Twelfth Night sits at the edge of the festive season, a doorway between the revelry of Christmas and the quiet resolve of the new year. It is a night thick with mischief and magic, a time when the ordinary gives way to the extraordinary, and the world feels just a little more alive with possibility. For centuries, it has been a night of celebration, a moment to mark the close of Christmas and to honour the age-old traditions of our ancestors.
Let us wander through the lore of Twelfth Night, its curious customs, and the delectable treats that make it unforgettable. And as you plan your own Twelfth Night festivities, know that our shop offers all the treasures you need to bring a touch of history and magic to your table.
What is Twelfth Night?
Twelfth Night, celebrated on the evening of 5th January, marks the end of the twelve days of Christmas. Historically, it was a time of feasting, frolics, and the upturning of social norms. In medieval England, Twelfth Night was a grand affair, with games, pageants, and the crowning of a Lord of Misrule—a figure chosen to preside over the chaos and ensure that revelry reigned supreme.
But beneath the laughter and the ale was a deeper, older tradition. Twelfth Night was also a time to ward off the darkness of winter, to sing to the trees and thank the earth for its bounty. It was a reminder that life’s cycles continue, even in the heart of the cold season.
The Folklore of Twelfth Night
The customs of Twelfth Night are steeped in folklore. Wassailing, for instance, was an essential part of the evening. Groups would gather to sing and toast to the health of the orchards, ensuring a fruitful harvest. Bowls of steaming wassail, a spiced cider drink, would be shared as blessings were offered to the trees.
Another cherished tradition was the Twelfth Cake. This ornate confection was baked with hidden surprises: a dried bean and a pea. Whoever found the bean became the King of Twelfth Night, and the finder of the pea was crowned Queen. Together, they ruled over the evening’s festivities, a playful echo of older, sacred rituals of kingship and the turning of the year.
Hosting Your Own Twelfth Night Celebration
Rekindling Twelfth Night traditions in your own home is a wonderful way to bid farewell to the festive season and welcome the promise of a new year. Here’s how you can bring this historic celebration to life:
1. Crown a Lord (or Lady) of Misrule
Choose a leader for the evening—someone who can embrace the spirit of chaos and fun. Let them set the tone for games, jokes, and light-hearted mischief.
2. Sing and Toast
Gather your guests for a round of wassailing, whether to a garden tree or simply to each other. Raise your glasses and wish for health and happiness in the year ahead.
3. Serve a Twelfth Cake
Bake or buy a cake adorned with candied fruits and spices, hiding a bean and a pea within. The lucky finders get to don crowns and rule the night.
Recipes for Twelfth Night
Traditional Wassail (Serves 6)
A warming drink to toast to the trees and the season.
Ingredients:
- 1 litre of cider (alcoholic or non-alcoholic)
- 500ml ale (or ginger beer for a non-alcoholic version)
- 2 oranges, sliced
- 3 apples, cored and studded with cloves
- 4 tbsp honey
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp allspice
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Roast the clove-studded apples for 20 minutes.
- In a large saucepan, combine the cider, ale, honey, oranges, and spices. Heat gently, avoiding boiling.
- Add the roasted apples and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Serve warm from a decorative wassail bowl.
Twelfth Cake A rich, spiced cake to crown your evening.
Ingredients:
- 250g butter, softened
- 250g brown sugar
- 4 eggs
- 250g plain flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 150g dried fruits (raisins, currants, cherries)
- 50g chopped nuts
- 1 dried bean and 1 dried pea
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F). Grease and line a round cake tin.
- Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time.
- Sift the flour, baking powder, and mixed spice, then fold into the mixture.
- Stir in the dried fruits and nuts, and hide the bean and pea within.
- Bake for 1.5 hours or until a skewer comes out clean. Cool and decorate.
Twelfth Night: A Celebration to Remember
Twelfth Night is a celebration of endings and beginnings, of laughter shared and traditions honoured. It reminds us that even in the darkest months, there is warmth, mischief, and joy to be found. So, gather your friends and family, bake a cake, raise a toast, and let the spirit of Twelfth Night fill your home.
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