The New Murrey and Blue blog

Well, it’s safely past April 1st now, but this post from the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival is too good not to preserve! The pictures it conjures are, well, hilarious. If only it were true! Anyway, here it is:-

“….Tewkesbury Medieval Festival are pleased to announce that for 2021, the 550th Anniversary of the Battle, Lady Avril M’Oron has agreed to sponsor a Royal Barge.

“….This stately craft, which will be constructed by Federated Oar-propelled Occasional Leisurecraft, to the finest standards, complete with velvet covered seats, and an awning of Cloth of Gold, will be used to transport King Edward along the Swilgate.

“….He will then be hoisted ashore at the far side of the Battlefield with a reconstructed Medieval crane and winch, based on the design of the crane and pulley that still exists in the Tower of Tewkesbury Abbey where it was used during the building. Dangling in full armour he will be lowered onto his steed, Mendax, thus reminding people of the cranes used in Laurence Olivier’s Film of Henry V. Galloping at full speed across the battlefield, King Edward will meet up with Queen Margaret – and the rest is history.

“….The Royal Barge will remain on the Swilgate during the battle and will be used by our highly trained medics as a field station should there be any injuries to anyone during the battle. The velvet covered seats can swiftly be converted into stretchers, and the Awning will provide welcome shade to anyone suffering from heat-exhaustion.

“….(Given we are running on corona time, we hereby declare an exemption to standard etiquette and have postponed midday!)….”