Study, work or travel in the UK. British
culture and life.
Photos from Twelfth Night celebrations on Bankside
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Study, work or travel in the UK. British
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Photos from Twelfth Night celebrations on Bankside
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WARMING UP
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The event starts with music and dancing in front of
the Globe Theatre.
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 Simple dance instructions are given |
 The men show the ladies how it is done (maybe) |
 Musical accompanies the dancing |
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THE HOLLY MAN ARRIVES
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At the centre of the celebration is the Holly Man,
the winter form of the Green Man (a character from pagan myths
and folklore, used on many pub signs in England). He is rowed onto Bankside
in a cutter boat (if the weather allows).
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 The boat arrives |
 The Holly Man comes ashore ... |
 ... accompanied by a piper |
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WASSAILING
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A wassail (greeting) is read out at the boat's landing
place, outside the Globe Theatre and at the pub. At the Globe Theatre
wassails are given both to the theatre and to the apple tree which was
given as part of the October Plenty festival (see: Ideas/Album/OctoberPlenty).
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 Wassail to the boat! |
 Wassail to the apple tree! |
 Wassail to the George Inn! |
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MUMMERS PLAY
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The Mummers then perform a traditional 'freestyle'
comic folk play, based on the story of St George. The play is full
of lively verse and action. Mumming plays have been performed since
the time of the Crusades. Here is an introduction to the cast:
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 Father Christmas |
 St George |
 Prudence |
 Turkish Knight |
 Doctor |
 Gill Finney |
 Cleverlegs |
 Beelzebub (the Devil) |
 ... and Twelfth Bake |
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KING BEAN AND QUEEN PEA
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| After the mummer's play, cakes are given out to the crowd.
One of them contains a bean: the person who gets this is crowned King
Bean. Another contains a pea: the person who gets this is crowned Queen
Pea. In 2004 the Mayor of Southwark performed the crowning ceremony. |
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 Cakes are given out ... |
 ... the Mayor crowns the king and queen |
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PROCESSION
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Everyone then forms a procession through the streets
to the pub
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 Led by the Holly Man ... |
 ... and the new King and Queen ... |
 ... the crowd follows behind |
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THE GEORGE INN
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The procession ends at the George Inn, where
people relax and drink mulled wine. The George Inn was a coaching inn
during the 17th century and is now owned by the National Trust. It is
mentioned by Charles Dickens in his book Little Dorrit.
Twelfth Night marks the end of the Christmas season, so Father Christmas can take a rest now ... |
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 The George Inn |
 Father Christmas has a break |
 The Town Crier keeps order |
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KISSING WISHING TREE
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The kissing tree or wishing tree was a Christmas tradition
in Britain before the introduction of the "Christmas tree" which
is used today.
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 Tie a ribbon on the tree ... |
 ... make a wish, and kiss someone |
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MOLLY DANCING
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Fowlers Molly provide entertainment with their music
and dancing. Molly dancing is a Christmas tradition which takes
place mainly on Boxing Day, Twelfth Night and Plough Monday (when people
went back to work).
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 The musicians |
 The Molly dancers |
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MORE MUSIC AND DANCING
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Musicians from the Lion's Part play, and there is more
dancing by members of the crowd. The piper in the picture is playing a
a typical example of renaissance English bagpipes (for more details, see:
http://www.richard-york.co.uk)
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 The musicians |
 The crowd join in |
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THANKS
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Thanks to the Lion's Part for organising the event.
Wassail!
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Twelfth
Night (The Illustrated Shakespeare) |
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Little
Dorrit Author: Charles Dickens Publisher: Wordsworth Editions Date: October 1996 |
| Mumming,
Howling and Hoodening: Midwinter Rituals in Sussex, Kent and Surrey Author: G. Doel, Fran Doel Publisher: Meresborough Books Date: December 1992 |
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The
Green Man Author: Kathleen Basford Publisher: D.S. Brewer Date: May 2004 |
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