With celebrations aplenty this weekend to mark William Shakespeare's 400th anniversary, it seems a good time to look back on IE's own Mediaeval celebrations. For our Christmas party, the Lordes and Ladyes of IE donned Mediaeval livery and boarded a carriage* bound for a banquet at Coombe Abbey. 

Monks and wenches aplenty

The IE team transformed from their usual apparel as developers, consultants and designers into a marvellous assortment of characters; from kings, queens and knights to wenches, jesters, monks – and even a wizard.

This motley crew assembled amidst the splendour of the Abbey in all their finery for a night of fun and feasting. Verily, the mead and ale were in full flow as we indulged in a spectacular four-course banquet. Meanwhile, the Abbey’s players treated us to mirth and song, and Nick O’Sullivan – one of the two court jesters in our midst – was dragged onstage, much to our merriment.

If music be the food of love, play on!

After a hearty feast fit for a king and queen, the evening came to an end with much dancing and song, and perchance a few sore heads on the morrow. Huzzah!

*may have been a regular mini-bus