This year we will once again boast 2 LARPs. The Dinner at Whitfield abbey was written by Beth Tolson and Andrea Hickman while The Nineteen Year Winter was written by Beth Tolson. If you are interested in playing in either of the larps then contact Beth.
King Henry died in 1135 leaving his throne to his daughter, the Empress Maud. Before his death he made his barons, including his favourite nephew Stephen, swear their allegiance to her several times. However no woman has ever ruled England in her own right.
Not surprisingly it did not workout quite like King Henry had hoped. Stephan claimed the throne, stating King Henry had changed his mind on his deathbed and named him as his heir. Stephan entered London and was acclaimed king by the townspeople. Once crowned, Stephen gained the support of the majority of the barons and the Pope. The barons ratified the usurpation, with the opposition of Maud's illegitimate half-brother, Robert, the Earl of Gloucester.
In 1139, the civil war had begun. The Earl's first moves were revealing. He commanded raids. Stephen faced the forces of the Empress Maud at several places around the country. Bad omens haunted him before the Battle of Lincoln, at which Stephen faced Robert. Stephen fought bravely but was captured by a knight in Robert's army. Stephen was defeated and brought before his cousin Maud, and was imprisoned at Bristol. The Empress's victory was immanent.
Stephen's wife, Matilda of Boulogne, rallied support amongst the people of London and the barons. Maud was forced out of London. With the capture of her most able lieutenant, her half-brother, Robert, he was captured fighting a rearguard action which allowed his sister to escape. This was followed by lose of Arundel Castle in Arundel, which had been a stronghold for the Empress. The Empress was distort. After two months of imprisonment for both Stephan and Robert a bargain was struck, a trade of Stephan for Robert.
A sudden violent storm has driven the inhabitants of Arundel inside and those unluckily enough to be travelling in search of shelter. An inn, The Crown, on the edge of the town is suddenly full of people as many find shelter from the weather within its walls and wait for the storm to blow over.
If you are signed up for the LARP and need clothing, contact Beth to connect you with the SCA. They are offering costuming for hire at R25 an outfit with a R75 deposit.
The sleepy village of Whitbury nestled in the early 19th century English countryside has been rather busy of late. The village people have been very occupied with the hay-making, and the ladies and gentlemen have been busy with the change of the seasons.
The war with the French ended nearly three years ago and soldiers are beginning to return to their homes. Prince George, King George the Mad's eldest son is acting as regent.
The town is abuzz with rumours, for it seems that this little hamlet of pleasant countryside has played host to a murder. Mrs Tilney, a wealthy though reclusive widow, who took a cottage in the village last Michaelmas. She and Lady Jane were very good friends, having known one another in their youth. She enjoyed being visited but rarely left her house. Mr Chapman always made sure that she was invited to everything in the hopes that she would be tempted out eventually. Dr Russell believes she was murdered and Mr Leigh, the magistrate, is investigating. It is rumoured that he has already questioned quite a few people. Her body is in the Whitbury church. Mr Taylor is not very happy about that.
Mr Chapman's eldest son has returned home for an extended visit to Whitfield Abbey and Mr Chapman has decided to host a dinner party in his honour.
This is a LARP based on Jane Austen's work and set during the regency period. None of the characters from Jane Austen's works will be present in the LARP, but the characters are based on them.