December 22nd – The sound(er) of feasting
Though early modern students at St Andrews were expected to live beneath one college roof, and eat at a common table, the presbyterian tradition, and… Read More »December 22nd – The sound(er) of feasting
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December 21st – Deck the Halls
Today’s advent door opens onto winters of yesteryear spent in University Hall, the University of St Andrews’ first residence for women students. The records of… Read More »December 21st – Deck the Halls
December 20th – Blown away by feathers
“It is most remarkable”, declares an aghast J.R. Planché in his ‘Cyclopædia of costume’ (1876 – 1879, rf GT510.P5), “that these most graceful and effective… Read More »December 20th – Blown away by feathers
December 19th – Lordlings, Christmas loves good drinking
Reving up at the starting line of the whacky-carol races is this bawdy drinking song, titled simply “Old Norman Carol”. Included in the collection by… Read More »December 19th – Lordlings, Christmas loves good drinking
December 18th – Of a rose, a lovely rose, of a rose is al myn song
Taken from a late-fifteenth century book of hours, this beautiful illustration shows the annunciation, the scene recounted in the gospel of Luke when Mary is… Read More »December 18th – Of a rose, a lovely rose, of a rose is al myn song
December 17th – A cautionary carol of feisty feasting
For our next contender in the oddball category, we return, again, to the marvellous world of Sloane ms 2593, and its store of alternative carols.… Read More »December 17th – A cautionary carol of feisty feasting
December 16th – A little sheepish
In Scotland, at least, ‘tis the season of all things wool – woolly sweaters, hats and gloves, to keep the chill at bay, and this… Read More »December 16th – A little sheepish
December 15th – By the fruits of her labours
Today’s pick is another plucked from the basket of oddball carols. To the modern layperson’s ear, “Mary and the cherries” does not immediately conjure up… Read More »December 15th – By the fruits of her labours
December 14th – Reflecting on the stars
While at times – especially in the depths of December – the small City of St Andrews can feel very far from the centre of… Read More »December 14th – Reflecting on the stars
December 13th – All a-buzz with festive spirit
The twelfth-night tradition of wassailing, either awakening orchard trees with singing and cider or roving groups of wassail-singers visiting homes, is a custom associated with… Read More »December 13th – All a-buzz with festive spirit
December 12th – Has anyone seen this chicken?
Many of us will feast on turkey this festive season, which may even be followed by a family favourite animation featuring a rubber-glove-combed penguin. So,… Read More »December 12th – Has anyone seen this chicken?
December 11th – Away in a manger
Taken from a medieval source, this carol transcribed by Thomas Wright has many of the hallmarks of the seasonal songs we still sing today: In… Read More »December 11th – Away in a manger