By the year 458 A.D., not long after the Romans had left Britain, a great Celtic leader had proven himself. He had united the warring kingdoms and driven the invading Danes from his shores. Now at age twenty three, this young king looked toward trade and commerce to gain allies and also to benefit the lives of his people during this hard won time of peace. During the negotiations of one trade agreement with Spain, he was obligated to accept a young Spanish princess as his bride to seal the bargain. The young king thought the marriage would be a simple affair that would more or less be in name only. He had met the princess once a couple of months before and at fourteen considered her a mere child. She on the other hand fell deeply in love with the handsome and brave knight from over the seas.
Royalty from all over Britain and parts of Europe came to celebrate the wedding. The ceremony was a gala event with the new queen making a wonderful impression on everyone present, except the king who kept mainly to his old friends. It was an awkward situation. He didn't speak Spanish and she not a word of Celtic but the wedding went ahead in great splendour.
During the next two years the king and new queen rarely saw each other, even though they lived in the same castle. He was either off on trips concerning affairs of state or in his own quarters in the castle. Over those years the queen gained many admirers and became a Christian as well. She learned the Celtic tongue in a very short time and adjusted quickly to the different lifestyle from that of her own homeland. Nearly 17 now the queen was fed up with being neglected by the king so she devised a plan to change that. With the help of her husband's friends and his love for pomp and ceremony, they planned an anniversary celebration.
In the great hall hundreds of knights and many kings and their wives were enjoying the music and entertainment. A page announced the entrance of the queen and all became silent. She was radiant as she floated across the floor in a beautiful floor length gown, straight toward her husband. Her long blond hair was rising softly as it caught the air. She stood silently for what seemed like an eternity staring up at her husband, finally she began to speak. "Arthur, my husband and king, you and these men around you have done great things for your country with your deeds and ideas, have you not?" she said. "Yes, I imagine we've tried," he replied. "I have never asked anything of you, have I?" she asserted. "No", he said shyly. "Would you please, my king, grant me one small request on this anniversary of our marriage, and as these noble people here are my witness, honour my request that I ask you this day", she pleaded. Hesitantly, as he looked around at the silent, staring crowd, he said "Yes, if it is humanly possible I shall grant your request my lady."
From the folds of her dress she removed a plant and held it up to Arthur. She said, "This ugly shrub has no purpose, Its yellowish green leaves surround a plain flower and poisonous white berries. It is a parasite on the trees from which it sucks its nourishment, but you can make it have a valuable purpose, for me." she said. "How?" he questioned curiously. She said, "I want you to promise, before God and this company, to caress me on the mouth every time we are in the same room with this plant." Giggles emerged from the crowd as the king considered her request. "If I do not agree to this request?" he queried. "Then I shall eat the poisonous berries and you shall be rid of me." she said bravely.
The silence in the room was as still as death. Arthur reached for her hand containing the shrub and taking it from her held it over his head shouting, "It looks as if a mere plant can rule a king." Then the king leaned over and gently kissed his young queen on the mouth, to the sound of joyous cheers filling the great hall. The party was an enormous success and all were eager to congratulate the queen and gain her favour.
Over the next few months everywhere Arthur went the plant was hanging and the queen was not far away either. Arthur always kept his word and caressed his wife every time he saw her and the plant in the same room. After a time and many kisses later Arthur noticed that there were no shrubs hanging around the castle but he continued to kiss her because by then he had fallen deeply in love. Every year after, they honoured the plant that helped them realise their love by hanging it all over the castle in mid winter, the time of their anniversary.
In the centuries that have passed since these days of greatness and glory, there have been stories invented which promote the idea of the Queen's affair with a French knight, eventually leading to the death of the king. These tales are untrue. The king known in those days as Riothomus, which means the head king, actually died from injuries on the mainland ten years later while leading a ten thousand man cavalry unit into battle helping defend his allies there against the invading Visgoths. No matter what version you believe, the truth is that through the queens wisdom, romance has been born and been renewed countless times over the ages because of the custom of kissing under the mistletoe.
Thank you Queen Guinevere.
Written By My Dear Friend......Moby Dick (Richard)
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE !
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