From the Medieval period (1066 – 1485) through to the 19th century, there is no evidence that 31 October was anything else other than the eve of All Saints Day. From the 19th Century to the present day, 31 October has increasingly acquired a reputation as a night on which ghosts, witches and fairies are especially active.
All Saints Day is on 1 November. In the year 835 AD the Roman Catholic Church made 1 November a church holiday to honour all the saints. Although it was a joyous holiday it was also the eve of All Souls Day, so in Medieval times it became customary to pray for the dead on this date. Another name for All Saints Day is ‘All Hallows’ (hallow is an archaic English word for ‘saint’). The festival began on All Hallows Eve, the last night of October.
