Guide To Arranging A Medieval Banquet

This guide to arranging a Medieval Banquet brings together over 10 years of our experience in arranging and supplying equipment for medieval events. If you are planning a banquet, this will enhance your evening, and will save you time and money.

This guide is for private individuals, venues, professional conference and event organisers and professional Caterers.

2.2 How to Choose the Right Options for Your Budget

We have ranked our ideas to suit a range of budgets and tastes

Our Ranking
	Easy and cost effective, we recommend for all banquets
	Suitable for medium sized and the more industrious event organisers
	For large banquets with substantial budgets

2.3 How to Contact Us

If you have any questions, think you have a service that may help, or you have an idea that you would like to share, please contact us and we would be pleased to help, or include it in future issues of this guide.

Email: mail@medievalhire.co.uk

Telephone: 01202 471390 / 07773 372024

Regards

Jonathan Spratt

On Behalf of the Team at Medieval Hire.

3 - INVITATIONS

3.1 Sending Invitations to Your Guests

To get the theme going from the start, you can use a range of great template invitations for your guests.

3.2 Postal Invitations

Contact us to download templates as Microsoft Word Documents or as a PDF. You can then customise and print these for your guests.

3.3 Email Invitation Templates

We supply a customisable email template which can be used to spice up any email invitation. These are available to download from our website – www.medievalhire.co.uk/invites

Alternatively, these can be posted to the internet for your guests to download. We offer this service free of charge.

4 - VENUES

4.1 Venue Finding

Finding a venue with a suitable room can take a lot of the work out of creating a traditional banquet atmosphere. Visit out website and click on venues to see a wide selection of suitable venues. The map shows the location of events we have completed in the UK and Northern Ireland.

We recommend two excellent venue finding websites; both have search facilities for Castles and Historic Houses.

http://www.venuefinder.com/

http://www.venues.org.uk/

4.3 Outside Venues

If you cannot find a suitable venue for your budget, why not hold your own banquet in a marquee? This opens a wide range of additional possibilities and can significantly reduce venue costs. Local parks, sporting clubs, fields or large gardens are all suitable options. Marquee companies are very adapt at supplying power and toilet facilities where they are not already available.

4.3 Layout of Your Banquet

A banquet works best when laid out in a U-shape as detailed below. The head table can be for special guests when the event is a wedding, anniversary or birthday. Most venues will have standard trestle tables, and benches can be hired from www.medievalhire.co.uk for delivery to any UK venue.

With the layout below, you can sit 6 people around each table, and 3 people per bench. Use the table below for a guide.

For an authentic finish, you can use hessian as a disposable table cloth. Again an easy calculation would be 1 foot per guest, plus the head table.

Number of Guests	Tables Required	Benches Required	Hessian Required (Metres)
30	6	10	12
50	10	18	20
75	14	26	28
100	18	34	36
150	26	50	50
200	36	70	66
300	52	102	100

5 –DECORATION AND EFFECTS

5.1 Reviewing the Venue

Even a few well placed, well chosen decorations can make a big difference to the feel of your room. Lighting, sound and props all add to the medieval feel of your event.

5.2 Lighting

Although most venue lighting is normally suitable for basic functions, it is always worth considering additional lighting effects to add atmosphere to your function. Uplighting of room features and room decoration is a specialised skill, and we recommend you use a qualified, reputable company who will ensure existing power is suitable and that all equipment is installed and removed safely. A basic lighting kit can be supplied for around £500, and usually includes:

· Truss parcans for room highlighting

· Mood lighting

· Atmospheric mist and smoke

5.3 Sound Systems

For smaller venues, sound amplification will not be required. For banquets of around 40 or more people it can be advantageous to utilise a small sound system if you plan to have a structure to the evening. We supply a stand alone system that can be easily installed and operated. We recommend you have someone dedicated to operating the sound system, and ensure you run a sound check before the guests arrive to check the volume throughout the venue.

