate my 60 birthday on Stephen day on 26
Lady Carnarvon,
what a beautiful writing on Charles Dickens and how he is so much a part of all of Christmases!!
May the New Year bring much health, happiness and prosperity to you and all those at Highclere. .
You are very kind
As a Catholic, the season ends on Epiphany, and in some families, presents are given on that day as well. The King cake tradition in Louisiana is interesting, in that the figurine of the Christ child is put iinto a King cake, and the person who finds it has to provide the nest one. It almost links Christmas to Lent. And some people leave the lights up until February 2nd, the Presentation of the Lord Jesus in the temple. As for Charles Dickens, a Christmas Carol it is such a classic. You are lucky to see it every year, especially with a mince pie.Have a good week. Lady Carnarvon.
Here in Louisiana, Epiphany is the beginning of the Carnival season, and best of all, it marks the beginning of King Cake season!
Carnival culminates in Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, the last date of indulgence before Lent.
https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/parades/
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
XOXO
Rona
Thank you for sharing this information about Charles dickens , and what a wonderful way to remember this remarkable man ! I like many others love the Scrooge film with Allister Sim in it, and the reminder it invokes upon us to remember our fellow man . I look forward to visiting Highclere this coming year in September ,one of the highlights of 2026 for us! Very happy New Years to you and your family
As an American living in Thailand, I see many Russian tourists celebrating their traditional Christmas on January 7th! That 13-day difference is explained by the introduction of the Gregorian Calendar, which shifted the dates due to an over-sight in the previous calendar not accounting for leap-years precisely. I like the idea of the Epiphany celebration, as this is also my mother's birthday - January 6th, the 12th day of Christmas! Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" will forever live in my memories of what it means to celebrate Christmas... may that spirit live in all of us throughout the year :)))
Thank you for opening my eyes to more english Christmas traditions and more information on Charles Dickens i think you are a very interesting person and I love reading. About highclere and it's history
Thank you for opening my eyes to more english Christmas traditions and more information on Charles Dickens i think you are a very interesting person and I love reading. About highclere and it's history
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Thanks very much for your most interesting and informative blog regarding Charles Dickens and Christmas traditions.
It does disappoint me these days when most people start to dispense with Christmas decorations etc as soon as the New year celebrations are over some of my neighbours even dispense with their Christmas tree as early as Boxing Day!! Christmas has got so commercial these days and starts earlier each year. It's very sad that Christmas traditions are disappearing. My 🌲 tree and decorations remains in position until the 12th night, it's the way my family did things and I shall continue the tradition. Happy, healthy and prosperous new year 🎊 to all.
What a delight! Thanks for sharing. Sadly most rush us through the Holidays and forget there are 12 days of Christmas.
You have inspired me to re-read the classics! I will be reading Dickens before Christmas 2026.
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You've peaked my husband's interest in visiting! What is the date of next year's reading by Mr Dickens?
The same tine 18/19 December
Thank you for sharing the date! Looking forward to the 2025 Dickens performance.
Dikens is always a part of our Christmas.