​​Ordinarily I would not open with a disclaimer. But, under the circumstances, if the reader were to look up this information on their own, they might find answers different than what I’ve written here. So, I will endeavor to weed through it all and give my own assessment of the material. And, I will try to be clear about where my information came from by citing all sources. - Carolyn

Welcome back to the Archivist’s Corner! It’s December, and so I’m rustling up some dusty old treasures that are sure to bring you a bit Yuletide cheer. The first piece I have for you is a Medieval Christmas Carole called “The Boar’s Head.”  It is thought to be of German origin, but it was sung in England during the Middle Ages. This is especially interesting because it hearkens back to the days of old Yule, before the changeover to Christmas. The boar was a sacred animal to Germanic pagans, and therefore also to the Anglo-Saxons who were of Germanic origin. Many people still eat ham on Christmas today, which is a remnant of the old pagan custom of sacrificing a boar for the Yule feast at Winter Solstice.