The following two sound systems are suitable for most events

· System 1 - (up to 40 people)

o Qty 2, Tripod speaker stands

o Qty 2, Compact (2 x 5") speakers (can be flown)

o Qty 1, Shure Beta 58 microphone

o Qty 1, Mic stand

o Qty 1, Mixer/amp

o As required - all cables

§ Price without operator - £150

§ Price with operator - £300

· System 2 - (up to 100 people)

o Qty 2, Tripod speaker stands

o Qty 2, Mid-size 200W speakers (12" + horn) can be flown

o Qty 2, Microphones of choice

o Qty 2, Mic stands

o Qty 1, Soundcraft Mixer in flight case with CD player and cassette deck

o Qty 1, 600W/ch Amplifier (C-Audio)

o As required - all cables

§ Price with operator - £450

For more sound options, please visit http://www.pacourtlighting.com/sound/

5.4 Properties and Room Decoration

The use of medieval props can add a great extra touch. We can provide a variety of medieval equipment, or you can source your own items if you plan in advance.

· Fire-proofed hay bales and straw, round tables and stools

· Ale barrels

· False open

· Tabards for guests

· Hessian table cloths with table centre decorations including oak leaf candlesticks

· Benches for guests

· Silver tankards and goblets, stoneware plates, serving dishes and jugs

· Knife, fork and wooden spoon

· Thrones

· Walls decorated with large shields and colourful hanging pennants

· Set of stocks

· Medieval music

· Bow and arrow

· Horse helmet and joist pole

· Coins and Scrolls

· Juggling Balls

· Plate spinners

All the props above can be hired from www.medievalhire.co.uk/props

6 - COSTUMES

6.1 Staff Costumes

We can supply crusader tabards for serving staff. These are easily worn over standard clothes, and in our experience, staff are usually keen to join in with the fun. These functional grey tabards look great, and enable staff to be easily identified, whilst adding to the general atmosphere and authenticity. We supply staff costumes from £5 per person.

6.2 Guest Costumes

There are a wide range of companies that supply costumes suitable for a medieval event. Full costumes can range between £30 and £60 per person.

We consider a straight forward and more cost effective alternative is to hire a range of tabards from us at www.medievalhire.co.uk/costumes. These can be individually ordered by the guests, or can be handed out in a reception room as the guests arrive. We supply guest’s costumes from £12.50 per person. For more details please contact 01202 480603.

7 - CATERING

7.1 Choosing a Caterer

Most venues will be accommodating with specific menus to suit a banquet. We suggest a range of menu options for a variety of budgets.

7.2 Medieval Crockery

Modern crockery is not suitable for a medieval feast, but you can hire earthenware crockery, wooden handled knives and forks, goblets and pewter tankards. These look superb and we recommend a must for any size of banquet. Accessories including serving dishes and jugs can also be hired, and can be adapted to suit your specific menu needs.

7.3 Hog Roast

This is by far and away the most popular option for a wholesome feast. They start from around £600 for 100 people and offer excellent value for money. The added bonus is the hog roast can be an integral part of the evening, and can be cooked, carved and served in the banquet hall with table service or as a buffet.

Hog Roasts include:

· Succulent whole roast pig cooked to perfection using cider & fresh bay leaves, served in a large bun with sage & onion stuffing, apple sauce and & green salad

· Buttered salad potatoes in skins, coleslaw, crisp lettuce, cucumber & tomato.

· Country coleslaw, vegetable rice and pasta salad

8 - CHARACTERS

8.1 How the Characters work

If you plan to have a more structured event, having the right characters will help. There are a wide range of fun roles that you can include, and we have suggested a few ideas below. The characters can either be played by friends and guests, or you can hire professionals to take the roles. In either case, ensure the roles and responsibilities are clearly laid out in advance.

8.2 A King and Queen/Chamberlain

The King and / or Queen can either instruct guests throughout the evening, running the event and co-ordinating the entertainment, or can take a more passive role. They should have a grand entrance, followed by Ladies of the Court and Jesters, whilst a heraldic trumpet fanfare signals their arrival. What the King says goes, and anyone not in the King’s favour is straight off to the stocks.

8.3 Alehouse innkeeper & wife.

These characters can multi task, adding atmosphere and serving ale! They can meet and greet guests, serve at the tables and bar, and act as grovelling serfs to the King and Queen.

8.4 Court Jester

We recommend you use a professional to take on this role. Jesters need to be multi skilled and very confident, and can sometimes be the butt of many jokes and much ridicule. Jesters can be magicians, musicians, comedians and entertainment organisers, and preferably all four.

9 - ENTERTAINMENT

9.1 Planning Your Entertainment

The type of event you want, and the entertainment you choose, will vary. For weddings and anniversaries we recommend you keep the entertainment low key. For corporate and group functions you should be more proactive with games and activities organised by specialist staff, or adventurous guests.

