If you were to ask Henrietta Fitzjohn if she thought
she was a happy girl, she would probably say “Yes.” Admittedly,
it might take her a few moments to come to this conclusion.
On the plus side she would acknowledge that as the daughter of the
town’s most successful merchant — “Herrings, mustard, cheese, and the
finest French wines our speciality!” — she never really wanted for
anything. Also, she had some very good and loyal friends.
Sara was always willing to join her in a game of bowls or practice an
“estampie,” just in case some young gentlemen should invite them to
dance at the midsummer ball. And she loved to listen to stories
told by Peter the Monk who had travelled all over the world — even as
far as Italy — and who was an expert on herbal remedies, even if he did
always tease her about her little snub nose.
On the minus side she was always irritated by her twin brother
Rufus. Why should he be allowed to go to school and not
her? And she thought her life lacked a little adventure: she had
heard all about dragons and knights in shining armor, but she had never
met a single dragon or a single knight.
So by any normal standards — standards for 1485 that is — Henrietta led
a pretty ordinary life. That is until her mother announced that
in six months time she was to be married to Squire Fosbery-Parneby’s
eldest son Postlethwaite. “Not Pustule Postlethwaite!,” screamed
Henrietta. “It’s not so much the warts on his face that I mind.
Or the fact that he only has a black stump where his arm should be
after that nasty accident with the ale-wife’s hop-stirrer.” Her
mother began to look worried.
“Surely you could have
found a husband for me who is a little bit less than 57 years old!”
How is Henrietta going to get out of marrying Pustule Postlethwaite?
All will be revealed…
Songs to be
performed
All written between 1300 and 1550
Ockeghem: Little snub-nose.
(Dainty song with a sense of
mischief. A bit like Henrietta, really.)
Borlet: Hey, sweet nightingale.
(Woodland sounds with prominent
cuckoo cries.)
De Vitry: The Hunt.
(The full excitement of the chase.)
Anonymous: The Song of the Lady
Cheese Makers.
(As sung by Mr Fitzjohn’s workers?)
Dunstaple: Hail, Star of the Sea.
(A welcome moment of quiet
reflection.)
Anonymous: Robin Hood and Maid
Marion.
(Episodes from their real story.)
Jannequin: The Birds.
(The medieval equivalent of Dolby
digitally-mastered sounds effects!)