History of Caroling

History of Caroling

by Katherine Crumrine

Caroling is an oral tradition​

• passed down from generation to generation

• ​written in Latin in the 4th and 5th centuries

• ​commemorating the nativity, or birth of Jesus Christ

• ​NOT associated with Christmas until the 13th century

Multiple Select

What kind of tradition is caroling?

• Oral tradition

• Written tradition

• Generation to generation

• Gift giving

Multiple Choice

When did carols become associated with Christmas?

• 16th century

• 13th century

• 4th century

• 5th century

Caroling may be rooted in feudal society...​

​Poor citizens would have to sing for their super.

​

​Or it's possible they they sang door-to-door because...

​They weren't allowed to perform in churches.

​

​Or it developed from pagan customs...

​When around the 16th century, Anglo-Saxon peasants went wassailing, requesting nourishment from their superiors in exchange for singing good tidings.

​

Multiple Choice

Which of these is not a possible origin?

• Feudal society - sing for their super

• They weren't allowed to perform in churches

• Wassailing

• Christmas

​Wassail

A thick, hot spiced beverage that helped keep the traveling well-wishers warm

​It was just as much of a holiday tradition as eggnog is in modern times

​With children often going door-to-door, it became more associated with Christmas and caroling

​

​Caroling became popular...

• ​​Oliver Cromwell had banned Christmas celebrations in England from 1649 to 1660

• ​Took until the 19th century

• ​The joyful, expressive hymns were well-received in the Victorian Era.

Multiple Choice

Who banned Christmas celebrations?

• George Washington

• Oliver Cromwell

• Ebenezer Scrooge

• King George III

A common legend​

Christmas carols were named after Carol Poles, a little English girl who supposedly went missing in London during the holiday season in the late 19th century.

​

​People supposedly searched for her by going door-to-door, singing to declare their good intentions.

​

​Although it may be a nice story, it has no factual basis.