May Day Re-Creation of Tudor Life
The Liveliest and Most Joyous Re-Creation of the Year
May Day
May Day was a very popular holiday in Tudor times with lots of merrymaking. The celebrations were pre-Christian in concept and were based upon ancient fertility rites. Everything centred upon spring and encouraging crops and other fecundity.
Tudor May Day Celebrations
This Weekend Re-Creation takes as its theme the way in which the Tudors celebrated May Day. It is a very popular Re-Creation, probably because it is so lively and noisy.
The Re-Creation strives to re-capture the processions, plays. pageantry, music & dance of the time and is based at the Barns Sward on the Farm to create a village atmosphere and buildings there may be garlanded (hung with greenery). Tudor Gentry used to go to watch the villagers enjoying themselves.
On the Saturday, a procession collects a May Tree from the Woods, which complete with branches is bedecked with bright ribbons and raised to become, thereafter, the focal point of the celebrations.
Every day of the weekend here are processions usually led by a Jack O'Green, covered in Greenery, and a May Queen, to the Manor House accompanied by much noise. Simple plays of the time are performed (in which good - represented by St George - always ultimately overcomes evil - represented by a Dragon or a Turk). There is much music and dance. Also no little drinking, revelry and ribaldry.
There are only a few Tudors at the House, usually in the Kitchen and Bakehouse.
We usually expect to have some 75 or so Tudors taking part. There is no Time Tunnel.
House, Garden & Farm
Are all Open this weekend. Usually, Spring Bulbs, primroses and cowslips still adorn the Gardens at this time.
Catering
Full catering is available. The Tudor Alehouse also usually is functioning.
Related Pages
Details
| How Much of The House is Open |
All
|
| Likely Number of Re-Creation Folk |
50 - 100
|
| Opening Time |
11:00 am
|
| Late Entry Price Reduction Time |
2:30pm
|
| Closing Time |
6:00 pm
|
| Children Tickets |
Children aged 5-15, under 5's are free.
|
| Open On (see calendar) |
Saturday, 3 May 2008
Sunday, 4 May 2008
Monday, 5 May 2008
|
Tickets
Book tickets online below, all major credit cards now accepted, or book by telephone on 01787 310207. Booked tickets are not valid for the day on which they are purchased. Tickets can also always be purchased on entry at the same prices, booking is not required (more about online ticket booking).To book multiple tickets amend the quantity in your shopping basket.