WASSAIL, the ancient form of "toasting" (0.E. waes hcil, "be whole"), the term being applied later to the Christmas feasting and revelries and particularly to the bowl of spiced ale or wine which was a feature of the mediaeval Christmas. At the reception of King Vortigern by Hengist, Rowena "came into the king's presence, with a cup of gold filled with wine in her hand, and making a low reverence unto the king said, `Waes hael hla f ord Cyning,' which is 'Be of health, Lord King.' " In Henry
VII.'s reign the steward on Twelfth Night cried "wassail" three times on entering with the bowl. Wassailing was as much a cus tom in the monasteries as in laymen's houses, the bowl being known as poculum Caritatis.