WHEN WAS 'the first noel written?

Answer 1

Most likely in the 12th, 13th century in England when Nativity plays were commonly put to music. It probably went through a lot of changes before it was first recorded in a music book in about 1833. Noel could have various meanings - a song, a poem, a greeting, a well-wishing, a blessing. Origins could be from French/Norman or English and may have derived from Nowell,a short form of Now All Is Well. - Rob

Answer 2

The First Noel is unknown in origin but is generally thought to be English dating back to the sixteenth century. There is a misconception that the First Noel was French and it is believed that this is because of the French spelling of Noel as opposed to the olde English Anglo-Saxon spelling of the word as in Nowell. After England was captured by the Normans numerous words were adopted from the Norman French language and Noel was re-spelt as Nowell, early printed versions of this carol use the Nowell spelling. The First Noel was first published in 1833 when it appeared in "Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern," a collection of seasonal carols gathered by William B. Sandys Source:http://www.carols.org.uk/the_first_noel.htm

Answer 3

'The First Noel' is a traditional Christmas carol of English origin, but its exact date of composition is unknown. It is believed to have originated in the 16th or 17th century, with the earliest printed version appearing in the 1820s.

Answer 4

The First Noel was first written somewhere between 1681 and 1947 in England. It was first recorded in 1964.