Hello all I would like to know a little more about some of the Dorset customs. For example several of my ancestors were baptised on Christmas day. What festivities went on in the house during that time? Hardy mentioned mummers plays and carol singing. Another ancestor died the day they would be wassailing the apple trees. I would like to know a bit about that too. Anyone know about these things? Or perhaps other festivies and customs? regards Caroline Ingram Western Australia --
Wassailing is one of the oldest customs.Whilst the name comes from the Old English "waes hael" (be well), the practice itself is believed to date back to before the Roman invasion (i.e. prehistoric). Wassailing is literally drinking the health of someone or something, and the term can be found to refer to a toast for any reason (who needs much persuading to have a drink?!). The traditional time for wassailing was Yuletide (i.e. the twelve days of Christmas, and presumably the pre-Christian equivalent around the winter solstice), and Twelfth Night was the traditional time for wassailing the apple trees to ensure a good harvest in the coming year. After drinking the health of the trees, the revellers would scare off evil spirits with loud noises, and later in history guns would be fired into the trees. The traditional wassail drink was an elaborate version of mulled wine or ale, usually with pulped stewed apples in it. No doubt more erudite listers can put some more meat on to the bones........?? Davy Cannon Dorchester, Dorset ----- Original Message ----- From: "Caroline Ingram" <cingram@iinet.net.au> To: <ENG-DORSET-LIFE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2004 12:53 AM Subject: [DOR-LIFE] Customs - wassailing, Christmas etc > Hello all > I would like to know a little more about some of the Dorset customs. > For example several of my ancestors were baptised on Christmas day. What > festivities went on in the house during that time? Hardy mentioned > mummers plays and carol singing. Another ancestor died the day they > would be wassailing the apple trees. I would like to know a bit about > that too. Anyone know about these things? Or perhaps other festivies and > customs? > > regards > Caroline Ingram > Western Australia