Review: The Marshal’s Music at the Manor House

THE Manor House is such a warm and welcoming venue, with a vibrant programme of events – a tribute to the hard work and determination of the Friends and now the Trust. It was a highly appropriate setting for a concert of medieval music on Thursday evening. Trouvère Medieval Minstrels are celebrating the 800th anniversary of the death of William Marshal, for some England’s greatest knight. He was a tournament champion who made his name and his fortune both in jousting and battle – and by marriage. He also loved music, in courtly tradition, as listener and performer. Trouvère told his story and illustrated it with instrumental pieces, songs and readings from the rich repertoire of the 12th and 13th centuries, music that the Marshal would have known and whose themes matched events in his life. It was a compelling performance, featuring an array of string, wind and percussion instruments played by Paul Leigh and Gill Page, with Gill’s sweet singing and the strong and melodious voice of Richard de Winter as reader and singer. The seasons, courtly love, the glory and the sadness of war were powerfully evoked and there were moments of pure comedy, notably a banquet given by Henry II in 1172, to which only knights called William were invited. It turned out there were 110 at table... The final two songs – the Agnus Dei and In Paradisum from the Catholic liturgy – sung in Latin, mourned the Marshal’s death and were infinitely poignant. Trouvère helpfully provided a printed translation of the programme for those whose Old French is a bit rusty and the whole performance was enthusiastically received. Trouvère – the name is the Northern French version of “troubadour”, an itinerant musician/poet/storyteller – will be in action again in the Dales in September, with a medieval music festival in the magnificent setting of Castle Bolton. Workshops, concerts, instrument makers exhibiting their creations, informal music-making are all on offer. Check it out on the website www.medievalmusicinthedales.co.uk

For events at the Manor House, pick up a programme from Tourist Information or various venues around the town or see the website ilkleymanorhouse.org

Judith Dunn