Michaelmas, the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, occurs on 29 September. In medieval England, in Christianity, the Archangel Michael is the greatest of all the Archangels and is honoured for defeating Lucifer in the war in heaven. He is one of the principal angelic warriors, seen as a protector against the dark of night and the darkness of satanic powers.

Michaelmas has also marked time and seasons for secular purposes, as one of the Quarter Days. Michaelmas marked the ending and beginning of the husbandman's year; at that time harvest was over, and the bailiff or reeve of the manor would be making out the accounts for the year.