Levee (event)
Encyclopedia
The levée is a New Year's Day
social event hosted by the Governor General of Canada
, the lieutenant governors
, military establishments, municipalities and other institutions.
raise") originated in the Levée du Soleil
(Rising of the Sun)
of King Louis XIV (1643–1715). It was his custom to receive
his male subjects in his bedchamber just after arising, a practice
that subsequently spread throughout Europe.
In the 18th century the levée in Great Britain and Ireland became a
formal court reception given by the sovereign or his/her
representative in the forenoon or early afternoon. In the New World
colonies the levée was held by the governor acting on behalf of the
monarch. Only men were received at these events.
It was in Canada that the levée became associated with New Year's
Day. The fur traders had the tradition of paying their respects to
the master of the fort (their government representative) on New
Year's Day. This custom was adopted by the governor general and
lieutenant governors for their levées.
The first recorded levée in Canada was held on January 1, 1646, in
the Chateau St. Louis by Charles Huault de Montmagny, Governor of
New France
from 1636 to 1648. In addition to wishing
a happy new year to the citizens the governor informed guests of
significant events in France as well as the state of affairs within
the colony. In turn, the settlers were expected to renew their pledges
of allegiance to the Crown.
The levée tradition was continued by British colonial governors in
Canada and subsequently by both the governor general and
lieutenant governors. It continues to the present day.
As mentioned, the levée was historically a male preserve but during
World War II
levées were attended by female officers of the
armed forces
. Since then levées have been
open to both women and men.
Today, levées are the receptions (usually, but not necessarily, on New
Year's Day) held by the governor general, the lieutenant governors of
the provinces, the military and others, to mark the start of another
year and to provide an opportunity for the public to pay their respects.
Most levées may be attended by any citizen, including children.
Attending the lieutenant governor's levée is an annual ritual for some families.
Today the levée has evolved from the earlier, more boisterous party
into a more sedate and informal one. It is an occasion to call upon
representatives of the monarch, military and municipal governments and to
exchange New Year's greetings and best wishes for the new year, to
renew old acquaintances and to meet new friends. It is also an opportunity
to reflect upon the events of the past year and to welcome the
opportunities of the New Year.
Today however, the province of Prince Edward Island has maintained a more historical approach to celebrating levée day. All Legions and bars are opened on the island, on New Year's Day offering moosemilk (egg nog and rum), from the early morning until the late night. Though there are still the formal receptions held at Government House and Province House, levée day is not only a formal event. It is something that attracts a large amount of Islanders (and all Islanders know what a levée is), which is quite unusual in comparison to the other provinces where it has gradually become more subdued. Prince Edward Island levées begin at 9 a.m. at Charlottetown's most popular café, Timothy's World Coffee.
The historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
(the first capital of Upper Canada
) holds a levée complete with firing of a cannon at Navy Hall (a historic building close to Fort George
) The levée is well attended by townspeople and visitors. Toasts are made to the queen, "our beloved Canada", the Canadian Armed Forces
, veterans, "our fallen comrades", as well as "our American friends and neighbours" (this final toast would not have been made two centuries ago, when the town was founded). Greetings are brought from all levels of government and it is a great community event.
In colonial times, when the formalities of the levée had been completed, guests were treated to wine and cheeses from the homeland. Wines did not travel well during the long ocean voyage to Canada. To make the cloudy and somewhat sour wine more palatable it was heated with alcohol and spices. The concoction came to be known as le sang du caribou ("reindeer blood").
Under British colonial rule the wine in le sang du caribou was replaced with whisky (which travelled better). This was then mixed with goat's milk and flavoured with nutmeg and cinnamon to produce an Anglicized version called "moose milk". Today's versions of moose milk, in addition to whisky (or rum) and spices may use a combination of eggnog and ice cream, as well as other alcoholic supplements. The exact recipes used by specific groups may be jealously guarded secrets.
q.v. External links.
