As we prepare to mark the start of Lent with pancake parties, races and fillings, this short article explores the origins of the day.

Article extract

Our name for it has its origins from the term Shrive – to confess our sins. So traditionally, it’s a day when we bring our wrongdoings to God and ask him to forgive us.

During Lent, we once were forbidden to eat certain foods, something that has now become a voluntary act of abstinence. Back then, the list of banned foods included dairy products including eggs and butter, hence them being turned into pancakes. Other contents of the cupboard would be used as fillings.

Originally uploaded for February 2009. This is a straight reprint. Word document.

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