If you've taken my A Noble's Life in Medieval Times, then you will recognize this post as one of the lessons. I thought it important to share with anyone who has yet to take the course! Enjoy :)
Entertainers
Troubador |
Some extremely wealthy houses had their own musicians, but most musicians traveled from place to place.
Other forms of entertainment were plays. Plays could be put on by the party who is attending the feast or a drama group could come and perform for the guests. Plays could be mythological, religious, re-tell a real tale, be political, or comical.
Feasts
For some very wealthy nobles every mid-day meal (the biggest most important meal of the day) could be a feast. For others feasts occurred on special occasions and when guests came to visit. Feasts could take place in the courtyard depending on the weather, or in the great hall.
Feasts weren’t just about the food, but also about entertainment. The people would dance, listen to music, listen to stories, watch a play, talk with friends, and of course eat. Food and drink were plenty, and there were always more options to choose from than any one person could eat. If you were attending a feast, you may take a bite of several different dishes and be full. Toasts were given, and everyone had a merry time.
Check out these articles I've written on the subject:
Four and Twenty Blackbirds - http://historyundressed.blogspot.com/2008/02/four-twenty-blackbirds.html
Medieval Cookery - http://historyundressed.blogspot.com/2009/01/medieval-cookery-and-special-guest.html
Medieval Beverages - http://historyundressed.blogspot.com/2008/10/medieval-beverages-tasty.html
*****
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Eliza: SO enjoyed the post. love talking medieval, and always learn new things from your posts. In my latest medieval, The Tapestry Shop, the protaganist is a trouvere, which is what the troubadours were called in northern France. As you said, he played a lute, and wrote secular plays and composed music. His plays are still performed. Thanks for this post. All good.
ReplyDeleteThank you Joyce :) I love talking medieval too! If only I could have been a fly on the wall...
ReplyDeleteYour book has gotten some great reviews, and I really enjoyed it myself. I read your post about meeting someone at the HNS conference who'd read it, and thought that was awesome--meant to leave a comment but then kids rushed in... sigh...
Wonderful post. I just purchased "Life in the English Country House" by Mark Girouard which describes medieval households that travelled between castles, manors and lodges. Some ranged upwards to one hundred and even five hundred retainers, servants, etc. Fascinating stuff.
ReplyDeleteAngelyn, thank you for commenting and mentioning that book! I'm going to go look at it now! I'm actually writing a scene right now that deals with that, and this will be a great resource! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOoo - what a great article! It came at a great time since I'm writing a medieval story right now and need all the help I can get :-)
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