THE celebration of Christmas for a full third of the year has long been an English tradition. But what many don’t realise is that for 13 years it wasn’t, because of mince pies.

Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector of England who came to power in the Civil War and played a key role in executing King Charles I, is also famous for banning Christmas. But this was not for religious reasons but because of a trip to the shops. From his writings:

“Felt hungry so popped out to Waite & Roses, an upmarket retailer certainly but I feel with fewer worms and less sawdust in their comestibles than rivals.

“But what I saw there chilled me to the very bone. Mince pies, on the shelves, with Michaelmas not yet past and the harvest festivals looming? Has the world tipped into unreason?

“Looking further I s

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