looking to abolish feast-days as well as thefeast that came with it, because they considered the saints that were celebrated duringthese festivals as remnants of a pre-Christian era. Many of these Protestant reformerswere equally radical in their attacks on holy images, which they considered 'idols'. Duringthe end of the 16th and the first half of the 17th century Dutch churches were pillaged byProtestants trying to destroy all religious relics and images (de Beeldenstorm). Catholicreformers were more modified in their actions; they tried to reach a certain modificationof popular religious culture, even trying to adapt certain elements to the Catholic way ofworshipping and incorporating popular elements into their religion. They insisted thatsome times were holier than others, and they did object to the extend to which the holydays were celebrated with food and drink. Some argued that it was impossible to obey therites of Lent with proper reverence and devotion if they had indulged in Carnival justbefore. Catholic reformers also installed rules in order to regulate certain popularfestivals and rituals, such as a prohibition on dressing up as a member of the clergyduring Carnival or a prohibition on dancing or performing plays in churches orchurchyards. Contrary to the Protestant reformers however, the Catholic reformers didnot set out to abolish festivals and rituals completely.Civil authorities had their own reasons to object to popular festivals in Early ModernEurope. Apart from taking the people away from work or other obligations, theauthorities feared that during the time of a festival, the abundance of alcohol could stir upthe feelings of discontent the people had been hiding all throughout the year. Misery andalcohol could create a dangerous mix that would give people the courage they needed torebel against authorities. This was a good reason for the authorities to try and stop, or atleast control, popular festivals.Bibliography...
