Backstory: Wassail

Nowadays, wassail, like sugarplums or hot buttered rum, is a part of the Christmas season that most of us experience mainly through references in songs and stories and artwork. But this old English custom is about much more than sharing a cup of good cheer. It’s about one of the parts of Christmas that’s mostly likely destined to remain stuck in Christmas past: inverting the normal rules of social order...with a little help from alcohol.Thanks to Conrad Bladey, author of the five-volume The Book of Wassail, for appearing in this episode.Be sure to check out the "Definitive Directory of Christmas Podcasts"Share a Christmas memory on the podcast! Just record a voice memo into your phone and send it to [email protected]. Keep it reasonably short, clean and family friendly, and be sure to say your name and where you're from. Keep in [email protected] pageFacebook groupTwitterInstagramMusic in this episodeThe Wassail Song — Chris Friesen, via NoisetradeSlow Toe — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music ArchiveCases to Rest  — Blue Dot Sessions, via Free Music ArchiveWassail Wassail  — Don Maue, shared directly by the artistWish Background  — Kevin MacLeod via IncompetechConnect with Me Links to all the things https://christmaspastpodcast.com/links Email: [email protected] BooksOf Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past (2025, Lyons Press and Recorded Books) It's Christmas as you've never seen it before, and it makes a great gift for all the Christmas lovers in your life. Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions (2022, Lyons Press and Recorded Books)