"Martin of Umbria was a bishop of Rome who was martyred during the seventh century. During his final imprisonment, he diligently kept the fasts of Advent, though he was already dying of hunger. Traditionally, Christians have recalled his faithfulness on November 11 by enjoying the last great feast of the season--in England a dinner of beef is consumed while in German roast goose is served. New wine is uncasked. Good children receive gifts of fruit and nuts--while naughty children receive little more than sticks, stones, and ashes."
I hadn't read this before I took something out for dinner; how appropriate I chose beef!
This is also the origin of the saying "As fat as a Martinmas goose."
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