Ran across this one looking for Medieval Christmas Carols: Do you know of any Yule traditions that may not be common knowledge?
Macabre customs of christmas past:
This 'Day after Christmas' carol is a relic of an ancient custom. For centuries in many parts of Britain and Ireland December 26, St Stephen's Day, was as important as Christmas day and was the day for 'Hunting the Wren' or 'Going on the Wren'. Groups of boys would look for a wren then chase it until caught. The dead bird was tied to the top of a pole or holly bush, decorated with ribbons or coloured paper and carried around the village. At each house the boys, wearing straw masks or blackened faces, and dressed in old clothes, would sing a song and receive money. There were various songs, including one which began:
The wren, the wren is king of the birds
St Stephen's Day he's caught in the furze
Although he is little his family is great
We pray you, good landlady, give us a treat!
One of my families traditions is that we watch copious amounts of cheesy horror movies on Christmas Eve.