WHEN DID PEOPLE START CAROLLING?
The origins of the Christmas carol – such a prominent part of festive celebrations today – are unclear, though seasonal pagan ditties were sung thousands of years ago. Nativity-themed songs appeared as early as the fifth century, though they didn’t take on a familiar form in England until the 14th century, when they were heard in Franciscan monasteries. The earliest English ‘Caroles of Cristemas’, to be sung by roaming groups of ‘wassailers’ in and around taverns rather than recited door-to-door, were documented by Shropshire chaplain John Awdley in 1426.
THE FIRST NOËLS? St Francis of Assisi encouraged the singing of Christmas songs in the 13th century