The Hunting of the Wren The Hunting of the Wren is the culmination of the myth of the Wren who kills Cock Robin. On or near the Winter Solstice, the populace hunted and killed the Wren for its supposed misdeed. The origins and meaning of this possibly ancient ceremony are disputed. It is thought by some to represent the human sacrifice of the Year King, or the symbolic substitute slaughter of the wren as king of the birds at the end of the year for similar purposes, and Wren songs are traditionally sung just after the Winter Solstice. Others attribute the custom to the English peasants revolt of 1381, and the wren is supposed to be the young king Richard II, who is killed and fed to the poor. However there is no strong evidence to connect this song with the Peasants revolt. The hunt generally took place on St Stephens Day/Boxing Day/26 December, with a procession that night of Wrenboys (lads dressed in bizarre costumes made of straw and colourful cloth) carrying branches from which hung the body of the wren, as they sang. Favourite Wren songs? Post in Comments! Image: Watercolour Study by Suse Dol Amroth
Posted on: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 02:05:44 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015