With the passing of a year since the last battle of the North, Lord Jones of Hemyock did once again summon his faithful knights to take passage with him to the Northern Lands and re-engage with the wily nobleman from the North and Midlands in the tournament known as Pocklington Two Seater Comp. As is custom, the mighty mobile palace of Hemyock did set itself in place on Friday to be circled by the various strong holds of Sir Philip of Exmouth, Sir JB of Taunton and the knavish Sir Pursey of the S Hams. Missing was the magic man, Malcolm of Wellington, grave injured in a recent skirmish. His skills with potions and fires would be much missed.
The flags of the lands of Devon and Somerset were hoist a topped by the mighty yellow tadpole representing the fertile lands of Hemyock and merriment began. Ales, wines and liquor were ordered to be brought forth by the Lord and the campaign planned. With a new steed at his command, the mythical Duo from the lands of Schempp and Hirth, Sir Phillip was given to much encouragement and the recital of prose during the pre-tournament feasting. The Lady Gill of Exmouth did roll her eyes…
The Sunday brought a first battle with challenges to the south, the market town of Beverley, and onwards via the hellish land of Scunthorpe to Cottam the former lair of a coal-eating dragon. Sir JB and Sir JP did wrestle with the elements and take their trusty Eagle south but with encroaching vapours did alight on heading north twixt the flashing sabres of a Scunthorpe windfarm. Sir Phillip’s steady hand took the Lord safely around all the challenges and back to his palace. On finding himself locked in his field the resourceful Sir JB did enchant local maids with tales of soil and barley yields. He was successful and the Lord's wagon did come safely to the rescue with the fair maid Steff of Taunton and the ever resourceful Stirling of Melhuish. Much merriment in the tavern that night led to a good Knight’s sleep…
Monday and the morning court session of the Northern Barons did proclaim the Eagle as victor on the previous day’s challenge for wooden craft. Sir Phillip was much pleased with his standing.
The tournament jester, John Norman of Hull, did then brief of challenges first to the south to Goole and then north to Malton and other exotic places. The vapours were returning to the skies and much was the struggle to leave.
Sir John with Alan of Ilford spent much time with the Eagle’s stablemate the venerable Capstan as they hedge hopped to Goole. Lucky spirits were with the Eagle because it turned and made a slow, low passage to the magical outer perimeter known as the finish ring and then settled next to a tavern in a field of stubble. Sir Phillip’s enchanted steer made easier passage and returned from Northern quarters with Lord Jones. A feast was arranged with Salmon encrusted with spices from the New World. Caskets of beer and wine were broached and the sacred waters of Jura brought forth.
Tuesday, and jester John announced good standings for the Lord’s men and a day of rest as foul airs brought cloud. The palace and encampment of Lord Jones became the scene of a banquet as fellow competitors gathered to share Spanish flavours around the fires of the Southern Knights. As the evening wore on Sir Phillip did recount more odes and poems from his youth, the meaning of most lost in the mists of time. A new sacred spirit was tested as the maiden Linden from Knaresbough offered “Slingsby Rhubarb Gin” from the ancient family Slingsby of York. Much was drunk and the poems did keep coming…
Luckily Wednesday which had been heralded by mighty storms with much electricity and magic in the skies was declared another day of rest for the Knights were jaded from their revelry. Later with the sun back in the sky, the Eagle went on a journey of discovery and attempted to soar the ancient hills of The Wolds. Low and with only ridge lift from a stand of trees, Sir JB took Sir JP into a field of gold, attracted by the sight of bisecting power wires and a wide gate. A simple supper followed and the young knave Matthew of Woolwell brought life to the tired party. More ale was broached and the waters of Jura once again sampled.
Thursday and the Northern heralds encouraged readiment but it was to be all for naught as vapours covered the sky. Late on and the sun returned making the Knights take to the sky in search of joy. Tinctures of wave and convection were sampled and the steeds carried new Knights aloft. On return fires were lit and a vat of exotic fare prepared. More story telling ensued and poems recited before slumber took hold. The Lord was tiring.
Friday and the Knights were greeted with commands to head west and cross the vast plain of York. After false start and re-light, Sir JB and Sir JP found the greyness overwhelming and flew to a field not from the Planes of Elvington whilst wise Sir Phillip, quietly slipped across the Vale and returned. With the camp returned the ancient dish of orange chicken was prepared and devoured amid much consumption of ale as the secret fires of red chilli caught hold the Knights. Sir Phillip was less moved to verse and with camp fires burning, waters of Jura quietly consumed as the Knights contemplated the coming challenges.
Saturday and the jester John let his wise man Bill-The Met talk of much excitement in the sky and the setting of routes to the south. Sir JB drawn by vigour in the vapours aloft, took the Eagle into the grey using long-learnt skills to take the craft high above the fellow Knights. Unfortunately he was too close to the fortress of Pocklington and penalties were to ensue. Also the lure of further forays into the veils of the sky meant that the trusty Eagle was out of sync with the sky and soon Sir JB and Sir JP were sitting at the gates of Hades also known as Scunthorpe steel works. A field soon followed and the Knights were crest fallen. Sir Phillip however prevailed and took Alan of Ilford on a great voyage to the towers of Belvoir beyond the Great Vale of Trent. Alan was kept aloft longer than he had experienced for many a year and was much enthralled by the marvel of the noble Duo and its lack of demand on the feet. That night the Northern Barons held a celebration in their castle but the Lord Jones men were tired and they were soon quietly sipping the waters of Jura in the mobile palace of Hemyock. Wisely the Lord of Hemyock had an early night for he knew of the seriousness of the battle to come.
