Legal Definitions - Candlemas

Candlemas refers to February 2nd, a specific calendar date that historically served as a 'quarter day' in certain legal traditions, particularly in Scotland and historically in parts of England. A quarter day is one of several fixed dates throughout the year that traditionally marked the start or end of tenancies, the due date for rent payments, or other contractual obligations. These dates provided a standardized framework for managing recurring legal and financial arrangements.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of Candlemas as a quarter day:

• Example 1: Agricultural Lease Agreement

  Imagine a historical agricultural lease in rural Scotland from the 19th century. The written agreement states that the tenancy for a farm begins on "Candlemas" and runs for a period of seven years. Furthermore, it specifies that the annual rent is to be paid in four equal installments, with the first installment due on Candlemas, followed by payments on Whitsunday, Lammas, and Martinmas.

  This example illustrates how Candlemas functioned as a critical quarter day, defining both the commencement of a long-term tenancy and serving as a specific due date for a recurring financial obligation (rent) within that agreement.

• Example 2: Property Sale and Possession

  Consider a modern scenario where a large estate in the Scottish Borders is being sold. The estate includes several tenant-occupied cottages, and the existing tenancy agreements, some of which are very old, stipulate that the tenants' occupancy periods run from Candlemas to Candlemas. When the sale is finalized, the new owner's right to take full possession of the property, or to renegotiate existing leases, would be legally tied to the Candlemas date, as it marks the end of the current tenancy year for those specific agreements.

  This example demonstrates Candlemas's enduring relevance in defining the start and end of property tenancies, impacting the transfer of possession and the legal rights of both landlords and tenants, even in contemporary transactions.

• Example 3: Historical Debt Repayment Schedule

  Suppose a legal dispute arises over an old family trust established in England in the 17th century. The trust document outlines a schedule for annual payments to be made to various beneficiaries, stating that the first payment of each year is to be disbursed "on or before Candlemas." The legal challenge involves determining if a particular payment was made on time according to the original terms.

  This example shows Candlemas acting as a specific deadline for a recurring financial obligation within a legal instrument. Even if not strictly a "quarter" payment in this context, it highlights how quarter days were used as fixed, recognized dates for fulfilling various legal duties and financial disbursements.