The Feast Day of St. Martin of Tours, a/k/a Martinmas (11 November) celebrates a 4th century soldier, turned hermit, monk, and bishop, who is widely venerated across Europe. He is famous for a legend surrounding his decision to cut his own military cloak in half to share it with a beggar, whereafter legend says Christ appeared to him wearing the cloak.

The subsequent veneration of the cloak relic became the origin of the English words chapel and chaplain.

Martin is a patron saint of France, as well as the patron saint against poverty, against alcoholism, reformed alcoholics, beggars, vintners, wine growers, wine makers, soldiers, cavalry, horses, quartermasters, equestrians, riders, geese, innkeepers, and tailors.

There are numerous traditions and foods associated with Martinmas, but this post includes a recipe for the traditional “St. Martin’s Horseshoes” cookies.

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