What is Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival?

[lak611]

The Episcopal Cathedral in my city is having a Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival on December 30. I have never heard of it and don’t know any Episcopalians to ask about it. Does anybody know what this is? I saw it advertised in the Church Service/Mass schedule in the paper. As far as I know, no other churches are having this. Is this something unique to the Episcopal Church?

 

[puzzleannie]

I believe the boar’s head is an British thing, because boar hunting was done in mid-winter, and like all hunting was regulated so only the lord of the manor had the right to take the boar, it was probably roast on a spit in one of those huge fireplaces you see in medieval castles. Wasn’t the head on the platter that turned out to be Banquo’s ghost supposed to be a boar’s head? Bringing the head in was a very big deal and highlight of the banquet. They do this in Renaissance Faire SIL takes part in as well. Yule Log is a Scandinavian custom, something about the first fire of the new year. Probably both customs are accompanied by drinking lots of ale, mead or what have you.

 

[lak611]

I believe the boar’s head is an British thing, because boar hunting was done in mid-winter, and like all hunting was regulated so only the lord of the manor had the right to take the boar, it was probably roast on a spit in one of those huge fireplaces you see in medieval castles. Wasn’t the head on the platter that turned out to be Banquo’s ghost supposed to be a boar’s head? Bringing the head in was a very big deal and highlight of the banquet. They do this in Renaissance Faire SIL takes part in as well. Yule Log is a Scandinavian custom, something about the first fire of the new year. Probably both customs are accompanied by drinking lots of ale, mead or what have you.

Who was Banquo’s ghost? What is SIL? Do you know if this festival has any religious significance?

 

[puzzleannie]

Banquo’s ghost appears in Macbeth. I don’t think either of these festivals is particularly religious, just general Winter celebrations. SIL is sister-in-law.

 

[lak611]

Banquo’s ghost appears in Macbeth. I don’t think either of these festivals is particularly religious, just general Winter celebrations. SIL is sister-in-law.

Oh, I forgot my Shakespeare.

If they are not religious then that would explain why I never heard of them and why no other churches have them.

I been to a few of those Renaissance/Medieval Fairs. Does your sister-in-law dress up for the fairs? They are actually fun. They have them here in Cleveland in the summer outside with the jousting and all that fun stuff. I also went to one of those in Orlando, where the dinner was eaten without utensils and they served mead. I enjoyed it.

Sorry about the silly question on SIL abbreviation. I’m not really up to date on all the IM abbreviations.