I did not get exterior to Wassail my small apple timber on the trendy twelfth evening on the sixth – it was in all probability raining, so should do it tonight which was twelfth evening earlier than the calendars modified in 1752. It was nonetheless known as ‘previous twelfy’ in elements of the nation as much as the C19. I’ve a can of low cost cider within the cabinet proper prepared.
Wassail is a really previous phrase, coming from the Anglo-Saxon Consuming toast “Waes Hael” which means “be of excellent well being” to which the reply was “Drinc Hael”. This has been recorded in previous medieval English and earlier within the epic ‘Beowulf’ poem and there’s additionally a toasting scene on the Bayeux Tapestry. It was positively well-known by the mid C13 not simply as a private consuming toast however as a festive event round Christmas with consuming and leisure.
On Twelfth evening previously there have been two various kinds of Wassailing. The primary was transferring door to door across the village singing and carrying a wassailing bowl and the second was a ceremony going down in orchards, blessing the timber for a very good crop subsequent 12 months. Within the C19 farm employees had been usually paid in cider in the course of the harvest, so it was vital the timber had been wholesome and produced loads of fruit……… at one time there have been 400 sorts of apples and an orchard on each farm in each village and an apple tree in each cottage backyard.
The custom has come and gone after which “reawakened” extra not too long ago, usually by teams of Morris Dancers and people singers.
So that is what I will be doing, blessing the apple timber and pouring cider on the roots, though I will not be shouting – the neighbours are a bit shut for that!
Outdated apple tree, we wassail thee, and hope thou wilt bear
For the lord doth know the place we will be, until apples come one other 12 months
To bear nicely and bloom nicely so merry allow us to be
Let each man take off his hat and shout to the previous apple tree……….
SHOUT ……
Outdated Apple tree we wassail thee, and hope that thou will bear
Hats full, caps full, three bushel baggage full,
And somewhat heap underneath the stair.
Hip, Hip Hooray!
All the data right here comes from my ebook, which I discovered at a automobile boot sale a number of years in the past.
Again Tomorrow
Sue
