The Collaborative International Dictionary
Revel \Rev"el\, n. [OF. revel rebellion, disorder, feast, sport. See Revel, v. i.] A feast with loose and noisy jollity; riotous festivity or merrymaking; a carousal.
This day in mirth and revel to dispend.
--Chaucer.
Some men ruin . . . their bodies by incessant revels.
--Rambler.
Master of the revels, Revel master. Same as Lord of misrule, under Lord.
Wikipedia
The Master of the Revels was the holder of a position within the English, and later the British, royal household, heading the "Revels Office" or "Office of the Revels". Originally he was responsible for overseeing royal festivities, known as revels, and he later also became responsible for stage censorship, until this function was transferred to the Lord Chamberlain in 1624. However, Henry Herbert, the deputy Master of the Revels and later the Master, continued to perform the function on behalf of the Lord Chamberlain until the English Civil War in 1642, when stage plays were prohibited. The office continued almost until the end of the 18th century, although with rather reduced status.
Usage examples of "master of the revels".
When given a list of possible songs for various occasions, a Seneschal or Master of the Revels would inexplicably choose any song but the ones describing magic.