England struggles...

His Majesty's "Great Matter," that of his divorce from his queen Catherine of Aragon, has escalated to him proclaiming himself "...of the Church of England and of Ireland on Earth Supreme Head," thus breaking England away from the Catholic Church, and the now (in England) titled "Bishop of Rome." His desire for a male heir is incredibly strong, and he believes it will be honored by his new beloved, the intriguing Anne Boleyn, whom he has raised to the Marquess (not the feminine marchioness) of Pembroke, a title typically reserved for a male but high enough to marry a king...

King Henry and Lady Anne will be embarking to France to secure support for their marriage, so His Majesty is hosting a Twelfth Night Ball to introduce the new Marquess to the Court, giving her a place at the Royal Table and his side.

The now "Dowager Princess of Wales" Catherine of Aragon has also decided to give one last appearance to the Court before Henry's demanded banishment to one of the country properties. She still refuses to be called anything but Queen!

What is "Twelfth Night?"

In medieval and Tudor England, Candlemas traditionally marked the end of the Christmas season, although later, Twelfth Night came to signal the end of Christmastide, with a new but related season of Epiphanytide running until Candlemas. A popular Twelfth Night tradition was to have a bean and pea hidden inside a Twelfth-night cake; the "man who finds the bean in his slice of cake becomes King for the night while the lady who finds a pea in her slice of cake becomes Queen for the night." Following this selection, Twelfth Night parties would continue and would include the singing of Christmas carols, as well as feasting.

Twelfth Night is a Christian holiday, celebrated on January 5. It marks the twelfth and final night of the Christmas season and the coming of Epiphany. Contrary to popular belief, Christmas is not just December 25. Contrary to popular belief, Christmas is not just December 25. That is only the first day of Christmas and it includes the eleven days that follow. The Twelve Days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day (December 25) and end on Epiphany (January 6).

The Guilde of Sainte Marie will, with your help, reenact this most glorious of feast days! Perhaps you shall become King or Queen of the Bean!

Proceeds from this glorious celebration will benefit the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sunnyvale, The Congregational Church of Sunnyvale (UCC), and the Guilde of Sainte Marie, Inc., a 501c3 Educational Nonprofit