The Anticipation of Meeting Lafayette
When we vacationed in Virginia in 2004, we heard about Lafayette everywhere we went
While perusing the weekly Colonial Williamsburg schedule over dinner Sunday night, to plan our next three days, bold letter declared the option of an audience with General Lafayette on Tuesday!
After Revolutionary City’s Collapse of Royal Government in the morning, we enjoyed our picnic lunch on quiet, shady, Botetourt Street, chatting about everything about Lafayette, learned from our homeschool studies.
Imagine, meeting a Frenchman in Williamsburg.
What would this experience be like?
Arriving at the Kimball Theater in Merchant Square, the coolness of the theater was refreshing after the heat and humidity of the summer August day.
Lafayette Tells His Story
Out stepped the General Lafayette, who powerfully told his story with a French accent.
The actor even rattled off lots of French words!
After he gave a wonderful narrative of the role he played in the American Revolution, he answered questions from the audience.
Question and Answer Time
When one lady asked why Britian and France had always been at war with each other, he replied that they were like brothers, sometimes friends, sometimes enemies.
I thought, well…yeah…but, what about the Norman Conquest of England in 1066? (I made a mental note to review that one with my kids after the program.)
My Son Suggests an Answer
As quickly as that ran through my head my son’s hand shot up in the air.
When Lafayette called on my son, I thought: uh oh, Lafayette is going to get a tough question.
I had a feeling this might be a bit out of Lafayette’s range historically, but theatrically this could be fun.
My son asked if the tensions between Britian and France during the American Revolution and the French and Indian War went back to the Hundred Years’ War.
The look on the Marquis’ face was priceless!
He was delightfully shocked!
With a big smile on his face he exclaimed: Ah, monsieur, we have a historian in the audience!
Then he presented a five-minute dissertation on the Hundred Years’ War, Joan of Arc, and the Battles of Crecy and Poiters!
Gleefully we were astounded!
Everyone loved it!
Afterwards we went up to meet him.
Meeting General Lafayette
When the interpreter saw my son, he said: Ah here’s the young historian. Who taught you about the Hundred Years’ War?
My son simply replied: My mother.
Again, the marquis got a surprised look on his face, like one of delight.
Smiling he said: Well, always listen to your mother. She is an intelligent woman!
Wow! This interpreter ranks right up there with Lafayette, in my mind!
As they posed for a picture, everyone in the room started snapping shots with their cameras! (see blog header photo)
Since that moment we’ve not stopped talking about this fun experience.
It was definitely the highlight of our trip to Colonial Williamsburg!
For more pictures of our trip to Colonial Williamsburg, check my Flickr set.
