Well, here's what Sarge and The Bride were up to this past weekend: back with the Knights of Yore and the Yule Ball! The theme for the event was Yule in Lithuania, with themed food, music, and revelry. Here are parts of the journey:
We arrived Friday evening after a long, arduous journey, and upon arrival at the Feast Hall, there was travelers' fare prepared and waiting for those who came from a far: lentil soup, fresh breads and butter, fish and tea.
The next morning, we woke to find the thrones of the Peerage set up for their use. These are the thrones of His Majesty the King, his daughter the Princess, and the Baron and Baroness who are their hosts.
There were to be gifts exchanged that evening after the Grand Feast, and the table was piled high with clever things - including a TARDIS on the corner!
We set up a simple camp near the tournament field, to watch the day's comings and goings. The Bride's red cloak on her chair, Sarge's black on the right. Between us was a loaf of homemade bread The Bride made and brought with us to nosh on during the day.
And yes, I said we were near the tournament field! Here are two of the folks sparring for the Light Weapons Tournament, with a marshall watching the pair...
And the heavies were out there as well! This is but some of the fighting for the Warlord's Tourney, which went pretty much like a game of "Survivor": two teams eliminate each other, then the winning team engages in a free-for-all until the last man standing wins...
I didn't know whose shield this was (I found out later it was a Knight's), but the workmanship involved was so impressive...
Now, THIS was impressive, too: a lady dueling in the Light Weapons Tourney, giving admirable account of herself. Even other fighting stopped to watch the duel...
Whereas, on the Warlord's Field, the savagery continued...
After the tournaments, came Royal Court. The Marine Corps was present to collect for Toys for Tots. This was an awesome sight: His Majesty, dressed festively as Father Christmas for the occasion, with two Marine NCO's standing bolt-upright at attention!
Her Excellency the Baroness informed the Marines of over six HUNDRED toys which are at their disposal, her voice cracking with emotion as she praised their devotion to duty and spoke of her admiration...
And now, on to the Grand Feast! This was High Table for the Royal Party. The thrones of two kingdoms plus the hosting barony are here...
And of course, Low Table, where the boards for the populace were set.
And you can see the great hall bustling with people and servers and minstrels, courtly garb and manners, voices raised in laughter and song.
In addition to the field of battle, there were equestrian events, as well as art and poetry contests, something for every flavor of the days of yore. And to add to the evening, Sarge WON the Poetry Contest! The judges approached us during the feast, asking if Sarge might join the Kingdom Laureate competition later this spring! All in all, a wonderful time, and a wonderful journey through the Current Middle Ages!