Snapdragon, but not the flower
The English game of snapdragon originated in the 16th century and was played in England, Canada and the United States. It was a popular parlour game, particularly in the winter.
On Christmas Eve in Victorian times, the family would gather round while raisins were put in a bowl of warmed brandy. Then one of the adults would set a match to them, all the lights would be extinguished and everyone would take turns to snatch a raisin from the flames. The idea was to put out the flame by closing the mouth around it and swallowing the raisin.
Although the traditional treats were raisins, other things might be substituted, like almonds, figs, candied fruits or grapes. Children often burnt their fingers and mouths and that may be why the game fell out of favour in the early years of the 20th century.
That is not my idea of a real fun time!
ReplyDeleteNor mine!
DeleteIt doesn't sound like a good game to me.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't.
DeleteAh! So...That's how the great fire of London started...
ReplyDeleteHeHe! I 'do not' have any type of naked flame in my
home..'not' even a candle...and people who do, are very
silly, my old neighbours used to burn them all over there
home, especially in the dining room..! :(.
Saved on the heating l suppose...!
Most of those early traditions from the early centuries,
are best left alone and forgotten...for 'all' our sakes..!
🎅 ⛄ ❄️ 🎁 💐 🎅 ⛄ ❄️ 🎁 💐 🎅 ⛄ ❄️ 🎁 💐
Oh! Sorry..! I stand corrected..I do have a
Deletenaked flame in my home...from my Range
cooker which is gas...!
All our candles are battery driven and our fires are contained within stoves. We had a house fire once, nothing to do with naked flames, and it was a most unpleasant experience. We also had a washing machine catch fire, and two -unoccupied - cars.
DeleteNo wonder child mortality was so high back then!
ReplyDeleteThose who survived were the hardy ones - Darwin's treasures.
DeleteThank goodness not all traditions have continued!
ReplyDeleteIt''s not one I would have embraced.
DeleteMinor mouth burn to get a raisin and more importantly some brandy, I'd chance it. Please Miss, can I have seconds.
ReplyDeleteThose poor tender little fingers . . .
DeleteComing soon to a school near you to illustrate a history lesson. All planned and ready to go. Just the risk assessment left to complete.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine what OFSTED would make of that?
DeleteDoesn't sound like much fun to me ... Ouch! xxx
ReplyDeleteNor me . . . x x x
DeleteI remember when family fireworks were banned on Guy Fawkes Night because every year children were accidentally burned or blinded. Similarly I am sure within one generation of Snapdragon stopping, children wouldn't have even known what it was.
ReplyDeleteYet, still, children are given sparklers . . . though I used to enjoy those.
DeleteGood grief ... sounds like a risky kind of game to me Janice. Mind you - raisins soaked in brandy would be rather tasty.
ReplyDeleteNo need to light them to enjoy them, eh?
ReplyDelete