The words of Queen Elizabeth Gloriana as taken down by her faithful scribe Mistress Rose:

            We would start out by saying this weekend at Port Deptford was made so much more enjoyable by the agreeable weather! We were so pleased that the weather was warm for a fine English springtime.  It made our visit to the Battle Pageant on the first day of the weekend much more enjoyable, we so do hate to see our faithful fighters suffer in the heat!  At Battle Pageant we were so pleased by the display that we made a speech to rally the troops with great success. 

After Battle Pageant we dined with St. Michael’s guild.  We had a lovely time talking to various travelers passing the guild to see the Joust, and were very pleased by a bottle of mead we were presented with.  It was delightful, as was the wonderful conversation at dinner. We were pleased to be caught up with our military’s plans, their current written excursions, and other important military information. 

            Before our Joust at two of the clock we watched a performance by the hobby horses which was beautifully choreographed by Rapunzel. 

            On this day we also had the honor of celebrating Master William Shakespeare’s Natal Day.  We delighted in a celebration at Court Glade where members of our court as well as visitors stood up and recited lines from Master Shakespeare’s works.  It made us proud to see how many of our loyal subjects knew the works of Master Shakespeare and were so well versed in them.  We take so much pride in the intelligence and aspirations of our people in this time.  It warms our heart to see our loyal subjects bettering themselves however they can.

            We ended the day by attending the handfasting of two of our most loyal subjects. We were very happy for the wonderful couple and thought their handfasting was a beautiful and love-filled event.  The cake they had at the ceremony was absolutely gorgeous!  We wish them a most joyous and prosperous union. 

            The second day of the weekend started with a memorial for twenty of our loyal subjects who had passed away during the past year.  We were touched by the eloquent master of ceremonies, Sir Francis Drake and his companion hosts the Sutherlands from Friends of Faire.  The memorial was very well attended and beautifully conducted.  We were well pleased that the talented Serenata singers serenaded us, and were delighted at the dance performance by Danse Macabre.

            We also had quite a bit of fun on that day; we escaped from our Yeomen with the help of the Russian Acrobat Ivana and the Florentines of San Lorenzo.  They distracted our Yeomen with a swordfight in the streets giving us time to duck behind a merchant’s shop.  We then relaxed at the San Lorenzo/Commedia encampment and refreshed ourself under shade of a parasol held by Prince Pietro.  Unbeknownst to us, our Yeomen attacked the Russian Acrobat and she used her skills to tie them up and return them to the Captain of the Guard.  We were escorted by to Court Glade for dinner by Don Guilio de Medici, Counte de Massa; the Florentine Prince, Pietro de Medici, the other members of San Lorenzo, as well as Commedia as our Yeomen were a little tied up at the time.   

            We would like to extend a thank you to Monsiour Jeane’ Chardonnay for his help with some travelers’ questions whilst we were being otherwise entertained. We had no idea he was a wise as he was fashionable!

            We ended the day with a very eventful afternoon at “Tea with the Queen”.  We were joined for tea by fifteen members of Clan McColin, who had never before partaken of an English Tea.  Needless to say they made the Tea a very amusing time.  Chief was among one of the most determined to learn the etiquette for tea correct. Others simply drank from the teapots themselves, or tired to ascertain the purpose of the delicious scones.  We extend the invitation for them to join us anytime, as it was a most eventful and enjoyable tea. 

            We look forward to next weekend with much jubilation.  It is to be a very full weekend as the faire will be celebrating May Day, Masquerade and Bacchanal! We are certain that it will be an event to see.  We cannot wait to see all of the Port wearing their masks and wreaths in celebration!  And the new events of the weekend, such as Grape Stomping in the Celebration Garden promise to be a good deal of fun!