Friday 17 February 2012

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent, a Christian festival leading up to Easter Sunday.

This is the last chance to use up foods that aren't allowed in Lent, (a period of abstinence) such as butter and eggs, which are among the ingredients of pancakes.

Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, so the date varies from year to year, this year it is Tuesday 21 February.

The word Shrove comes from the old verb "shrive" meaning to confess. In the Middle Ages, people used to confess their sins and obtain forgiveness on Shrove Tuesday.

No comments: