The year is 1539, and the quiet and calm of Coombe Abbey is about to be shattered forever. The Abbot and his Provost have thrown open the doors of the abbey and have invited the local peasants to come for a meal – ‘A feast fit for a king'! Enter the King’s Commissioners – and before the horrified eyes of the peasants they ransack the abbey of its treasures and banish the Monks.
The scene then changes. We move forward in time to 1595. The de Clapper family are in residence at Coombe Abbey. Sir Robin, the Courte Chamberlain, invites his ‘noble’ guests to a great feast. As the feast progresses, the guests are entertained throughout. The de Clapper family has a vast repertoire of ‘Bawdy Ballads’ and delight in singing them in between courses.
However, the evening is not all plain sailing. The banquet is disrupted by news of an outbreak of plague. Later, a call to arms is necessary as the country prepares for war. Sir Robin copes as best he can, aided by his brother – the drunken, lecherous Sir Nicholas, his mother – the indomitable Dowager, Lady Ethel and his niece – the flirtatious Frances.
The night is filled with bawdy fun, food and wine, colour and music. Miss it at your peril!!
Medieval Banquets are held most Friday and Saturday evenings, they can be booked for couples/individuals, or exclusively for private parties, weddings or corporate events.
Enquire Now