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Sunday 29 May 2011

Medieval madness

§  There are knights in shining armor, with costumed musicians playing on shiny tin flutes – there are Kings,  Queens, Knights, Ladies in waiting and peasants, jesters and best of all the Gueux.     Yes I am talking about the street outside of my shop which has been transformed into Medieval madness on this Sunday morning.  
§  On this day folks from far and beyond flock to Semur en Auxois to down pints of “hypocras”  the alcoholic drink made with a “je ne sais pas quoi” and gobble fairy cakes mixed with herby smelly concoctions and swallow large gulps of bière.   Les Gueux are beggars dressed in potato sacks – while dragging their leg chains behind them they lock their children in cages made of sticks and hay and feed on left-over scraps.  They have blackened teeth smell to high heaven, fierce looking dogs with bloody bones in their mouths accompany them.
§  The town parking lots are cleared to house outdoor camps with open fires and the smell of sausages and chops can be smelt all over the town.  
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The parade in the main street



§  The annual Medieval Day precedes  the “La Bague” which Dates from the 17 Century –which this year will be held on Tuesday the 2nd of  June.  The Bague  is the oldest horse race in France.    Contestants can win a gold ring – the race I love the most is with the work horses – strong hefty animals who pound rather than run - it is a pleasure is hear the sound of their hoofs heaving the turf.  The day is followed by a big marché of veg. fruit and clothes and lots and lots of  bars serving champagne, cremant, white wine and the traditional “Kir” . 

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§  Just for fun I was reading “The daily life of a Medieval Lady”
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§  and the program sounds good to me.
§  Her day starts at dawn when Mass would be heard and prayers would be made
§  A Medieval Lady would be served by her ladies in waiting. She would be assisted with her dress for the day
§  The first meal of the day for the Lady was breakfast
§  The daily life of the Lady would include discussions on tournaments, betrothals, marriages, poetry and courtly love
§  A Medieval Lady would be expected to oversee the education of the upper class girls who had sent to their households
§  A Medieval Lady had to be able to take their husbands places at all times. The daily life of a Medieval Lady would change if her husband was absent. She would be expected to look after the finances of the manor or estates including the collection of rents. Supervise the farming and settle all disputes
§  Mid morning prayers and a meal
§  In the afternoon the daily life of Noblewomen turned to housewifely duties including the supervision of meals and ensuring stores were sufficient
§  Leisure time was spent on embroidery and dance practise
§  Evening prayer and then supper in the Hall of the Castle or Manor House
§  After supper there might be some entertainment - music, dancing, jugglers, acrobats, Jesters, etc
§  Bedtime prayers


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