Lesnes 2025

 Gereetings

Much earlier in the year, the Paladins were asked to provide period colour for a ceremony at Lesnes Abbey marking the anniversary of its dissolution in 1525.

Lesnes was ( I think) the first abbey to be dissolved by Cardinal Wolsey whilst he was attempting to put pressure on the Pope to grant Henry VIII a divorce.

I had been asked to stand in for the abbot, so wore my old day robe. I was standing there, minding my own business, when I heard a voice say "Oh, look, there's a real one!" and found myself facing the Bishop of Rochester.

I explained that I normally re-enacted as a bishop and that I was standing in. I even had a set of large (borrowed) keys to hand over if necessary.

He insisted on having a photo taken with me.

(So far, I've had no problems from any C of E clergy whilst I've been in kit. When I tell them I'm a medieval bishop, most of them just ask "Which Diocese?")

In the event I didn't have to bother with handing over the keys and my lord of Rochester unveiled a rather nice plaque that was to be cemented in later.

It was quite a nice little gig , even though the place was way over in east London and took me two hours on the tube  to get to (and back from).

Until next time

Adieu