"But if the wind arise at the going down of the same, then it signifieth death to come among kings and other great lords."
| CHAPTER XV Withholding Light—"Wesley Bob"—Wassail Carol—Presents in Church—Morris Dancers—"First Foot"—Red-haired Men—Lamprey Pie—"Hodening"—Its Possible Origin—The "Mari Lhoyd." |
There was a curious tradition in the north of England, which is practically done away with in these days of lucifer matches. In the old days of tinder boxes, if any one failed to get a light, it was of no use his going round to the neighbours to get one, for even his dearest friends would refuse him, it being considered most unlucky to allow any light to leave the house between Christmas eve and New Year's day, both inclusive. No reason has been found for this singular and somewhat churlish custom.
Another north country custom, especially at Leeds, was for the children to go from house to house carrying a "Wessel (or Wesley) bob," a kind of bower made of evergreens, inside which were placed a couple of dolls, representing the Virgin and Infant Christ. This was covered with a cloth until they came to a house door, when it was uncovered. At Huddersfield, a "wessel bob" was carried about, gorgeously ornamented with apples, oranges, and ribbons, and when they reached a house door they sung the following carol:
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Here we come a wassailing Among the leaves so green, Here we come a wandering So fair to be seen. Chorus. For it is in Christmas time Strangers travel far and near, So God bless you, and send you a happy New Year. We are not daily beggars, That beg from door to door, But we are neighbours' children, Whom you have seen before. Call up the butler of this house, Put on his golden ring, Let him bring us a glass of beer, And the better we shall sing. We have got a little purse Made of stretching leather skin, We want a little of your money To line it well within. Bring us out a Table, And spread it with a cloth; Bring out a mouldy cheese, Also your Christmas loaf. God bless the Master of the house, Likewise the Mistress too, And all the little children That round the table go. Good master and mistress, While you're sitting by the fire, Pray think of us poor children Who are wand'ring in the mire.[62] |
At Aberford, near Leeds, two dolls were carried about in boxes in a similar manner, and they were called "wesley (wassail) boxes."
Whilst on the subject of Yorkshire Christmas customs, I may mention that a correspondent of the Gentleman's Magazine (1790, vol. 60, p. 719), says that at Ripon the singing boys came into the church with large baskets of red apples, with a sprig of rosemary stuck in each, which they present to all the congregation, and generally have a return made to them of 2d., 4d., or 6d., according to the quality of the lady or gentleman.
In the History of Yorkshire (1814, p. 296) it tells how, during the Christmas holidays, the Sword or Morisco Dance used to be practised at Richmond by young men dressed in shirts ornamented with ribbons folded into roses, having swords, or wood cut in the form of that weapon. They exhibited various feats of activity, attended by an old fiddler, by "Bessy," in the grotesque habit of an old woman, and by the fool, almost covered with skins, a hairy cap on his head, and the tail of a fox hanging from his head. These led the festive throng, and diverted the crowd with their droll antic buffoonery. The office of one of these characters was to go about rattling a box, and soliciting money from door to door to defray the expenses of a feast, and a dance in the evening.[63]
In Sheffield the custom of "first-foot" is kept up on Christmas day and New Year's day, but there is no distinction as to complexion or colour of hair of the male who first enters the house.