聖誕餡餅於英國內戰及共和時期(1642-1660)諷刺文本當中之呈現與政治議題

The Portrayal and Politics of Mince Pies in English Satirical Texts, 1642-1660

聖誕餡餅為英格蘭和愛爾蘭重要的聖誕傳統之一，從中世紀食譜書、莎劇到現代大眾文學，於英國文學文化留下不可磨滅的足跡。然而克倫威爾於十七世紀中期禁止聖誕餡餅的傳言，儘管歷史未曾證實，卻成為大眾長久的迷思。本文聚焦於1642年至1660年的文本及背景脈絡，探討兩個核心問題：(1)「克倫威爾禁止聖誕餡餅」傳言的意涵；(2)當時政治文獻如何呈現聖誕餡餅、賦予其政治象徵意義？本研究分析當時保皇黨和清教徒涉及聖誕餡餅的諷刺文本，特別是以下三部作品：《聖誕之父的審判、定罪與監禁》(1646)、〈天翻地覆〉(1646)和《聖誕餡餅禮讚》(1659)，探討十七世紀政治文本中的食物與文學文化和歷史之交會連結，為前現代英國研究學界提供深入新穎之解讀觀點。

Mince pies, a cherished Christmas tradition in England and Ireland since the twelfth century, have left an indelible mark on English literature, ranging from medieval recipe books to Shakespearean drama and modern popular culture. The enduring appeal of mince pies invites inquiries into their intertextual connections, sociocultural roles, and the evolving concept of values. One of the enduring myths surrounding mince pies is the alleged ban imposed by Oliver Cromwell during the mid-seventeenth century, which historical records do not substantiate.
Based on the above context, this paper delves into the complex legacy of this myth by examining the contextual and textual dimensions of mince pies between 1642 and 1660. Two core questions guide this investigation: (1) What lies behind the persistent myth of“Oliver Cromwell’s mince pie ban”? (2) How was the mince pie represented and perceived in the political writings of the period? Drawing from the tradition of verbal satires, pamphlets, and mock sermons that responded to the Long Parliament (1640-1660)’s ban on Christmas celebrations, I sought to analyze the satirical texts addressing mince pies (or“Christmas pyes”) penned by Royalist and Puritan authors, especially the following three works: The Arraignment, Conviction, and Imprisoning of Christmas (1646),“The World Is Turned Upside Down”(1646), and The Exaltation of Christmas Pye (1659). By means of (inter)textual and contextual analysis, this study aspires to contribute to the scholarship of Early Modern English studies by offering in-depth and fresh perspectives on the captivating intersection of culture, literature, and history relating to food in seventeenth-century English political writings.