What is Wassail?

Look back at Wassail celebrations from Pacific's past.

What is Wassail?

According to WhyChristmas.com, wassailing is an ancient custom featuring the beverage Wassail, a drink originally made of mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, eggs, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and sugar.

Derived from the Anglo-Saxon phrase ‘waes hael’ which translates to 'good health,’ Wassail is traditionally was served from huge bowls, often made of silver or pewter.

Wassail is sometimes called 'Lamb's Wool' after it is prepared because the pulp of the roasted apples looked frothy and a bit like actual wool.

Past ceremonies traditionally began with the Wassail bowl being carried into a room to great fanfare, followed by a traditional song carol about the drink being sung before the steaming hot beverage was served.

Students, faculty and staff at Pacific have come together to celebrate Wassail through a festive gathering nearly every year since the turn of the 20th Century, when principal and dean Mary Frances Farnham held a holiday banquet for students staying on campus during the winter break.

Today, Pacific’s traditional gathering includes a traditional Wassail bowl, festive cuisine, a boar’s head replica, holiday caroling and more.