Wassailing Glory

In Christmastides past, Castle Windom fairly bustled with kindled fires and crowded activity. Holly wreaths, ivy and mistletoe strung about in all the chambers, the great hall decked out in candle shine and wassailing glory. Wines and meats imported from foreign lands abounded. From afar people visited, laughing and dancing about as troubadours sang and played their merry tunes. ~ A Medieval Yule ~

The above passage from my story, A Medeival Yule mentions 'Wassailing Glory.' In the 12th century, celebrating with a good Wassail was a time honored tradition. Like many lasting customs, Wassailing is associated with an ancient legend that goes like this-- A beautiful Saxon princess named Rowena offered a Prince named Vortigen a bowl of wine while toasting him with, “Waes hael,” which is an Anglo-Saxon phrase meaning “good health.”

In Medieval times you would have said “Waes hael,” (not Waaassup!) to greet or say goodbye to somebody; it literally meant, “be in good health.” By the 12th century, “Waes hael” had become the salutation one offered as a toast, to which the standard reply was, “drinc hael”, “drink to your good health.” Eventually, the word came to be associated with the alcoholic beverage used for toasting, especially the spiced ale or mulled cider that was drunk on Christmas Eve and Twelfth Night.


If you are having a traditional holiday party and want to incorporate this custom, here is the old way to share wassail. While everyone is gathered, shout "Wassail!" before sipping from a large, festively decorated cup. Then pass the cup to your neighbor. That person replies "Drinkhail," to you and takes a sip. He shouts "Wassail!" to the next person, and passes the cup along, giving a kiss to the recipient who says, "Drinkhail!"The will continue until everyone is well "Wassailed" or okay shall we say well lit?


As promised here is a recipe that you might like to use for your own Wassailing toast:

Fireside Yuletide Wassail

This can be cooked in a dutch oven sitting on the hearth with the fire blazing.

4 cups brown ale 

1 cup dry white wine 

3 oz brown sugar 

4 apples cloves 

peel of ½ lemon

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

¼ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp ground ginger

Wash the apples and peel them just around middle and stud with a few cloves. Place the apples, brown sugar, and 4 tbsp of the brown ale into a 3-quart or larger dutch oven. Cover and bake in the oven at 350° F for 25 minutes or place in an open fireplace and simmer until the apples are tender. Remove the apples to a plate and add the remaining ale or wine to the dutch oven. Stir in the lemon peel, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger and let simmer for a few more minutes. Put the apples back in the wassail and serve warm. 


There you have it! Enjoy your Wassailing toast!


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Have a wonderful Yuletide Season!

Kaye