 The text of the masque shows an abundant and rather biting satire aimed at the anti-Christmas forces in Jacobean society.King James had made an important speech before the Star Chamber earlier in 1616, in an attempt to promote traditional country life and pastimes, which were plainly in decline in an era of ever-greater urbanization and economic development.James would soon issue his proclamation known as the "Book of Sports" (1618), another attempt to support and reinforce the traditional country life in the face of rapid social change.