Good Morning to Folkestone, 1537

Good Morning to Folkestone, 1537

Friday, the 5th of April, 2023

Wow, has it been a run and a half! Going to Folkestone for the annual festival really was a blast. Folks, Fret & I were so busy in Folkestone that we barely had a moment to catch our breaths! I’d love to share with you what our days looked like, so lend me your ear and I will gladly share.

As the Rooster Crows

Fret and I set camp up on the edge of Folkestone, right beside the monastery. Father Thomas was so kind as to allow us to stay with him there. Since King Henry VIII had recently “reclaimed” a large majority of the church’s sacred artifacts, the church was rather barren. In fact, it was so barren that there wasn’t even a ceiling! The monastery was placed beneath a tree, and it was in fact, quite beautiful. The canopy did provide ample shade for Father Thomas to lead the devout folks of Folkestone in praise. Father Thomas did make the most of the unconventional ceiling, as the roof of the monastery was directly connected to God.  One could say that the ceiling and church as a whole was rather… holy. 

Now, Father Thomas is a very busy man. He often had business to attend to in the morning and this day was certainly no exception, as a very special event is occurring today. King Henry VIII and Queen Jane Seymour are visiting Folkestone to celebrate their honeymoon! Folkestone was surely bustling with energy, as merchants, performers, the village people, and even the fae gathered around to greet the king.

The Lively Streets of Folkestone

In anticipation of the royal procession the atmosphere was quite lovely. Music from an old bard of legend filled the streets - a bard that Fret and I had heard many-a-rumor of. This bard was known across all the lands as a duo, just like Fret and I, however the representation of this bard was only half, a soloist from the duo. The soloist present had been playing across the lands for longer than Fret and I were alive (and if you combined our ages, the noble soloist would still have some years of playing over us!), and his reputation was widely known and respected. He was eager to play tunes for the bustling day ahead.

The villagers were anxiously gathered by the front gates, awaiting the king’s arrival. Some friendly pirates joined the old bard, Fret and I in song, then the king arrived. With him he brought dozens of cavaliers and privateers, along with the full extent of his court, including his daughter, walked in by the mayor and his sister, the town square of Folkestone was quite crowded!

The Talented Folks of Folkestone

As the king and his brigade funneled in through the town gates, more and more participants followed in suit. Soon there was a large crowd, in which the king had requested to see a sample of the town’s dancing, and to hear a sample of the town's singing. We started with a dance. Either a Nonesuch or a Gathering Peascods. The well-renowned old bard would start us off, and he was able to play so beautifully that I was able to get the tune in my ear, and Fret was able to accompany him. With the pirates and Father Thomas (when not too busy) joined in with percussion, it was quite a joyous noise. 

Folks from the court even joined in the dance lead by Lady Eleanor, the king’s sister, as they all gathered around the maypole in a large circle. The fae, the commoners, and all the way up to the king himself participated in a dance. Then at the end, the king declared a winner of the dance, and the queen offered the winner a small prize. 

After that was the town song, where every voice in the town sang along. Any individual, or group, that had a song in their heart had the opportunity to introduce themselves, including Fret and I! It was rather rewarding, because Queen Jane Seymour had taken note of Fret and I and invited us to play for her afternoon tea. We were delighted! After the dance and song, the king went over his schedule for the day which included a lot of violence and a lot of drinking. But, dear readers, this just about concludes my morning. The rest of the adventure is soon to come! In the meantime, I will leave you with the words to the songs the town had performed. 

With Love, 

Fiddle

Song Lyrics

Nonesuch

(And) She shall bring the birds of spring

And dance among the flowers

In summer’s heat, her kisses sweet

She sings from leafy bow-ers

She cuts the grain and harvests corn

The fruits of fall sur-round her

The days grow old and winters cold

She draws her cloak a-round her. 

Or as Lady Ellanor sang it: 

TO THE LEFT! 2,3,4,5,6,7,8

TO THE RIGHT!2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Step IN, Step IN, Step IN, and clap clap clap

Step OUT, Step OUT, Step OUT, and clap clap clap

Gathering Peascods

While the town of Folkestone did not sing lyrics, here is what I was able to pull from the archives regarding the tune. 

Gathering peascods,

Amidst the rows so green,

With bonny Bet, my queen;

Tossing the peascods

I' faith we had rare fun,

The work seem'd never done;

'Twas sweetest summer weather,

I plucked the peascods fast,

Then in her apron cast,

So being together,

Each turn I did not miss

To pluck as well a kiss.

Shelling of peascods

Beside the pretty wench,

A-seated on one bench;

Shelling of peascods

Into a maple bowl,

And she a merry soul;

So shelling without missing

A single pea, I said,

My labours must be paid

Only by kissing.

Fly winter! I were fain

'Twere peascods time again!

Or as Lady Ellanor sang it (after counting off the group into 1’s and 2’s): 

TO THE LEFT! 2,3,4,5,6,7,8, and everyone turns around

TO THE RIGHT!2,3,4,5,6,7,8, and everyone turns around

1s! … and go back to your places

1s! … and go back to your places

1s to the center and clap

2s to the center and clap

1s to the center and clap, and turn around as you go back

2s to the center and clap

1s to the center and clap

2s to the center and clap, and turn around as you go back

Folkestone Town Song

Hey Ho we welcome you home

To our Village of Folkestone

Today we will be very very mery

Hey Ho we welcome you home

My verse with Fret:

Good day my name is Fiddle // Hello my name is Fret

If you like the way we sound here //  You ain’t seen nothing yet

We are your traveling minstrels //  We’ve wandered all the land

Come join us on the cocktail crawl // Stop by and see our band