Rejoice and be merry: religious music, song and performance in England during Christmastide, 1718 - 1918

The writing and impact of The Messiah over the whole period together with other Christmas classical music of the period; the gradual acceptance of the Christmas carol and the rapid and major expansion of the genre in the 19th century; Christmas music in the countryside (notably the waits, wassailing) and towns with public performances on the streets and elsewhere; the idea and development of lessons and carols to relay the Christmas message which began in Truro in the late 19th century and culminating in the celebrated service at King’s College Cambridge which began in December 1918.