Before there was carolling, there was wassailing, where seasonal songs were exchanged for money, food and ale.
In the countryside trees were blessed, while in the towns wassaillers went house to house with their songs and calls for Christmas treats. Coming from the Anglo Saxon waes hael, ‘wassail’ is a toast wishing good health with a ‘be well’.
Now, in a pre-Christmas treat for the ears, Eliza Carthy and Jon Boden are combining their considerable talents and reputations within the UK folk scene, touring as a duo once again, for a nationwide wassail - which includes a date at The Stables in Wavendon.
Presenting seasonal, traditional material on a stage decorated for the occasion, they will take audiences back to some of the oldest songs in the English canon, telling Christmas tales, spreading good cheer and lighting up the darkest days of the year, ahead of Christmas Day itself.
Carthy and Boden have delivered these festive shows before, but this is the first time for two years that they've taken to the stage in this manner.
They play The Stables at Wavendon on December 11. To book your seat visit https://stables.org/event/eliza-carthy-jon-bodens-wassail
Pic: Kate Griffin
