Earlier this month, we welcomed more than 150 Johnians and their guests to Merchant Taylors’ Hall for our London Christmas Drinks Reception. With the bubbly flowing and Christmas tunes in full swing, we enjoyed a wonderful evening celebrating the start of the festive season.
The catering team at Merchant Taylors’ Hall prepared a variety of canapés for us, from brie bites to beef Yorkshire puddings and delicious macaroons. While those were enjoyed, we sent guests on a hunt to discover an array of letters which, once unscrambled, made up the name of the 1557 ‘Lorde in Christinmas’.
The position of ‘Lorde in Christinmas’ (Lord of Christmas) was a position held at St John’s College by a Fellow, as legislated in the 1545 Statutes. The chosen Fellow wrote Statutes in Greek or Latin and prepared ‘dialogues’ and festive spectacles during the 12 days of Christmas. The Lorde received 22 shillings and 6 pence to fund these entertainments.
Some of the lucky winners of the challenge are pictured below. Keep an eye out for our Christmas newsletter to have a go yourself.
We were delighted to be joined at the event by the Master, Heather Hancock (1984). She thanked those who were able to join us, who had battled through the cold and train strikes, and updated Johnians on life in College before wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas.
It was wonderful to welcome so many of you to our London Christmas Drinks Reception! We hope those who attended enjoyed an unforgettable evening, and we look forward to seeing you again next year.
Photography by Owen Billcliffe Photography owenbphoto.com
