In the book "Cattern Cakes and Lace" I found this tale about "The Hunting of the Wren", a horrible sounding custom which involved killing a wren and then asking for donations - How Gruesome!
December 26th is St Stephen's day but he is forgotten except for in the carol "Good King Wenceslas". But Wenceslas was a prince in Bohemia in the 10th century and the story in the carol is just fiction. It was probably the practice of giving money to servants or the poor that gave John Mason Neale the idea for the Carol in 1853.
Hope everyone had a lovely day yesterday. 10 adults and 3 small people was all a bit crazy!
Thank you for all the Christmas wishes, apologies I didn't have time to visit other blogs.
Most of this post is one I prepared earlier! normal blogging will resume when the house is back to normal.
Sue
Sounds wondeful, Sue. I’m glad you had all the family around you yesterday.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased you had a nice day especially when chikdren are around.
ReplyDeleteI am just listening to Cliff Richards new recently red will I wait for my daughter to pick me up we are going to see my son fir a little while.
Hazel c uk
Happy St Stephen's Day to you and everyone. :-)
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Around here lots of people use a vacation day so they can have today off!! My daughter is enjoying a busy day ALONE at work... saying she should get loads accomplished!! We retirees are enjoying a quiet day and I will not be cooking other than grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup and left over cookies!!
ReplyDeleteHere we do hunt the “Wren” but not a real one. It is used as an excuse to get out in the fresh air and to tempt children and adults away from their electronic toys!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if there is a prize at the end but there are always lots of excited children around.
I suspect one of those round tins of sweets that are everywhere at this time of year provides a prize for all who participate.
We even have those after the Christmas midnight service.
Sue
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ReplyDeletePs Nollick gennel as blein vie noa
ReplyDeleteOr Merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Sue
It sounds like you had a lovely and busy day with family. The little ones make Christmas extra special. We had one son and his family out yesterday and our other son will be out tonight. Busy times but I love to see family. Soon these hectic days will be past and you can relax and start on that wonderful stack of books you have! I plan on starting a new puzzle. xx
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ReplyDelete*H*A*P*P*Y* *N*E*W* *Y*E*A*R*!*
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((hugs)), Teresa :-)
I should not tell anyone this story...but here goes anyway. This morning before he left for work, I said to hubby, "Oh today's Boxing Day." I know I have told him about boxing day before but it must have been one extra bit of trivia that day, whenever it was. He said, "What's Boxing Day?" "Isn't that when a bunch of sweaty men in shorts get in the ring and box for some reason?" I laughed and said, "I know I've told you about it, but this is what it is....and proceeded to explain, again, about Boxing Day. I wonder if he walked into the office this morning and said, "Happy Boxing Day" to his coworkers? I'll have to ask him tonight. If he did, I would bet dollars to donuts that NOBODY in the office knew what it is. I do, simply because I read a lot and am an Anglophile!
ReplyDeleteWow, you had a nice big family group for Christmas; we were happy to have the three of us together. That is a strange old custom about wrens, they are such charming little birds!
ReplyDeleteHow cruel people were back then without even thinking it was cruel
DeleteThe custom of Boxing Day was the giving of gifts in a box to employees and tradesmen. Hence Christmas Boxes as it is still known and has evolved into, the time at which we give a Christmas Box to the postman, binmen etc. These are now generally given around here just before Christmas Day on the last bin collection or postal delivery.
ReplyDeleteI have that book, but already knew about the Hunting of the Wren (primarily as a Manx custom, as OH has Manx ancestors going back through centuries). I guess there are plenty of rather gruesome customs from the past - think of the Welsh Marie Lloyd with the horse's skull . . .
ReplyDeleteIt was always St Stephen’s Day when I was growing up in Ireland ( or just “Stephen’s Day” ). I had to learn to call it Boxing Day when I moved to England. I like the tone of the day, a chance to tidy up, reflect on the past year and prepare for the future one.
ReplyDeleteMy youngest daughters class is called "wrens" so maybe they're after them! Glad you had a great Christmas surrounded by family. Boxing day here we just spent with a few friends, we still haven't met up with family yet but the plan is to meet up tomorrow.
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