Poem for a medieval wedding

The Romance of Swaffham Prior.

In the pretty village of Swaffham Prior,
we begin our tale of romance  and desire.
‘Twas a summer’s night at the local inn,
there was drinking of mead and a terrible din;
When entered Marina, a fine looking wench,
she nervously sat ‘pon a rough wooden bench.

Tim, a young lad of the carpenter’s trade,
did spy in the distance this lovely young maid.
His gaze was intense, his features were fine,
young lady Marina ceased sipping her wine.
The lights seemed to dim, the tavern to hush,
Marina’s cheeks glowed with a most comely blush.

“Pray tell me young lass, have I seen thee before?
Your beauty is such that I cannot ignore.”
“I’m a lass from the village”, Marina replied,
and with fluttering lashes she audibly sighed.
So Tim and Marina began their romance,
to the songs of Rod Stewart they shared their first dance.


Romance turned to love, the two set a date,
it seemed that to wed was our young lovers’ fate.
But just a few weeks before they did marry,
young Tim announced that he thought they should tarry.
Marina replied, “I am broken of heart.”
with copious tears, she begged  Tim to depart.

Years passed and our lovers enjoyed happy days,
they both married others and children did raise.
But that first summer love neither one would forget,
many times would they dream of when they  first met.
On occasion, each asked how the other did fare,
deep down both had feelings they would not declare.

At the small village hospice which tended the lame,
Marina was working, when Tim to her came,
He led her outside to his strange steed of black,
”Marina, “said Tim, “prithee jump on the back!
I now know it’s you who possesses my heart,
So pass me the key lass and let us depart!”

Marina and Tim re-discovered their passion,
though as time had passed there’d been changes in fashion.
Marina near swooned when her eyes did alight,
upon Tim in an apron, a comical sight!
Said Tim, “My Masonic attire please excuse,
I possess many aprons of varying hues.”

One day when our lovers were merry with mead,
Tim leapt with haste from his shiny black steed,
“Marina,” he said, passion making him bold,
“Would you place on your finger, this band of pure gold?”
Said Marina, “Would this matter involve a new dress,
for if so, the answer is certainly yes!”

Thus our Swaffham romance draws near to an end,
with this wonderful gathering of family and friends.
Behold the fine ladies in beautiful robes,
and the men dressed in fashionable tunic and hose.
To Peckforton Castle from throughout the land,
all have travelled to witness this joining of hands.

Love promised today is love promised forever,
and as some would say, better later than never.
Love that lasts through the years is both truthful and strong,
So may yours be a marriage that’s happy and long!!