Refreshments were clearly an important element in the New Year's festivities. A report of the New Year's levée held in Brandon House in Manitoba
in 1797 indicated that "... in the morning the Canadians (men of the North West Company
) make the House and Yard ring with saluting (the firing of rifles). The House then filled with them when they all got a dram each." Simpson
's Athabasca Journal reports that on January 1, 1821, "the Festivities of the New Year commenced at four o'clock this morning when the people honoured me with a salute of fire arms, and in half an hour afterwards the whole Inmates of our Garrison assembled in the hall dressed out in their best clothes, and were regaled in a suitable manner with a few flaggon's Rum and some Cakes. A full allowance of Buffaloe meat was served out to them and a pint of spirits for each man."
When residents called upon the governor to pay their respects they expected a party. In 1856 on Vancouver Island
, there was "an almighty row" when the colonial governor's levée was not to the attendees' liking.
as one of the activities associated with New Year's Day. Military commanders garrisoned throughout Canada held local levées since, as commissioned officers, they were expected to act on behalf of the Crown on such occasions.
On Vancouver Island
(the base for the Royal Navy's Pacific Fleet), levées began in the 1840s.
Today, members of the various Canadian Forces units and headquarters
across Canada receive and greet visiting military and civilian guests
on the first day of the new year.
In military messes, refreshments take a variety of forms: moose milk
(with rum often substituted for whisky); the special flaming punch
of the Royal Canadian Hussars of Montreal; the Atholl Brose
of the Seaforth Highlanders of Vancouver; "Little Black Devils", (Dark Rum and Creme de menthe) of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.
development in Neal Stephenson
's Baroque Cycle trilogy.
New Year's Day
New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome...
social event hosted by the Governor General of Canada
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
, the lieutenant governors
Lieutenant Governor (Canada)
In Canada, a lieutenant governor is the viceregal representative in a provincial jurisdiction of the Canadian monarch and head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, who resides predominantly in her oldest realm, the United Kingdom...
, military establishments, municipalities and other institutions.
History
The word levée (from French, originally fem. pp. of lever "toraise") originated in the Levée du Soleil
Levée (ceremony)
Lever , adopted in English as levée—initially the simple act of getting up in the morning—has traditionally been a daily moment of intimacy and accessibility to a monarch or leader...
(Rising of the Sun)
of King Louis XIV (1643–1715). It was his custom to receive
his male subjects in his bedchamber just after arising, a practice
that subsequently spread throughout Europe.
In the 18th century the levée in Great Britain and Ireland became a
formal court reception given by the sovereign or his/her
representative in the forenoon or early afternoon. In the New World
colonies the levée was held by the governor acting on behalf of the
monarch. Only men were received at these events.
It was in Canada that the levée became associated with New Year's
Day. The fur traders had the tradition of paying their respects to
the master of the fort (their government representative) on New
Year's Day. This custom was adopted by the governor general and
lieutenant governors for their levées.
The first recorded levée in Canada was held on January 1, 1646, in
the Chateau St. Louis by Charles Huault de Montmagny, Governor of
New France
New France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
from 1636 to 1648. In addition to wishing
a happy new year to the citizens the governor informed guests of
significant events in France as well as the state of affairs within
the colony. In turn, the settlers were expected to renew their pledges
of allegiance to the Crown.
The levée tradition was continued by British colonial governors in
Canada and subsequently by both the governor general and
lieutenant governors. It continues to the present day.
As mentioned, the levée was historically a male preserve but during
World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
levées were attended by female officers of the
armed forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
. Since then levées have been
open to both women and men.
Present day
Over the years the levée has become almost solely a Canadian observance.Today, levées are the receptions (usually, but not necessarily, on New
Year's Day) held by the governor general, the lieutenant governors of
the provinces, the military and others, to mark the start of another
year and to provide an opportunity for the public to pay their respects.
Most levées may be attended by any citizen, including children.
Attending the lieutenant governor's levée is an annual ritual for some families.
Today the levée has evolved from the earlier, more boisterous party
into a more sedate and informal one. It is an occasion to call upon
representatives of the monarch, military and municipal governments and to
exchange New Year's greetings and best wishes for the new year, to
renew old acquaintances and to meet new friends. It is also an opportunity
to reflect upon the events of the past year and to welcome the
opportunities of the New Year.
Today however, the province of Prince Edward Island has maintained a more historical approach to celebrating levée day. All Legions and bars are opened on the island, on New Year's Day offering moosemilk (egg nog and rum), from the early morning until the late night. Though there are still the formal receptions held at Government House and Province House, levée day is not only a formal event. It is something that attracts a large amount of Islanders (and all Islanders know what a levée is), which is quite unusual in comparison to the other provinces where it has gradually become more subdued. Prince Edward Island levées begin at 9 a.m. at Charlottetown's most popular café, Timothy's World Coffee.
The historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a Canadian town located in Southern Ontario where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario in the Niagara Region of the southern part of the province of Ontario. It is located across the Niagara river from Youngstown, New York, USA...
(the first capital of Upper Canada
Upper Canada
The Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...
) holds a levée complete with firing of a cannon at Navy Hall (a historic building close to Fort George
Fort George, Ontario
Fort George National Historic Site is a historic military structure at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, that was the scene of several battles during the War of 1812...
) The levée is well attended by townspeople and visitors. Toasts are made to the queen, "our beloved Canada", the Canadian Armed Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
, veterans, "our fallen comrades", as well as "our American friends and neighbours" (this final toast would not have been made two centuries ago, when the town was founded). Greetings are brought from all levels of government and it is a great community event.
Refreshments
As has the levée itself, refreshments served at levées have undergone changes (both in importance and variety) over the years.In colonial times, when the formalities of the levée had been completed, guests were treated to wine and cheeses from the homeland. Wines did not travel well during the long ocean voyage to Canada. To make the cloudy and somewhat sour wine more palatable it was heated with alcohol and spices. The concoction came to be known as le sang du caribou ("reindeer blood").
Under British colonial rule the wine in le sang du caribou was replaced with whisky (which travelled better). This was then mixed with goat's milk and flavoured with nutmeg and cinnamon to produce an Anglicized version called "moose milk". Today's versions of moose milk, in addition to whisky (or rum) and spices may use a combination of eggnog and ice cream, as well as other alcoholic supplements. The exact recipes used by specific groups may be jealously guarded secrets.
q.v. External links.
Refreshments were clearly an important element in the New Year's festivities. A report of the New Year's levée held in Brandon House in Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
in 1797 indicated that "... in the morning the Canadians (men of the North West Company
North West Company
The North West Company was a fur trading business headquartered in Montreal from 1779 to 1821. It competed with increasing success against the Hudson's Bay Company in what was to become Western Canada...
) make the House and Yard ring with saluting (the firing of rifles). The House then filled with them when they all got a dram each." Simpson
George Simpson (administrator)
Sir George Simpson was a Scots-Quebecer and employee of the Hudson's Bay Company . His title was Governor-in-Chief of Rupert's Land and administrator over the Northwest Territories and Columbia Department in British North America from 1821 to 1860.-Early years:George Simpson was born in Dingwall,...
's Athabasca Journal reports that on January 1, 1821, "the Festivities of the New Year commenced at four o'clock this morning when the people honoured me with a salute of fire arms, and in half an hour afterwards the whole Inmates of our Garrison assembled in the hall dressed out in their best clothes, and were regaled in a suitable manner with a few flaggon's Rum and some Cakes. A full allowance of Buffaloe meat was served out to them and a pint of spirits for each man."
When residents called upon the governor to pay their respects they expected a party. In 1856 on Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
, there was "an almighty row" when the colonial governor's levée was not to the attendees' liking.
Municipalities with levées
- Brampton, OntarioBrampton, OntarioBrampton is the third-largest city in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada and the seat of Peel Region. As of the 2006 census, Brampton's population stood at 433,806, making it the 11th largest city in Canada. It is also one of Canada's fastest growing municipalities, with an average...
- Brockville, OntarioBrockville, OntarioBrockville is a city in Eastern Ontario, Canada, in the Thousand Islands region. Though it serves as the seat of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, Brockville is politically independent and is grouped with Leeds and Grenville for census purposes only.Known as the "City of the 1000...
- Cobourg, OntarioCobourg, OntarioCobourg is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in Southern Ontario 95 km east of Toronto. It is the largest town in Northumberland County. Its nearest neighbour is Port Hope, to the west. It is located along Highway 401 and the former Highway 2...
- Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
- Dieppe, New BrunswickDieppe, New BrunswickDieppe is a Canadian city in Westmorland County, New Brunswick.-Geography:Dieppe is located on the Petitcodiac River east of the adjacent city of Moncton...
- Edmonton, Alberta
- Esquimalt, British ColumbiaEsquimalt, British ColumbiaThe Township of Esquimalt is a municipality at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. It is bordered to the east by the provincial capital, Victoria, to the south by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, to the west by Esquimalt Harbour and Royal Roads, to the northwest by the...
- Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Hamilton, OntarioHamilton, OntarioHamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
- Kingston, OntarioKingston, OntarioKingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
- Kitchener, OntarioKitchener, OntarioThe City of Kitchener is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. It was the Town of Berlin from 1854 until 1912 and the City of Berlin from 1912 until 1916. The city had a population of 204,668 in the Canada 2006 Census...
- Langford, British ColumbiaLangford, British ColumbiaLangford is a city of 22,459 residents on southern Vancouver Island, within the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is considered one of Greater Victoria's Western Communities...
- Medicine Hat, AlbertaMedicine Hat, AlbertaMedicine Hat, known to locals as "The Hat", is a city of 61,097 people located in the southeastern part of the province of Alberta, Canada. It is enclaved within Cypress County along with the nearby Town of Redcliff, although neither is part of the county....
- Milton, Ontario
- Mississauga, OntarioMississauga, OntarioMississauga is a city in Southern Ontario located in the Regional Municipality of Peel, and in the western part of the Greater Toronto Area. With an estimated population of 734,000, it is Canada's sixth-most populous municipality, and has almost doubled in population in each of the last two decades...
- Moncton, New BrunswickMoncton, New BrunswickMoncton is a Canadian city, located in Westmorland County, New Brunswick. The city is situated in southeastern New Brunswick, within the Petitcodiac River Valley, and lies at the geographic centre of the Maritime Provinces...
- Niagara-on-the-Lake, OntarioNiagara-on-the-Lake, OntarioNiagara-on-the-Lake is a Canadian town located in Southern Ontario where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario in the Niagara Region of the southern part of the province of Ontario. It is located across the Niagara river from Youngstown, New York, USA...
- North Saanich, British ColumbiaNorth Saanich, British ColumbiaNorth Saanich is located on the Saanich Peninsula, approximately 25 km north of Victoria, British Columbia on southern Vancouver Island...
- Oak Bay, British ColumbiaOak Bay, British ColumbiaOak Bay is a municipality located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, in the Canadian Province of British Columbia, Canada. A member municipality of the Capital Regional District, it is a community east of and adjacent to the City of Victoria...
- Oakville, OntarioOakville, OntarioOakville is a town in Halton Region, on Lake Ontario in Southern Ontario, Canada, and is part of the Greater Toronto Area. As of the 2006 census the population was 165,613.-History:In 1793, Dundas Street was surveyed for a military road...
- Oshawa, OntarioOshawa, OntarioOshawa is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the Lake Ontario shoreline. It lies in Southern Ontario approximately 60 kilometres east of downtown Toronto. It is commonly viewed as the eastern anchor of both the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe. It is now commonly referred to as the most...
