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Wassail [Foster]

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Wassail [Foster]

Carol singers, having done their stuff, are rewarded with the wassail bowl

Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries

Media ID 577875

Bowl Carol Foster Rewarded Singers Stuff Wassail Wassailing

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Wassailing: A 16th-17th Century Tradition - Carol Singers Receive Their Reward (Mary Evans Picture Library/Museum of London) This evocative image captures the spirit of the ancient wassailing tradition as it unfolded during the 16th and 17th centuries. The scene depicts a group of carol singers, having completed their rounds, being rewarded with a hearty drink from the wassail bowl. The bowl, a symbol of goodwill and community, is brimming with a steaming, spiced beverage, likely made from a combination of ale, cider, fruit, and spices. Wassailing was a popular custom during the Christmas season in England, where groups of carol singers would travel from house to house, singing songs and offering blessings for a bountiful harvest and good health. In return for their performance, the singers were typically given food, drink, and small gifts. The wassail bowl was a central part of these celebrations, and its contents were believed to bring good luck and cheer to all who partook. The origins of wassailing can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon and Celtic traditions, where communities would gather to bless their fruit trees and livestock with a drink made from the wassail bowl. Over time, the practice evolved to include carol singing and the sharing of the wassail bowl as a symbol of community and goodwill. This photograph, taken from the extensive collection of the Museum of London at Mary Evans Picture Library, offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich history and customs of the wassailing tradition. As we continue to celebrate the holiday season, let us remember the importance of community, goodwill, and the simple pleasures of sharing a warm drink with friends and loved ones.

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