Regardless of our spiritual beliefs, many of us will be tucking into what we assume is traditional Christmas fayre tomorrow, including turkey and Christmas pudding, but perhaps surprisingly, these familiar foods are not as traditional as we might think!
During the 15th century, the wealthy ate boars head, which was trumpeted to the table to show its importance. Our ancestors too, held this dish in high esteem as it was revered by both the Celts and the Vikings.
During the 17th and 18th centuries boar was superceded by swan and peacock, then by beef, until the 19th century when the Victorians introduced turkey as a cheap alternative, although records show that turkey was served at Christmas as early as 1542.
Plum porridge was an old Christmas dish, which, over the centuries became thicker and thicker until it took the form of our now familiar Christmas pudding, which first appeared around 1670. It also became the hiding place for silver coins, the good luck symbols which were originally hidden in the Twelfth Night Cake.
Whatever your preference and whatever your path, may the returning light shine bright in your life.
'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers.'
