Lord of Misrule

1541

Recurring English Christmastide custom in which a peasant or subdeacon presided over the revels, inverting the household hierarchy for the season. The earliest firm year available is the custom's abolition by Henry VIII in 1541; Archbishop Grindal of York issued a further injunction in 1570 against 'anye lordes of misrule'. Outlawed again under the Puritans in the 17th century.