God's Truce
in the Middle Ages, a means introduced by the Church to check in some measure the hostile spirit of the times, by establishing certain days or periods during which all private feuds were to cease. It seems to have taken its rise about latter part of the 10th or beginning of the 11th century.
At first the Church forbade all feuds on those days of the week which were especially consecrated by the death and GODWIN resurrection of Christ; namely, from Thursday evening to Monday morning.
Afterward the period was extended so as to include the whole of Thursday and from the beginning of Advent to the Epiphany, and certain other times and saints' days. The precincts of churches, convents, and graveyards were also interdicted from any hostile encounters.