The origins of some of the Easter traditions celebrated

From Canada-

Where did the word “Maundy” in the name Maundy Thursday originate?

Many Bible scholars say it came from the Latin translation of words Jesus used speaking to his disciples as he finished the menial task of washing and drying their feet before they began the Seder meal they shared together to begin their observance of Passover, one of the most important celebrations of the Jewish year.

Meaning commandment, mandatum begins the sentence “A new commandment give to you, that you love one another as have loved you.”

Other scholars, however, claim the term comes from another Latin word, “mendicare,” meaning to beg, which came into old English as “maund,” giving the name “maunder” to the person begging and “maundsor” to the baskets beggars carried the Thursday of Holy Week, when the English king distributed money and food to some of the poor in London. In later years, the king or queen would give out maundy purses as they entered church that Thursday. In a way, this showed the sovereign’s care for the people actually blending together the two sources for the word maundy.

The Queen carries on this tradition today when she gives out these maundy purses that contain specially minted coins to a group of old-age pensioners during the church service she attends. Of course each year it’s a different group at a different church in a different part of the country.

In the ancient Middle East, where people wore only sandals or no footwear at all, was a mark of respect for a host to provide water and drying cloths for guests to wash their feet before entering the home. This had a dual purpose, as first it refreshed the guests, making them feel more comfortable. Secondly, it helped prevent them from tracking germ-laden dirt into the house from the often garbage-strewn, dusty or muddy streets. A well-to-do host would have a servant perform this task.

Mediaeval European kings would invite 12 poor people (representing the disciples) into their castles or palaces and take on Christ’s role of humbly washing their feet before serving them a meal. The lords, barons and clergy repeated this, as well as the giving of maundy money throughout the various kingdoms.

More here-

http://www.kingsentinel.com/news/2010-03-31/News/The_origins_of_some_of_the_Easter_traditions_celeb.html