Whitsun

Wikipedia

Whitsun (Old English for "White Sunday") is the forty-ninth day (seventh Sunday) after Easter Sunday. In the Christian calendar, it is also known as Pentecost, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples.

It has that meaning in the following:

• Whitsun, a poem by Sylvia Plath
• The Whitsun Weddings, a poem by Philip Larkin in a collection of the same name.
• A Whitsun Ale (esp., English) is a county fair, with competitions, dancing (traditionally, morris dancing), music, and socialising, usually sponsored by a local pub or tavern.
• Dancing at Whitsun, a song by John Austin Marshall, recorded by Gordon Bok, Joan Baez and others. This song is set to the tune of The False Bride.

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Annotations

• N Jim Eikner on Wed 2 Jun 2004, 01:23pm

  Whitsuntide is the week of Pentecost, beginning 50 days after Easter on Whitsunday. “Whitsun” refers to the white robes worn by the newly baptised on Whitsunday. Whitsun Ales, fairs with plays and dancing, were popular during the week.

References in the diary

1661

May: 8
Jun: 1, 2

1662

Apr: 2, 7
May: 18

1663

Jan: 8
Jun: 7

1664

May: 29