The term Michaelmas derives its name from the Feast of St Michael
and All Angels, which falls on 29 September. The term runs from September or
October to Christmas and is the only term name shared by Oxford and Cambridge.
It is used in the extended sense of autumn, used as the name of the first term
of the academic year, which begins at this time, at various educational institutions
in the United Kingdom and Ireland (typically those with lengthy history and
traditions).
The term is also the name of the first of four terms into which the legal year
is divided by the Courts of England and Wales.
Use by legal profession
The Inns of Court of the English Bar and the Honorable Society of King's Inns
in Ireland also have a Michaelmas term as one of their dining terms. It begins
in September and ends towards the end of December.
The term is also the name of the first of four terms into which the legal year
is divided by the courts of England and Wales. The United States Supreme Court
follows this tradition in effect but not in name; the Court's annual term begins
on the first Monday in October (which, except when Michaelmas falls on
a Sunday, is also first Monday following Michaelmas). |
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