The heathen English gave the name Giuli to both December and January, the months either side of midwinter. Bede explained that the two months took their name from the turning of the sun as the days began to lengthen, one coming before it and one after. This is his account of the old English year, not a Christian custom, and the name lives on in Yule.
Giuli, the two months of the turning sun
Printed under 1 January · England
Lore and belief
Primusque eorum mensis, quem Latini Januarium vocant, dicitur Giuli. ... December, Giuli, eodem quo Januarius nomine vocatur.
From Bede's De Temporum Ratione, ch. 15, ed. Giles, vol. 6, p. 178. Read the original
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