- Owen Sound, OntarioOwen Sound, OntarioOwen Sound , the county seat of Grey County, is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada...
- Redwater, AlbertaRedwater, AlbertaRedwater is a town in northern Alberta, Canada. It is located north of Edmonton on Highway 38, in Sturgeon County. Its population, as of 2006, was 2,192.Redwater is placed in the federal riding of Westlock—St...
- Rivers, ManitobaRivers, ManitobaRivers is a town in the Canadian province of Manitoba located 40 kilometres northwest of Brandon. Rivers had a population of 1,193 people in the 2006 census. Rivers was named in 1908 after Sir Charles Rivers Wilson, Chairman of the Board of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway...
- Riverview, New BrunswickRiverview, New BrunswickRiverview is a Canadian town in Albert County, New Brunswick, Canada.Riverview is located on the south side of the Petitcodiac River, across from the cities of Moncton and Dieppe. Riverview has an area of , and a population density of...
- Saanich, British ColumbiaSaanich, British ColumbiaThe District of Saanich is a municipality on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. It is located north of the provincial capital, Victoria. It has a population of 108,265 people, making it the most populous municipality on Vancouver Island, and the seventh most populous in the province...
- Shelburne, Nova ScotiaShelburne, Nova ScotiaShelburne is a town located in southwestern Nova Scotia, Canada. It is the shire town of Shelburne County.-History:-Settlers:...
- St. Catharines, OntarioSt. Catharines, OntarioSt. Catharines is the largest city in Canada's Niagara Region and the sixth largest urban area in Ontario, Canada, with 97.11 square kilometres of land...
- Summerside, Prince Edward IslandSummerside, Prince Edward IslandSummerside is a Canadian city in Prince County, Prince Edward Island. It is the second largest city in the province and the principal municipality for the western part of the island.- History :...
- Toronto, Ontario
- Victoria, British ColumbiaVictoria, British ColumbiaVictoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
- Windsor, OntarioWindsor, OntarioWindsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Woodstock, New BrunswickWoodstock, New BrunswickWoodstock is a Canadian town in Carleton County, New Brunswick located on the west bank of the Saint John River at the mouth of the Meduxnekeag River, 92 km west of Fredericton and close to the Canada – United States border and Houlton, Maine.- History :Woodstock was settled by Loyalists...
- Yarmouth, Nova ScotiaYarmouth, Nova ScotiaYarmouth is a town and fishing port located on the Gulf of Maine in rural southwestern Nova Scotia, Canada. It is the shire town of Yarmouth County. The town is located in the heart of the world's largest lobster fishing grounds and has Canada's highest lobster catch.- History :The townsite may...
Military levées
The levée has a long tradition in the Canadian ForcesCanadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
as one of the activities associated with New Year's Day. Military commanders garrisoned throughout Canada held local levées since, as commissioned officers, they were expected to act on behalf of the Crown on such occasions.
On Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
(the base for the Royal Navy's Pacific Fleet), levées began in the 1840s.
Today, members of the various Canadian Forces units and headquarters
across Canada receive and greet visiting military and civilian guests
on the first day of the new year.
In military messes, refreshments take a variety of forms: moose milk
(with rum often substituted for whisky); the special flaming punch
of the Royal Canadian Hussars of Montreal; the Atholl Brose
of the Seaforth Highlanders of Vancouver; "Little Black Devils", (Dark Rum and Creme de menthe) of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles.
Fictional references
In literary fiction, levées form an important background to plotdevelopment in Neal Stephenson
Neal Stephenson
Neal Town Stephenson is an American writer known for his works of speculative fiction.Difficult to categorize, his novels have been variously referred to as science fiction, historical fiction, cyberpunk, and postcyberpunk...
's Baroque Cycle trilogy.
External links
- Roberts, J. Michael: New Year's Day Levée, 1997.
- Google Search for "Canada New Year's Day Levée
- Moose Milk Recipes at Cooks.com
- Levee in Hamilton, Ontario