Posted by Martin Read on June 09, 1999 at 01:09:58:
In Reply to: Re: Willem, and JV Web Central posted by Terry on June 08, 1999 at 08:32:52:
: : You weren't far off; Waes Hael - Be Well! or Be Healthy! Waes is the ancestor of Modern English "Was" - Hael is the modern hale as in "Hale and hearty." The traditional reply was "Drinc Hael" - Drink well! A sentiment I can relate to ;-)
: Which explains all the "Wassails" we drink and sing about during Winter Solstice times.
: Terry
Yep. A damn fine tradition - knock on people's doors, wish them good health and get a glass of grog in return!
Records of the Third Crusade (Richard I etc.) speak of the astonishment of the non-English contingents at the volume of alcohol consumed by the English - accompanied by trumpet fanfares and toasts - the wassail tradition was obviously going strong at that time.
Martin