9.2 Medieval Musicians

Live musicians can perform from a single player to an ensemble of four or five. If you do not have a budget for live musicians, we recommend you use a good CD for your evening which can be hired from our website.

9.3 Trumpeters – Court Heralds

These are a luxury, but sound fabulous on larger or outside events. They can be used to announce the arrival or key guests, food courses and the start and finish of games. For a great range of trumpet fanfares, please visit www.medievalhire.co.uk

10 – GAMES AND ACTIVITIES

10.1 How to Organise Your Games

If you wish to spice up your event, and get your guests to interact and team up, we suggest the following games and activities.

10.2 Heads and Tails

All guests are asked to stand. They are instructed to place their hands on either their heads or tails. The king flips the coin and guests either remain standing or sit down depending on how the coin lands. This is repeated until only one guest is left. This guest will get a scroll to join the Knights of the Round Table.

10.3 Juggling competition

Each team will be asked to nominate a member of their realm to come to the front of the King’s table and entertain him with their juggling skills. The King will award a scroll to the realm with the best or most entertaining juggler.

10.4 Physical Contortion

Each team will be asked to nominate a member of their realm to come to the front of the King’s table and will ask for all the contestants to audition for a small play. They will play the role of a chicken and will be asked to lay a large egg. The King will award a scroll to the realm with the best actor.

10.5 Plate Spin

Each team will be asked to nominate a member of their realm to come to the front of the King’s table. Each player in turn will be given 2 plates and asked to keep them spinning for as long as possible without them dropping on the floor. The King will award a scroll to the realm with the longest spins.

10.6 Historic Medieval Quiz

A quiz is placed on the tables for each realm to complete throughout the evening. These will be collected and marked and scores added to the realm total. See Appendix A

10.7 Ye Olde Limerick

Realms will be asked to complete a limerick, and handed a selection of one line starters. When requested they chose the best limerick and announce it to the court. The wittiest, most innovative one will be awarded a scroll by the King. See Appendix B.

10.4 Hobby Horse

A member of each realm is nominated to become the King’s Supreme Knight. Each of the contestants takes it in turn to run down the centre of the tables with the Hobby horse, helmet and joisting pole. They will be aiming for a number of balloons which they will burst. The King will award a scroll to the realm which burst the most balloons.

11 – MUSIC AND SOUND EFFECTS

11.1 Medieval Music

Although the medieval period lasted 1000 years, we suggest you don’t get too hung up on the intricacy of the various styles of medieval music. We supply a CD pack containing early chant traditions, Gregorian chant, upbeat ensemble music, and the music for Troubadours and Trouvères.

These can be supplied as a standard CD set or as single CD with digital MP3 files. If you wish to download tracks, please visit www.medievalhire.co.uk/music

11.2 Sound Effects

In addition to music, sound effects can be played during the evening. These include:

· Trumpet Fanfares for announcements and proclamations

· Farmyard noises

12 – SAMPLE SCHEDULE

12.1 Scheduling Your Evening

Although the evening should run at its own pace, it is useful to have a schedule to give your event structure and style. The following schedule can be adapted to suit your own needs.

1.00pm	Setup Room
7.30pm	Guests Arrive Tabards on seats	Meet by Inn Keeper and wife Jester. CD music played Mulled wine served at the Bar
8.00pm	Guests are asked to take there seats and put on their tabards
8.05pm	Guests asked to stand for the King and Queen King and Queen arrives Speeches to introduce the night and explain table games	Trumpet Fanfare
8.15pm	Soup served from kitchen to guests at the table	Trumpet Fanfare Serve King first
8.30pm	King announces game Head and Tails Juggling challenge Soup cleared?
8.45pm	King announces food to be served Main Course served	Trumpet Fanfare
9.15pm	King announces game Plate spinning Archery competition
9.30pm	Dessert served	Trumpet Fanfare
9.50pm	Hobby Horse competition for the nominated persons (2 Male, 2 Female) from each group	Trumpet fanfare (Stand in front of table) Champagne Served
10.15pm	Tables Cleared Coffee served at buffet table	Collect Quiz.
10.15pm	King Calls Guest King will call for members to come and read there limerick	Cake returned to kitchen to be served on coffee table.
10.25pm	King will present prizes to the winners	Knight the earl and lady give scrolls. (Winners of horse game) Announce realm (Champagne)
10.30pm	King demands that the court dance	The King and Queen can lead the dancing
10.50pm	Announce King Leaving King Leaves	Trumpet fanfare
11.00	Last order’s at the Bar

