FIRST WEEK Wednesday 12th October, 8pm (Bostar Hall, Univ) Introductory Meeting. Tonight's meeting will simply be a relatively relaxed evening amid the rush of first week at which old members can inveigh against the new administration and new arrivals can meet the committee. There will be a short talk on the society and a brief introduction to Arthurian legend accompanied by mulled wine and Praetorius. SECOND WEEK Thursday 20th October, 8pm (Lecture Room B, Worcester) Speaker Meeting. Leading light of the Mediaeval Society and expert on Malory, Dr Helen Cooper will tonight talk to us on "Le Morte D'Arthur", the text from which most latter day Arthuriana draws its inspiration, and the most obvious inroad to writings of its type for the newcomer to the literary Arthur. THIRD WEEK Thursday 27th October (Meet 7pm outside Somerville Lodge) Bonfire and Story-telling on Port Meadow. Before the Winter kills our romantic notions we shall tonight sit around a bonfire on Port Meadow baking potatoes, telling stories, drinking wine and maybe even singing songs. If possible please bring along some wood for the fire (Halloween approaches), wine for the palate and a tale for the gathering. FOURTH WEEK Saturday 5th November (Time and meeting place to be announced) Michaelmas Pilgrimage. Today we will take a midterm jaunt into the area around Oxford, visiting various sites of Arthurian and Celtic interest. Probables include the Vale of the White Horse, Avebury, Silbury Hill and a pub for lunch. We will be leaving early in order to get back to Oxford in time for the bonfires. Places will be limited, so contact the Treasurer or the President for details. FIFTH WEEK Thursday, 10th November, 8pm (Sainsbury Common Room, Worcester) Speaker Meeting. Michael Maclagan, an expert in the field, will tonight return to the society to talk on Arthurian Heraldry in the Middle Ages with an accompanying slide show. SIXTH WEEK Thursday 17th November, 8pm (Sainsbury Common Room, Worcester) Banquet Preparation Evening. Tonight's meeting will be an informal opportunity to learn a few Mediaeval dances, sing a few songs, drink a few glasses of wine and do a little last-minute work on costumes in preparation for... SEVENTH WEEK Sunday 20th November (The Turf Tavern) The Mediaeval Banquet. The social event of the Arthurian year. Tonight we take over the courtyard of the Turf for our annual full costume cutlery-free banquet. Six courses, serving wenches and varlets, jugglers, jesters, fire-eaters, minstrels and the Feast of Misrule all should ensure that you experience no night quite like it in Oxford. Contact the President for details of tickets. Thursday 24th November, 8pm (Massey Room, Balliol) Speaker Meeting. Helen Hollick, author of the recently published "The Kingmaking", will come to talk to the society tonight about her experience of Arthurian writing and her belief in an historical Arthur. EIGHTH WEEK Thursday 1st December, 8pm (TV Room, Holywell Manor, Manor Rd) Video Night and Party. For the last meeting of term we shall be holding a video night cum party. John Boorman's epic "Excalibur" is to be the highlight of the evening, though Monty Python and other snippets may well slip in. Bring a bottle to help with the festivities. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * Other events planned for this term are a trip to the current Pre-Raphaelite exhibition at the Ashmolean, and a pilgrimage to join the Cardiff Arthurian Society for their enormous banquet in Caerphilly Castle. Details as and when... * Anyone wishing to dine with a guest speaker before a meeting should contact the President.