It was on the third night, when some of the rowdiness was dying down from sheer weariness and satiety, that the great south door was flung open and into the hall strode a huge man rolling an immense wheel before him. Those who were not yet too dazed with food and drink to register his presence stared with curiosity as he advanced — the iron rim of the wooden wheel thundering on the floor and drowning out all other sounds. The man himself was half naked, clad only in a few furs like a wildman of the woods, which contrasted dramatically with the finery of the wedding guests. Guards closed in on him at once, but Bladud raised his hand to stop them rough-handling the intruder out of the place. ‘All are welcome on this day of all days,’ he said cheerfully.
‘Let him come forward. Give him food