Sunday and the final day. The Eagle needed to be strong to avenge the previous day's defeats and the morning proclamations were much studied and the Knights took their places. Sir JP was entrusted with carriage of the Lord of Hemyock and Sir JB given charge of the Lady Gill in the magic Duo. Routes South, then East and South again were set. Sir JP carefully took the craft south with much trepidation as the skies were at once full then empty of vapours. With the location of competing wooden craft unknown, the Eagle rounded Goole then headed east on an ever-downward path. With fellow craft alighting into fields and a healthy 400ft still showing the Eagle pressed on… In a final moment of enchantment, goblins conjured from afar by the Wizard Malcolm, startled birds out of a field as they released precious warming updrafts for the Eagle. With half its height gone that enchanted moment was enough to stop the downward path and allowed the southerners to prevail. Many turns later, the craft was high enough to continue and make good on passage to Beverly and Scunthorpe before returning home. Sir JB letting the Lady Gill take rein of the magical Duo, sailed round and was there to greet the returning Lord. With victory secured for wooden craft and the mighty Duo a creditable 7th, Lord Jones declared that celebration be made and a trip to the tavern was undertaken.
The next day with banners lowered the camp was struck and the campaign of Pocklington 2017 declared a success. The trusty Disco 5 bore the Lord of Hemyock home and the Knights returned to normal duties. - JP
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| Flags of Devon and Somerset... |
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| Sir JB and Sir JP..... |
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| Sir JB enchanted local maids.... |
The tournament jester, John Norman of Hull, did then brief of challenges first to the south to Goole and then north to Malton and other exotic places. The vapours were returning to the skies and much was the struggle to leave.
 |
| Sir John with Alan of Ilford....... |
Sir John with Alan of Ilford spent much time with the Eagle’s stablemate the venerable Capstan as they hedge hopped to Goole. Lucky spirits were with the Eagle because it turned and made a slow, low passage to the magical outer perimeter known as the finish ring and then settled next to a tavern in a field of stubble. Sir Phillip’s enchanted steer made easier passage and returned from Northern quarters with Lord Jones. A feast was arranged with Salmon encrusted with spices from the New World. Caskets of beer and wine were broached and the sacred waters of Jura brought forth.
 |
| The sacred waters of Jura... |
Luckily Wednesday which had been heralded by mighty storms with much electricity and magic in the skies was declared another day of rest for the Knights were jaded from their revelry. Later with the sun back in the sky, the Eagle went on a journey of discovery and attempted to soar the ancient hills of The Wolds. Low and with only ridge lift from a stand of trees, Sir JB took Sir JP into a field of gold, attracted by the sight of bisecting power wires and a wide gate. A simple supper followed and the young knave Matthew of Woolwell brought life to the tired party. More ale was broached and the waters of Jura once again sampled.
Thursday and the Northern heralds encouraged readiment but it was to be all for naught as vapours covered the sky. Late on and the sun returned making the Knights take to the sky in search of joy. Tinctures of wave and convection were sampled and the steeds carried new Knights aloft. On return fires were lit and a vat of exotic fare prepared. More story telling ensued and poems recited before slumber took hold. The Lord was tiring.
Friday and the Knights were greeted with commands to head west and cross the vast plain of York. After false start and re-light, Sir JB and Sir JP found the greyness overwhelming and flew to a field not from the Planes of Elvington whilst wise Sir Phillip, quietly slipped across the Vale and returned. With the camp returned the ancient dish of orange chicken was prepared and devoured amid much consumption of ale as the secret fires of red chilli caught hold the Knights. Sir Phillip was less moved to verse and with camp fires burning, waters of Jura quietly consumed as the Knights contemplated the coming challenges.
Saturday and the jester John let his wise man Bill-The Met talk of much excitement in the sky and the setting of routes to the south. Sir JB drawn by vigour in the vapours aloft, took the Eagle into the grey using long-learnt skills to take the craft high above the fellow Knights. Unfortunately he was too close to the fortress of Pocklington and penalties were to ensue. Also the lure of further forays into the veils of the sky meant that the trusty Eagle was out of sync with the sky and soon Sir JB and Sir JP were sitting at the gates of Hades also known as Scunthorpe steel works. A field soon followed and the Knights were crest fallen. Sir Phillip however prevailed and took Alan of Ilford on a great voyage to the towers of Belvoir beyond the Great Vale of Trent. Alan was kept aloft longer than he had experienced for many a year and was much enthralled by the marvel of the noble Duo and its lack of demand on the feet. That night the Northern Barons held a celebration in their castle but the Lord Jones men were tired and they were soon quietly sipping the waters of Jura in the mobile palace of Hemyock. Wisely the Lord of Hemyock had an early night for he knew of the seriousness of the battle to come.
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| Soaring wolds field..... |
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| Another day, another golden field..... |
