In the winter of Year Eleven of the Realm of Albion, the lady Ymma gave
a great Feast to honour the hero Beowulf. All know the tale of his slaying
of the monster, Grendel who was terrorising the Great King Hrothgar and
his people.
The central entertainment of the Feast was a series of episodes from the
epic tale.
In the first, Beowulf (played by Sir Corwyn) arrived to offer his services
to King Hrothgar (Arinbjorn Skeggisson) and his Queen (Ymma). After some
excellent food, Grendel (Sir Alexander) lurked into the hall and carried
off a small squire before being challenged to unarmed combat by the hero
Beowulf.
Grendel was, of course, disarmed in the course of the combat, and Beowulf
presented his arm to King Hrothgar as a trophy. Beowulf was richly
rewarded and feasting continued until Grendel's Mother (Lady Ragnhild),
seriously irritated by the untimely demise of her wee boy, arrived and
attacked Beowulf with a sword.
The clash of steel rang through the hall to great dramatic effect until
Grendel's Mother was eventually slain. Yet more rich rewards and excellent
food ensued.
The final episode depicted Beowulf in his old age doing battle with a
dragon after all his comrades fled in terror from it. Beowulf defeated the
dragon and won its treasure horde, but tragically died of his wounds.
Other entertainments at the Feast included a riddle game and a piggyback
riding fight.
Lady Ragnhild took Asleif Olafsdottir as her squire and agreed to teach
her the arts of combat.