I found some notes by a Mrs M Walker and Helen Bennett, dated 1980, and looking back to Somerset Christmas customs.
The day before Christmas was a busy time, especially for the women, and frequently a farmer would entertain his men then, Christmas Day being reserved for his own family. On the table at supper would stand a bowl of warming ‘furmenty’, ale and cider. There would also be bread, cheese, pickles and, until the early 1800’s, an enormous meat and game pie, followed by a yule or some other rich cake.
‘Mummers’ and later, carol-singers, would start their rounds by December 23rd (St Catherine’s Day.) The Wassailers also visited farms and larger houses to sing and wish good luck to the occupants, but the sentiments expressed had no religious connection.
It all sounds very jolly and in the tough, hard lives of country folk in the past, how welcome Christmas celebrations must have been!
Lois Elsden 