Herrick's Hesperides

Robert Herrick, Hesperides: or, The Works both Humane and Divine (1648), poems written as vicar of Dean Prior in Devon, many of them on the customs of the year.

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First published in 1648 and in print ever since; any complete edition of Herrick's poems has these.

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Thursday 24 December

Friday 25 December

Folklore from the old calendars

The holly and ivy carol before the King at Whitehall No longer kept LondonAt the court of Charles I a Christmas carol was sung before the King in the Presence Chamber at Whitehall, opening with a flourish of music before the song.
Post and pair at Christmas No longer kept EnglandChristmas was the season for card games played for money, such as post and pair and slam, and a man with empty pockets had to sit them out.
Plough and harrow hung up for the twelve days No longer kept EnglandOver Christmas the farm labourers hung up the plough and harrow and did no field work until the twelve holidays were over, spending the time in piping and merriment.
Choosing husbands and wives by streaks in the ashes Lore and belief EnglandIn the Christmas holidays young people read streaks in the ash-heap to learn who they would marry.
Shoeing the mare at Christmas No longer kept EnglandAmong the Christmas sports of the young men was shoeing the mare, a game of the twelve holidays kept alongside blind-man's-buff and the wassail bowl.
The wassail bowl after fox-i’-th’-hole No longer kept EnglandAt Christmas the wassail bowl was tossed off after a round of the game fox-i'-th'-hole, and blind-man's-buff was played by the fire.

Thursday 24 December

Friday 25 December

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