The wren was widely held to be sacred and killing the bird was unlucky. In Ireland it was known as the druid's bird. The hunting of the 'Cutty Wren' appears to have originated in Ireland and Wales but was also once known in Surrey and Oxfordshire. It was practised on Saint Stephens Day (Boxing Day - December 26), New Year's day or Twelfth Night.

http://www.thorshof.org/zwren.htm

Anyone heard of this tradition associated with Boxing Day?

The hunting of the wren traditionally takes place in Ireland where the wren represents the dying year King, and would be sacrificed for the good of the land. Nowadays they don’t kill a wren but a procession of Wren boys carries a decorated cage. Holly at this time of year is associated with the robin; the wren is associated with ivy.

Anyone heard of any more traditions associated with this time of year? Folklore is fascinating isn’t it and you can very often see the remnants of older customs in modern day rites!

Well I have heard of the custom of hunting the wren, but am glad to say its not one practiced in my locality.


The only 'other' boxing day tradition I know of is the one that, allegedly' gives it its name, ie the opening of the por boxes and the distribution of the monies inside.

Well apart from the modern traditions of 'turkey-phobia' and 'January' sales

Kev

Yes, my Irish mother used to sing me The Wren Song

The wren, the wren, the king of the birds,
On St. Stephen's Day was caught in the bush,
Although he is little, his family is great,
So I pray you, good lady, give us a treat.

She had a live recorded album by the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, that gave an account of the custom. The link is a bit cheesy, but has more info on the tradition.

http://www.irishfestivals.net/saintstephensday.htm

Yep, my mum remembers it too. She also connects it to the Straw Boys she thinks, though her memory on that is muddled, as both she and her guardian describe the same event like they were at different places There was a lot of dressing up by the men of the village too

I remember seeing the procession when I was living in England (early to mid 90's). Though I couldn't remember which day was - sometime between christmas and new year was all I can remember. This was Bridge near Canterbury.

I have a wall down the side of my garden with some ivy on it, and in past years had a pair of wrens nesting in it.

So imagine my disgust after finally getting back into my house after a fire, to discover my b*st*rd neighbours had nipped over the wall and cut the ivy down! Cretins! I was sooooooooooo close to hexing the ass of them!

Up in South Yorkshire, boxing day use to be the traditional day for grouse beating, which Inever understood really, as the season is usually in August!

Wren hunting also takes place in Wales, I think - I have a Welsh wren hunt song somewhere.

As to other traditions - last night was twelfth night, the night when the Wild Hunt rides. A bad night to be caught out of doors... and a wild and windy night it was here.

Blessings,

Angharad