Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Saturday 6 January 2024

Twelfth Night Wassail


The Kent Online website has an article about a group who have the revived the tradition of Wassailing at Twelfth Night in Kent. 

The custom was first recorded at Fordwich near Canterbury in the county in 1585 and marked the end of the cessation of agricultural work over Christmas. Intended to encourage a good fruit yield in the coming year it is now particularly associated with rural counties in southern England.


Wikipedia provides a useful account of the tradition and practice at Wassailing

There is something about Wassail in an interesting article from this week’s Country Life about traditional Twelfth Night celebrations and customs - though I do not believe, as per the article, that Queen Victoria personally banned Twelfth Night in 1870 because it was rowdy. The illustrated account can be seen at Twelfth Night: What it is, when it falls and why it's the biggest celebration we no longer enjoy


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