The Village of Llanybri near Carmarthen

"MEDIAEVAL FEAST"

The setting is the Great Hall at Llansteffan Castle (now in ruins), when the De Camville family were "Lords of the areas", between the 13th and 14th centuries. The De Camvilles had French connections, hence the Fleur De Lys on the coat of arms right, the Dragon on the left for Welsh. The villagers of Llanybri were "Bondsmen" to the Lord and would have provided all the food for feasts also some of the servants and stewards possibly the two young men preparing wine and water in the centre ground could have been ancestors of the Davies family. The Castle was owned by John O'Gaunt in the 14th century. Various dignitaries would have visited the family - including high ranking church officials.
The table is laid with gold plate and the great "Salt" of the Lord. The food would have included Boars' Heads, Fish from the river, Poultry and Venison. The steward feeding the Lord's hounds had an important role; the dogs probably fared better than he did! The Poet and Harpist are entertaining the guests and Lord and Lady with tales from the Mabinogion.
The walls of the Hall would have had vast silk tapestries, note the french chevron design on the edges of the canopy above the fireplace - probably imported from France.
Embroidered by: Aurelia Reynolds, Lynda Ward and Marilyn Morris