Yule: Medieval Style
Welcome one and all to Yule!
From December 21st until January 5th, the fun and events for this Yule will be taking place in the Neighborhood of Winchester. The whole town is coming out to decorate, have fun, and sell you fantastical items from many wonderful shoppes.
Join
King Alfred for a hunt in the true medieval style. Follow the clues to the ultimate Yule surprise, then join the participants and shoppers in the
Tavern for hot wassail and a celebratory feast.
Put up an ornament on the Dedication Tree to tell your friends how much you care, and as usual there is the
Klandestine Kris Kringle gift exchange.
Other events include:
Yule Log Decorating Contest
Yule Medieval Marketplace
(includes about 7 different shops for Yule presents
based loosely in the medieval time period)
Christmas Carol Quiz
To keep updated on the events, check the
Yule Planning thread often.
Come join in the Winter Wonderland where you can have a snowball fight, ice skate, sled or go for a carriage ride! There's something for everyone at this year's Yule Festival.
Yule: Trivia Fun
The first two entries contributed by:
Senex Caecilius
The subject of this clue-line verse is the German custom of decorating
a tree at Christmas time. Can you figure out the keyword?
O, Christmas Tree!
This tale attempts to tell a bit
About a custom made to fit
A nascent nation's need to nab
A new tradition Germans had.
An evergreen like spruce or pine
Or noble fir suits needs just fine.
A bit of tinsel, baubles bright,
Adorn with apples, add some light.
Until the plums to Plündern fall,
A Mmmmerry Christmas one and all.
Answer below
When the Christmas tree is taken down and discarded on January 6,
Germans call it Plündern because the tree is plundered for the treats
that were used to decorate it.
From our favorite Tavern owner
Amalasuntha Ostrogoth we have:
Did you know?
The modern Christmas tree was likely born in the 8th century, when St. Boniface was converting the Germanic tribes. The Germanics decorated oak trees for the winter solstice. According to the legend, St. Boniface cut down an enormous oak tree but a fir tree grew in its place. The evergreen was offered as a symbol of Christianity, which the newly converted Germans began decorating for Christmas.
There are ancient stories that claim Odin himself was a Yule-Elf. Two of his many names were Jölföđr and Jölnir, Father Jul or Jul and in other legends, Santa is riding a white horse which is very similar to Odin and Sleipnir.
In Scandinavia, a boar - an animal sacred to the fertility god Ing-Freyr - was sacrificed and became part of the annual Festival of Lights which is now celebrated as St. Lucia's Day. From the original boar offering derived a custom to leave food outside as gift to the Yule Elves, like bread and ale. This yule ale was was stronger brewed than other ales and was used for the oaths sworn on the holy cup.
And finally, from
Bridgette Cormac:
Q: What Yule plant killed the Norse God Baldur when Loki the trickster created a dart of the YULE plant and gave it to a blind god called HOD. In the middle of a banquet, HOD with sharp ears and sharp ____________ hit the target and killed Baldur?
A: Mistletoe… and
you though it was just for kissing
Answer to Senex's verse: "Tannenbaum"
Yule Decor from Yule Love It
Germanic Goldfest Review
What an incredible whirlwind of fun we had in this year's
Wild Hunt! The crossword puzzle and quiz were successfully played all day long, the
Brisingamen Contest was won by
Spethi Ramesses (thanks to our great judges!), we made Odin even more lovely with some hilarious
new avatar choices! And of course, to end the day we partied and danced with the All-Father at the
Royal Barbarian Bacchanal. A huge thanks to all the people who planned, created, and participated in all the events. It was a great time!
Helpful 'Newbie' links
Need newbie help and advice in Germania? Try the Welcome to Germania thread!
Want to meet people, get involved, and have the best mead at AW? Join us at The Red Boar Tavern!
Need help? Ask one of your friendly Germanian scribes:
Eirikr Knudsson, Bree Burgundian , or Aelfwine Scylding.