APPENDIX A – QUIZ – CHALLENGE FOR THE KING

Name of Realm ________________________

Who was Henrys I famous father? _________________

How many years did the 100 years war last? _________________

What was the last part of modern day France to be English? _________________

By what title was Edward I son known? _________________

Where did the Scots win in 1314? _________________

Between which two families was the war of the roses fought? _________________

Which King signed the Magna Carter? _________________

Which house did all the barons form? _________________

Who was famously murdered at Canterbury Cathedral? ________________

Which continent did the Black Death originally come from? _________________

Approximately how many years did the Black Death last? ________________

What period followed the Medieval? ________________

Fill in the blanks for the Kings:

1042 Edward the _________________

1066 King Harold _________________

1066 King William _________________

1087 King William _________________

1100 King Henry _________________

YOUR COMPLETED PARCHMENT WILL BE COLLECTED BY A MEMBER OF THE COURT

Quiz Answers (Not to Be Distributed)

Who was Henrys I famous father?	William the Conqueror
How many years did the 100 years war last?	116 Years
What was the last part of modern day France to be English?	Calais
By what title was Edward I son known?	Prince of Wales
Where did the Scots win in 1314?	Bannockburn
Between which two families was the war of the roses fought?	York an Lancaster
Which King signed the Magna Carter?	King John
Which house did all the barons form?	House of Lords
Who was famously murdered at Canterbury Cathedral?	Thomas Becket
Which continent did the Black Death originally come from?	Asia
Approximately how many years did the Black Death last?	Four Years
What period followed the Medieval?	Renaissance

Fill in the blanks for the Kings:

1042 Edward the III or the confessor

1066 King Harold II, Godwinson

1066 King William William the Conqueror

1087 King William II, Rufus

1100 King Henry Beauclerc (1100-1135 AD)

APPENDIX B – QUIZ – LIMERICKS

Name of Realm ________________________

Said the Vicar to old Bishop Price…

2 ________________________________________

3 ________________________________________

4 ________________________________________

5 ________________________________________

There Once was A Young Knight called Reg…

2 ______________________________________

3 ______________________________________

4 ______________________________________

5 ______________________________________

I once took our vicar to tea…

2 ________________________________________

3 ________________________________________

4 ________________________________________

5 ________________________________________

A tooter who tooted a flute…

2 ______________________________________

3 ______________________________________

4 ______________________________________

5 ______________________________________

We were painting the church steeple grey...

2 ________________________________________

3 ________________________________________

4 ________________________________________

5 ________________________________________

There once was a jester named Chuckles… ______________________________________

3 ______________________________________

4 ______________________________________

5 ______________________________________

The archery contest was good…

2 ________________________________________

3 ________________________________________

4 ________________________________________

5 ________________________________________

A minstrel was singing one day…

2 ______________________________________

3 ______________________________________

4 ______________________________________

5 ______________________________________

BE PREPARED TO READ YOU BEST LIMERICKS IF REQUESTED BY THE COURT

Some possible Limerick replies – if you have some that you think would be suitable, any please email us at mail@medievalhire.co.uk – we will credit you for your contribution if you wish.

Said the Vicar to old Bishop Price

My wife's just had twins, ‘ain't that nice

But the Bishop said, "Father

In future I'd rather,

you abstained, or were not naughty twice"

There Once was A Young Knight called Reg

Who Went with a Girl in a Hedge

Along came his wife

With a big Carving Knife

And cut off his meat and two veg

I once took our vicar to tea

It was just as I thought it would be

His rumblings abdominal

Were simply phenomenal

And everyone thought it was me!

A tooter who tooted a flute

tried to tutor two tooters to toot

Said the two to the tooter

"Is it harder to toot, or

to tutor two tooters to toot?"

We were painting the church steeple grey

When the wind blew our brushes away

We said to the pastor

"We've had a disaster!"

He calmly replied, "Let us spray."

There once was a jester named Chuckles

He'd wear a suit with lots of buckles

But when he plays the game

None but him can take blame

When I give him a face full of knuckles

The archery contest was good

But all of the men understood

There was one way to win

So they turned with a grin

And pin cushioned poor Robin Hood!

A minstrel was singing one day

But some of the words went astray

Instead of "low summer"

He crooned out "yo mama"

And frightened his groupies away!