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Revel Grove, Oxfordshire, England

The Revenant

Definition:

1. One that returns after a lengthy absence.

2. One who returns after death.

-source American Heritage Dictionary.

The year is 1543. Henry VIII and his Royal Court have fled London for the fresh and healthsome air of the countryside. "The Great Pestilence" has returned to England and many in London have died. Hans Holbein, the great artist, would perish from the plague. Henry, always fearful of illness, has stated that no one who has been in London may come within 7 miles of his country estate.

While the times have been turbulent, the King has now gotten over his grief from the betrayal of the young Katherine Howard, his fifth queen, and is looking to wed.

Gossip is rife in the Court surrounding possible brides. There are some - including the lady herself - who feel that the King may take back his divorced 4th wife, Anna of Cleves. He has summoned Anna to meet with him in Revel Grove for a private conference. Anna is thrilled - is it possible that she will once again be Queen of England?

In July, Parliament has passed the 'Succession to the Crown Act 1543', which returns Henry's two daughters Mary and Elizabeth to the line of succession behind Prince Edward, any potential children of his, and any potential children by a future wife. After a season of sadness and pain, the daughters of Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn are at last welcomed back to Court.

In The Village:

The people of Revel Grove greatly anticipate the visit of the King and his Court to their annual Harvest Festival. The long-suffering Justice of the Peace, Sir Richard Southwell, has been appointed as Mayor -much to his dismay. Ever hopeful, he anticipates this visit will gain him a post back to his rightful place at the Inns of Court. So word that the plague has infected the nearby village of Tiddington has him quite concerned. He knows of the King's great fear of illness and is determined that nothing will get in the way of the King's visit and a successful Court appointment.

Traveling this day is the Scottish poet and diplomat, Sir David Lyndsay. Sir David is astonished when he sees a familiar face in the crowd. It is a young woman he recognizes from many years ago during a diplomatic mission to France. His great lost love, Francoise de Foix. But this is impossible! She looks as young as she did when he was last in France, twenty-three years ago. And he had word that Francoise was dead!

The young woman insists her name is Angelique Saville, a singer who is traveling with a band of entertainers. Surely it is just the confusion in the mind of an old man. But is it?

Strange things have been occurring since this French woman has come to England. The plague is claiming many victims and the pandemic has people searching for any explanation and cure. The peasants know that spirits can be a cause of the plague and spread illness. In times of great anxiety, the search for answers can lead down many unwise paths. A look at the 16th century perspective on the plague and country folklore.

Taken from: http://www.rennfest.com/entertainment/this-years-story-line