Wassailing has been associated with Christmas and New Year as far back as the 1400s. It was a way of passing on good wishes among family and friends.

Wassailling the Apple Trees

Wassail is an ale-based drink seasoned with spices and honey. It was served from huge bowls, often made of silver or pewter. The Wassail bowl would be passed around with the greeting, 'Wassail'.

At Sulgrave, we have decided to revive the old custom of blessing the crops and singing them to good health.

As well as sharing in this experience, you can tour the house, learn about the customs of Twelfth Night, and enjoy Wyndebagge's music, japes and jokes.

Wassailing of Apple Trees

Apple trees were sprinkled with wassail to ensure a good crop. Villagers would gather around the apple trees with shotguns or pots and pans and made a tremendous racket to raise the Sleeping Tree Spirit and to scare off demons. A toast was then drunk from the Wassail Cup. Wassailing was meant to keep the tree safe from evil spirits until the next year's apples appeared.