'Wes Hál' from Ad Gefrin this Festive Season

From Martinmas on 11th November to Epiphany on 6th January, Ad Gefrin will challenge our perception of a traditional Dickensian Christmas by rekindling ancient Anglo-Saxon traditions characterised by Yule. Feasting, fasting and festivity were the order of the day in 7th century Northumberland – all focused around overcoming the dark of the winter to bring in the light of the New Year.

For thousands of years, this nature-focused festival brought people together to celebrate the persistence of life, even during the darkest and coldest months. And so, this Yuletide, Ad Gefrin will bring to life the largely untold story of a Northumbrian Anglo-Saxon royal court, with a festive twist.

Marking the start of Yule, Martinmas on 11th November was the time when harvest produce was prepared and stored for the cold months ahead. Foods that could not be stored formed the basis of a great community feast, enjoyed by all. In Wooler, Ad Gefrin will be dressed and decorated in preparation for the festive season and the Yule menus especially designed for sharing will be launched in the bistro (Bēodern), accompanied by impromptu performances from local choirs in Ad Gefrin’s majestic atrium from the weekend of 9th and 10th November.

We can’t be sure exactly how Anglo-Saxons celebrated Yule, because there are so very few written sources, but there are strong indications that many medieval folk-traditions, written about later, began in Anglo-Saxon times.

The Great Hall would have been decorated with evergreen plants – including holly, ivy, mistletoe and yew. Bundles of herbs, harvested and dried during Lammas, would have added to the heady mix. Central to the many gatherings would have been a roaring fire (sometimes kept fed all day and night) as guests congregated for warmth and camaraderie. The tradition of a Yule log, a single trunk slow burned, may have begun in Anglo-Saxon times, kept alight and burning continuously until twelfth night.

In the midst of it all would be the feasting and the toasting – ‘wes hál’ or ‘wes thu hál’ ringing in the rafters. Today, this has echoes in the folk traditions of door-to-door well-wishing and carol-singing known as wassailing. What is more, there are multiple references to gift giving in sagas such as Beowulf between leaders and their followers.

This is the essence of timeless hospitality at the heart of Ad Gefrin today. Whether visiting the re-created Great Hall to enjoy a little of the ancient festive atmosphere, enjoying the taste of seasonal, celebratory menus in the bistro, sampling some of Ad Gefrin’s festive spirits (such as Flyte Whisky Cream and Tácnbora Whisky Blend) in front of a roaring fire or browsing the full range of high-quality designer gifts in the shop, the combination of ancient and modern Yule will ensure visitors of the full warmth of a Northumbrian welcome.

On top of this, there will be a number of activities to get everyone in a festive mood. On three successive weekends (16th to 17th November, 23rd to 24th November and 30th November to 1st December) music, storytelling and weaving traditional straw decorations will be the order of the day. Given that Ad Gefrin means ‘by the hill of goats’, it is wholly fitting that straw goats become the go-to decoration in the Great Hall. Other workshops include Yule Decoration Workshops on 15th November, Yule Embroidery Workshops on 22nd November and 6th December, Yule Wreath Workshops on 29th November and a Song Streams Singing Workshop with local musician and a Northumbrian smallpipe player, Margaret Watchorn on 7th December.

On 14th and 15th December there is a chance to Meet The Anglo-Saxons with strong female characters Wulfthryth and Saethryth, exploring the importance of Yule to them. Then, just before Christmas, on 21st and 22nd December, join the celebrations in The Great Hall, including stories of the many battles between the great Oak and Holly Kings.

The Yule season will draw to a close with this Great Hall celebration of the Epiphany / Twelfth Night on 4th and 5th January.

Ad Gefrin places great importance on family and friendship – everything they do, and everything they create, is born to bring people together. The season of Yule gives focus to this welcome, and as time goes by, there are ambitions to grow Yule as a highpoint in the calendar for the wider community in Glendale. A loud wes hál to all for the coming Yule!

For more information on Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum & Distillery and Yule activities visit adgefrin.co.uk or to book tickets visit here.