Slowly the Three Kings made their way up the path through the pergola, carrying a lantern each, their crowns at various angles. The sparkling light lit our feet up as we all gathered round the big old apple tree, wineglasses in hand, words at the ready. A large Turkish copper bowl held the Wassail... Christmas beer from Harvey's, hot apple juice, cinnamon sticks and cloves, bay berries, fennel seeds and a sprig of holly.Last year was a very scarce season for everyone's apples we hear. In 2011 we had "bags full", and on the quince too. 2012 was wet at the wrong time (no bees flying), frosty enough to knock off flowers where they had been quick enough to set, and we had TWO apples and one quince!
So Wassailing is very necessary, or Apple Howling as it's called in Sussex.
Twelfth Night - end of the Xmas holiday, Plough Monday tomorrow, Three Kings chosen by finding a favour in the Galette des Rois, leading the party through the woods to the three apple trees. We toasted them by chanting at them, pouring a libation to their roots and placing - literal - toast in their branches...
Old Apple tree, old apple tree;
We've come to wassail thee;
To bear and to bow
Apples enow;
Hats full, caps full, three bushel bags full;
Barn floors full
And a little heap under the stairs
Stand fast root, bear well top
Pray the gods send us a howling good crop.
Every twig, apples big... every bough, apples enow
