Second Step, Saint Nicholas in Europe: From Triumphal Spread to Fragmentation (12th-16th Century) (last part)

After four centuries in Europe, Saint Nicholas triumphed and was already distributing gifts to children on December 6th. But in the heart of his domain, the Germanic lands, a thunderbolt was about to strike that would change his destiny: the Reformation. Unsurprisingly, the Reformation did not look favorably upon the popular veneration of this Catholic bishop and saint: away with Saint Nicholas and his donkey (which he was already riding)! As usual, popular beliefs and customs proved at least as tenacious as the zealous preachers. Saint Nicholas would respond in three different ways depending on the north/west/east divide: he would remain unchanged in eastern France, be partially replaced by the Christ Child (Christkindel) in Germany, and become the popular figure of Sinterklaas in the Netherlands. It is the latter that interests us because... he is about to take a wrong turn.

Text translated from french : Gilles Fumey

Image: LWL1989