Let battle commence ...

It's now afternoon on Saturday and we walked from our mooring on Medmenham Meadow up Ferry Lane to the bus stop to Greenlands where the annual Henley Show is happening today and as we entered and paid the fee (wrinklies) we could hear a loudspeaker from the main ring and walked directly there ...

Jousting!

3 noblemen and 1 noblewoman ...

from 4 different shires

All lined up and being given the tournament rules

The Earls are asking for 'favours' from the crowds and this lady here had told the nobleman in the picture that she is cheering for the Countess of Macclesfield and he tells her that 'everyone is entitled to make a mistake'!

The Countess' serf takes the lady's favour and she informs him that she is the real Countess/Lady of Macclesfield (could this be true we wondered?)  and she asks us to support her ... well what could we do but say 'yes' ... after all we have cruised the Macclesfield Canal!

He and 'his Lady' are very impressed and bow deeply in her presence!

Let the tournament begin ...

Lady Macclesfield dons on her armour

and positions are taken ...

First contact

The Victor!

Second contest and he's lost his lance

My Lady's turn ...

Contact made and lance fallen ...

My Lady is injured ... foul play!

Honour needs to be restored

She says ... kill him!

Honour is restored ...

and the winner claims the tournament!

All good stuff!

Well ... she must be real! 

Interest article here regarding Shirburn Castle, home of the Earls of Macclesfield and info on the 9th Earl of Macclesfield too ... no real information/pictures of the Lady though.

 Excitement over ... 

we continue around the numerous tents ...

Game birds show winners

My favourite ... Gemima Puddleduck!

We gave the food and wine tent a miss ... far too hot and too crowded!

Produce show ...

Kids having great fun!

The Farm Animal show ring

The live stock pens ...

Classic and vintage vehicles ...

Click on any of the pictures to enlarge

The carriage horses ...

The Show Jumpers ...

We had a great afternoon ... the show was extremely well supported and although the weather forecast was wet, it did actually stay dry until later in the afternoon.

Another great day!