KINGS and queens, lords and ladies from medieval history descended in their finery to the historic heart of Evesham last weekend for feasting and merriment.
The richly robed guests attended the Evesham Medieval Banquet at All Saints’ Church, one of three key fundraising events throughout the year to finance the Battle of Evesham festival in August.
Their royal highnesses enjoyed an authentic four-course meal which featured a spicy parsnip pottage, platters of whole poached salmon, herbed chicken thighs and haricot bean mash. To finish there was gingerbread cake and fruit crumble all served on wooden dishes.
Audience entertainment took the form of magic and comedy from jester Devilstick Peat and live medieval melodies played by Early music aficionados.
The event is now on the annual calendar of many of the guests who travel from the four corners of the UK to meet old friends and make new ones.
These included the Tingle family from Guildford in Surrey. Originally from the USA, Frank, his wife Sandra and son Jordan aged 16, visited Evesham especially for the night.
They had heard about the banquet when they were volunteers at this year’s Battle of Evesham Festival. An experience they enjoyed immensely.
He told the Observer it was worth coming back up to Evesham to support the evening. “We love history which is one of the reasons we moved to England was to be able to participate in these kinds of events.
“It was a fabulous feast and has been great fun trying to imagine what it must have been like back in those days.”
Organiser and Battle of Evesham director Mick Hurst said he was delighted with how the fundraiser went which made £2,600 profit.
“The night had a great mix of sword fighting, plays and dancing – a full five hours of high energy entertainment.
“Like the proverbial graceful royal swan, we all felt our legs frantically flapping around under the water to ensure our guests had a great time.
“A massive thanks to Evesham Parochial Church for the hire of All Saints, chef Bryn and team from Raphael’s Restaurant for cooking the fantastic food and donations of ingredients from Evesham Tesco and Ferryfast Produce.
“Also to the performers and hard-working volunteers, some who spent all evening washing-up to ensure that things were kept on time and tidy,” he said.
The final event of the year will be the Evesham Christmas Artisan Fayre which runs in the town centre from November 23 to 24. See battleofevesham.co.uk for more information.
