Hilary term Hilary term Hilary term is the second academic term of the Universities of Oxford and Dublin and also Deepdene School near Portslade in East Sussex. It runs from January to March and is so named because the feast day of St Hilary of Poitiers, 14 January, falls during this term. All terms are dated from this day in the following way: The term originated in the legal system. The courts of England and Wales and the Courts of Ireland divide the legal year into four terms: Hilary, Easter, Trinity and Michaelmas. At the University of Oxford, following the resolution made
Michaelmas games and horse races – migrated to this day. One of the few flowers left around at this time of year is the Michaelmas daisy (also known as asters). Hence the rhyme: "The Michaelmas daisies, among dead weeds, Bloom for St Michael's valorous deeds ..." A traditional meal for the day includes goose (a "stubble-goose", i.e. one prepared around harvest time). The custom of baking a special bread or cake, called (), "St Michael's bannock", or "Michaelmas Bannock" on the eve of the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel probably originated in the Hebrides. The bread was made from equal