Revels, MASTER OF THE

Revels, MASTER OF THE, the name of an officer, also called 'Lord of Misrule,' formerly attached to royal and other distinguished houses. It was his function to preside over the amusements of the court, or of the nobleman to whose house he was attached, during the Christmas holidays. The universities of Oxford and Cambridge and the Inns of Court had also their Lord of Misrule. This officer became a permanent appendage to the English court in the reign of Henry VIII., and his duties included the keeping of the tents and pavilions which accompanied the sovereign on a royal progress, as also the keeping of the dresses and masks used in entertainments given at court, and the providing of new ones when required. In Queen Elizabeth's time the Mastership of the Revels was divided into several distinct offices. The office practically fell into desuetude about the end of the 17th century. See FOOLS (FEAST OF); and Chambers's Book of Days.