A GEORGIAN townhouse is upholding a popular eighteenth-century festive tradition with the crowning of a queen.

Fairfax House in York crowned six-year-old Sophie Burnage as the Queen of Misrule as part of its Twelfth Night celebrations.

In Georgian times, the man and woman who found a pea and bean inside the twelfth night fruit and spice cake were crowned King and Queen of Misrule.

They would be responsible for arranging and directing all Christmas entertainment including elaborate masques and processions, plays, feasts and games.

Hannah Phillip, Fairfax House director, said: “Twelfth Night was one of the most popular days in the festive calendar during the Georgian era, so we wanted to mark the day with our own coronation of a Queen of Misrule.

“Working alongside our director of fun, Oliver Williams, we think Sophie will do a fantastic job in encouraging families to visit us.”