Wassailing Collection

Wassailing Apple Trees
In Devon and Somerset, apple growers wassail orchards on 17 January, with songs and a bucket of hot cider; a tree is lightly sprinkled, then the wassailers drink the rest

Jester carrying a wassail bowl
A jester in red and blue costume, carrying a wassail bowl and enjoying the aroma coming from it. Wassail was a medieval drink, a kind of punch made from hot mulled cider

Wassailing apple trees with hot cider in Devonshire on twelfth eve, 1861. A print from The Illustrated London News, (12 January 1861)

Wassail, c. 1650
Wassail. A man gleefully fills a large wine jug with wine from a barrel. c.1650 Date: C.1650

The Wassail Bowl - drawn by John Gilbert, 1860. Creator: Smyth
all! welcome all! The feast is spread in the vaulted hall...The gen'rous wassail-bowl With kindness warms the soul. We quaff it to friends, we quaff it to foes

The Twelfth-Night Wassail-Bowl, 1856. Creator: Sir John Gilbert
The Twelfth-Night Wassail-Bowl, 1856. 17th century scene: peasants visiting the lord and lady of the manor at Christmas....the bowl was filled with spiced wine

Wassail Bowl on New Years Eve
A tradition on New Years Eve where people in the village go door-to-door, singing and offering a drink from the bowl full of hot mulled wine, a mix of cider

Carol singing wassail cup wassailing wassailers
Carol, singing, wassail, cup, wassailing, wassailers, carolers, caroling, Singers, group, performing, outside, country, pub, watercolour, painting, by, Charles, Howard, 12023356

Wassailing Apple-Trees with Hot Cider in Devonshire on Twelfth Eve (engraving)
1612676 Wassailing Apple-Trees with Hot Cider in Devonshire on Twelfth Eve (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Twelfth-Night Wassail-Bowl (engraving)
1608468 The Twelfth-Night Wassail-Bowl (engraving) by Gilbert, John (1817-97) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Twelfth-Night Wassail-Bowl)

The First Wassail Cup (engraving)
1626119 The First Wassail Cup (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The First Wassail Cup. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 30 December 1871)

Bringing in Christmas
Pagan Christmas, with people enjoying the festive spirit with some hot mulled cider or two!

Origin of the Wassail-Bowl (engraving)
1610805 Origin of the Wassail-Bowl (engraving) by Godwin, James (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Origin of the Wassail-Bowl)

Old English Customs, the Wassail-Bowl on Twelfth Night (engraving)
2772569 Old English Customs, the Wassail-Bowl on Twelfth Night (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Old English Customs, the Wassail-Bowl on Twelfth Night)

A Carol For A Wassail Bowl, 1840s (litho)
NAT133839 A Carol For A Wassail Bowl, 1840s (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: success of the cider apple crop; ); English, out of copyright

Wassailing the Apple-tree (engraving)
2781262 Wassailing the Apple-tree (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Wassailing the Apple-tree. Illustration for Chatterbox (1899).); © Look and Learn

The Wassail Bowl, 1860. Artist: Sir John Gilbert
The Wassail Bowl, 1860. From The Illustrated London News (22 December 1860)

Bringing in the wassail bowl, 1874. Artist: Henry Stacy Marks
Bringing in the wassail bowl, 1874. A print from The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, 19th December 1874

Origin of the Wassail bowl, a Medieval Christmas English drinking ritual intended to ensure a good cider apple harvest the following year

Source Size = 3891 x 2842
Wassailing Apple-Trees with Hot Cider in Devonshire on Twelfth Eve

Wassailing at Cullompton, Devon. Mr Henry Blackmore, Batts Farm, Uffculm near Cullompton
" Wassailing " at Cullompton, Devon. Mr Henry Blackmore, Batts Farm, Uffculm near Cullompton, Devon. An old custom of ensuring a good apple crop. 25 Februray 1923

Wassailing at the Manor
Poor old man and musical friends beg WASSAIL-BOWL from Lord of the Manor

Wassailing Fruit Trees
The traditional wassailing of the fruit trees on Twelfth Day Eve

Wassail [Foster]
Carol singers, having done their stuff, are rewarded with the wassail bowl

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"Wassailing: A Timeless Tradition of Celebration and Good Cheer" Step back in time to the enchanting world of wassailing, a centuries-old custom that brings together merriment, music, and the spirit of community. In this captivating scene from the past, a jester carries a beautifully adorned wassail bowl brimming with warm spiced cider. The air is filled with anticipation as villagers gather around an ancient apple tree, ready to partake in the age-old ritual apple trees. Transported to Devonshire on twelfth eve in 1861, we witness locals engaging in this heartwarming tradition. With cups raised high and voices lifted in song, they serenade the orchard with carols while pouring hot cider onto its roots. This act symbolizes fertility and abundance for the coming year. The origins of wassail can be traced back to c. 1650 when it was first mentioned in historical records. It quickly became synonymous with joyous celebrations during festive seasons like Christmas and New Year's Eve. The wassail bowl itself holds great significance as it represents unity and shared blessings among friends and family. As we delve deeper into history through intricate engravings depicting these cherished moments, we discover how bringing in Christmas was not just about exchanging gifts but also about fostering connections within communities. Wassailing served as a reminder that even amidst cold winter nights, warmth could be found by joining hands and hearts. Unveiling another engraving titled "Origin of the Wassail-Bowl, " we glimpse at how this beloved tradition came into existence - rooted deeply within folklore and mythology surrounding harvests and nature's cycles. So let us raise our glasses once more to honor those who came before us – their spirits alive through each sip taken from that sacred vessel known as the Twelfth-Night Wassail-Bowl or The First Wassail Cup.