The Probert Encyclopaedia of General Information

MASQUERADE

A masquerade is a party or dance at which fancy masks and costumes are worn. In early times it was connected with religion, but was afterwards discouraged by the fathers of the church. Originating in Italy, the
masquerade was introduced into France by Catherine de'Medici; it reached England during the reign of Henry VIII, and flourished under Elizabeth I, giving rise to a special kind of play - the masque. Masquerading was forbidden in France in 1535 owing to its abuses, but was very popular with Louis XIV. It was again proscribed by the republicans in 1789.
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