| The Royal Society of Saint George |
| Jakarta Branch |
Slayed by St. George
According to my limited research, the medieval period of history spans a period of 800 years beginning around the year 700 and during this
period of time, there were key advances in society, government and religion. So what could be more appropriate than a Medieval Banquet
held in the Shire of Menteng in the Year 1431?
Well after much planning, preparation and no little stress, Saturday night finally arrived and at the King’s bequest, the scores of merry
makers arrived and surprisingly on time at 7 pm. Under strict instructions from the Queen, and the threat of an hour in the stocks, the
hordes congregated outside the castle gates to quaff some fine wines and other suitable libations. I took the opportunity, while continuing
to quaff, to survey the assembled masses (a motley crew if ever I saw one), and there they were: five Robin Hoods, four knights a lancing,
etc etc a bit like the twelve days of Christmas with a few damsels in distress, a friar and a couple of old boilers thrown in for good measure.
Sadly there were few buxom serving wenches.
Then action! The royal fanfare resounded through the courtyard and we entered to a breathtaking site - the banquet room bedecked with
shields, coats of arms, spears and the Blazon of St. George. Equally important there were three strategically placed and well stocked bars.
This is more like it!
After the minstrels had entertained us, we were ordered to be seated by some funny guy in a red suit ringing a bell (again under threat of a
spell in the stocks) and then immediately told to be upstanding for the King, Queen and other stuck ups. Why couldn’t he make up his mind
sit down or bloody stand up. I found out later that this was the Town Crier and a right mouthy git he was.
Then we were graciously welcomed by the King and then some emissary from London (forget his name) who quoted some lines from a local
writer named Willy, he got a bit worked up and emotional and I just want to know who is this Harry? Anyway it seemed to go down well and
got the masses warmed up a bit like Abide with Me at the Cup Final. Then after the mouthy git said grace we sat down for a fantastic feast
and importantly more quaffing. I would like to tell you about what we had to eat but honestly can’t remember but it was excellent! During the
feast we had another interlude from the minstrels and then some jugglers, and there was one lanky git on stilts juggling away and we kept
waiting for him to drop his clubs but he never did, shame really. Whilst all this was going on the King sent his arm twisters to gather tithes for
the poor - aagh they always say that.
After the feast it was on to the highlight of the evening the jousting. Four Knights representing each of the home nations to compete for the
honours – no foreigners , remember this was before the Champions League. This was to be a show of finesse, strength and apparently who
had put it about the most. There was a wide range of skills(?) on show from the athletic - get as many hoops as you can, to the mature and
flamboyant style of Lord Llewelyn of Canaervon. Who can forget the lazy gait and the flowing mane, and can anybody remember his
horse? At the end of the tournament all I can recall is seeing Lord Llewelyn with that gleam in his eye and his lance laden with the favours of
most of the ladies of the realm.
Then on to the dancing, we stripped the willow bare I think and there was some other dance where I don’t think we knew if we were coming
or going. We were directed by some funny guy in a skirt but then again it was one of those nights.
The Banquet was a very special occasion as I’m sure all of those who were fortunate to attend will attest and to quote our emissary from
Blighty – it will be a tough act to follow. Many thanks are in order for the main sponsors of the event: Crown Relocations, Aman Resorts and
for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel who provided a great venue for the evening. Thanks are especially due to the committee for organizing a
simply fabulous evening.
We’re hoping to make this an annual event and I’m sure next year the tickets will be in high demand so everybody will need to buy early. Oh
and if you’re wondering about the title, that’s how I felt on Sunday morning.
Dave Foster
According to my limited research, the medieval period of history spans a period of 800 years beginning around the year 700 and during this
period of time, there were key advances in society, government and religion. So what could be more appropriate than a Medieval Banquet
held in the Shire of Menteng in the Year 1431?
Well after much planning, preparation and no little stress, Saturday night finally arrived and at the King’s bequest, the scores of merry
makers arrived and surprisingly on time at 7 pm. Under strict instructions from the Queen, and the threat of an hour in the stocks, the
hordes congregated outside the castle gates to quaff some fine wines and other suitable libations. I took the opportunity, while continuing
to quaff, to survey the assembled masses (a motley crew if ever I saw one), and there they were: five Robin Hoods, four knights a lancing,
etc etc a bit like the twelve days of Christmas with a few damsels in distress, a friar and a couple of old boilers thrown in for good measure.
Sadly there were few buxom serving wenches.
Then action! The royal fanfare resounded through the courtyard and we entered to a breathtaking site - the banquet room bedecked with
shields, coats of arms, spears and the Blazon of St. George. Equally important there were three strategically placed and well stocked bars.
This is more like it!
After the minstrels had entertained us, we were ordered to be seated by some funny guy in a red suit ringing a bell (again under threat of a
spell in the stocks) and then immediately told to be upstanding for the King, Queen and other stuck ups. Why couldn’t he make up his mind
sit down or bloody stand up. I found out later that this was the Town Crier and a right mouthy git he was.
Then we were graciously welcomed by the King and then some emissary from London (forget his name) who quoted some lines from a local
writer named Willy, he got a bit worked up and emotional and I just want to know who is this Harry? Anyway it seemed to go down well and
got the masses warmed up a bit like Abide with Me at the Cup Final. Then after the mouthy git said grace we sat down for a fantastic feast
and importantly more quaffing. I would like to tell you about what we had to eat but honestly can’t remember but it was excellent! During the
feast we had another interlude from the minstrels and then some jugglers, and there was one lanky git on stilts juggling away and we kept
waiting for him to drop his clubs but he never did, shame really. Whilst all this was going on the King sent his arm twisters to gather tithes for
the poor - aagh they always say that.
After the feast it was on to the highlight of the evening the jousting. Four Knights representing each of the home nations to compete for the
honours – no foreigners , remember this was before the Champions League. This was to be a show of finesse, strength and apparently who
had put it about the most. There was a wide range of skills(?) on show from the athletic - get as many hoops as you can, to the mature and
flamboyant style of Lord Llewelyn of Canaervon. Who can forget the lazy gait and the flowing mane, and can anybody remember his
horse? At the end of the tournament all I can recall is seeing Lord Llewelyn with that gleam in his eye and his lance laden with the favours of
most of the ladies of the realm.
Then on to the dancing, we stripped the willow bare I think and there was some other dance where I don’t think we knew if we were coming
or going. We were directed by some funny guy in a skirt but then again it was one of those nights.
The Banquet was a very special occasion as I’m sure all of those who were fortunate to attend will attest and to quote our emissary from
Blighty – it will be a tough act to follow. Many thanks are in order for the main sponsors of the event: Crown Relocations, Aman Resorts and
for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel who provided a great venue for the evening. Thanks are especially due to the committee for organizing a
simply fabulous evening.
We’re hoping to make this an annual event and I’m sure next year the tickets will be in high demand so everybody will need to buy early. Oh
and if you’re wondering about the title, that’s how I felt on Sunday morning.
Dave Foster
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