Questions We’re Often Asked: Wassailing

Wassailing to assure a plentiful harvest involved organizing orchard parties at which much music, dancing and singing would take place. Since the tradition was centered on Britain’s apple orchards in Sussex, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon and Somerset where much cider was produced, tankards of the beverage were also quaffed. Blowing on cow horns created noise enough to scare away the foulest of evil spirits. This might be accompanied by the discharge of firearms – not always loaded with shot – into ground, air or actually at the trees themselves. Wassail cakes, locally made # buns, were placed in forks of the apple trees.

Alas, in Victorian times such pagan frivolities were frowned upon and gave way to carol singers travelling from door to door, collecting donations and encouraged on their way by food and drink. 

In more recent years, Wassailing has experienced a revival. Such has often been encouraged by cider companies seeking publicity. Although often held on the traditional Twelfth Night, in 2020 other January nights may reverberate to the clatter of pots and pans, even volleys of shotgun blasts, as they are illuminated by bonfires. And of course cider will be drunk. Not that anemic sugary substitute from China but true, alcoholic hard cider made from ancient apple varieties cultivated solely for that purpose.

Local constabulary to say nothing of neighbours are unlikely to favour firing of firearms but a modest backyard party to end the Christmas season and assure a bumper harvest later in the year might not go amiss. 

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