Current News: As of this writing, the feast is now completely sold-out. There are still plenty of seats for the play, but it is possible that it will sell out, so if you don't have a reservation, it is probably a good idea to arrive promptly at 1pm, to ensure that you get a seat. (There should be no problem with space for dancing.)
January 24th, 1598 is blowing cold outside, and it is no day to be out and about in London. But inside Lincoln's Inn the cold seems distant, for there is dancing and revelry, a play to watch, a fine repast from the best cooks in the City, and much merriment for all.
You are invited to attend a Revel at the Inns of the Court of Her Majesty Elizabeth, Prince of England and surely the wisest Monarch of our Day. For on this day, the Barristers shall be holding a Formal Revel, opening the doors to those who would honor us with their presence. It shall be a day of fine entertainments of diverse sorts. A troupe of actors will perform Master Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, a favorite of many in London since it first was played a few years ago. Dinner will be prepared under the watchful eye of Mistress Elayne Courtenay, renowned for her knowledge of the most current dishes. And in the evening there shall be the traditional Formal Revels with the Old Measures, followed by the Post Revels and merrymaking.
The event will be held at:
Directions are below. The autocrat is:
The doors for the event will open at 1pm; the play will begin in the early afternoon (sometime between 2 and 3pm). Dinner will be at around 6pm, with dancing commencing around 7:30pm. The event will close at 10pm. There will be an additional performance of the play held at the same site on Friday evening, which will be open to the general public; for more details, contact the autocrat.
This event is intended to be late-period, high-court English; those with other personae are welcome to attend, but if you have garb that fits the theme, you are encouraged to dig it out. We are intending to have brief entertainments during breaks in the dancing, so if you might be interested in performing something appropriate to the period (a song, a story, a performed dance, or even a masque), please write directly to the autocrat (contact info above).
Check back at this page occasionally; if there is time, we will be updating it with information about the period, and the Inns themselves.
The cost of the event will be $12 with the feast, $6 without; half those prices for children under 10, and babes in arms are free. Feast seating will be limited, as might the play itself; a sellout is likely, so reservations are a good idea, even if you aren't eating dinner. To make a reservation, send a check made out to "SCA, Inc. - Barony of Carolingia", to the Reservations Clerk:
From Boston: Follow the Mass Pike West to exit 16, (W. Newton/Wellesley). Follow Rt. 16 East. You will travel through a rather confusing intersection. Stay in the left lane and follow Rt. 16 East. The church is on the right.
From points West of Boston: Take Mass Pike (I-90) to I-95/128 South. Follow directions below for I-95/128 (route 16 is just south of the Mass Pike). Note: there is NO exit for Rt. 16 from the East Bound side of the Mass Pike.
From I-95/128: Take exit 21A which is Rt. 16 (Waban/W. Newton). Follow Rt. 16 East into Newton. In Newton, Rt. 16 will cross over the Mass Pike in a rather confusing interchange, you need to avoid the Mass Pike onramp and stay on Rt. 16 East. The church is on the right, after crossing over the Mass Pike.
The church is a large, ornate building with a square tower topped with four spires (1326 Washington St./Rt 16) Use the Washington Street entrance at the farthest right.
There is a fair amount of metered parking, both on Washington St. and in lots near the church; also, several streets around the church have on-street parking. Strictly after 2pm, the bank across the side street from the church allows us to use its parking lot. Early arrival and carpooling are recommended for optimum parking. There is no parking lot at the church.
Last modified -- minor reformatting -- by Eowyn, 7 October, AS XXXXIIII (2009 C.E.).