Knight queues up for ye olde groceries

QUEUING outside a supermarket has become the new normal.

But even in 2020 it is unusual to spot a medieval knight, his horse, a nobleman, an archer, and a serving girl waiting to get into the shop.

Members of the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival kept on their fancy dress, much to the delight of their fellow shoppers.

The unusual group were all spotted socially distanced in a queue outside a Tesco Metro shop in the Gloucestershire town on Saturday.

The knight and his friends were all members of the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival which was due to take place this weekend but was sadly cancelled due to Covid-19.

Not letting the cancellation dampen their spirits, these people decided to don their costumes regardless and take to the town centre in all their glory.

Historical reenactor Liz Aston, who runs the website and social media for the festival, explained: “The festival directors and a small number of friends met in Tewkesbury yesterday on what would have been the festival weekend.

“We walked through the town - maintaining social distancing! - as a way of marking the festival and promoting our ‘Virtual Festival’ we are holding instead online.

“We usually get one of two reactions,” added Ms Aston.

“Either people are really interested and ask why we are dressed up, or they pretend not to notice.

“In Tewkesbury it’s not all that unusual to see people in 15th century kit given how popular the festival is.”

Ms Aston mentioned the horse was not allowed inside the shop and had to wait outside with the rider.

Tewkesbury Medieval Festival has been occurring since 1984 with volunteers of the event claiming it is the biggest free medieval gathering in Europe with more than 2,000 attendants each year.